12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013
University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji
Seed germinability of exotic plant species in
soil attached on table potatoes and on wheat
seeds imported into Fiji
Apaitia R. Macanawai, Selveena S. Lal and Meleki Motuwale
Department of Agriculture, Tropical Weed Research Unit,
Plant Protection Section, Koronivia Research Station,
P.O Box 77, Nausori, Fiji,
[email protected]
[email protected]
A study to investigate the germinability of exotic seeds in
wheat (Triticum spp.) and in soil attached on table potatoes
(Solanum tuberosum L.) imported into Fiji were undertaken in
early 2012. Wheat seed were collected from three wheat
importers and soil attached on table potato samples were
collected from one importer in Suva, Fiji. Other plant seeds
were extracted from wheat seeds by sieving. Other plant
seeds were raised in Yates seed raising mix while soil
attached on table potatoes were thinly spread over Yates
seed raising mix and maintained in a glasshouse at Koronivia
Research Station, Fiji. The two different plant species
emerged from seeds extracted from wheat belonged to
Brassicaceae family and identified as Raphanus raphanistrum
L. and Sisymbrium species. However, the only exotic plant
species emerged from soil samples extracted from table
potatoes was identified as Plantago lanceolata L.
(Plantaginaceae). This preliminary investigation has
12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013
University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji
confirmed the presence of viable seeds of exotic plant species
in wheat seeds and table potatoes imported into Fiji. A
concerted effort by relevant authorities is vital to prevent
introduction of exotic plant species into Fiji.
Key Words: wheat, table potatoes, exotic species, Fiji