Experts from different parts of the country gathered recently at the PCAARRD Headquarters to review and evaluate the accomplishments of the Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) and Vegetable R&D Programs.
“Having the largest national germplasm collection in Southeast Asia, the Philippines needs to manage and conserve this collection effectively,” PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for R&D Cesario R. Pagdilao said as he welcomed guests and participants to the review.
Ten projects on PGR and 15 on vegetables were evaluated.
One of those evaluated was an ongoing program on PGR, which aims to restore crop diversity. This will be done by increasing the national germplasm collection and utilizing the conserved germplasm of important vegetables, food legumes, feed crops, cereals, industrial crops, fruits, and nuts. The program is implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
The said program, which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is being carried out at the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory of the Institute of Plant Breeding at UPLB.
The program also aims to develop in-vitro conservation strategies; apply in-vitro techniques for drought tolerance evaluation in rootcrops and Musa germplasm; and raise awareness on PGR through the production and dissemination of information, education, and communication materials; among other initiatives.
A completed study on varietal improvement of Spathoglottis orchids, foliage-type anthuriums, and hoyas through gamma irradiation was also presented. The study was implemented by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute-DOST.
Moreover, the newly approved Cavite State University-led study on the conservation and management of Philippine coffee genetic resources, as well as the project of the Philippine Coconut Authority on characterization and conservation of coconut genetic resources for utilization in the Bicol Region and coastal areas, were also evaluated.
The vegetable R&D program, on the other hand, concentrated on improving vegetable crop production and postharvest technologies and practices.
Through the National R&D Program on Organic Vegetables, varietal selection and seed production, nutrient management, insect pest and disease control, and transfer of developed organic products and technologies were studied.
Other projects presented were UPLB’s projects on developing virus-resistant tomato and squash varieties through biotechnology; and two projects of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) on improving postharvest and handling practices for fresh, fresh-cut, and semi-processed fruits and vegetables through modified atmosphere packaging and transport packaging technologies.
Completed socioeconomic studies on the supply chain improvement of fresh vegetables in Region 10 and impact assessment of development and commercialization of field test kit for the detection of pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide residues in Philippine vegetables were also taken up in the review.
Capping the review was a field visit to UPLB to further assess the status of the PGR projects and validate their reported accomplishments.