RDEDigest
RDEDigest
Official Research, Development and Extension Newsletter
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños
visit us at http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph
Outstanding R & E staff feted in 2010
UPLB Foundation Day Celebration
T
he university recently honored
its top personnel during its
101st UPLB Foundation Day
Convocation held on March 5, 2010 at
the Makiling Ballroom, Student Union
building.
Awardees in the research and extension
categories included Dr. Menandro N.
Acda, Professor II and UP Scientist I
of the CFNR-Department of Forest
Products and Paper Science, who
was given the UPLB Outstanding
Researcher Award.
Dr. Acda was cited for his pioneering
work on the nature conservation,
biology, and control of Philippine
subterranean termites; his discovery of
a new species of subterranean termite
Schedorhinotermes makilingensis Acda;
and for his ingenuity and creativity in
inventing the environment-friendly
termite barrier LaharGuard, and the
Researchers report projects ...
IN Basic researches okayed ...
Training catalog now online .... 2
this DVD on UPLB RDE launched ...
Biotech database developed ... 3
Improved tissue culture of maize... 4
ISSUE: Successful eggplant research ... 5
Increase banana yield by 25% ... 6
RECIPIENTS of the annual UPLB Outstanding Awards, showed off their plaques during the
closing of convocation program. UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco and Camarines Sur
Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, Sr., (5th and 6th from topmost left, respectively) led the
ceremonies held last March 5, 2010 at the Makiling Ballroom of the Student Union Building.
construction material Featherboard,
made from waste chicken feathers and
cement.
The National Plant Genetics Resources
Laboratory of the Crop Science Cluster,
College of Agriculture was awarded the
Outstanding Research Team for being
the forerunner of plant genetic resources
conservation and management at
UPLB and for being the national leader
in activities related to plant genetics
resources.
Meanwhile, the BIOTECH Liquid
Fertilization Team was adjudged the
Outstanding Extension Program/Project
for solving the pollution problems
of molasses-based alcohol distilleries
and for being continuously tapped by
national agencies implementing and
promoting projects on re-using and
recycling of agro-industrial wastewater
for agricultural purposes.
2 Maize nutrient expert software ...
2 Small grain processors need support ...
Optimum bending temp for rattan ...
3 UPLB ends 2009 with exhibitions ...
Organic products center launched
Technoentrepreneurship course ...
UPLB techs and services at LBIX ...
Tinig ng Agrikulutura sa Barangay ...
Volume 2 Number 1
Nov 2009 - Apr 2010
PHOTO: EBVBERNARDO
During the program, Chancellor
Luis Rey I. Velasco reiterated UPLB’s
commitment to uphold its tradition of
distinctive excellence and to serve the
country by continuing to build on the
triumphs of men and women who have
helped firm up its place in the global
academe.
Hon. Luis R. Villafuerte, representative
of 2nd district, Camarines Sur graced
the event and delivered an inspirational
speech.
Villafuerte congratulated the University
for turning 101 years old and for its
contribution to nation-building as
well as for “doing a remarkable job
in nurturing a pool of capable human
capital that is the cradle of budding
and seasoned research professionals,
scientists, entrepreneurs, agriculturists,
and engineers among other talents.” ((Jo
Ann A. Oruga and Florante A. Cruz) ■
7 GTTRO releases varieties and techs ... 14
8
9
First-ever tissue culture of mango ...
International TBI expert visit UPLB ...
16
17
10
11
UPLB to get new patent ...
BIOSPARK inaugurates plant ...
18
18
11 PIONEER sets up R and D center ... 18
12
13
Photo NewsVolume
November
Photo
... 2 Number 1
News ...2009 - April 2010
19
1
20

Researchers present
findings in end-of-
project reports
Twenty-eight researchers from various
units of the university gathered at
the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE)
on March 29 and 30, 2010 and
presented the outputs of their respective
completed researches to special guests
and representatives of funding agencies.
More than half of the presenters came
from the College of Agriculture and
College of Arts and Sciences, while the
rest were researchers and faculty of other
colleges and units of the university. The
projects presented were completed in
2008 and 2009.
Certificates of recognition were awarded
to the project proponents after their
respective presentations.
According to Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension Enrico P.
Supangco, “the dissemination of the
project proponents’ output in a forum
is the university’s acknowledgement
of the researchers’ contribution to the
body of knowledge.” This is the first time
since its establishment in 1997 that the
OVCRE had recognized the completion
of basic and applied research projects of
faculty and researchers.
Although all of researchers may have
already presented their outputs in
scientific gatherings, the OVCRE
decided to conduct this special end-of-
project report.
“After all, whether the project is funded
through the UPLB Basic Research
Program or external grants, the OVCRE
has been part of the research monitoring
and evaluation process, and it is an
honor for us to bestow the researchers
the acknowledgement they rightfully
deserve,” Dr. Supangco concluded.
(Florante A. Cruz) ■
University of the Philippines Los Baños
2 Research, Development and Extension Digest
NEWS
11 Basic Researches
get UPLB nod,
to start in 2010
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE) has
recently approved the implementation
of 11 new basic research projects for
2010 under the UPLB Basic Research
Program.
The grant under the program is given
annually, endowing a special fund to
jumpstart basic researches proposed by
new and young researchers and faculty.
Studies funded by the program are
expected to open new research ideas
and generate new knowledge to benefit
the public.
The 11 recipients are among the 34
applicants who applied for the grant.
The proponents will be nurtured and
guided throughout the implementation
of their respective projects.
Now available online: Catalog of 2010 UPLB
Summer Short Courses and Training Programs
This summer of 2010, units of the
University of the Philippines Los Baños
will once again conduct their yearly
training programs and summer short
courses.
Nearly a hundred non-degree training
programs are being offered to clientele
to increase their livelihood know-how,
teaching and research capability, and
business or managerial competency.
The list of courses and their particulars
can be browsed at the website of the
Office of the Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE) at
http://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/index.php/
trainings-at-uplb
Or you may also drop by the OVCRE
for free printed copies of the catalog for
your organization or group.
Approved fields of study were well
distributed among disciplines;
four were from the agriculture
and biological sciences, three
from statistics, mathematical and
engineering sciences and four from
the fields of human and social
development and communication.
Across colleges, thirty-six percent
(36%) came from the College of Arts
and Sciences, twenty percent (20%)
each from the Colleges of Agriculture
and Development Communication
and the rest came from the College
of Engineering and Agro-Industrial
Technology, College of Human
Ecology and BIOTECH.
Majority of the approved studies
focused on topics such as food
product innovation, biotechnology,
agricultural productivity, waste
treatment, weather forecasting
techniques, policy and social
awareness. (Ruth M. Almario and
Rosario G. Gabatin) ■
For those whose training needs do not
fall on a summer, arrangements can still
be made.
With proper request, UPLB through
its various units can offer basic and
specialized training courses at any
given time or place the requesting party
chooses.
You may also contact our research and
extension coordinators who will assist
clients with their technology needs.
A list of the coordinators is available at:
http://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/index.
php/2010-r-and-e-coordinators
For other training needs, interested
parties may get in touch with the
OVCRE by sending an email to:
ovcre@uplb.edu.ph. (Florante A. Cruz)■

