Project assistance completion report : biological control of cucumber mosaic virus program in science and technology cooperation (PSTC)

All research activities related to the production of vaccine have been accomplished; a vaccine, mixed CMV-2 + CARNA 5, has been obtained which does hold promise of a capability to protect pepper plants against the infection of CMV and its helper virus. However, the project lost 6 months due to problems in transferring technology to study sites in Indonesia (such as late delivery and technical problems in setting up crucial equipment). As a result, the principal investigator was not able to produce purified vaccines to control CMV. Although the topic was not specifically studied, the principal investigator indicated that the technologies developed by the project have the potential to increase farmers' income if properly applied; a private company has expressed interest in commercializing the technology. Also, LEHRI's capabilities in virology, especially in the area of viral satellite technology, have been improved. LEHRI is continuing research into CMV using chemicals purchased under the project and funds from a Dutch- supported project. Field trials in different pepper-growing areas need improvement and continuous investigation because of commonly occurring complications related to the incidence of other aphid-transmitted viruses. Research has to be continued so that CMV control efforts can be applied on larger scales at farmer levels; this will provide an important economic incentive for increasing pepper production in Indonesia, and generally strengthen the development of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Lessons learned include: (1) Although the small size of grants such as this makes it difficult to include formal evaluations, in the future it would be advisable for A.I.D./W to include a requirement for modest interim evaluations. (2) The commercial dissemination of research results requires close collaboration between public research centers such as LEHRI and private sector companies. (3) Provisions are needed to ensure that the principal investigator does not need to spend an inordinate amount of time on administrative/financial details.