USDA Research Center working on several projects to benefit agriculture industry

There are numerous research projects going on inside the USDA in Salinas.

“Our mission is to improve production of various crop plants, mainly lettuce, spinach, sugar beets, melons for the genetic stand point through breeding. And then also come up with means of disease control,” said Research Leader and Location Coordinator USDA Jim Mccreight.

The projects benefit the entire world.

“Because of the intensive production systems, disease pressures are actually increasing and so we need to have plant breeding and plant pathology to address these problems,” said Mccreight.

In order to conduct these studies insects transfer a virus.

“When we need massive amounts of white fly for the tests this is where I produce them and this is where I come in and get them,” said USDA Biological Science Technician Arturo Cortez.

In 2005 methyl bromide, an ozone depleter was scheduled to be phased out, however many strawberry growers continue to use the gas. Researchers at the USDA are trying to find an effective alternative. Verticillum Wilt is another project they’re working on.

“Discovered about twenty years ago in the Pajaro Valley. We’ve made considerable progress on developing germ plasm with resistance to verticillum wilt race one, there’s two races,” said Mccreight.

As the agriculture industry grows so does the need for more research. And what better place to invest than the salad bowl of the world. The USDA hopes to break ground on a new research facility in 2018.

“The consumers benefit because there’s going to be more high quality product as a result of disease control,” said Mccreight.