DVD on UPLB Research and Extension launched
VICE-CHANCELLOR ENRICO P. SUPANGCO
(above right) hands over a copy of the DVD
package (below) to Dr. Emmanuel Rodantes G.
Abraham, Assistant to the Chancellor during the
launch last November 27, 2009.
PHOTOS: FACRUZ
Database of UPLB biotechnology
researches developed
T
he National Institute of
Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (BIOTECH)
of UPLB has developed a database
program on plant, animal and microbial
biotechnology researches conducted
during the last ten years (1998-2008) at
UPLB.
The database was the result of a survey
conducted by BIOTECH researchers
led by Drs. Ida F. Dalmacio and Jocelyn
T. Zarate, among the different units and
departments in the university involved
in biotechnology research.
The developed computer software was
able to encode and store information
NEWS
T
he Office of the Vice-
Chancellor for Research
and Extension (OVCRE)
formally released its first ever DVD-
based audiovisual presentation on the
university’s research, development and
extension activities in a simple gathering
among university officials, college deans,
unit heads and staff last November 27,
2009 at the OVCRE Main Conference
Room.
The Assistant to the Chancellor Dr.
Emmanuel Rodantes G. Abraham,
represented Chancellor Luis Rey I.
Velasco, who was on an out-of-town
trip. In Dr. Abraham’s inspirational
talk, he commended the OVCRE for
its continued innovative approaches in
promoting UPLB’s services.
Entitled “UPLB: The Philippines’
Premier Research University, the
presentation is a 5-part documentary
which provides a peek into UPLB’s
exciting research processes, products,
technologies, and people.
gathered, data entries of which
were patterned after the Philippine
Council for Advanced Science and
Technology Research and Development
(PCASTRD)-proposed BIOTECH
database fields.
According to the survey, majority of
the researches conducted at UPLB
were still of the traditional type—
fermentation and tissue culture.
The number, though, of researches
involving DNA-based detection
kits, cloning, mutagenesis and
genetic engineering of plants
and microorganisms increased
over the period. The number of
According to Dr. Abraham, the
presentation should be “used to inspire
and empower people, UPLB personnel
included, to be proud of what we
accomplish, and to let UPLB’s partners
know that they can truly rely on us.”
Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco,
who had earlier given a brief message,
stressed that the “OVCRE will
keep on utilizing information and
communication technology in order
to bring and promote the fruits of our
researchers and extensionists’ labor to
stakeholders.”
After the launch, university officials
and deans were given each a copy of the
DVD.
If you wish to avail a copy of the DVD,
please contact Mr. Florante Cruz, head
of the OVCRE Research Utilization
and Dissemination Section at this email
address: facruz@uplb.edu.ph
(Florante A. Cruz) ■
researchers conducting higher level
of biotechnology-related work also
increased. The researchers also reported
that the research and development
activities which have been conducted
were still at bench-scale, hence, further
optimization and field trials are needed
before the developed technologies can
be marketed.
Many microbial-based products,
according to the researchers, are already
in semi-commercial stages of testing
while some already have adopters. The
strong government support and farmers’
acceptance contributed mainly to the
success of these technologies.
This project entitled “Survey of Plant,
Animal and Microbial Biotechnology
Researches at the University of the
Philippines Los Baños” got fund support
from PCASTRD. (Rosario G. Gabatin) ■
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 3
 NEWS

Genetic engineering to benefit from

improved tissue culture system for maize
PHOTOS: courtesy of OPDAMASCO

A B C D

F G H
THE TISSUE CULTURE REGENERATION SYSTEM for the callus initiation, somatic embryogenesis, plantlet regeneration and field establishment in maize
inbred line: A) 10-11 day-old maize cob as source of immature embryos, (B) Callus initiation, (C) Proliferation of friable embryogenic callus, (D) Maturation of
somatic embryos and differention of shoot-like structures, (E) Shoot regeneration, (F) Plantlet regeneration, (G) Plant establishment in soil, and (H) Normal
and fertile plant generated from tissue culture.

G
enetic engineering can make
possible a number of improved
crop varieties with high yield
potential and resistance against pests.
One of the most extensively-studied
crops using genetic engineering
techniques today is maize, owing to its
significant contribution to food security
and nutrition.
Although a lot of science probes had
been done to give maize superior
characteristics, engineering improved
maize genotypes would still rely on an
efficient plant tissue culture regeneration
and transformation system.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Olivia
P. Damasco of the Crop Science Cluster
of the College of Agriculture recently
reported that through their project
“Development of Efficient Cell and Tissue
Culture Regeneration System for Genetic
Transformation of Maize Towards
Improved Pest Resistance,” they were able
to develop an improved and efficient
system that can regenerate shoot by
up to 75% in maize using young or
immature embryos.
The researchers also added that the
system developed can now be used in
genetic engineering of maize for pest
resistance and other desirable quality
traits. The optimized regeneration
system could also be used for other in
vitro manipulations in maize.
The research team, composed of Drs.
Renato A. Avenido of the Institute
of Biological Sciences of the College
of Arts and Sciences, and Antonio C.
Laurena and Antonio G. Lalusin of the
Crop Science Cluster of the College
of Agriculture also reported that in
the course of evaluating 51 tropical
maize inbred lines for embryogenesis
and regeneration capacity, they have
identified four inbred lines with high
shoot regeneration which can be used
for genetic transformation and other in
vitro handling or manipulations.
After coming up with the optimal
conditions for transient transformation,
rooting, ex vitro acclimatization
and establishment of tissue culture
regenerated maize plantlets, the project
has produced normal plantlets using the
developed protocol.
The project was funded by the
Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA)
Corn Program and the Bureau
of Agricultural Research of the
Department of Agriculture (DA-BAR)
(Rosario G. Gabatin and
Florante A. Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

4 Research, Development and Extension Digest

Research on improved eggplant varieties, a success
M
ore than a decade of
research paid off ! Pest
resistant varieties of
eggplant were developed, ways to
lessen spraying of insecticide were
found, pest population in the field
was reduced, and eventually, high
production yield was reached.
Dr. Merdelyn C. Lit of the Crop
Science Cluster of the College of
Agriculture, UP Los Baños, who
served as the proponent of three
research projects on eggplant was
pleased to report the major findings of
these investigations.
Dr. Lit reported that results of
their findings provided valuable
information on the resistance of
hundreds of eggplant genotypes and
wild relatives against leafhopper and
shoot/fruit borer, two major insect
pests of eggplant. Several screening
trials were conducted in UPLB,
Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and
Batangas.
The Vegetable Breeding Group of
the Cluster developed two eggplant
varieties, A-300, locally named
Mistisa, and Mara, and these were
included in the screening trials.
These two varieties were found to be
moderately resistant to major pests
and gave high yields even under pest
pressure.
These varieties are now favorably
accepted by farmers and consumers
in the country. EG300, Abar and
SRO2 and several other off-type
native eggplant varieties were also
found promising against these pests.
These local races of eggplant have been
collected from rural areas around the
country.
Further, the researcher had developed
efficient field and greenhouse
RESEARCH UPDATES
techniques for Host Plant Resistance
(HPR) screening of the varieties.
The UPLB researcher identified
production areas where farmers had
been receptive to the HPR-based
cropping system approach, and in
these areas, it was observed that the
HPR-based strategy matched the
other control methods in enhancing
the population of natural enemies by
minimizing spraying or avoiding the
use of insecticide.
HPR tactic was also found compatible
with cultural control strategies such
as planting other crops and cover/
companion crops inside or around
the areas, the practice of regulated
weeding to conserve soil moisture
and allow the presence of some weeds
in the crop area to serve as refuge for
beneficial pests.
On-farm trials in the provinces where
the research activities were held led
to an effective approach in generating
scientific information on insect pest
management under farmers’ field
conditions.
What made the research meaningful
was that the farmers’ participation
was strong throughout the stages of
project implementation where they
directly participated in the hands-on
PHOTO: courtesy of MCLIT
conduct of the screening trials using
IPM technologies and strategies.
The team summed up that using
resistant varieties and planting a
mixture of several cultivars/varieties
in combination with the other control
strategies, as well as grafting technique
can effectively reduce pest populations
in eggplant.
Two of the three research projects:
“Evaluation of the Performance of
Selected Eggplant Cultivars with
Resistance to the Shoot/Fruit borer,
Leafhopper and Bacterial Wilt in
Farmer’s Field in Balete, Batangas”
and “Combined Resistance of
Eggplant, Solanum melongena L. to
the Leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula
(Ishida) and the Eggplant Borer,
Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee” got fund
support from the Integrated Pest
Management Collaborative Research
Support Program, Virginia Tech and
the Philippine Rice Research Institute
under a USAID Grant.
The third project “Identification
of Eggplant Varieties Resistant to
Leafhopper, Shoot/Fruit Borer, Thrips,
Phomopsis Blight and Bacterial
Wilt” was funded by the Bureau
of Agricultural Research of the
Department of Agriculture.
(Rosario G. Gabatin) ■
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 5
 RESEARCH UPDATES

