RDEDigest
RDEDigest
Official Research, Development and Extension Newsletter
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños
visit us at http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph
UPLB gets P30M
P grant for food
security program in Regions 4 and 5
T he University of the Philippines
Los Baños (UPLB) recently
received a P30M
P grant for
a food security program from the
Department of Agriculture (DA)
through the Bureau of Agricultural
Research (BAR).
This was held in simple ceremonies at
the UPLB Operations Room last July
29, attended by university officials led
by Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco who
formally received the P30M
P check
from DA-BAR Director Nicomedes P.
Eleazar who represented Agriculture
Secretary Arthur C. Yap. The grant
will fund the UPLB-led participatory
program “Collaborative Research,
Development and Extension Services
for Food Security” that aims to help
ensure rice self-sufficiency ni Regions
4A, 4B and 5.
During the ceremonies, Director
Eleazar disclosed that the project
concept came up as a result of a
Bioethanol from grass, wood ...
IN Diesel from microalgae ...
Conserving the ayungin ....
this Biofuel-timber plantation ...
Organic products center launch ...
Bakanae disease of rice ...
ISSUE: Microbial rennet for cheese industry ... 5
Biosafety regulations costly ....
DA-BAR Executive Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (center) presents UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco
and CPAf Dean Agnes C. Rola an enlarged copy of the check. Flanking them are Vice-Chancellor for Re-
search and Extension Enrico P. Supangco (leftmost) and College of Agriculture Dean Domingo E. Angeles
(rightmost). Behind them are CA Cluster Directors Dr. Rodrigo B. Badayos and Dr. Jose E. Hernandez.
series of DA-BAR consultations with
various institutions, including UPLB
and other state colleges and universities.
The DA, then, started streamlining the
implementation of its FIELDS program
that seeks to increase the productivity of
the agricultural sector by providing funds
for fertilizer, infrastructure, education
and extension work, loans, postharvest
facilities, and seeds.
The DA-BAR director said that DA
recognizes the role of UPLB in providing
technical and training support to the
current extension delivery system of the
department in the rice sector. He said
that more commodities will eventually be
included in the program.
Chancellor Velasco expressed his gratitude
to the DA for entrusting UPLB to provide
the research and extension services needed
by agricultural technicians and farmers in
the regions.
2 Degrading plastics using fungus ...
2
3
Bioremediating wastewater ...
Squash varieties for processing ...
3
4
Pesticide use in coconut okay ...
Grafting to reduce eggplant disease ..
5 Mangroves fight global warming ...
6
Search for biofuels ...
Biotech to revive duck industry ...
Volume 1 Number 2
May 2009 - Oct 2009
PHOTO: FACRUZ
Program leader and College of Public
Affairs (CPAf ) Dean Dr. Agnes C. Rola,
promised that her team will document
the best practices in the implementation
of the FIELDS program and analyze the
constraints in the production of rice and
other commodities.
The program will be implemented by
CPAf in collaboration with the College of
Agriculture and other UPLB units. The
program will also focus on strengthening
the capability of the DA regional field
units, state universities and colleges, local
government units, and other organizations
in effectively managing the government’s
rice self-sufficiency program.
To strengthen and sustain partnership
among rice stakeholders, the program will
also help the provincial and municipal
government institutions create legal
frameworks needed to support agricultural
development planning. (Florante A. Cruz)■
7 UPLB technologies to be aired ... 14
8
9
Training for Cambantoc held ...
SESAM monitors envi risks ...
14
15
10
11
New machinery introduced ...
Store Jatropha seeds right ...
15
16
12 Fish get to ride in fish ark ... 17
12
13
Volume 1guide
Cellphone-based Number
May - October 2009
2 ID ...
for soil 18
1
 NEWS
Leading this group is Dr. Fidel Rey
P. Nayve, Jr. of UPLB’s National
Institute of Molecular Biology and
PHOTO: Cogon (Imperata cylindrica), commons.wikimedia.org
Biotechnology (BIOTECH) whose
eyes are set on producing fuel ethanol
from lignocellulosic materials readily
available in the Philippines—grass,
wood and agricultural by-products.
Rice straw, rice hull, sugarcane bagasse,
corn stover corn cobs, and even dried
Researchers target wood, cogon and talahib are jampacked
bioethanol from with lignocellulose, composed of
cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
grass, wood and by-
products in 5 years Lignocellulose can be fermented to
produce ethanol fuel.
The University of the Philippines Los
Baños (UPLB) has recently organized Meanwhile, dimethyl ether, another by-
a group of biotechnologists and product of lignocellulose fermentation,
chemical engineers to conduct scientific is also a promising fuel source for diesel
investigations in a bid to produce and petroleum engines and even gas-
ethanol from so-called 3rd generation powered turbines.
biofuel feedstocks.
feedstock such as microalgae has gotten
a big boost.
Professor Emeritus Milagros R.
Martinez-Goss of the University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) got
PHOTO: Chlorella vulgaris, Karl Bruun, algaebase.org
the nod of the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) – Philippine
Council for Aquatic and Marine
Resources Research and Development
(PCAMRD) to fund her proposal to
mass cultivate freshwater microalgae for
biodiesel feedstock.
Microalgae organisms can be easily
Philippines’ quest grown and used to produce a wide range
for diesel from of commercially interesting by-products.
microalgae Of particular interest to many
researchers is that microalgae can
starts at UPLB produce enormous amounts of lipids
which can be converted into diesel fuel.
Biofuel research and development is fast
gaining momentum in the Philippines, In 2007, Yusuf Chisti of Massey
with current focus on Jatropha, sweet University, New Zealand estimated
sorghum and cassava. Just recently, that microalgae can produce as much
the drive to produce diesel fuel from as 136,900 liters of oil/ha compared to
renewable and non-food biodiesel only 1,892 liters/ha from Jatropha.
University of the Philippines Los Baños
2 Research, Development and Extension Digest
Dr. Nayve recently reported that
the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) through its
Philippine Council for Advanced
Science and Technology Research and
Development (PCASTRD) will soon
grant the UPLB scientists P10M in
research funds to develop technologies
for cellulosic fuel ethanol production.
According to him, he is optimistic that
having a mature technology within the
next five to 10 years is in the offing.
BIOTECH has already in its care,
several microorganisms which can
be used to process grass, wood and
agricultural by-products into ethanol.
Studies will be underway to identify
which materials can be suitable for
ethanol production and developing and
optimizing the organisms’ capability
to ferment the materials into ethanol.
(Florante A. Cruz) ■
Coconut, according to Chisti’s study,
can only give a slightly better oil yield
of 2,689 liters/ha than Jatropha.
With an initial funding of P4.5M from
the DOST-PCAMRD, Dr. Goss will
be mass cultivating promising species of
freshwater microalgae such as Chlorella
vulgaris, Scendesmus obliqus and
Nitzschia palae.
She stated that the three species have
the potential as biodiesel feedstock
because of their growth rate, lipid
content and lipid profile.
Dr. Goss’ project is part of a larger
research program aimed to characterize,
optimize and genetically and
physiologically modify microalgae for
mass cultivation to be used for biodiesel
production.
The program will be facilitated
by UPLB in cooperation with the
Ateneo de Manila University and the
University of Santo Tomas. (Florante A.
Cruz) ■
 NEWS
Sidney Snoeck, my_sarisari_store.typepad.com
PHOTO: Ayungin (Leiopotherapon plumbeus),
The tastiest fish of all the edible native
freshwater species in the Philippines,
ayungin is now rarely seen and sold in
the market. When available, it costs as
much as P500 per kilo.
A research project at UPLB, funded
‘Ayungin’ target of by the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST)–Philippine
conservation attempt Council for Aquatic and Marine
Resources Research and Development
by limno experts (PCAMRD) is underway to save
from threat this freshwater fish. Dr.
Pablo P. Ocampo, head of the UPLB
Ayungin (Leiopotherapon plumbeus), a
Limnological Research Station, has
freshwater fish species endemic in the
established a captive breeding program
Philippines, is thinning in population.
to save the ayungin.
A small silver-colored fish, ayungin used
to be plenty in the country’s freshwater Dr. Ocampo reported that ayungin
collected by the program from
bodies, such as Laguna de Bay.
Laguna de Bay has been successfully
maintained in the station’s concrete
Its overfishing by local fishermen mainly
tanks. The collected ayungin
for duck feeds and family consumption
broodstock was found responding
has now made it scarce.
well to a specially formulated diet
UPLB puts up biofuel
and timber plantation
in Laguna-Quezon
land grant
Part of the 6,500-hectare land grant
property of the University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
straddling the provinces of Laguna and
Quezon, is currently being developed In a report by Forester Sofronio C.
into tree farms for biofuel, timber and Camacho of the LGMO, Tubang-bakod
agroforestry enterprises. (Jatropha curcas) and Bani (Pongamia
pinnata) will soon be planted in
With a P13M grant from the National these areas. Tubang-bakod has gained
Economic and Development Authority, prominence in the country for its biofuel
the UPLB Land Grant Management potential, while Bani seed oil, also found
Office (LGMO) is setting up a useful for diesel generators, is now being
120-hectare mixed plantation site within eyed worldwide as a biodiesel feedstock.
the UP Laguna-Quezon land grant.
The university hopes to eventually
An 80-hectare plantation adjacent to the sell biofuel oil to the Philippine
land grant is also being developed for Forest Corporation-Alternative Fuels
livelihood opportunities of people living Corporation and Philippine National
in the nearby upland communities. Oil Company.
combination of commercial prawn feeds
and Tubifex worms.
The project has studied ways on how to
induce the ayungin to naturally spawn
in an artificial environment. While
simulated rain, flowing water, vegetation,
sand and soil have been incorporated
into the artificial environment, the
research station’s findings suggested that
ayungin from the wild may find it to
naturally reproduce in captivity.
Nonetheless, Dr. Ocampo reported that
the rearing techniques used were being
refined. Experiments were underway to
determine whether live feeds may help
the ayungin to breed inside the tanks.
Hopefully, the captive breeding
techniques being researched on may
come to fruition. With success, the
project can provide more Filipinos the
chance to taste and savor once again the
traditional delectable dishes prepared
from ayungin. (Florante Cruz) ■
PHOTO: Courtesy of LGMO
Fast-growing and non-traditional forest
species such as bagalunga, batino,
anchoan dilaw and malapapaya will also
be grown for timber. Wood from the
forest plantation will be processed into
kiln dried lumber, furniture, fixture and
housing material components later on.
Two large nurseries are now established
and continuously producing quality
seedlings for planting materials in the
project site. Forester Camacho also
reported that organizing work is being
done in the communities near the
project site. (Florante A. Cruz) ■
Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 3
 NEWS

