[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Aiming to increase fruit yield and quality’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Monday, March 5, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
AIMING to increase fruit yield, improved fruit quality and efficient fertilizer application, the Phase 2 of the Regional Durian Research and Development (R&D) program kicked off which will establish durian tree management practices for six durian Philippine varieties – Puyat, Arancillo, Kob, Duyaya, D101, and Karnyao.
The program was launched at the headquarters of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in Laguna.
It will also validate the program results of Phase 1 to generate more conclusive and comprehensive results.
The program dubbed “Enhancing Productivity and Sustainability of the Durian Industry in Southern Mindanao for Improved Market Access Phase 2” will be implemented by the Bureau of Plant Industry – Davao National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center, University of Southern Mindanao, and University of Southeastern Philippines in Southern Mindanao for two years.
It will develop a fertilization guide based on the optimum nutrient standards of durian.
It will also cross validate the pruning, detopping, flower and fruit thinning techniques, and fertilization standard of durian for optimum yield and quality.
A Geographic Information System (GIS)-aided soil suitability map for durian is also among the expected outputs of the program.
The program is one of the initiatives of DOST-PCAARRD to help the local durian industry in achieving a higher national average production.
The Crops Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD organized the inception meeting to level off expectations and fine-tune the technical and financial aspects of the program.
On the other hand, two spin-off projects on coconut genetic and varietal improvement are expected to boost the country’s coconut industry.
The two projects kicked off following the success of the Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for Coconut, particularly the use of genomics, genetics, and molecular marker assisted breeding for a competitive and sustainable Philippine Coconut Industry.
The two projects will be implemented by the National Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Institute of Plant Breeding, UP Los Baños.
DOST-PCAARRD, which prioritizes coconut among other commodities, is funding the projects.
The first project dubbed “Curation, validation and utilization of coconut transcriptome sequences for gene-based marker development” aims to generate accurate and consistent transcriptomes of seven Philippine coconut varieties and use their sequences for the development of gene-based markers.
The gene-based markers will be used for coconut genetic and varietal improvement.
Coconut breeders are expected to benefit by utilizing these markers to target desired traits such as high nut yield and high coco water quality, among many other characteristics.
While the second project focuses on evaluating a coconut gene expression and its effect on oil biosynthesis.
Like the first project, it also pursues higher coconut productivity by validating the expression of a coconut gene in an experimental model system.
The generation of gene-based markers with target traits is expected to boost the competitive edge of the local supply in the international market.
This will ultimately help the industry, especially the local farmers, in achieving a more sustainable source of livelihood. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