To banana growers: It’s possible to increase

yield by 25% even at low-cost input
T
o majority of the smallhold The high investment cost of 100% of roots in Lakatan was produced in the
banana growers who hardly recommended fertilizer (RF) application suckers while in Saba, majority of the
have funds needed for proper of about P 60,000/ha could be too root system in a mat was in the mother
management of their fields, the results costly even for entrepreneurial farmers plant. Actively growing suckers competed
of this completed project will come in compared to only P 15,000/ha for bio- with the mother plant for soil and water
handy. fertilizers inoculated treatments (BF) resources thus, sucker control was critical
and application of only 25% RF. The use and should complement other POT
Entitled “Improving Production of Saba, of BF-inoculated TC banana plantlets components. Allowing a sword sucker
Lakatan and Latundan Cultivars in combined with other components of the to grow only after about 4-5 months in
Different Cropping Systems,” the study POT such as plantation-type planting Lakatan would minimize competition
was conducted to help banana growers system, sucker control, field and mat between the main plant and the follower.
improve crop yield by at least 25% sanitation and water management could Prospective growers should know that
in different cropping systems using a be an alternative lower-input technology Lakatan cultivar was more sensitive to
recommended package of technology that can significantly improve the even a few weeks of neglect or chronic
(POT) developed by the Philippine productivity of banana particularly Saba. mismanagement than Saba.
Council for Agriculture, Forestry
and Natural Resources Research and Applying 100% RF was advantageous for When grown under coconuts, bananas’
Development of the Department of early fruiting and harvest in both Saba growth and yield reduced despite
Science and Technology (DOST- and Lakatan. However, application of fertilizer application. Thus, investing in
PCARRD). 100% RF was not enough as leaf tissues the high fertilizer rate recommended in
sampled from treated plants were found the POT under this cropping system may
Led by Dr. Edna A. Aguilar of the deficient in one or more macronutrients. not be practical, unless shading was the
Crop Science Cluster of the College of Proper timing and right placement of only major constraint and was minimized
Agriculture, her team studied the growth fertilizer as well as the importance of good by proper plant spacing and leaf pruning
and development of banana planted on- water management in banana growing is of coconut.
farm adopting the POT. needed for farmers to achieve the desired
results. A corollary screenhouse trial in Dr. Aguilar also reported that the project
The team of researchers delineated the Lakatan showed that 30% soil moisture had not only provided new information
various growth stages of tissue-cultured level should be maintained for optimum on various on-farm conditions and
(TC) Lakatan, as well as the performance vegetative growth. At 25% soil moisture performance of local banana cultivars
of the POT for local banana cultivars in level, the NPK were concentrated more using the PCARRD banana POT, it also
open upland and under coconut systems on the roots and corm instead of being trained farmers and officials of LGUs and
managed by farmer-cooperators. distributed evenly up to the shoots. NGOs in Infanta, General Nakar and
other municipalities in Quezon Province.
To provide resource-poor farmers Sucker development differed between
alternatives for costly inorganic fertilizers Saba and Lakatan but was strongly Funded by DOST-PCARRD, the 4-year
recommended in the POT, the project affected by fertilizer management. In collaborative project included researchers
also studied the inoculation of microbial- Lakatan, applying 100% RF produced 12 from the CA-Agricultural Systems
based biofertilizers during potting-out suckers compared to plants applied with Cluster and UPLB-BIOTECH and
of TC meriplants as a component 50% RF of only five suckers, six months spanned several areas in the provinces of
technology in nursery management. after transplanting. Suckering was Batangas, Cavite and Quezon.
higher in Lakatan than Saba. Majority (Rosario G. Gabatin) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

6 Research, Development and Extension Digest

Experts collaborate with international agency in
developing Nutrient Expert software for maize
T
he International Plant
Nutrition Institute (IPNI)
Southeast Asia Program has
recently released a new “Nutrient
Expert for Hybrid Maize” software—a
computer-based decision support
tool which can assist people in easily
formulating fertilizer guidelines for
tropical hybrid corn based on the
principles of site-specific nutrient
management (SSNM).
SSNM is a fertilization strategy that
enables crops to have nutrients applied
to them at optimal rates and time
leading to high yield and efficient use
of nutrients by the crop. The software
was developed by IPNI using data
from extensive research activities in
many sites in Southeast Asia.
In the Philippines, IPNI has
established research collaboration with
UPLB through the UPLB SSNM-
Maize project. The project team is
composed of Dr. Romeo V. Labios,
Dr. Apolonio M. Ocampo, Ms.
Jocelyn D. Labios, and Dr. Cynthia
M. Medina, who are researchers from
the Agricultural Systems Cluster and
Crop Science Cluster of the College of
Agriculture.
Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan and Dr.
Pearl B. Sanchez, of the ASC, along
with the project team, scientists
from the International Rice Research
Institute, and corn researchers
from the Regional Offices of the
Department of Agriculture, actively
PHOTO: courtest of National Corn RDE Network
RESEARCH UPDATES
participated in several consultations of flexibility in navigating through
during the development of the the modules in the software. The
computer program. software and its User Manual can be
downloaded for free from this site:
According to Dr. Mirasol Pampolino, http://seap.ipni.net/articles/
IPNI agronomist, the program SEAP0059-EN (Florante A. Cruz,
provides guidelines on fertilizer with information from IPNI
IPNI) ■
management (and more) which are
tailored to farmers’ location-specific
conditions and locally-available
fertilizer sources, thus helping farmers
increase their yield and profit.
The program needs only a set of
information that can be easily
provided by a farmer or local
expert: current yield and nutrient
management practice; farmer’s current
planting density; characteristics of
the growing environment or estimate
of the attainable yield; soil fertility
indicators or estimates of yield
responses to fertilizer N, P, and K;
and crop residue management, use of
organic inputs, and nutrient carryover
from previous crop are used to adjust
fertilizer P and K requirements as
merited.
A simple profit analysis comparing
costs and benefits between the farmer’s
current practice and the recommended
alternative improved practice can also
be generated by the program.
In addition, the Nutrient Expert
for Hybrid Maize was designed as
SCREENSHOTS of the Nutrient Expert for
a learning tool—providing quick
Hybrid Maize software. The program is easily
helps, instant summary tables and installed in Microsoft Windows-operated
graphs, plus allowing a great amount computers with Office 2003 and later versions.
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 7

