A banana plantation at the Inarajan experiment station consists of five varieties of banana that were planted last April for a variety trial: Fiji, Blue Java, Macao, Manila, and Saba. Researchers have since determined two of these varieties that are recommended for Guam growers due to their minimal maintenance and success growing under sustainable production methods.

Participants at the field day will take a walking tour of the plantation, with several stops along the way to gather expertise from Land Grant faculty researchers and staff. They will learn about the two recommended varieties, as well as about sustainable practices for growing bananas and proper harvesting and handling of the fruit.

Additionally, UOG’s Land Grant food scientist, Dr. Jian Yang, will present about value-added food product possibilities for bananas, and UOG’s new nematologist, Dr. Richard Singh, will offer expertise on the threat of nematodes, or round worms, to bananas and other fruit crops.

Registration is required to attend, and space will be limited to the first 30 registrants. To sign up, contact Glenda Hall at (671) 735-2080 or ghall@triton.uog.edu. There is a $10 fee payable upon registration or at the door.

About University of Guam Land Grant

As a federally designated Land Grant university since 1972, the University of Guam provides instruction, research, and community outreach in the fields of agriculture, food, natural resources, nutrition, and consumer science in order to improve life in Guam and Micronesia. Its two Land Grant units include the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center and UOG Cooperative Extension & Outreach, which operate within the College of Natural & Applied Sciences.