Department of Food Production

Food Production Laboratory

The FPL is situated in the upper floor of the south east wing of the Frank Stockdale Building.  This laboratory provides facilities for teaching and research in areas of Animal Nutrition, Livestock Products Technology, Animal Physiology and Biotechnology. The laboratory is spacious and is equipped with instruments and consumables available for a wide range of undergraduate and post graduate research.

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Uppoor Krishnamoorthy
662-2002 Ext 82230

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Animal Nutrition Laboratory (ANL)

The greatest strides in improving the efficiency of tropical animal production are likely to come from improved husbandry, particularly nutrition. The ANL is situated in the upper floor of the south east wing of the Sir Frank Stockdale Building. The lab facilitates teaching and research in Animal Nutrition. The lab specialises in analysing samples collected from animals, plants and food products for chemical constituents such as dry matter, mineral, protein, fat and fibre, including different fibre components  and digestibility to determine the nutritional value.

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Uppoor Krishnamoorthy
662-2002 Ext 82230

Biotechnology Laboratory

The Biotechnology is situated in the upper floor of the South East wing of the Frank Stockdale Building. Students gain vital knowledge regarding the composition of animal fluids in relation to their reproductive physiology, and molecular biology information of plant and animal diseases as well as the host organisms. In terms of current agricultural techniques, the Biotechnology Unit encompasses two areas: Biotechnology and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The focus of the Biotechnology area includes Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in the measurement of progesterone in animal plasma or serum, and Photometric Determination of citric acid and fructose in animal seminal plasma. The PCR area focuses on molecular characterization of microorganisms from food, soil, animal and plants through conventional PCR, Real-Time PCR and Gel electrophoresis systems

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Saravanakumar / Prof Badrie / Dr. Singh

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Food Biology Laboratory and Plant Physiology Laboratory

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Roberts-Nkrumah/ Mr. Daley,Dr. Mohammed
662-2002 ext 83321

Microbiology Laboratory

The Microbiology Laboratory is situated in the lower floor of the John Spence Building . It provides students with  fundamental techniques in Microbiology by conducting experiments with specimen from foods, water, soil and plant. This laboratory is also active in the areas of basic research, applied research and quality control monitors in foods. Students comply with Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that, approved sample preparation and all analytical methods are chosen and followed. Through, quality assurance, it is ensured that the accuracy of data obtained from analyses are suitable for use in decision making. 

For enquiries please contact: Prof. Badrie
662-2002 Ext 83689

Tissue Culture Laboratory 

The Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory is located in the John Spence Building. The lab provides students with training in tissue culture techniques; for tropical germplasm conservation and the micro-propagation of disease free plantlets from food crops of economic importance to strengthen food security in the region. The laboratory follows standard procedures fit for purpose to ensure  the highest quality of  testing and reporting

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Roberts-Nkrumah /Prof. Badrie/ Mr. Daley
662-2002 Ext 83629

Soil Chemistry Laboratory

The Soil Chemistry Laboratory is situated in the Nazeer Ahmad Building. The laboratory serves as a teaching and research space for the accumulation of knowledge on the soils in the Caribbean region. This is a significant inheritance from our founders Professor Frederick Hardy and Professor Emeritus Nazeer Ahmad who planned and organized research, and stimulated interest in soils and their proper use. The lab facilitates students who are interested in research in the effective and sustainable use of land in the Region through many fields including Agriculture, Geology, Geography, Civil Engineering, Land Management, in the hope of continuing to create greater awareness in proper land use for all to benefit, especially for future generations. The laboratory is equipped with an Agilent, FS (Fast Sequential) 240 Atomic absorption Spectroscopy with the capability of performing flame and furnace operations analysing elements at very high speeds. 

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Gouveia/ Dr Eudoxie

Soil Physics Laboratory

The laboratory is situated in the Nazeer Ahmad Building. It facilitates teaching and research in soils.Various experiments are performed in the soil physics lab to test parameters such as moisture content, the electrical conductivity of the soil, the percentage of sand, silt and clay in a sample, the stability of the aggregates and water infiltration rate, just to name a few. Students are exposed to soil analysis and the importance in agriculture as it relates to determining the inputs required for efficient and economic production. These tests will also help to ensure that the right amount of fertilizer is used to meet the requirements of the crop, while taking advantage of the nutrients already available in the soil.

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Wudivira/ Dr. Ramnarine

Plant Pathology Laboratory

The Plant Pathology Lab (PPL) is situated in the Nazeer Ahmad Building. The lab provides undergraduate students with the foundation to be able to use conventional tools of plant disease diagnosis and implement appropriate management strategies for common plant diseases. At the Post-graduate level, they are exposed to advance techniques.  The lab is equipped with modern instruments and follows standard operating procedures in isolation, culture collection, diagnosis of plant diseases and assay of plant defense related enzymes.   Currently, the academic staff and team are exploring possible biological management strategies for major diseases of four commonly cultivated crops in Trinidad under the theme “Agriculturally Important Micro-organisms” or AIMs which is being funded by the Research and Development Impact Fund (RDI Fund).

For enquiries please contact: Dr. Saravanakumar 

Greenhouses

The Department operates several greenhouses situated on both the main campus in St. Augustine and the University Field Station in Valsyn. These greenhouses are used to support teaching and research in many of the plant  crops and soil  related courses delivered in the department. Students are exposed to the collection and monitoring of plant eco-physiological responses, plant propagation, and plant pests diseases management , preparation of soil/compost samples . These greenhouses are also used to demonstrate the concepts of good agricultural practices (GAP) and modern technologies and innovations used in crop production and management. Students also get the opportunity to observe and assist with the management and operation of these facilities to produce horticultural and agricultural crops