INTERNATIONAL MELOIDOGYNE PROJECT - PROJECT REVIEW (FEBRUARY 6-7, 1980)

This special contracted evaluation, attached to a PES (PD-AAG-654-B1), covers the period 6/75-1/80 and is based on an onsite review. The project was implemented by North Carolina State University and has produced excellent results. Originally limited to six regions, new regions were added as the project progressed. Outputs include the development of a network of 104 cooperating scientists from 58 countries; completion of a crop loss assessment survey; evaluation of more than 700 living populations of Meloidogyne; identification of Meloidogyne-resistant food crops, cultivars, and germplasm; associations with international crop development centers; and 182 research publications. Satisfactory progress was made in the identification of Meloidogyne-resistant food crops, cultivars, and germplasm as well as in the evaluation of environmental parameters associated with Meloidogyne host-parasite relations. However, progress was considerably slower in evaluating responses to crop rotation and in the implementation of plant protection schemes. The project demonstrated the wisdom of allocating limited resources to local cooperators -- which resulted in their dedication to the program on the basis of scientific rather than financial advantages. The use of regional coordinators, on the other hand, did not work well. If used at all, they should be selected after the project is in operation so that scientists with the greatest interest in the project can be identified. The team strongly recommends that the project be extended and that the following actions be taken: (1) the addition of a professional position in the field of technology transfer; (2) additional training of international cooperators; (3) provision of a plant breeder and an ecology consultant; (4) appointment and termination of regional coordinators and cooperators at the discretion of the principal investigator; (5) close coordination with the USDA/SEA/SR Committee on Crop Loss Assessment Systems.