Three exceptional published papers on agriculture, aquatic sciences, and natural resources and environment categories were conferred with the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The award pays tribute to Filipino scientists and researchers for their exceptional publication of research and development (R&D) results, which support PCAARRD’s mission to advance the country’s national economic and food security.
The outstanding published paper on agriculture category was conferred to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and Cavite State University (CvSU) for the paper, “Growth response of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plant as affected by bamboo biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sterilized and unsterilized soil.” The researcher-writer team is composed of Mr. Nelly S. Aggangan, Mr. Angelbert D. Cortes, and Ms. Consorcia E. Reaño.
The paper investigated the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bamboo biochar (BB) in cacao’s performance in acidic soil. AMF gave promising effects on cacao plant growth. Soil treated with AMF and 15% BB produced the best plant growth regardless of soil sterilization. These significant results show that biochar and AMF can improve overall growth of cacao plants and increase their yield.
The Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP-MSI) and the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering (SESEE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology were conferred with the outstanding paper in aquatic sciences.
The study, “Predicting fish kills and toxic blooms in an intensive mariculture site in the Philippines using a machine learning model,” was undertaken by Ms. Aletta Concepcion T. Yñiguez of UP-MSI and Ms. Zheina J. Ottong of SESEE. The study used a machine learning method called the random forest classification in predicting if particular combinations of conditions will lead to a toxic bloom or a fish kill event. The random forest model performed with 96.1% accuracy for fish kills, and 97.8% accuracy for shellfish bans. Aside from helping the Philippine coastal communities’ livelihood by providing data-driven information, the study’s data can be used to gauge water quality and will enhance monitoring and law enforcement in coastal and marine areas.
Lastly, the paper, “Soil C quantities of mangrove forests, their competing land uses, and their spatial distribution in the coast of Honda Bay, Philippines” was bestowed outstanding paper in the natural resources and environment category.
The team from Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB), University of Southern Queensland, and Ateneo de Manila University is composed of Mr. Jose Alan A. Castillo, Armando A. Apan, Mr. Tek Narayan Maraseni, and Mr. Severino G. Salmo III.
The study used quantitative soil %C Element Analyser to accurately quantify the %C and soil C stock in mangrove soils. Results from this study could help inform current discussions on Blue Carbon and REDD+ as well as policy and program development that advance research on soil C conservation and ecosystem services in coastal forested wetlands.
The three winners were conferred during the 10th anniversary celebration of DOST-PCAARRD themed, “Harnessing the gains of GALING PCAARRD towards a more resilient AANR sector” held on November 29, 2021 via DOST-PCAARRD’s Facebook page.