UPLB project launches

organic products
center in Baras, Rizal
Baras, the organic farming capital of
Rizal and the first organic town in the
county now beams with pride with the
launching of the Baras Organic Products
Center (OPC) last July 13.

The launching of the Baras OPC is an

output of the Organic Vegetable Project
(OVP) being implemented by the
University of the Philippines Los Baños
(UPLB) and the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC)

of the College of Agriculture (CA)
with the article writer as project leader
and Dr. Edna Luis A. Matienzo as site
coordinator spearhead this project.
Collaborating with the ASC are the
Kasamahan sa Kalikasang Pagsasaka
Multipurpose Cooperative (KAKASA-
MPC), the Office of the Mayor and the
Municipal Agriculture Office of Baras,
Rizal.
The products put on sale in the OPC
include organic vegetables, rice and
fruits. It also sells farm inputs like
organic fertilizers, fermented foliar spray,
botanical pest spray, vegetable seedlings
and open pollinated vegetable seeds.
Aside from products, the OPC also
promotes to walk-in visitors UPLB-
generated technologies such as:
propagation of earwigs as biological
pest control; production of tea manure,
fermented plant and fruit juices as liquid
fertilizers and plant growth promoters;
production of open-pollinated vegetable
seeds; organic vegetable seedling nursery
management, proper postharvest
handling of organic vegetables; use of
BIO-N and MykoVam to enhance plant-
soil nutrient management.
Meanwhile, the OPC also offers
trainings on organic farming, farm
THE BARAS ORGANIC PRODUCTS CENTER (OPC) is located in Barangay Evangelista along the
National Highway connecting the towns of Tanay and Morong, Rizal. It can be reached through the
following mobile numbers: 0920 622 5874 and 0920 718 0028.
PHOTO: Courtesy of BMCALUB
tours, study visits, a reading corner and The project got funding support
technical advising. from the NEDA Region IV-A and
the RP-Japan Grant Assistance for
To ensure the regular supply of Underprivileged Farmers (KR2).
organic products sold in the center, a
1.5 ha communal organic vegetable The project is also being implemented
production area is maintained by the in Tayabas, Quezon with Ms. Myrna
KAKASA-MPC using organic farming A. Tenorio as site coordinator. A third
technologies developed by UPLB and project site will soon be established in
other agencies. Bauan, Batangas.
The backyard farms cultivated by The OPC launching was witnessed by
KAKASA-MPC members also UPLB Vice-Chancellor Dr. Enrico
contribute to the supply of products. P. Supangco; Ms. Mara Pardo De
Tavera, Managing Director of Mara’s
Started in October 2007, the UPLB- Organic Market (MOM) and president
NEDA OVP continues to provide of the Organic Producers and Trade
various training courses, seminars Association (OPTA), Philippines;
and study tours for KAKASA-MPC Regional Director Severino C. Santos,
members. OIC of the NEDA Region IV-A;
Provincial Director Mercedes A.
The project is being done in cooperation Parreño of the DTI-Rizal; Mayor
with the local government of Baras, Wilfredo C. Robles of Baras and Mr.
Department of Trade and Industry Eduardo Espinola, Chair of KAKASA-
of Rizal, and the Department of MPC. (Blesilda M. Calub) ■
Agriculture Region IV-A.

University of the Philippines Los Baños

4 Research, Development and Extension Digest
 NEWS

Bakanae disease
of rice a potential
threat to the
country’s rice supply
Bakanae, a disease of rice caused by
the fungus Giberella fujikuroi, may
pose a threat to the country’s rice
supply.

