FARMERS in the upland areas of the country will now have the possibility of raising their harvest through the bacteria which was apparently found to boost plant growth and eventually, the yield.
Researchers at the Philippine Rice Research Institute or PhilRice uncovered that the actinomycete (Streptomyces mutabilis), a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), showed promising results.
Based on a study which was conducted by the researchers led by scientist Jayvee A. Cruz, actinomycete, an aerobic bacterium suitable under upland conditions, can increase root dry weight, number of tillers, and root depth of upland rice.
The researchers even added that it can also promote growth under moisture stress.
While the country’s average production of upland rice remains low, which is about two tons per hectare, upland rice farmers can increase their yield by at least 0.5 ton per hectare by applying half fertilizer treatment combined with the PGBD treatment, the researchers said.
Following their recommendation, upland farmers can save on the cost of buying chemical fertilizers to treat the soil, at the same time, help address environmental concerns and the rising cost of farms inputs like fertilizers.
Cruz, however, emphasized that the treatment is not a 100 percent substitute for synthetic fertilizers.
At present, it was learned that there is no commercially available actinomycete inoculant in the Philippines.
However, another type of microbial inoculant for upland rice varieties will soon be produced resulting from this study.
Further field assessment is therefore needed to provide more information on the performance of the actinomycete inoculant under limited moisture conditions in upland rice production.
In another development about rice production, PhilRice has also launched the new number of its Text Center to make rice information more accessible to the farmers and other stakeholders in the country.
Farmers can now reach the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) through 0917-111-7423.
The Text Center agents will be available to answer different queries about rice seeds and modern farming practices from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Under a digital platform, the PTC provides daily consultation services to rice farmers around the country through call and SMS.
Farm advisories, rice technology updates, market information, and other farm insights are also regularly sent to the registered farmer-clients.
Originally launched as Farmers’ Text Center by the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture in 2004 with about 28 users, the PTC now has more than 35,000 registered clients.
Currently, it receives an average of at least 200 SMS daily.
Top queries are usually related to seed quality and varietal information, pest management, seed availability, and nutrient management.
Info-in demand enables farmers to instantly receive information by sending keywords.
For varieties, farmers can type the keyword (name of the variety) to get information on yield, maturity period, reaction to pests, and eating quality.
For instance, just type Rc160 and send to 0917-111-7423.
Extension workers, students, researchers, and other rice stakeholders may also avail of the service.
To register, just type REG<space>NAME<space>LOCATION<space>OCCUPATION (e.g. REG JUAN DELA CRUZ LEYTE FARMER) and send to 0917-111-7423. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