Expert sees need for better support
for small grain processors
I
n his SEARCA Professorial Lecture
held February 3, 2010, Dr. Arnold
R. Elepaño, program director of
UPLB’s Agricultural Mechanization
Development Program, underscored
the importance of supporting and
integrating rice processing centers for
the benefit of farmers.
According to Dr. Elepaño, existing
farm-level grain centers or FLGCs
in the country are beset with many
problems—leading to rice wastage and
loss of monetary investment.
FLGCs are facilities put up in strategic
locations in the country through a
project spearheaded by the National
Fisheries and Agriculture Council
(NAFC) of the Department of
Agriculture with financial support from
the Japanese Government.
Grain centers for food security in
tight spot
A grain center is composed of a
warehouse, mill, dryer, thresher, reaper,
sheller and other pieces of equipment
that can store 3,000-10,000 bags at any
time. Through the FLGC, farmers can
just avail postharvest processing services
instead of buying or investing in capital
intensive equipment. Depending on the
capacity, FLGCs cost from P 2.2 to 5 M.
Most of the FLGCs covered by Dr.
Elepaño’s project were in very dire
conditions, unfortunately.
University of the Philippines Los Baños
8 Research, Development and Extension Digest
RESEARCH UPDATES
◄DR. ARNOLD R. ELEPAÑO explains
that despite the meager value of post-
production processing to the total value
of milled rice, the government puts a
premium on grain processing to ensure
that rice and corn will be easily available
in the coutryside.
►DR. MARIA CELESTE H. CADIZ,
SEARCA-Knowledge Management
Department head, hands a token of
appreciation to DR. ELEPAÑO after the
presentation-forum.
“Some of these centers have been
designed and operated poorly such that
postharvest losses are very high,” he said.
“For example, some of the dryers being
used do not have automatic controls;
some of the mills being used have low
milling recovery; and a number of
grain centers have personnel with little
managerial and technical skills,” he
expounded.
Although the FLGC program has a
noble vision of attaining food security by
enhancing agricultural productivity, the
expert took a hard line on the program’s
lack of support input from other sectors.
“The FLGCs put up by farmer groups
and cooperatives have been given multi-
million peso worth of facilities and
equipment by the NAFC. However,
most of these groups have not efficiently
run the grain centers,” Elepaño revealed.
A need for a more integrated
processing system
Dr. Elepaño sees that in order for
FLGCs to become profitable, a
turnaround should be done in terms
of the management of the centers.
“The FLGCs should be fully used and
patronized by farmers, and should be
operated by capable people,” he said.
Elepaño also revealed that the FLGCs
he surveyed are at most only 25%
utilized, owing to the farmer group’s lack
PHOTOS: FACRUZ
of maintenance and operating capital.
“Having integrated processing systems
which are financially supported and
professionally managed will be the key
for success of the rice FLGC program,”
he noted.
The expert has already designed an
optimal processing system which
he believes would make the FLGCs
profitable, but is still keen on
recommending managerial and financial
support to the FLGC program.
“For the FLGCs to significantly
contribute to bringing farmer’s
rice harvests into the supply chain,
institutions such as local government
units, banks, foreign donors, and joint
venture capitalists should be increasingly
tapped to jumpstart the operation of the
centers,” Dr. Elepaño concluded.
Dr. Elepaño is currently the Director of
the Institute of Agricultural Engineering
of the College of Engineering and
Agro-Industrial Technology. He also
coordinates with the Philippine Rice
Postproduction Consortium of which
the university is a member.
His study on the “Development of an
Integrated Rice Processing System for
LGU-supported Farmers Organizations”
was supported by the SEAMEO-
Southeast Asian Regional Center
for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (Florante A. Cruz) ■

R
attan (Calamus merrillii
Becc.) is an important non-
timber forest product of the
Philippines. In the Southeast
Asian region, it is second only to timber
in value.
The manufacture of rattan cane into
furniture and other high-value items
contributes greatly to the domestic
employment and export economy.
But owing to the unabated exploitation
of the natural forests of the country,
as well as the unregulated extraction
of rattan from the wild, the furniture
industry is facing a shortage of good-
quality rattan canes.
Although rattan plantations have in fact
been established around the country,
manufacturers seldom use materials
from these sources. According to
forester-researcher Dr. Willie P. Abasolo
of the University of the Philippines
Los Baños, “furniture makers probably
still prefer rattan sourced from the wild
rather than those commercially-grown
because they are uncertain of the quality
of these new materials.”
Because the properties of plantation-
grown canes are yet to be fully known,
manufacturers will continue using wild
rattan canes. Information on the basic
properties of plantation-grown canes
is very much needed so that furniture
makers can decide on whether to use
these alternative materials.
“There have actually been studies
already on plantation-grown cane, but
most have focused only on its structure,
physical and mechanical properties.
The influence of heat on its softening is
somewhat lacking in scientific literature,”
Abasolo reported.
Knowing the exact temperature when
the cane softens would facilitate
the heat-induced bending process.
Overheating rattan would not burn its
surface but could severely reduce its
stiffness.
FEATURED RESEARCH
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ
Basic research ascertains
optimal temp for bending
plantation-grown rattan
A
B
▲ RATTAN grows in the wilderness of Leyte Province.
◄ The fabricated thermomechanizal analyzer has a heating
chamber with a digital strain gauge (A) and thermal sensor (B)
PHOTOS: courtesy of WPABASOLO
“That is why, in our research, we aimed
to determine the softening temperature
of plantation-grown rattan canes, and
also to explain how softening occurs
within the stem in order to determine
the best possible condition for the
efficient conversion of rattan canes,” Dr.
Abasolo shared.
Dr. Abasolo recently reported that using
a newly fabricated thermomechanical
analyzer, he had successfully determined
the optimal softening temperature
of various rattan samples coming
from more than a dozen sites in the
Philippines.
“Softening temperature of plantation-
grown rattan cane was from 80- 85°C. It
was also found that the chemistry of the
rattan cell wall of samples coming from
plantations was similar to rattan samples
collected from the natural forest,” he
stated. Also, thermal softening was not
affected by the origin of the samples,
proving that plantation-grown cane
could be used in the rattan furniture
industry as a good substitute for wild
rattan canes. Materials from plantations
could be processed the same way as wild
canes without sacrificing the quality of
the finished products.
Dr. Abasolo’s results surmise that
the furniture industry could rely on
plantation-grown canes for its raw
material requirements. “Furniture
makers should start using plantation-
grown rattan so that rattan from the
natural forest could be preserved,” the
expert concluded.
Dr. Abasolo is an Associate Professor
at the Department of Forest Products
and Paper Science at the College of
Forestry and Natural Resources. His
study “Thermomechanical Characteristics
of Plantation-grown Rattan Canes
(Calamus merrillii Becc.), completed in
2009, was funded by the UPLB Basic
Research Program.
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 9
 EXTENSION UPDATES
PHOTO: FACRUZ

UPLB ends
2009 promoting
products in
regional
exhibitions

L
ed by the Office of the Vice-
Chancellor for Research and
Extension (OVCRE), the
university kept on promoting
its products and services in two separate
EXTENSIONISTS FROM THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE’S CLUSTERS pose for posterity before
technology exhibitions until the year manning the exhibit booth prepared by the OVCRE’s Research Utilization and Dissemination Section for
2009 ended. the 2nd South Luzon Cluster Science and Technology Fair sponsored by the DOST-CALABARZON.
PHOTO: FACRUZ
From November 9 to 12, 2009, with
coordination given by the OVCRE,
various clusters of the College of
Agriculture, and some institutes of
the College of Arts and Sciences
participated in the 2nd South Luzon
Cluster S&T Fair sponsored by the
Department of Science and Technology-
CALABARZON at the Event Center of
SM Sta. Rosa in Sta. Rosa City.