Rice plants infected with bakanae

have abnormal elongation growth,
produce empty panicles or no edible
grains, are incapable of supporting
their own weight, and eventually
topple over and die.

The symptoms are the effects of

gibberellic acid, a plant growth
hormone, produced by the fungus
during its sexual reproductive stage.
WHITE SOFT CHEESE or ‘kesong puti’, will greatly benefit from the improved microbial rennet
technology being developed by Dr. Mercado. ‘Kesong puti’ is produced by several cooperatives in
Laguna and other provinces with small dairy industries.
PHOTO: FACRUZ

UPLB plant pathologist Christian

Joseph R. Cumagun found that
there is very high genetic diversity
in the numerous isolates of G.
fujikuroi he collected in Nueva
Ecija and Laguna provinces. This
genetic variation, according to Dr.
Cumagun, opens up new problems
for rice breeders developing varieties
resistant to bakanae.
BIOTECH-produced microbial rennet
promises to boost local cheese industry
Good news to our local dairy industry! UPLB’s National Institute of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) is refining its microbial rennet technology
to make it more efficient and cheaper to use for cheese production.
Rennet is a cocktail of enzymes found inside the abomasum (fourth stomach) of
cows. It contains chymosin, an enzyme used to coagulate milk in cheese production.

Dr. Cumagun noted that, although
the disease is a lesser threat than
tungro, leaf blight, and leaf blast,
its incidence is rising in some areas
of the Philippines because of the
popular use of high-yielding but
susceptible rice varieties.
In survey made by the Philippine
Rice Research Institute in 2006,
46% of farmer-respondents in
Ilocos Norte, 39% in Agusan, and
54% Nueva Ecija use PSBRc82—a
variety susceptible to bakanae.
Bakanae (ba-ka-na-eh) was first
identified in 1898 by Shotaro Hori
in Japan. The disease is now found
in Asia, Africa, and North America.
(Kennedy Serafica and Florante A.
Cruz) ■
Biotechnologist Dr. Susana Mercado reported that using coconut paring meal for
culturing Rhizopus chinensis—a fungus which can be fermented to produce an
enzyme similar to chymosin—may be used as substitute for the more expensive
wheat bran.
In cheese production, the use of rennet from unweaned calves is preferred because
it contains high amounts of chymosin. However, slaughtering young cows just to
extract rennet is not economically feasible in the Philippines.
Thus, dairy producers with capital use imported rennet concentrate while small-scale
local dairy producers make use of rennet coming from slaughtered adult cows which
have low chymosin and high pepsin content. So instead of producing quality cheese
from milk, local dairy businesses end up with products with undesirable properties.
The use of BIOTECH’s microbial rennet is about 50% cheaper than the use of
animal rennet. Its performance is also comparable to that of imported microbial
rennet.
Dr. Mercado’s promising microbial rennet technology will go a long way in
addressing problems in the local production of cheese, a scientific find beneficial in
the development of the dairy industry in the country. (John Benedict Ricarte and
Florante A. Cruz) ■

Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 5

RICE, THE FILIPINO’S STAPLE, has become a social
commodity because of the global economic crisis.
Research and development efforts are pursued to
ensure that rice remains sufficient in the country.
Philippine biosafety
regulations cost too
much says UPLB
study
The Philippines’ biosafety regulation
procedures are not only costly,
but take too long. These are the
findings of a concluded study at the
University of the Philippines Los
Baños.
The UPLB study, led by Dr. Jose M.
Yorobe, Jr., found that the cost of
tests as part of the current biosafety
regulation of biotechnology
products in the country, particularly
rice, is rather high. Dr. Yorobe
is a member of the faculty of
the Department of Agricultural
Economics of UPLB.
Golden rice and bacterial blight
resistant (BBR) rice are currently
being tested in the Philippines
before their approval for
commercialization. The National
Committee on Biosafety of the
Philippines (NCBP) regulates the
tests of these rice varieties.
Golden rice contains high levels
of Vitamin A, giving the grains
a yellowish or golden color, and
is the hope of many countries in
University of the Philippines Los Baños
6 Research, Development and Extension Digest
NEWS
addressing Vitamin A deficiency,
a leading micronutrient deficiency
worldwide.
BBR rice, on the other hand, is
developed against leaf blight caused
by Xanthomonas oryzae. According
to IRRI, the disease can reduce Asia’s
annual rice production by 60%. BBR
rice could thus help increase rice yields.
According to Dr. Yorobe’s study, the
laboratory/screenhouse evaluations,
confined field trials, multi-location
trials, and eventual commercialization
of Golden rice and BBR rice, in
particular, require a large capital
investment.
Dr. Yorobe’s study revealed that the
regulatory process for BBR rice had
already cost more than US$ 61,000
since testing began in 1998. Golden
Rice’s had already cost US$ 12,000
since 2004. He said that the higher
price to pay for stricter regulations
included not only the actual cost
of testing but also the foregone
benefits due to the delay in the
commercialization of the two rice
varieties.
Dr. Yorobe also observed that for every
year of delay in commercialization, the
PHOTO: FACRUZ
country lost money from regulation
expenses instead of benefiting from
these technologies. It would take
about three years or more for the
BBR rice and Golden rice to be
released commercially.
A 2002 study by the University
of Bonn in Germany found that
Golden Rice could provide as
much as US$ 127M yearly to the
Philippine economy in terms of
reduced mortality and disability
from vitamin A deficiency. Dr.
Yorobe, for his part, estimated that
BBR Rice could provide, as much
as P1.5B,
P as offset to the damage
caused by bacterial blight in the
Philippines.
Dr. Yorobe recommended in his
study that the NCBP should take
a second look at the biosafety
regulatory process, citing that
some regulatory procedures may
be redundant while others may
be done at a much lower cost.
Dr. Yorobe said that cost-cutting
should be made, of course, without
compromising biosafety. (Kennedy
Serafica and Florante A. Cruz) ■
 RESEARCH UPDATES

XYLARIA is a genus of fungi commonly found growing on dead wood. Two of the common species of the genus are Xylaria hypoxylon (left) and Xylaria
polymorpha (right). Being ascomycetous, Xylaria secrete powerful digestive enzymes which break down organic substances into smaller molecules.
PHOTOS: commons.wikimedia.org

Plastics, non-biodegradable before, not anymore

Each barangay, town or city in the
Philippines has its own story to tell
about its waste disposal problems.
While some of them lack or have
none to guarantee good waste disposal
management, the town of Los Baños in
Laguna has one to vouch for a cleaner
future with the promising results of a
research project currently done by the
University of the Philippines Los Baños
(UPLB).
In 2001, Dr. Cuevas showed evidence
of Xylaria colonizing polyethylene
(PET) plastic strips. Most plastic bags,
including garbage bags, are now made of
PET.
The UPLB researchers have been busy
helping the town’s waste processing
program by studying fungi that degrade
plastic and compost biodegradable
materials.
of the town’s wastes that included
plastics. Trichoderma, also a fungus,
is a proven compost activator. Dr.
Cuevas, in fact, has already developed
a rapid composting technology using
Trichoderma.
According to the project’s results,
composting using the mixed cultures
took only 30-35 days. After 35 days, the
compost was ready for use.

