About the Promology Laboratory

The Promology Laboratory is dedicated to the experimental research, promotion, and guidance of breeding, cultivation, post-harvest processing, and disaster prevention/mitigation techniques for special fruit crops ("special" referring to the fact that such crops are not commonly grown in other parts of Taiwan) in Taitung County with the purpose of boosting fruit yield and quality, enhancing competitiveness for local growers, promoting product export, and reducing the threat of loss from natural disasters, all of which are aimed at maintaining the interests of farmers. The types of trees the lab focuses on are Annona (including sugar apples, atemoyas, and soursops, for which the TTDARES has developed the sugar apple varieties Taitung Nos. 1-3 and useful techniques for off - season production and postharvest treatment), loquat, citruses, and other tropical fruits. We have developed related cultivation techniques and enhanced variety adaptability, creating a diverse fruit industry in Taitung.

• Main tasks
  1. Experimental research on breeding and cultivation techniques for special fruit crops in Taitung County.
  2. Experimental research on post-harvest processing techniques.
  3. R&D on disaster prevention/mitigation techniques.
  4. Research on emerging fruit variety germplasm collection and cultivation.
  5. Agrometeorology information collection and maintenance of the Agrometeorology Station.

   

• Current research
  1. Improvement of cultivation and post-harvest processing for special fruit trees in Taitung County: R&D, demonstrations, guidance, and promotion of cultivation and post-harvest processing techniques for Annona, loquat, citrus, and rambutans.
  2. Research on cultivation of major cash-crop fruit trees in Taitung County: Selective breeding of weather-resistant, excellent-quality Annona and loquat varieties.
  3. Natural disaster survey/analysis and research on disaster mitigation/adaptation for major fruit crops in Taitung County: R&D on prevention and adaptation techniques related to such natural disasters as typhoons, foehn winds, and high temperatures to reduce losses from disasters.
  4. Research on precision irrigation techniques for Annona: In response to the greater frequency of drought, we have established precision irrigation techniques for Annona trees to maintain yield and quality while effectively conserving water.

Processing of harvested sugar apple flowers.	Preservation of sugar apple pollen.
Establishment of the phenology of soursops in Taitung.	Establishment of indexes for atemoya fruit drop due to high temperatures.
Establishment of optimal harvesting period for “honey” passion fruit.	Post-harvest essentials for summer fruit of sugar apples.
Selective breeding of Dendrobium nobile strains	Dendrobium nobile
Demonstration event of an outstanding loquat orchard with early-maturing fruit.	Sunburn prevention for fruit trees branches and trunks.