Other participating organizations

were DOST agencies, the Philippine
Science Centrum and more than a dozen
small and medium-scale enterprises
and state universities and colleges.
Themed “Saanman, Kailanman, S&T
ang Kailangan,” the technology fair was
a “feast of Filipino technologies in the FOREIGN SCOUTS FROM INDONESIA line up to look at some displays and buy souvenir products from
Southern Tagalog region.” UPLB during the 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree’s City of Science Exhibit at Baker Hall.

UPLB showcased products such as
tropical fruit wines, ubi powder, instant
calamansi juice, vegetable seeds and
planting materials, jatropha biodiesel,
biofertilizers, mushroom spawns, and
bee products. Information materials
on various technologies and curricular
programs were distributed to booth
visitors during the exhibition.
The university, also through the
OVCRE, was the main exhibitor
during the 26th Asia-Pacific Regional
Scout Jamboree’s City of Science
Exhibit conducted by the Boy Scouts
of the Philippines from December 28
to 31, 2009. The UPLB exhibit held
at the Baker Hall featured research
outputs, publication, technologies and
information on UPLB degree programs
focusing on agriculture and life sciences.
Aside from personally orienting visitors
on the product displays, exhibitors
treated the jamboree delegates to various
audio-visual presentations of the current
research and extension activities pursued
by the university and its colleges. Units
which gamely participated in the
jamboree’s exhibit, despite the frantic
holiday schedule, were the College
of Agriculture, College of Arts and
Sciences, and the College of Veterinary
Medicine.
More than 8,000 scouts from all over
the Philippines trooped to Mt. Makiling
and UPLB during the regional jamboree
and were joined by an additional 3,000
scouts from Asia-Pacific countries such
as New Zealand, Australia, Hongkong,
Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Korea,
Thailand, India, China, the United
Kingdom, and the United States.
(Florante A. Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

10 Research, Development and Extension Digest

UPLB project opens 2nd organic products center
T
ayabas, one of Quezon
province’s agricultural towns,
produces prime commodities
such as coconut, rice and livestock. The
town has now started producing organic
vegetables which are gaining niche in the
country’s markets.
Although organic vegetable farming is
steadily gaining popularity in Tayabas,
farmers are yet to cash in on this trend
because of the difficulty in promoting
organically-grown produce in the
market. With the establishment of
Tayabas Organic Products Center (TOP
Center), promotion of these products
will be made easy.
Just recently, the Tayabas Federation
of Farmers’ Association, Inc.-Organic
Vegetable Group (TFFA-OVG)
launched the TOP Center last October
14, 2009. The TOP is located at
Barangay San Roque, Tayabas, Quezon.
Technoentrepreneurship course kicks off
this 2010 summer
T
his coming April 19 to May
8, a short course designed for
selected UPLB students and
faculty of nearby state universities and
colleges inclined to entrepreneurship
will be offered by the Department of
Agribusiness and Management of the
College of Economics and Management
(CEM-DAM).
The six-week short course will
cover the whole process of basic
technoentrepreneurship, from business
identification, marketing, development
of entrepreneurial competencies,
financing start-ups to business plan
preparation.
The course offering is expected to renew
the interest of students currently taking
EXTENSION UPDATES
The products put on sale in the TOP
Center include organic vegetables, rice
and fruits, farm inputs like organic
fertilizer, fermented foliar spray,
botanical pest spray, vegetable seedlings
and open pollinated vegetable seeds.
The center also offers services such as
training on organic farming, farm tours,
study visits, and technical advising to the
public.
The formation of the TOP Center is
an endeavor of the Organic Vegetable
Project co-implemented by the
University of the Philippines Los Baños
(UPLB) and the National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA).
The OVP is spearheaded by the
Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC)
of the UPLB-College of Agriculture
with Dr. Blesilda M. Calub as project
leader and Ms. Myra Atienza-Tenorio
as Project Site Coordinator. This is in
collaboration with the TFFA-OVG
up or who have completed their studies
in the fields of agriculture, fishery and
natural resources (AFNR). The activity
also aims to cultivate technopreneurship
among students and technology
commercialization, on the other
hand, among faculty and technology
developers.
Participants of the training will actually
benefit from implementing a business
plan and will be exposed to actual
product and process demonstrations.
They will be mentored by experts on the
business and technical aspects of their
chosen technology start-ups during
implementation as well.
So that participants will be able to
directly practice what they will learn
and the Office of the Mayor of Tayabas,
Quezon.
Dr. Calub and her project team is now
helping put up various organic products
centers in the CALABARZON
to ensure a steady market for these
products and increase the profits of
farmers and farmers’ groups practicing
organic agriculture.
Among those who graced the launch
were Tayabas Mayor Hon. Dondi
Alandy Silang, Department of Trade and
Industry -Quezon’s Provincial Director
Ms. Marcelina Alcantara, and UPLB
Vice-Chancellor for Research and
Extension Dr. Enrico P. Supangco.
Representatives from the Baras Organic
Products Center, the first OPC
launched by the UPLB-NEDA project
last July 13, 2009 in Rizal, were also
present. (Florante A. Cruz and Rosario
Gabatin) ■
from the course, individual start-up
projects will be conducted inside the
facilities of the various units of the
university.
The course is a collaborative extension
project of the CEM-DAM with UPLB-
BIOTECH, and the Food Science
Cluster and Animal and Dairy Sciences
Cluster of the College of Agriculture.
It is part of the program on “Harnessing
UPLB’s Capacity for Technopreneurship
and Technology Commercialization: Key
To Better Placed AFNR Graduates” being
funded by the Department of Science
and Technology’s Philippine Council
for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural
Resources Research and Development.
(Ruth M. Almario and Florante A. Cruz)■
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 11
 EXTENSION UPDATES

▲LAGUNA GOVERNOR Ningning Lazaro (center), ▲THE UPLB TECHNOLOGY FORUM in the afternoon of March 4, 2010 drew close to 200
formally opens the LBIX 2010 with Laguna Chamber of participants from various sectors. Leading the program are emcees Mark Lester Chico of the College
Commerce and Industry chair Mario Mamon (left), and of Development Communication and Dr. Loinda Baldrias of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
the mother of Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Nazareno.
► A CORN MILL: the feature
display of the Agricultural
Mechanization Development
Program of the College
of Engineering and Agro-
Industrial Technology.
◄ ROBOTS built by students
and faculty of the Institute
of Mathematical Science
and Physics, College of Arts
and Sciences entertains the
viewers of the UPLB exhibits.

XPOSED!
PHOTOS: FACRUZ

UPLB shows its wares in the 2010

Laguna Business Investment Exposition

F
inally, after several months of
preparation, the colleges and
research units of the University
of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
got to showcase their technologies and
research outputs to the public during
the 2010 Laguna Business Investment
Exposition (LBIX) which was recently
held at the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta.
Rosa, Laguna on March 4 and 5.
The LBIX was a great opportunity for
UPLB to promote its commerciable
products to potential partners, as well as
for researchers to explore the market for
their technologies, and to link up and
network with business players and other
organizations.
Aside from exhibiting its products,
the university held a forum in the
afternoon of March 4 which was
attended by about 200 participants.
Resource speakers from the university
presented the following topics: Study
Opportunities at UPLB; EcoTourism
Potential of Mt. Makiling; Environment
and Climate Change in Laguna;
Emerging Agricultural Technologies;
Biotechnology and Biotech Products for
Commercialization; New Machinery
and Engineering Technologies;
Alternative Energy Research at
UPLB; and UPLB’s Technology
Commercialization Program and
Operation of the Science and
Technology Park.
UPLB’s major participation in the
2010 LBIX was led by the Research
Utilization and Dissemination Section
of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor
for Research and Extension (OVCRE-
RUDS) with the unselfish assistance
of several representatives of the various
colleges and units of the university.
Financially supported by the Provincial
Government of Laguna and the City
Government of Sta. Rosa, the 2010
LBIX is a project of the Laguna
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
which is currently chaired by Mr. Cesar
Mario Mamon, President and CEO of
the Enchanted Kingdom (Florante A.
Cruz) ■

University of the Philippines Los Baños

12 Research, Development and Extension Digest
 FEATURED EXTENSION PROGRAM
Tinig ng Agrikultura sa Barangay is a
joint project of UPLB’s College of Agriculture
(CA), National Institute of Molecular Biology
and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), and College of
Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology
(CEAT) in cooperation with the Office of the
City Agriculturist, Calamba City and the local
government unit of Barangay Burol in Calamba City.