Dr. Virginia Cuevas of the Institute of
Biological Sciences-College of Arts and
Sciences and her co-researchers have
recently identified Xylaria mutants
that can be potentially developed into
a product capable of degrading plastic
bags found in dumpsites.
Xylaria is a fungus that grows on dead
wood, utilizing the latter’s components
such cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin
as food.
PHOTOS: commons.wikimedia.org
In an experiment at the Los Baños Eco
Waste Center, Dr. Cuevas and her team
found out that white mutant strains of
Xylaria were most effective in degrading
plastic wastes. The experiment evaluated
wild and mutant strains of Xylaria for
their capability in decomposing organic
matter and plastic materials.
The project also tested the capability
of mixed cultures of Xylaria and
Trichoderma for rapid composting
Ripe compost produced by the project
did not harbor harmful E. coli and
Salmonella and did not contain heavy
metals such as copper, arsenic, cadmium
and mercury.
A field trial using the compost for
Baby’s Breath (Aster) production is now
ongoing. Field trials will also be done on
rice, corn and other vegetables.
(John Benedict Ricarte and Florante A.
Cruz) ■

TRICHODERMA, a genus of mycoparasitic fungi present in soil, has been developed as biological control agent against several pathogens of plants. Some
species of Trichoderma have also been used to produce enzymes. Left photo shows Trichoderma in colony, right shows spore-bearing Trichoderma.

Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 7
 RESEARCH UPDATES

Researchers to complete bacteria-based system

for treating hazardous wastewater
PHOTOS: commons.wikimedia.org

B iotechnologists at the University

of the Philippines Baños
(UPLB) are hard at work putting the
final touches on the prototype of a
wastewater treatment system that uses
bacteria.

A heightened awareness of the

condition of its rivers has led local
government units and concerned
agencies in the province of Bulacan
to tap the National Institute of
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology COPPER (above): Long-term exposure to copper can cause health problems such as headaches,
(BIOTECH) of UPLB in setting up vomiting and diarrhea. Intense copper poisoning may lead to liver and kidney damage, or even death.
bioremediation solutions, which are
less costly and more environment-
friendly than conventional chemical
treatments.

Dr. Lorele C. Trinidad, researcher at

BIOTECH, and leader of the team
developing the bioremediation system,
reported that the prototype they have
developed can remove and at the same
time recover heavy metals from water
discharged during processing of gold
CHROMIUM III (left) and CHROMIUM VI (right): Some chromium compounds are toxic to plants and
and leather tanning. animals. People working wtih chromium may develop varous skin illnesses such as sores and rashes.

Gold jewelry-making is a popular
household-based livelihood in the
province of Bulacan, but most jewelry-
makers here use crude equipment and
inefficient processing techniques.
Silver, a valuable metal, can be
recovered from the chemical solutions
used in gold-smelting. The recovery
process, however, results in copper-
laden wastewater that is usually
dumped into Bulacan’s river system.
When Dr. Trinidad’s team examined
industrial wastewater from various
sites of the river system, samples were
found to contain 5,000-10,000 ppm
of copper. The limit allowed by the
Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) is only 1.3
ppm.
Also a common means of livelihood in
Bulacan, leather tanning operations use
the chemical called Chromium III in
the treatment of raw animal hide.
According to Dr. Trinidad, leather
tanning use up so much Chromium
III that half as much of the applied
chemical ultimately ends up in the river.
With funding assistance from the
Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) and its Philippine Council
for Industry and Energy Research
and Development (PCIERD), Dr.
Trinidad’s team identified 12 isolates
of bacteria, collected from the various
sites in the provinces of Marinduque
and Bulacan, found with very high
capability in reducing sulfates and
producing hydrogen sulfide gas.
The hydrogen sulfide gas is then used
by the prototype bioremediation
system to precipitate copper and
chromium from wastewater. The
bioremediation system prototype
was built by the DOST’s Industrial
Technology Development Institute
(IDTI) for Dr. Trinidad’s project.
Results of optimization studies
done on the prototype have shown
great potential for upscaling to a
working unit for installation in actual
operation sites.
Dr. Trinidad and her team of
researchers are now designing a
bench-scale metal recovery system,
to cost around P300,000, for
completion by the end of 2009.
(Florante A. Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

8 Research, Development and Extension Digest
 RESEARCH UPDATES

UPLB study IDs

squash varieties for
food processing
Food technologists at the University of
the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have
identified local squash varieties that may
be used for food processing.

Squash is a nutritious and commercially

important vegetable planted in many
regions in the Philippines. President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is pushing
for large-production of nutritious and
affordable vegetable-based food items.

Unlike in countries such as the USA,

squash varieties bred specifically for
processing are unavailable in the
Philippines.

Local manufacturers merely use varieties

already available in the market. With
vegetable processing being intensively
promoted by the government, squash
has now a huge potential for processed
food, e.g., noodles, soup, baby food,
packed snacks and bread.

Dr. Linda B. Mabesa and Mr. Wilson

T. Tan, researchers at the Food Science
Cluster, College of Agriculture, UPLB
evaluated the qualities of 35 squash
varieties from all over the country in
order to determine possible indices of
squash quality for processing.
They reported that physico-chemical
analyses and sensory evaluation of
samples from the 35 squash varieties
were made. From the samples, squash
flour and noodles, frozen squash slices
and squash puree were also prepared and
evaluated.
The researchers identified properties
such as color, texture, cohesiveness, and
most especially, sweetness and flavor, as
important determinants of acceptability
for processing.
None of the varieties evaluated had all
the desired traits and qualities sought
PANCIT CANTON, made from squash flour, is now available in supermarkets and big groceries. Natu-
rally fortified with Vitamin A, products made from squash have distinctive taste which enlivens the
erstwhile ‘common’ merienda and even main courses.
PHOTO: FACRUZ
for processing. The researchers, however, called Tinuning from Pampanga can
identified five varieties that can be used also be made into flour. The variety Acc
in developing squash-based products. 206-1 from the National Plant Genetic
Resources Laboratory in UPLB scored
Suprema 1 and 2, hybrid varieties highest in total soluble solids present.
released by the East-West Seed
Company, can be used for frozen squash The study made by Dr. Mabesa and Mr.
slices for ready-to-cook vegetable Tan was part of a project funded by the
packages. Department of Agriculture-Bureau of
Agricultural Research (DA-BAR). The
The San Marcelino variety from project’s aims were to collect squash
Zambales was found suitable for making germplasm and develop varieties for the
puree which can be used as ingredient in food processing industry. (Florante A.
veggie drinks. This and another variety Cruz) ■

Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 9
 RESEARCH UPDATES

Pesticide use in coconut against leaf beetle is safe

I
PHOTO: Dorsal view of Brontispa longgisma, Cameron Brumley, padil.gov.au
n a recent study by pesticide
toxicologists at the University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the
injection of neonicotenoid pesticides
such as thiametoxam, imidachloprid
and clothianidin in coconut trunks was
found safe and effective in controlling
the coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa
longgisima).

