INSTITUTE, WV (WOWK) – West Virginia State University is continuing to make waves in the agricultural field with its new 6,912 square-foot greenhouses, where top researchers will conduct potentially world-changing research.

Composed of graduate students, undergraduate students, and WVSU biology staff members, they have teams set to tackle a few key issues facing West Virginians and people all across the globe.

The first problem teams are tackling is growing disease-resistant watermelons, cucumbers, and squash. They’re taking a closer look at harmful chemicals that bleed into produce grown next to coal mining plants.

“As you know, some West Virginia produce sites are contaminated with heavy metals because of mining activity. We are looking into ‘What is the accumulation in the stem, leaf, and fruit? If it is in the fruit, what is a safe level?'” said Dr. Padma Nimmakyala, a WVSU scientist.

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Dr. Nimmakyala’s team is also growing different produce that would be more resistant to selenium and arsenic, chemicals that are often found in produce grown next to mining sites.

There is also a team studying 200 varieties of peppers’ genetics, with the goal of cross-pollinating different breeds to bring out the best flavor, make them healthier, and also be more resistant to life-altering diseases.

“Heavy metals that can enter into the fruits – they can cause diseases in humans like cancer and Alzheimer’s. So we need to identify the genes that can filter them so they don’t reach the fruit,” said Dr. Umesh Reddy. “Metabolites that last in ancient peppers, we can bring back into the culture so they are more flavorful, healthier to eat, and they can better withstand diseases themselves.”

A third team, led by WVSU scientist and researcher Dr. Sanju Sanjaya, is growing switch grass and studying its use as a biofuel.

“We are developing energy crops using switch grass. We are introducing genes from different organisms to produce hydrocarbon molecules. These molecules we are able to extract, and we are able to use it in aviation fuel or automobiles,” said Dr. Sanjaya.

Funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, WVSU is in Phase 1 of a plan to build more greenhouses and space for students and scientists alike to conduct further research on food sustainability, safety, and the development of environmentally friendly biofuels.

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