PHOTO: FACRUZ
Tinig ng Agrikultura sa Barangay:
Participatory technology promotion cum
agricultural education through radio BY MATILDE V. MAUNAHAN

T
he latest news and information,
technologies, products and
services on agriculture,
biotechnology, agricultural engineering
and related fields can now be heard via
Tinig ng Agrikultura sa Barangay or
TAB. TAB is one of the participatory
programs aired by UPLB’s educational
community radio station DZLB, 1116
Khz, Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran since it
was re-launched last October 2008.
TAB goes on air every Saturday, 6-7
o’clock in the morning.
TAB started airing last December 6,
2008, is envisioned to entice the people
of Laguna and CALABARZON to
appreciate life and business and use
technological advances in agriculture.
While it disseminates agricultural and
developmental information relevant to
the needs of communities in its coverage
area, it also provides support to UPLB’s
extension programs, and promotes
modern agriculture as a viable enterprise.
With a flexible magazine format, TAB
has two segments: Balitang Barangay
and Agri Updates. The first segment
provides latest community-based news
on agriculture and related developments.
Agri Updates, on the other hand, is a
radio forum on trends and advances in
agriculture and other fields, new and
appropriate technologies; success stories
of farmers, agriculture professionals,
technologists and practitioners; and
other events which promote science
and technology in agriculture and
community development.
TAB boasts of a committed and
motivated multi-agency team led by
veteran broadcaster, Mr. Severino “Ka
Binoy” Flores. Other TAB members and
co-hosts include Dr. Nenita de Castro of
the Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster,
Ms. Simeona Seminiano and Ms. Myrna
Tenorio of the Agricultural Systems
Cluster, Ms. Ruby dela Cruz of the Crop
Protection Cluster, Ms. Marilyn Beltran
and Dr. Matilde Maunahan of the Crop
Science Cluster, Ms. Imelda Gesmundo
of the CA Extension Unit, Ms. Marife
Ombico and Ms. Teodora de Villa of the
Food Science Cluster, Ms. Lerma Moran
of BIOTECH, and Engr. Balbino
Geronimo of CEAT.
Program partners of the TAB include
Calamba City Agriculturist Aurea
Alcasabas and her staff members Marissa
Sanchez and Grace Legaspi, who
facilitate area visits and help monitor
listenership in the area. Ms. Sanchez also
serves as field correspondent, reporting
live via phone patch. Barangay Burol
Captain Juliana Mamalayan and the
barangay council provide logistics and
actively participate in the discussions.
The TAB program has been more
than a vehicle for wider and faster
dissemination of new and appropriate
technologies. It has enhanced
linkages and participatory networking
among partners in the academe, local
government and other agencies. The
program, although a work in progress,
is now creating more opportunities in
partner empowerment, community
education, extension research and
participatory agricultural development
through development broadcasting.

Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 13

CA’s Crop Science Cluster
boasts of new varieties and
L technologies
ast December 2009, the
Germplasm and Technology
Registration and Release Office
(GTRRO) of the College of
Agriculture-Crop Science Cluster (CA-
CSC) approved the release of five new
varieties of corn, two rice varieties, two
hibiscus hybrids, two mussaendas, and
two technologies.
GTRRO is a body created by the CA-
CSC to set and implement requirements
for germplasm and technology
registration, determine the pricing
mechanism, periodically publish all
relevant information on registered
germplasm and technology, and make
recommendations to the CSC Director
on other aspects such as collection of fees
and giving credits to researchers.
The group is headed by CSC Deputy
Director Dr. Artemio A. Salazar, with
members Drs. Felipe dela Cruz, Simeona
Siar, Antonio Laurena, Leonido Naranja,
and Mr. Proceso Manguiat.
Rice VaRieties
Nsic Rc 202H or Mestiso 19: This high
yielding variety averages 6.6 t/ha. Matures
in 110 days after seeding, resistant to
whitehead, moderately resistant to green
leafhopper and intermediate reaction
to blast, tungro, whitehead and brown
planthopper. It has good milling and
headrice recovery with long and slender
grain. It is highly preferred especially in
the raw form as compared to the check
varieties.
University of the Philippines Los Baños
14 Research, Development and Extension Digest
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY
Nsic Rc 204H or Mestiso 20: This
high yielding variety averaging 6.4 t/
ha matures in 111 days after seeding. It
is moderately resistant to whitehead,
green leafhopper and brown planthopper,
has intermediate reaction to blast,
sheath blight and whitehead, and has
intermediate amylose content. It has long
and slender grain with good milling and
headrice recovery, and highly acceptable
both in cooked and raw forms as
compared to the check varieties.
coRN VaRieties
iPB Var 6: This white quality maize
protein (QPM) open-pollinated variety
(OPV) has lysine content of 0.374%
which is 66.2% higher than that of the
normal corn (0.225%). It yields high in
Luzon and Visayas (5.84 and 5.45 t/ha,
respectively) and moderate in Mindanao
(4.47 t/ha). It is usually milled,
producing grits highly acceptable for
PHOTOS: Courtesy of CROP SCIENCE CLUSTER
BY LAUREANO B. LANOSIA, JR.
food. It is resistant to lodging in spite of
its relatively tall stature, and has excellent
ear-fill characteristics.
iPB Var 8: This white corn synthetic
OPV developed in IPB-Tupi, South
Cotabato station has an average national
yield of 5.81 t/ha. It is early maturing,
suitable in stress-prone areas, resistant
to lodging, has long ear length and high
shelling recovery with excellent ear-fill
characteristics. It is well adapted to agro-
climatic conditions prevailing in Luzon
during wet and dry seasons.
iPB Var 9: This yellow flint synthetic
OPV developed in IPB-Tupi, South
Cotabato station has a national average
yield of 5.04 t/ha. It is recommended
because of its high yield potential of
8.42 t/ha, and it is well adapted to agro-
climatic conditions prevailing in low-
elevated corn-growing areas in Mindanao.