Brontispa is a serious pest of coconut

in the Philippines, having attacked
more than 1.6 million coconut trees
nationwide. Two years ago, 26 provinces
were quarantined due to infestation
to save the coconut industry—a vital
component of the export economy. BRONTISPA LONGGISIMA, commonly known as the coconut leaf beetle, can cause significant damage
to coconut plantations. Photo shows a specimen measuring about 10mm in length.
Because of the emergency situation
then, the Philippine Coconut Authority
(PCA) initially recommended the
injection of pesticide into the trunks of
coconut trees in areas with severe and
widespread infestation. However, the
said chemicals were not yet registered for
use in the country.

Thus, Dr. Leonila M. Varca and Mr.

Lorenzo E. Fabro of UPLB’s College of
Agriculture-Crop Science Cluster, in
cooperation with the PCA in Quezon
province, determined whether toxic
substances were present in food products
derived from coconuts given trunk
injections of pesticide.
According to the group’s study, the
pesticides, when administered correctly,
was effective against the larva and adult
of the coconut leaf beetle. There was a
need though to reapply the pesticides
after 30 days in order to protect the
coconut longer, thus raising concerns on
possible toxicity of coconut products.
The researchers’ results showed that the
coconut water and coconut milk derived
from trees 60 days after injection did not
to consume. Processing the coconut
into ordinary and virgin coconut
oil, meanwhile, reduced pesticide
concentration by as much as 100%.
The project, funded by the Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Forestry
and Natural Resources Research
and Development (PCARRD), also
noted that the said pesticides have
no effect on the common earwig
(Chelisoches morio)—the natural COCONUT, a main produce of the Philippines,
enemy of the coconut leaf beetle. contributes significantly to the export economy.
(Rosario G. Gabatin and Florante A. PHOTO: commons.wikipedia.org

have any pesticide residue, and thus safe Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

10 Research, Development and Extension Digest
 RESEARCH UPDATES

Grafting technique reduces incidence of bacterial wilt

in eggplant, researchers noted

I
ncreased yield, as a consequence
of reduced bacterial wilt infection BACKGROUND PHOTO: commons.wikipedia.org, INSET PHOTOS: Courtesy of NLOPINA

highlighted the results obtained

by researchers who studied grafting
techniques in eggplant production.

Project leader, Dr. Nenita L. Opina

of the Crop Science Cluster of the
College of Agriculture, University of
the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB),
indicated that incidence of bactetial
wilt in eggplant is reduced when
high-yielding, susceptible commercial
Mestisa
varieties of eggplant were grafted with
rootstocks resistant to bacterial wilt.

She added, however, that the degree of

resistance showed by grafted plants was
dependent on the level of resistance of
the rootstocks.

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia

solanacearum, limits eggplant Eg 203
production in the tropics. In a recent
survey done by Dr. Opina, bacterial wilt
incidence ranged from 15-30% and 95%
in resistant cultivars and susceptible
high-yielding commercial varieties of
eggplant, respectively.

Thus the project entitled “Influence

of host resistance and grafting on the
incidence of bacterial wilt in eggplant,”
funded by the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice), was conducted in
farmer’s fields with natural occurrence
of bacterial wilt. The locations were in
farms in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and
Batangas and nurseries of UPLB and
PhilRice.
The high-yielding commercial varieties
included in the research were Casino
901 and Bulakeña Long Purple (BLP),
while farmer’s variety Nueva Ecija Green
(NEG) and Abar were used as scion.
Bacterial wilt resistant varieties used as
rootstocks were Eg 203, Eg 195, S 69
and moderately resistant cultivars 89-
002 and A 300.
Casino
EGGPLANT can be grafted to rootstocks which
have higher resistance to bacterial wilt infection.
Findings revealed that susceptible when grafted with Eg 203 in PhilRice
Casino 901 varieties have significantly nursery but not significant in UPLB
lower bacterial wilt infection when nursery, but results were significant
grafted to rootstocks Eg 203 and 89-002. when BLP was grafted to 89-002 in both
nurseries.
On the other hand, Abar variety when
grafted to Eg 203 failed to reduce In farmer’s fields, highly susceptible
bacterial wilt infection in UPLB nursery NEG when grafted to Eg-203, 89-002,
but not in PhilRice nursery where A 300, Eg 195 and S69 gave significant
the infection reduction was found decrease in bacterial wilt infection by 46-
significant. 100% in the provinces of Nueva Ecija,
Pangasinan and Batangas, resulting to
Meanwhile, commercial variety BLP increase in eggplant yield. (Rosario G.
showed significant infection reduction Gabatin) ■

Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 11

Batangas
mangroves help
fight against
global warming
Besides being coastline protectors,
mangrove forests are one of the most
promising carbon sequesters, having the
highest carbon net productivity among
all ecosystems.
By capturing carbon dioxide and storing
it in its biomass, mangrove species are
able to reduce the amount of excess
carbon in the air, thereby lessening
global warming.
Forest researchers Dixon T. Gevaña,
Dr. Florencia B. Pulhin and Prof.
Nelson M. Pampolina of the UPLB
College Forestry and Natural
Search for
biofuels
continues at
UPLB
RA 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2007
mandates the blending of at least 2%
biodiesel and 5% bioethanol by volume
to diesel and gasoline, respectively. Will
the country be prepared to meet its
biofuel requirement in 2014 of about
537M liters of bioethanol a year?
To help the country achieve such goal,
the University of the Philippines Los
Baños (UPLB) has been in continuous
search for sources of alternative fuel to
address the country’s energy needs.
According to Prof. Rex B. Demafelis,
professor at the College of Engineering
and Agro-Industrial Technology,
various units in the university are now
University of the Philippines Los Baños
12 Research, Development and Extension Digest
RESEARCH UPDATES
Resources (CFNR) recently assessed
the capability of mangrove forests to
sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide,
a greenhouse gas which contributes as
much as 26% to the greenhouse effect.
In an article entitled “Carbon Stock
Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem
in San Juan, Batangas” published in the
Journal of Environmental Science and
Management ( JESAM), the UPLB
researchers mentioned two mangrove
systems in San Juan, Batangas: in
Barangays Potcol and Catmon, where
100 ha are planted to mangroves.
In these sites, the Bakawan (Rhizophora
sp.), Tabigi ((Xylocarpus granatum), and
Bungalon ((Avicennia marina) are the
collaborating in the area of biofuels
research. Prof. Demafelis heads the
UPLB Alternative Energy RDE
Program.
Prof. Demafelis shared that the College
of Agriculture’s Crop Science Cluster
is currently developing sweet sorghum
germplasm it has acquired from India
for bioethanol. Meanwhile, BIOTECH
has already begun studying the possible
use of wood, grass and agricultural by-
products as sources of bioethanol.
The College of Foresty and Natural
Resources, on the other hand, is doing
tissue culture studies on Jatropha.
Since the potential economic
advantages which can be derived from
Jatropha maybe higher than using other
sources, the government has given
special interest in developing biodiesel
from Jatropha.
PHOTO: commons.wikipedia.org
most dominant mangrove species.
According to the research team’s report,
San Juan’s mangrove forests can store
about 13,000 tons of carbon—already a
huge quantity absorbed and not trapped
in the atmosphere.
San Juan’s mangrove forests serve as
very good “carbon sinks,” thus the local
government unit should continue to
preserve and protect the forests.
The researchers estimated that if
one-third of San Juan’s coastal area
is converted to mangrove forests, the
carbon that may be mitigated can reach
up to 25,652 tons. (Schenley Anne
A. Belmonte, Rosario G. Gabatin and
Florante A. Cruz) ■
PHOTO: FACRUZ
According to Prof. Demafelis, biodiesel
production using Jatropha is favored
over coconut because the latter has
higher market demand as food, health
and beauty care products.
However, he raised the importantance
for more studies on the effect of
massive cultivation of Jatropha on
the environment, asking scientists to
further study the toxicity issues haunting
Jatropha production.
Prof. Demafelis stressed that new
sources of ‘green fuel’ should now be
considered. He said that the macroalgae
Sargassum can be used to produce
bioethanol while forest species such as
bani and bitaog have the potential as
biodiesel feedstocks. He also added that
the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris can be
developed into a biodiesel feedstock.
((Mae Ann F. Bulang, Rosario G. Gabatin
and Florante A. Cruz) ■

