Plant propagation in the Micronesian region: challenges and measures for sustainable production^©

This paper reports on plant propagation of select staple and cash crops in the Micronesian region. While discussing various climatic, socio-economic and technical issues that limit agricultural production, the paper emphasizes the feasibility of plant tissue culture techniques for sustainable plant propagation in the region. The findings include development of successful in vitro plant propagation methods and field transfer techniques for regional cultivars of banana, taro, cassava, sweet potato, pineapple, and black pepper. Plant propagation systems developed for crops at the Micronesia Plant Propagation Research Center serve as a foundation for establishing sustainable agriculture practices and attaining food self-sufficiency in Micronesia.