Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Using Mutation
Breeding and Biotechnology

Improvement of Traditional Rice Varieties by Gamma Irradiation(Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia [FNCA] Project on “Mutation Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture in Asia”)

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This FNCA project focuses on mutation breeding as a tool for sustainable agriculture in Asia by using gamma radiation and/or ion-beam.  The project aims to establish mutant varieties that are: (1) resistant to various environmental stresses, (2) early maturing, and  (3)  low-input  based on the country’s demands.

Enhancing Productivity of Locally Underused Crops Through Mutated Germplasm and Evaluation of Soil, Nutrient and Water Management Practices: Study 1:  Enhancing the Agricultural Productivity of Adlai  (Coix    lacryma-jobi L.) by Nuclear Technique,  Soil and Water Management

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This project is under the IAEA RAS 5/064 project entitled ”Enhancing Productivity of Locally-underused Crops through Dissemination of Mutated Germplasm and Evaluation of Soil, Nutrient and Water Management Practices”.

Enhancing Productivity of Locally Underused Crops through Mutated Germplasm and Evaluation of Soil, Nutrient and Water Management Practices: Study 2:  Improvement of Adlai ( Coix lacryma-jobi L.) by Gamma Irradiation

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Adlai grows in many parts of the country but is underutilized. Adlai, also known as Job's Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.), comes from the family Poaceae , the same family of grass to which  wheat, corn and rice belong. The plant is considered nutritious and potentially a good substitute to rice and corn. It is 50 percent starch, 14 percent protein and only 6 percent fat.

The application of isotopic techniques has been developed to aid in research and development particularly in areas of soil fertility, fertilizer sources, optimal and rational use of nutrients,  and economic water use through direct application of techniques in agricultural farms. By this method, a package of nutrient and water management practices for adlai will be available in the future.

S & T- based Soil Nutrient and Water Management for Coffee in the Philippines:
Component 1. Efficient Nutrient Management for Enhanced Coffee Productivity through Isotope Tracer   and Related Techniques  

Faye G. Rivera
Science Research Specialist II
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rallos, Roland V.
Mamaril, Hilarion E.
De Jesus, Maribel C.
Cullano, Willy Hart C.
Loberiza, Zenaida R.
Maat, Erwin A.
Manrique, Mary Jayne C.
Dimaano, Arvin O.

Enhancing Agricultural Productivity in Mindanao through Nuclear Technology:  Fruit Crops (Mangosteen and Cashew)

Ana Maria S. Veluz
Senior Science Research Specialist
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Aurigue, Fernando B.
Dimaano, Arvin O.
Semana, Rosalie M.
Garcia, Ricky E.
Costimiano, Hilarion E.

General:  To develop improved high-value fruit crops (mangosteen and cashew) through induced mutations, in vitro culture and biotechniques.  

Specific:
a.    To increase yield of fruits and nuts
b.    To induce mutations for improved quality of fruits and nuts
c.    To induce mutants with short stature (dwarf) to facilitate harvesting
d.  To induce  mutation  for earliness and non-seasonal fruit crops

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has developed a Medium-Term Development Plan (NEDA MTPDP, 2005) for Mindanao’s transformation into the nation’s food basket through research and development intervention, infrastructure development, and application of postharvest technologies.  In line with the Government’s effort in Mindanao, the  PNRI Agriculture Research Section is applying mutation, in vitro culture and related nuclear techniques for the development of  improved  high-value  fruit crops.

Mangosteen and cashew, which are considered as high-value crops in the worldwide market, are important tropical fruits in the Philippines.   Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), which is considered as the “Queen of Fruits” as well as the finest fruit in the world, is grown abundantly in Mindanao. It bears fruit only during a four-month peak period from May to August.  Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)  is an evergreen tree that is grown for its edible nuts and fruits and is a good species for reforestation, especially in areas with poor soil and low rainfall. Its production fluctuates year to year depending on the severity of pest and disease damage.

The lack of high-quality planting materials and non-seasonal high-yielding varieties has limited the productivity of these crops. The lifecycle of fruit trees is quite long and the conventional breeding approach is time-consuming. Through this project, radiation-induced mutation, coupled with in vitro culture techniques, is being used for the development of new genetically improved mutant varieties of mangosteen and cashew.

Mutation Breeding of Priority Agricultural Crops:   Component  1 – Ornamentals

Fernando B. Aurigue
Senior Science Research Specialist
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic research Division
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Veluz, Ana Maria S.
Manrique, Mary Jane C.
Dimaano, Arvin O.
Sahagun, Jorge R.
Semana, Rosalie M.
Garcia, Ricky E.
Costimiano, Eduardo C.

This project is supportive of the planned launching of export challenge for the floriculture industry in 2016 by the government and the private sectors. The project’s research, development and extension  activities are in the confines of the PNRI thrust for agriculture. However, these activities would require the participation of the industry’s key-players  like the officers and members of both the Philippine Orchid Society and the Philippine Horticultural Society to promote mutual cooperation between the proponent and the cooperators.  Through PNRI, the government could provide gardening enthusiasts and entrepreneurs  with new  and improved  varieties of Spathoglottis  ground orchids, foliage-type Anthurium, hoyas and other ornamental plants  that small and medium scale-growers may propagate and commercialize for added income and employment.  It is hoped that the produce would be exported and may become globally competitive with other varieties of the same plant in the niche market.