BY DON CARLO P. LEJANO
Biotech project to revive
duck industry underway
W
ith the
problems on
production
and genetic deterioration
facing the Philippine mallard duck
industry, a biotechnology project
funded by the Bureau of Agricultural
Research (BAR) of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) is being cooked up to
revive this once profitable business.
Mallard duck production in the
Philippines is a big industry dominated
by small- and medium- scale commercial
producers. It used to be the major
source of income of people living along
the shorelines of Laguna Lake which
straddles between the provinces of
Laguna and Rizal.
Declining aquatic resources such as
snails and fishes and the pollution
of Laguna Lake, however, have been
culprits for the decline in the production
and genetic diversity of ducks in the
areas.
To cope with limited food sources,
producers have resorted to herding
ducks in rice paddies and mixing
uncoventional but cheaper feed
ingredients. This has resulted to low
quality products such as duck meat and
eggs.
RESEARCH UPDATES
To help the duck
industry recover, the
Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster
(ADSC) of the College of Agriculture
in University of the Philippines Los
Baños (UPLB) in collaboration with the
National Swine and Poultry Research
and Development Center (NSPRDC)
based in Tiaong, Quezon proposed the
project, “Applied Animal Biotechnology
for the Improvement of Philippine
Mallard Duck.”
Proponents of this biotech initiative
are Dr. Renato S. Vega, Dr. Angel L.
Lambio, and Dr. Severino S. Capitan.
The main goal of this undertaking is to
improve the Philippine mallard duck’s
genetic resource and determine the
effect of feed and water environmental
residues on duck-egg production.
This project is focused on three areas of
study, namely:
1. morphological and molecular
characterization of mallard ducks,
2. age-related changes in plasma
cortisol, estradiol, and vitellogenin
of mallard ducks, and
3. effect of organochlorine and
cadmium levels in feeds on the
reproductive performance of
mallard ducks.
PHOTOS: FACRUZ
Duck sampling, DNA/physical
characterization, water and feed residue
analysis, and blood vitellogenin assay
system are among the activities to be
accomplished in this project.
Expected outputs include DNA
fingerprints of various ducks, a breeding
program, and a protocol to measure
endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs are exogenous substances that
alter the function of the endocrine
system and result to adverse effects in
an intact organism. These substances
stimulate the duck’s liver to release
vitellogenin into the blood, which can
then be measured to serve as indicator
of environmental pollution in an
ecosystem.
Some of the common EDCs are
natural and synthetic hormones,
plant constituents, organochlorines,
compounds used in plastics and
consumer products, and other industrial
by-products and pollutants.
The three-year project is now on its pre-
implementation stage. ■
This article is originally published in the
Department of Agriculture-
Bureau of Agricultural Research Website
(http://www.bar.gov.ph)
Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 13
 EXTENSION UPDATES
MAG-AGRI TAYO Executive Producer Patrick Daffon (left) captures the interview of CSC-CA’s Dr.
Artemio Salazar (right), principal breeder of the new High Yield and Protein (YAP) corn or IPB Var 6.
Training on managing
water resources
conducted for
Cambantoc watershed
stakeholders
Farmers and members of the
community residing in the Cambantoc
watershed of the Mt. Makiling Forest
Reserve (MFR) participated in a
PHOTO: EAGRON/ DA-BAR
training seminar conducted by the
UPLB College of Forestry and Natural
UPLB technologies to air in NBN Channel 4’s Resources last June 3-4 in Sta. Cruz,
Laguna.
“Mag-Agri Tayo”
According to Dr. Portia Lapitan, who
Los Baños televiewers are in for a treat from August to October as UPLB spearheads the project on “Community-
researchers and their feats will be featured in “Mag-Agri Tayo,” an agriculture- based watershed management approach
oriented program produced by the FARM Foundation and aired every Saturday, in improving livelihood opportunities
9-10 AM in NBN Channel 4. in Cambantoc,” the participants were
taught soil and water conservation
Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Enrico P. Supangco stated that technologies during the training.
UPLB has received assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of
Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) through its Applied Communication Division “The participants were taught how to
to disseminate and promote UPLB’s technologies via national television through make rainwater harvesting structures.
the said program. The structures will enable farmers to
collect and store run-off water for
“Three UPLB projects, namely SNAP hydroponics, ubi powder and an extension irrigation purposes during the dry
program in Mt. Makiling’s Dampalit watershed have already been featured in periods,” Dr. Lapitan shared.
Mag-Agri Tayo last July 11 and 18,” Dr. Supangco shared.
The project has been mobilizing the
UPLB’s project on SNAP hydroponics is coordinated and monitored by DA- community and building its capability to
BAR’s Program Development Unit while the ubi powder and Dampalit projects conserve the resources of Cambantoc
are under the National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP), which as part of its objectives to improve the
is one of the flagship programs of the bureau. well-being of people in the watershed.
“We are glad to be of assistance in UPLB’s ongoing thrusts to promote itself and The forest reserve, Dr. Lapitan said, is
its achievements, especially now that it is UPLB’s Centennial Year,” DA-BAR’s in danger because of over-exploitation
Executive Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar said. and natural calamities. Thus, it is
important for people to preserve the
Three more UPLB projects had already been documented by Mag-Agri Tayo and environment.
DA-BAR through the OVCRE’s Research Utilization and Dissemination Section.
An important component of the
These are: 1) ornamental fish production at the UPLB Limnological Research environment, the Cambantoc watershed
Station, 2) Biocon Trichoderma technology of the Institute of Biological Sciences- comprises 35% of the total land area
College of Arts and Sciences, and the 3) breeding, production and use of high of the MFR and drains its waters into
yield and protein (YAP) corn of the Crop Science Cluster-College of Agriculture. the Laguna Lake. Aside from being
Seven other features are currently being lined up for shooting. a main source of water of several
communities around Mt. Makiling, the
So, watch out every Saturday mornings, sit tight and turn on your TV sets to Mag- watershed provides a significant source
Agri Tayo and see some of UPLB’s products and services and the people working of livelihood for upland dwellers.
hard behind them. (Florante A. Cruz) ■ ((Miraflor E. Castor and Florante Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