IPB Var 11: This yellow OPV has a
national average yield of 6.61 t/ha but
can go as high as 8 t/ha. It is resistant
to lodging during wet season, its ears
are longer than the check variety with
excellent ear-fill characteristic and tight
husk covering the cob. It is well-adapted
to agro-climatic conditions prevailing in
major corn-growing areas in Luzon.
IPB Var 13: This yellow OPV has an
average national yield of 6.23 t/ha with
a potential of 8.8 t/ha in Luzon. It is
resistant to lodging, has long ear length,
excellent ear-fill characteristics and stays
green during maturity. Well adapted to
agro-climatic conditions prevailing across
the country during wet and dry season, it
performs better during dry season given
adequate water supply particularly during
critical growth stages.
Hibiscus Hybrids
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Loren B.
Legarda’: This hybrid has vivid dark
tangerine orange petals with white eye
and pastel pink halo when it opens in
the morning, but turns to golden yellow
orange with orange veins radiating from
the center of the petals at mid-day. It has
an average bloom size of 8.9 cm. Shrubby,
has semi-erect growth habit, medium
height, very proliferous and a fast grower.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Loren B. Legarda’
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Lilia B. de Lima ’
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Lilia B. de
Lima’: This is a unique hibiscus with
color that changes from bright yellow
orangist in the early morning (9 am), to
yellow in the mid-day (10 am), to light
yellow in the afternoon (1 pm). The
petals have dark red eye and grey red halo.
It has medium to large flowers with a
diameter of 165 mm, shrubby, has semi-
erect growth habit, medium height, very
proliferous and a fast grower.
Mussaenda HYBRIDS
Mussaenda ‘Emerlinda R. Roman’: It
has white bracts with one larger bract
with many small unexpanded bracts in
a cluster which is similar to a bouquet.
Calyx lobes are all petaloid , and the
corolla lobes are cadmium orange and
canary yellow at the center. It takes weeks
before the flower’s color starts to fade.
Mussaenda ‘Clara L. Davide’: It has
white bracts; its calyx lobes are all
petaloid, cream, with Neyron Rose tinge,
edges and veins. It has one larger bract
which is obovate to almost round with
Mussaenda ‘Clara L. Davide’
many small elliptic lanceolate bracts
which twist and turn and surround the
true flowers. The corolla lobes and the
center are Cadmium Orange. It takes
weeks before flowers’ color starts to fade.
It flowers almost whole year round.
TECHNOLOGIES
GA3 Application for Bolting Induction
of Aster: Inducing early bolting in Baby
Aster (Aster ericoides) is made possible
using gibberalic acid (GA3). Increasing
concentration of GA3 shortens bolting
time and makes harvesting earlier. Plants
also mature uniformly, farm operations
can be simplified, and timing of harvest
can be easily determined. Spray treatment
of aster to 50 ppm GA3 provides the
highest net profit, and is recommended
for commercial production.
Tissue-Cultured Plants in Gift
Bottles with Colored Growth Media:
These tissue-cultured plants (orchid,
anthurium, etc.) reflasked inside
miniature bottles serve as gift items
for special occasions. Media is colored
with a natural dye. The bottle is added
with emellishments for enhanced
visual display. Has an ROI of 212%.
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 15
 FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

First ever successful tissue culture system

of Carabao Mango spells sweeter and
prolific times ahead BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ PHOTO: courtesy of LFPATEÑA

T
he ‘Carabao’ mango, also
known as Manila Super, is
one of the top fruit exports of
the Philippines, third to banana and
pineapple, and enjoys a big market
overseas.
A B C D
Nearly 90% of our mango export is sold
in Japan and Hongkong—the gateway
to the Chinese consuming market—
while the rest are brought to the United
States and Europe. Approximately
$20M worth of Philippine mangoes
was exported in 2008, according to the
Department of Agriculture.

One of the problems encountered in

enhancing the genetic potential of the
Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango through
biotechnology is the difficulty in
culturing the mangoes in vitro.
Prof. Lilian F. Pateña, a plant
physiology expert at the Crop Science
Cluster (CSC) of the UPLB College
of Agriculture (CA), relates that
“improving the Carabao mangoes’
skin, size, and shelf life through genetic
engineering would need an efficient
tissue culture system.”
But now, with the advent of a new
technology developed by Prof. Pateña,
Dr. Ramon C. Barba, and their team,
the high-end breeding of better
‘Carabao’ mangoes will definitely be a
reality. According to Pateña, her group
has recently conducted the first ever
successful transfer of tissue-cultured
mango plantlets from special media to
the soil.
The development of the technology was
made possible by the CA-CSC through
a research grant from the Philippine
E
TISSUE CULTURE of Carabao Mango involves the use of mango nucellar explants (A) in the induction
and proliferation of somatic embryos (B) in media. The somatic embryos are then cultured and
germinated into plantlets (C). Plantlets derived (D) are similar in morphology to plants coming from
mature seeds grown into soil. The 1st somatic embryo derived mango var Carabao, Batangas strain (E)
was planted at the CSC-CA’s orchard on July 22, 2009.
Council for Agriculture, Forestry functioning leaves. Somatic-embryo
and Natural Resources Research and derived plants are then acclimatized in
Development (PCARRD) of the the greenhouse before they are planted
Department of Science and Technology in the field. The procedure ensures a
(DOST). high survival rate for the tissue-cultured
mangoes.
The secret of the technology, Prof.
Pateña shares, is a set of growing and Prof. Pateña is very optimistic that
culturing techniques which help the the work they have poured into their
plantlets acclimatize to the normal tissue culture technology will give rise
conditions, and a special technique to further research such as genetic
developed for the crucial step of engineering, micropropagation of
transferring the plantlets to soil. quality stocks, and generation of
variability. “With our technology, in
To do this, ‘Carabao’ mango somatic vitro conservation of mango stocks with
embryos produced by tissue culture exceptional qualities – sweetness, size
are reared into plantlets with fully- and others is also possible,” she adds.