With the continuous application of new technologies developed with  the help and active participation of  cooperators, new varieties of ornamental plants can be expected every year even from commercial growers who are convinced to apply the  technologies promoted to them. The implications of this outcome are the constant production of new varieties in commercial quantities for export, leading to   a steady increase in foreign reserves, and employment of more individuals every year or a decrease in unemployment rate.

Nuclear Techniques and Fertigation to Improve Water and Nutrient-Use Efficiencies of Mungbean (RAS5/0/56)

Roland V. Rallos
Science Research Specialist  II
Agriculture Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rivera, Faye G.

The challenge for crop production over the coming years will be to use agricultural inputs in a sustainable way. In general, nitrogen (N) becomes one of the most limiting factors for crop productivity, especially in irrigated agriculture due to its high mobility in the soil and its vulnerability to denitrification and leaching.  To improve  the efficiency of this costly nutrient, the fertilizer placement and method of application under these conditions need to be investigated. To meet the challenge, more precise techniques are therefore necessary in achieving a higher fertilizer use efficiency.

Fertigation is known to be a precise method of applying plant nutrients through the irrigation system in order to match the current demand of the crop being nourished and irrigated. This in turn reduces the cost of production and also minimizes the groundwater pollution, thereby preventing ecological disturbances and health risks due to leaching and accumulation of nitrates in the deeper layers. Moreover, the use of tracer techniques in crop nutrition research implies important benefits beyond those of existing conventional methodologies. The method provides a precise and direct quantitative data to obtain the needed information that is valuable in the total accounting and tracing of  the fate of the applied fertilizer materials.

Roland V. Rallos
Science Research Specialist II
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rivera, Faye G.
Mamaril, Hilarion E.
Gulitano, Wilfredo A.

Fertilization is one of the most important agricultural practices for increasing crop productivity. This plays a vital role on the growth and development and is very crucial for achieving optimum corn production. An equally important consideration in managing intensive corn production is the supply of sufficient soil moisture for proper crop growth and optimum production.

Intensive agricultural production systems are often associated with relatively large losses of nutrients to the environment, thereby aggravating degradation. The combined problems on nutrient usage efficiency causing environmental degradation and poor crop productivity due to irrigation water scarcity are strong justifications to revisit the current crop cultural management to increase its efficiency and productivity. Moreover, precision tools and accurate techniques are very essential to resolve issues of inefficiencies and losses of nutrient and water resources in agriculture.

The use of nuclear techniques in agricultural research implies important benefits beyond those of existing conventional methodologies. This technology provides enormous advantages because it permits a direct quantitative measurement of the influence of various  factors on the environment. Isotopic and nuclear techniques have been developed and refined, permitting the research and development of solutions in areas such as soil fertility, fertilizer sources, optimal and rational use of nutrients,  and economic water use.

1. Development of best fertilizer and irrigation recommendations for sustainable and efficient corn production

2. Reduction of farm inputs while increasing corn yield,  thereby increasing farmers’ income

Roland V. Rallos
Science Research Specialist II
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rivera, Faye G.
Mamaril, Hilarion E.

Irrigation has a very important role in Philippine agriculture. As the demand for industrial, municipal, environmental protection and other uses rises, less water will be available for agriculture.  This limited amount of water for agriculture is further decreased in times of drought or emergency.  There exists a national policy wherein domestic water supply gets priority over all others within the limits of its water rights.

The best way to deal with water scarcity is to deliver, allocate and apply that limited water efficiently.  Efficient irrigation requires a systematic water management program. Such a program answers the questions of when to irrigate, how much water to apply during irrigation and how best to apply the water.  A key component of good water management is the routine monitoring and accounting of soil evaporation, crop water use, irrigation, rainfall and other losses in the system.  Reduction of losses and increase in water-use efficiency in irrigation systems will surely increase the area irrigated per system and therefore increase crop production.

Roland V. Rallos
Science Research Specialist II
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rivera, Faye G.
Mamaril, Hilarion E.

Soil and water are the basic resources in agriculture for food security. However, sustainable agriculture depends on maintaining an appropriate balance between the use and conservation of soil nutrients and water resources for crop production systems as well as for environmental protection. With the increasing cost of fertilizer inputs, one of the major challenges is to increase nutrient use efficiency.

Harness the use of nuclear and isotope techniques in developing efficient and precise soil and water resources management adaptable to climate change.

The project output will contribute to the rice self-sufficiency goal of the government and will in turn increase profitability of the rice farmers in a sustainable way.

Roland V. Rallos
Science Research Specialist II
Agriculture  Research Section
Atomic Research Division

Rivera, Faye G.
Mamaril, Hilarion E.

Most soils that have been planted with sugarcane in the Philippines are now in a state of low fertility as a result of decades of intense crop cultivation. Additionally, the current high- yielding sugarcane varieties being used have high nutrient demands.   Therefore, it is almost certain that  low and unacceptable yields of sugarcane  will result   if there is no judicious use of fertilizers and  proper soil management.