14 Research, Development and Extension Digest

SESAM monitors
environmental risks
around Mt. Makiling,
starts educating
communities
The School of Environmental Science
and Management (SESAM) has taken
a proactive role in communicating
environmental risks which abound
in Mt. Makiling—a dormant volcano
where landslides killed a number of
people when Typhoon Milenyo struck
Los Baños in 2006.
This was disclosed by SESAM Dean
Dr. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon during a
seminar on disaster mitigation last June
26 for officials of 10 barangays located at
the foothills of Mt. Makiling.
According to Dean Espaldon, there
was a need to design an effective risk
communication plan which can be easily
understood by those residing in Mt.
Makiling’s slopes.
Thus, SESAM has been in the process of
planning a protocol which would timely
monitor and disseminate environmental
risks, as well as a quick response
New farm and
renewable energy
machinery introduced
Multi-crop pneumatic seeder with
fertilizer applicator, corn milling system,
cylindrical soil sterilizing chamber,
windmill for irrigation, multi-crop
washer, Jatropha oil expeller, Jatropha
post-production machinery, Rice hull/
corn cob furnace.
These are just some of the new
technologies developed by UPLB
engineers to mechanize agricultural
production and further the development
of the biofuel industry, presented during
a symposium held by the Agricultural
EXTENSION UPDATES
MT. MAKILING, viewed from the top of the UPLB Carillon, is being threatened by climate change and
irresponsible use of people who eke out their living on and near its slopes.
mechanism which will be implemented
during disaster situations.
Aside from using surveys to develop
an information database, SESAM has
been using global positioning systems,
participatory geographic information
systems, and participatory 3D modelling
to combine the people’s knowledge
and experiences to come up with relief
models of Mt. Makiling which indicate
the location of disaster-prone areas.
The relief models, according to Engr.
Marisa J. Sobremisana of SESAM, aside
from storing data, will be an effective
visual medium to inform people about
the status of Mt. Makiling as haven for
dwellers.
Aside from visiting and assessing the
disaster-prone communities in the
Mechanization Development Program
(AMDP) last June 29, 2009.
“We conducted the symposium to
expose our technologies to farmers,
students, and even our colleagues in the
university,” stated Engr. Mario Bueno of
the AMDP. Aside from this, the activity
also served as venue for stakeholders
to assess the potential of the various
technologies.
Based at UPLB’s College of Engineering
and Agro-industrial Technology, AMDP
has developed and promoted technology
packages for various commodities such
as corn, vegetables, coconut, and cassava.
The program has also come up with
technologies for farm power, irrigation
and waste processing.
PHOTO: FACRUZ
mountain, the project has already been
able to facilitate the installation of a
rain gauge in Bagong Silang in Mt.
Makiling under the READY project
being implemented by the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration
(PAG-ASA) of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST).
SESAM’s initiatives on disaster
mitigation are being assisted by
DOST-PAG-ASA, the UPLB Office
of Vice-Chancellor for Community
Affairs, Los Baños Science Community
Foundation, Inc., National Disaster
Coordinating Council, Mines and
Geosciences Bureau, and the various
local government units of towns
and barangays around Mt. Makiling.
(Jennifer D. De Pasion, Rosario G.
Gabatin and Florante A. Cruz) ■
During the symposium, more than a
dozen researchers presented the results
of their studies aimed at mechanizing
corn and high value commercial crops
production. Machinery for renewable
energy production, particularly for
Jatropha, were also discussed.
Engr. Ronel Pangan, also of the AMDP,
shared that “interested farmers can
avail of high-quality and efficient
farm machinery from our accredited
manufacturers, who get the designs and
specifications from the program.”
“This way,” he concluded, “we hope to
hasten the delivery of the technologies
to farmers.” (Florante A. Cruz, with
reports from Leila Denisse E. Padilla and
Maria Janelle L. Cantong) ■
Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 15

Store Jatropha seeds properly to wield
high germination—UPLB study bares
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ
New Jatropha seeds
Jatropha seed with exposed kernel
F
armers and businessmen in the
Philippines have scrambled
planting the Physic Nut
((Jatropha curcas), a biofuel crop
seen having big potential returns once
the mandatory use of biodiesel is fully
implemented in the country.
However, some of those who have gone
full steam ahead establishing farms are
now plagued with problems, one of
which is seed storage.
In a report by UPLB crop scientists
Lucille Elna Parreño-de Guzman and
Annalisa L. Aquino of the Crop Science
Cluster – College of Agriculture,
optimum storage should be given to
Jatropha seeds because of the country’s
high temperature and relative humidity.
Otherwise, seeds kept in normal room
conditions will easily rot because of its
high oil content.
University of the Philippines Los Baños
16 Research, Development and Extension Digest
FEATURED RESEARCH
Old Jatropha seeds
Jatropha seed embryo
Although information exists on how
well Jatropha thrives in marginal areas,
almost none is known on its seed’s
storage behavior under Philippine
conditions. Thus, the researchers
conducted a study to characterize the
seed of Jatropha and determine its
storage behavior.
Based on experiments’ report, storage
temperature did not affect the
germination of Jatropha seeds. However,
germination was influenced by moisture
content and storage time.
Thus, those planning to venture into
Jatropha production should take note—
proper storage of good quality Jatropha
seeds result to better germination ideal
for planting.
De Guzman and Aquino recommended
that Jatropha seeds should be dried to
4-5% moisture content and sealed in
PHOTOS: Courtesy of LEPDGUZMAN
Germinated Jatropha seeds
Normal, abnormal Jatropha seedlings; dead seeds
moisture-proof containers, to ensure
little reduction in percent germination.
For those who cannot invest in special
containers such as aluminum foil packs,
they can just store the Jatropha seeds
in simple containers such as bottles or
biscuit tin cans with the covers sealed
with wax or candle, and at ambient
temperature.
Moreover, seeds should be dried first
to 6-8% and stored immediately after
harvest.
The researchers observed in their
experiment that under normal room
conditions, seeds packed inside net
bags or sacks had a 20% decrease in
germination rate if storage was delayed.
The delay would also reduce germination
further by 25% after 6 months of
storage. ■

PHOTO: EAGRON/ DA-BAR
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ
I
n the Old Testament, Noah built
an ark, unknowing if the rains
would ever come, he entrusted his
fate with God.
Limnology experts at the University of
the Philippines Los Baños have turned
themselves into little Noahs, building
“arks” to provide a haven to our native
and endemic freshwater fishes.
The collected fishes, according to
Dr. Vachel Gay Paller of the UPLB
Limnological Research Station (UPLB
LRS), will be part of the “Fish Ark
Philippines”—a project aimed to study
and conserve these erstwhile untapped
resources.
Although the Philippines is one of the
most biologically diverse countries in
the world, little is known about its many
natural resources.
FEATURED RDE PROGRAM
Freshwater fishes get
to ride in “fish ark”
Almost absent is the information on the
status of the Philippines’ small endemic
freshwater fishes, even though there are
at least 20 species known inhabiting the
southern portion of Luzon Island.
Dr. Pablo Ocampo, head of the UPLB
LRS and at the helm of the Fish Ark
Philippines project, recently reported
that small freshwater fishes in three
watersheds areas in the Makiling Forest
Reserve and Lake Tadlac in Los Baños,
Laguna have been documented and
collected in 2008.
Fishes have also been collected from
the Pansipit River and Ambon-ambon
Falls in Batangas province. Aside from
collecting the fish specimens, the study
group, led by Dr. Paller, was able to
study the habitats of the fish sampled.
Dr. Paller has already collected 26
different fish species, 14 of which are
very small (50-100mm in length). Two
of the fish species are native, while
another two are endemic species with
good potential for captive breeding.
Project “Fish Ark Philippines” is funded
by the Philippine Council for Aquatic
and Marine Research and Development
of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST-PCAMRD).
It also aims to survey freshwater fishes
found in the vicinity of Mt. Banahaw
(Quezon), Taal Volcano (Batangas), Mt.
Isarog, Iriga-Masaraga Mountain Range
and Bulusan Volcano (Bicol Region).
Dr. Paller and Dr. Ocampo are
specialists in paritology (fish parasites)
and zoology, respectively, at UPLB. ■
Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 17
 FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Guide for soil series identification

