PNRI at the 14th National Biotechnology Week
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PNRI researchers from the Agriculture Research Section explaining the mutation breeding technology being used to develop new varieties of sugarcane and waling-waling.
The speakers for the Forum on Applications of Biotechnology in Sugarcane Breeding. From right: PNRI career scientist Mr. Fernando Aurigue, who delivered the opening remarks, PNRI research specialist Mr. Jorge Sahagun, and DA-SRA-LGAREC research specialists Mr. Rimmon Armones and Mr. John Moises Relles.
PNRI at the 14th National Biotechnology Week
Highlighting the role of various nuclear and radiation applications in biotechnology, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute joined several other government agencies in celebrating the 14th National Biotechnology Week at the World Trade Center, Pasay City from November 13 to 17, 2018.
The DOST takes the helm in leading the week-long celebration with the theme Pambansang Hamon, Pambansang Solusyon, reflecting its objective of harnessing biotechnology and related techniques to in overcoming challenges such as in food security, health, and economic development.
Scientists and researchers from the PNRI Agriculture Research Section and the Department of Agriculture – Sugar Regulatory Administration – La Granja Agricultural Research Center (DA-SRA-LGAREC) featured exhibits on the Institute’s latest developments on mutation breeding and tissue culture applications, including agricultural crops such as sugarcane and ornamental plants such as the Waling-Waling orchid.
PNRI also hosted the Forum on Applications of Biotechnology in Sugarcane Breeding on the afternoon of November 13, with research specialists from DOST-PNRI and DA-SRA as speakers.
The National Biotechnology Week celebration is brought about by the collaboration of the DOST, DA, Department of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Nuclear 101 Awareness Seminar in Laoag City
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What is Radiation? Is it Safe? How can it be Beneficial? Find out more!
Nuclear 101 Awareness Seminar
November 27 & 28 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Benjamin Franklin Function Room, Northview Hotel, Laoag City
FREE ADMISSION
Slots are limited
The DOST-PNRI will provide meals, information kits and certificates for the seminar participants.
Kindly confirm your attendance by completing the registration form at https://goo.gl/6N8YPS on or before November 20, 2018
The seminar objectives and program may be viewed or downloaded at https://goo.gl/6qeo97.
Nuclear 101 Awareness Seminar in Cebu City
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What is Radiation? Is it Safe? How can it be Beneficial? Find out more!
Nuclear 101 Awareness Seminar
November 21 & 22 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM
SANTORINI BALLROOM, HOTEL ELIZABETH, ARCHBISHOP REYES AVENUE, CEBU CITY
FREE ADMISSION
Slots are limited
Kindly confirm your attendance by completing the registration form at https://goo.gl/VzoBBF on or before November 14, 2018
The DOST-PNRI will provide meals, information kits and certificates for the seminar participants.
The seminar objectives and program may be viewed or downloaded at https://goo.gl/QMiBvx.
Rich and Healthy Food Crop Harvests During Carrageenan PGP Testing in Provinces
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Carrageenan PGP (top photo) increases the yield of crops and improves the agronomic traits of plants. The experimental crops sprayed with PGP (right for corn and mungbean) were compared with the control crops (left for corn and mungbean). (Photos from DOST Region 2).
Rich and Healthy Food Crop Harvests During Carrageenan PGP Testing in Provinces
From Cagayan up north to Davao down south, farmers and agriculturists are awed by the bountiful yield of food crops during the on-going field trials of the Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (PGP).
Developed by scientists from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) in cooperation with the University of the Philippines – Los Baños National Crop Protection Center (UPLB-NCPC) and the DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), the radiation-processed formula was set for field trials by the Department of Agriculture (DA) since 2015 to cover several provinces in Luzon, Panay Island, Zamboanga and Davao.
More than two years into the trial period, the results proved to be very fruitful, as the Carrageenan PGP was able to produce healthier crops and more productive hectares of farmland for rice and mungbean, which were among the first to be tested.
Around 2,500 farmers in Davao are conducting trials in more than 20,000 hectares of rice farmlands until 2019, aiming to increase rice productivity by up to 34% by 2020, according to DOST Region 11.
Mungbean field trials in Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley and Northern Mindanao showed increased yields from 50 to 150 percent, by supplementing Carrageenan PGP with the usual farmers’ practices.
Meanwhile, DOST-PNRI has also expanded the Carrageenan PGP testing to other food crops, particularly in Isabela, where the first field tests for corn were conducted. Researchers from the DOST-PNRI and DA regional offices found larger cobs and healthier root structures among the corn crops sprayed with the solution.
Farmers all over the Philippines are looking forward to seeing the Carrageenan PGP released in the market in the near future.