University of the Philippines Los Baños

16 Research, Development and Extension Digest
 TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION UPDATES
O Expert visits campus, talks on
n February 9 and 10, 2010
the university played host
to international expert
Barbara Harley of Harley
Consulting Group/ EXPERPLAN
GmbH, a key expert and trainer on
international business incubation
who is currently a consultant for
the international project “Business
Incubation in Southeast Asia Project
(BISEA).”
After fruitful discussion with Vice-
Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco and
visits to the facilities of the UPLB
Science and Technology Park (STP) and
Technology Business Incubator (TBI)
on February 9, Ms. Harley delivered
a talk on the importance of business
incubation during a forum on February
10 at the OVCRE Conference Room.
Attending the forum were about 40
technology developers, staff, students,
and STP locators being eyed as potential
clients by the UPLB TBI team working
with the BISEA.
In the forum, Ms. Harley shared
some strategies for technology
commercialization through a support
infrastructure and policy environment
conducive to business in the university
and at the national level. In a follow-
up on-site coaching of the UPLB TBI
team, she also gave valuable tips on how
to deal and assist TBI clients in areas
such as intellectual property rights and
PHOTO: FACRUZ
BARBARA HARLEY of Harley Consulting Group/ EXPERPLAN GmbH, Germany meets with Vice-
Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco and the UPLB TBI Team for an appraisal of the project’s status.
strategies for strengthening UPLB’s
business incubation service
UPLB TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATION TEAM leader Dr. Dinah Pura T. Depositario starts the
forum by sharing to technology developers and their partners a background on the UPLB TBI project.
technology licensing, pricing of TBI
services, and development of effective
marketing brochures and comprehensive
operations manual.
The TBI forum was organized by the
UPLB Center for Technology Transfer
and Entrepreneurship (CTTE) with
the help of the UPLB TBI Project
Team headed by Dr. Dinah Pura T.
Depositario of the Department of
Agribusiness Management, College of
Economics and Management.
PHOTO: FACRUZ
The BISEA is a project promoting
business incubation in Southeast
Asia, with special focus on Cambodia,
Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.
Here in the Philippines, BISEA is
being implemented in five pilot TBIs
in universities, including UPLB by
the DOST-Philippine Council for
Advanced Science and Technology
Research and Development with the
help of InWEnt - Capacity Building
International, Germany.
The visit of Ms. Harley was preceded by
a 3-day workshop attended by Vice-
Chancellor Supangco, Dr. Depositario
and UPLB CTTE staff, Ms. May
Anne A. Cruz on “Implementation of
Technology Business Incubation in the
Philippines” from February 4 to 6 at the
Holiday Inn/ Mimosa Estate in Clark,
Pampanga.
Parties interested in the UPLB TBI
and its services can contact Dr.
Depositario (dinahpura@yahoo.com)
or team members Mr. Elias B. Abao, Jr.
(ebabaojr@uplb.edu.ph) and Ms. May
Anne A. Cruz (maacruz@uplb.edu.ph).
(Florante A. Cruz) ■
Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 17
 TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION UPDATES
PHOTO: FACRUZ
Notice of patent
allowability issued
to UPLB technology
for extending the
marketable life of
‘Carabao’ mangoes
The Intellectual Property Philippines has
issued a notice of patent allowability to
““A Method for Extending the Marketable
Life of ‘Carabao’Mangoes,” a technology
developed by Dr. Ma. Concepcion C.
Lizada, a former Director of the then
College of Agriculture-Postharvest
Research and Training Center.
With a notice of patent allowability,
UPLB is set to be granted the patent for
this invention.
In Dr. Lizada’s method for extending the
marketable life of ‘Carabao’ or ‘Manila
Super’ mangoes, carefully selected,
physiologically mature, disease-free
and unblemished green mangoes are
subjected to hot water treatment for
disease control and then hydrocooled.
The hydrocooled mangoes are then
pre-cooled prior to storage in a
controlled atmosphere environment
where the levels of oxygen and ethylene
are controlled and the temperature
maintained.
The technology allows large-scale
shipping of Carabao mangoes for a
period of 14 days or more without
losing the quality and integrity of the
fruits provided that pre-shipment and
shipment measures are observed.
((Elias B. Abao, Jr.)
University of the Philippines Los Baños
18 Research, Development and Extension Digest
PHOTO: FACRUZ
BIOSPARK
Corporation
inaugurates its
Trichoderma facility
at the UPLB Science
and Technology Park
BIOSPARK Corporation, a new lessee
at the UPLB Science and Technology
Park (UPLB STP) recently inaugurated
its Trichoderma facility last January 25,
2010 after a two-month renovation of
the park’s Food and Feeds Building.
The inauguration was attended by its
President and General Manager, Mr.
Manuel J. Chavez, Dr. Virginia C.
Cuevas, technology developer, Dr.
Enrico P. Supangco, Vice-Chancellor
for Research and Extension and UPLB
Chancellor, Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco and
several invited guests.
BIOSPARK Corporation now occupies
the 130-square meter facility for its
commercial production of Trichoderma
microbial inoculant.
The Trichoderma inoculant, developed
by Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas of the
Institute of Biological Sciences of the
College of Arts and Sciences, can supply
30-50% of fertilizer requirements of
crops. The inoculant also serves as a
good biocontrol agent against soil-borne
fungal pathogens of vegetables, rice and
corn. Also considered a plant growth
promoter, it enhances the root growth of
crops, making plants better at absorbing
nutrients from the soil.
((Elias B. Abao, Jr.) ■
PHOTO: FACRUZ
Hybrid seed
corporation
establishes breeding
station in Agriculture
and Life Sciences
Research Complex
UP Los Baños is now home to a
rice research center of Pioneer Hi-
bred Philippines, Inc. a company of
multinational corporation DuPont.
According to Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension Dr. Enrico P.
Supangco, the university and Pioneer
have entered into an agreement mid-
2009 allowing the latter to establish
its rice research and development
station inside the UPLB Science and
Technology Park (STP).
The entrance of Pioneer inside the
UPLB STP is expected to boost
technology innovation and enterprise in
the university.
Currently, the company occupies 112
square meters of office space in the left
wing of the ACTETSME Building and
has already developed a one-hectare
rice breeding area inside the complex.
The station would become part of
Pioneer’s rice research network across
South and Southeast Asia, and would
benefit from linkages with expertise
from the university and from the nearby
International Rice Research Institute.
Pioneer engages in research, production
and sales of hybrid seed corn and rice.
(Florante A. Cruz) ■
 PHOTO NEWS
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

▲ The UPLB CHED Zonal Research Center for Regions IV

and V conducted its training-workshop on “Research Proposal
Preparation” last January 11-13, 2010 for 20 researchers and
faculty from 10 educational institutions from Regions IVA & IVB.

▲ Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco (right) leads selected UPLB officials and
researchers in briefing the administrators of the Angeles University Foundation
led by its President Atty. Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles (partly hidden) last
November 25, 2009 at the UPLB Operations Room.

▲ Representatives from the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research

and UPLB discussed on February 22, 2010 the mechanics and
criteria for evaluating nominees to the various Gawad Saka
Awards given annually by the Department of Agriculture.

▲ Prof. Willie P. Abasolo of CFNR-DFPPS receives from Ms. Ruth M. Almario,

▲ Researchers met last October 21, 2009 to discuss ways on to OVCRE Project Monitoring and Evaluation Section head, a certificate of
revitalize research in response to emerging scientific fields. recognition for completing his UPLB Basic Research Program-funded study.

▲ Local scout-delegates of the 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout ▲ Members of the evaluation committee for the Outstanding Creative
Jamboree check out the interactive displays and learning modules Artist Award led by Dr. Maritess Gatchalian-Yee (leftmost) of the
of the College of Veterinary Medicine during the “City of Science” UPLB Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), finalize their
Exhibit inside the Baker Hall from December 28-31, 2010. recommendation to the Chancellor on February 22, 2010.

Volume 2 Number 1
November 2009 - April 2010 19
 PHOTO NEWS
BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

◄
Dr. William G. Padolina, Deputy Director
General for operations and support
services of the International Rice
Research Institute, receives a certificate
of recognition from Chancellor Luis Rey
I. Velasco (right) for delivering a lecture
on “Defining UPLB’s Role in the Quest for
Food Security” last February 1, 2010 at the
D.L. Umali Hall of SEARCA.

Dr. Padolina is the first of the many UPLB

Centennial Fellows who have been
granted the opportunity, through the UPLB
Centennial Lecture Series, to provide a
guide for charting the university’s future
towards distinctive excellence.

Assisting Dr. Velasco is Dr. Grace D. De

Ocampo, Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor
for Instruction and Chair of the UPLB
Centennial Fellows committee.
PHOTO: courtesy of PMMAGDALITA

▲ UPLB formally presented the Hibiscus hybrid
“Domini M. Torrevillas ” last March 11, 2010 at
UP Diliman in Quezon City. The flower is the first
Hibiscus of the “Women in Media and the Arts”
series launched by the College of Agriculture.
▲Representatives of Pioneer Hi-bred Inc.,
a new lessor at the UPLB Science and
Technology Park, discuss with OVCRE
administrators their future plans and
business prospects last October 20, 2009
PHOTO: JTANG
▲ Filipino delegates to the “IP Analysis
and Strategy Workshop” in Hsinchu,
Taiwan which ran from March 1-11, 2010
included Vice-Chancellor Enrico Supangco
and UPLB CTTE staff May Anne A. Cruz.

The RDE Digest The RDE Digest is published semi-annually by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It is released
Official Research, Development and Extension Newsletter
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños every April and 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
contributors should be addressed to the Editors.
Ruth M. Almario
Elias B. Abao, Jr. For inquiries, please contact us at: Research Utilization and Dissemination Section
Jo Ann A. Oruga OVCRE Building, Kanluran cor. Lanzones Roads, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
Laureano B. Lanosia, Jr. Tel. No. (63) 49 536-2354; Fax No. (63) 49 536-7181, VOIP: 1525, Email: ovcre@uplb.edu.ph.
Matilde DV. Maunahan

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

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

University of the Philippines Los Baños

20 Research, Development and Extension Digest