comes to cellphones BY EMERSON JOHN LOZANTA,
ROSARIO G. GABATIN AND FLORANTE A.
CRUZ
PHOTO: FACRUZ

W
hen an agricultural
technician is out in
the field, without a
library or laboratory in
sight, how does one answer the farmers’
question: “What type of soil does my
farm have?”

Now, technicians need not have to get

and bring soil samples to their offices
or laboratory for soil identification.
Agitated farmers who wait for days to
hear the news are now appeased.

With communication technology, soil

identification can now be made anytime
and anywhere, just by using mobile
phones.

According to Dr. Rodrigo B. Badayos,

director of the Agricultural Systems
Cluster of the College of Agriculture,
his team have recently converted a
picture guidebook, available in the past
in printed and compact-disc form, into a
program which can be viewed by using a
cellphone.

The guidebook is a product of Dr.

Badayos completed project on
“Simplification of the Philippine Soil
Series Identification for Rice and Corn
Cultivars ” funded by the Philippine
Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
CELLULAR PHONES and other gadgets are set to become tools for agricultural development and not
Dr. Badayos said that the guidebook only as modes of communication, as people in the countryside are taken to mobile connectivity.
was programmed for cellphones by
Prof. Moises A. Dorado of the College According to Dr. Badayos, the users were The second version of the cellphone-
of Engineering and Agro-industrial excited to bring their “soil identification based guidebook is now being
Technology (CEAT). guide-equipped cellphone” to the field. developed.

The first version of the cellphone-based
guidebook, covering topics on how to
identify soil types, has already been
released and introduced to prospective
beneficiaries in Isabela mid last year.
Although some expressed their
preference for bigger pictures of the soil
series, the technology was adjudged by
the Isabela beneficiaries as convenient,
handy and most important of all, usable.
According to Prof. Dorado, they are
now adding more information, such as
soil descriptions, into the program. He
shared that they are now doing several
tests to ensure the program’s efficiency. ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

18 Research, Development and Extension Digest

▲PhilHybrid Inc., a lessor at the UPLB
Science and Technology Park, plans
to expand its greenhouse operations.
PhilHybrid produces tissue-culture
makapuno seedlings and other products.
▲UPLB’s Ubi powder now sports a box packaging and trademark “FST Foods” thanks to the
funding assistance of the National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) of the
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).
PHOTO NEWS
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ
◄
High Yield and Protein (YAP) corn, an
IPB corn variety named in honor of the
Agriculture Secretary is presented last July
10 to the Hon. Arthur C. Yap (3rd from left).
YAP corn or IPB Var 6 is a white open-
pollinated corn variety containing high
lysine and tryptophan and bred principally
by Dr. Artemio M. Salazar of the Crop
Science Cluster (CSC) of the College of
Agriculture (CA).
In photo op during the presentation are
(from left to right): Dr. Artemio Salazar;
CSC Director Dr. Jose E. Hernandez, Sec.
Arthur C. Yap, UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I.
Velasco, CA Dean Dr. Domingo E. Angeles
and National Academy of Science and
Technology President Dr. Emil Q. Javier.
▲Dr. Pio A. Javier, Research Associate Professor at the Crop Protection Cluster discusses
some points on the physical control of pests of crops during the “Refresher Course on Pest
and Disease Diagnosis and Management in Rice, Corn, Vegetables and Mango” held last June
1, 2009 at the National Crop Protection Center complex. More than two dozen participants,
mostly, agricultural technicians and researchers, attended the refresher course.
▲High school students get to extract their
own DNAs during the Los Baños Science
Festival last July 22 - 24 at the Baker Hall.
Volume 1 Number 2
May - October 2009 19
 PHOTO NEWS
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

▲ Visitors flock the booth of UPLB and UPLB Foundation,

Inc. during the 5th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology
Commercialization Forum and Exhibit at the SM MegaTrade
Hall 3 from August 27-30. UPLB displayed and sold its various
products: biofertilizers, honey-based products, dairy milk and ▲ Prof. Edmund G. Centeno of the College of Development Communication
white soft cheese, SNAP hydroponics, YAP corn, ubi powder, discusses “information chunking” during the Seminar-Workshop on “Research
and various publications. The UPLBFI, meanwhile, sold UPLB Project Implementation and Management” held by the OVCRE last August 24.
memorabilia items such as books and posters.

▲ Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco (2nd from left) talks with

SEARCA Director Gil L. Saguiguit (leftmost) and DA-BAR ▲ Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco (center) leads participants from various
Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (right) during the exhibit opening colleges and units of the university during the photosession ending the seminar-
on August 27. workshop on “Research Project Implementation and Management.”

The RDE Digest The RDE Digest is published semi-annually by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research
Official Research, Development and Extension Newsletter and Extension (OVCRE), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It is released every April and
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños
October each year, in time for the UPLB Commencement Exercises and UPLB Loyalty Day, respectively.
Florante A. Cruz
managing editor/ layout Otherwise stated, articles appearing in every issue are selected from those which have already been
published online at the UPLB RDE News Website [http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph].
Florante A. Cruz
Rosario G. Gabatin Contributions related to research and extension from UPLB faculty and staff are welcome. Please send
writers/ editors manuscripts and digital photographs via email: ovcre@uplb.edu.ph. Comments on the published content
can also be sent through the same email address. Requests for use of content for publication should be
addressed to the Editors.
contributors
Blesilda M. Calub • Kennedy Serafica For inquiries, please contact us at: Research Utilization and Dissemination Section
Schenley Anne A. Belmonte • Don Carlo P. Lejano OVCRE Building, Kanluran cor. Lanzones Roads, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
Miraflor E. Castor • Jennifer D. De Pasion Tel. No. (63) 49 536-2354; Email: ovcre@uplb.edu.ph.
Leila Denisse E. Padilla • Maria Janelle L. Cantong
Emerson John Lozanta • John Benedict Ricarte
Mae Ann F. Bulang

production/ circulation
Evelyn E. Bite • Renato E. Apolinario, Jr.
Alex C. Genil

advisers
Enrico P. Supangco • Moises A. Dorado, Jr.

University of the Philippines Los Baños

20 Research, Development and Extension Digest