University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have created a mobile phone application to track the spread of the papaya ringspot virus and genetically engineered papaya in the Honolulu area.
University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have created a mobile phone application to track the spread of the papaya ringspot virus and genetically engineered papaya in the Honolulu area.
Scot Nelson, a specialist with plant and environmental protection services, and Richard Manshardt, a horticulturist with tropical plant and soil sciences, believe the virus is declining there, possibly due to the spread of papaya genetically modified to resist the virus.
The app allows users to snap a picture of their papaya and send it to the scientists.
The picture allows them to diagnose whether it is infected with the virus.
They are also asking residents in the area to mail papaya leaves to determine whether they are genetically modified.
For more information, visit http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/pic-a-papaya.