A project to detect fungal diseases such as anthracnose, stem-end rot, and scab in ‘Carabao’ mango was launched recently.
The three-year project, which has the title, “LAMP Detection Assays for Anthracnose, Stem-end Rot, and Scab Disease Pathogens in Philippine ‘Carabao’ Mango,” will be implemented by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
The project, which is PUP’s first research and development (R&D) project on mango, will be led by Dr. Lourdes V. Alvarez of PUP’s College of Science.
Mie University in Japan will collaborate with PUP in the project under the DOST and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Joint Research Program (JRP).
DOST-International Technological Cooperation Unit (ITCU) Head Elenita M. Leus graced the meeting. According to her, the DOST-JSPS JRP is a bilateral exchange program that started in 2004. Filipino and Japanese scientists conduct projects jointly under the program in accordance with their mutual agreement on international scientific collaboration.
Addressing the losses brought about by fungal diseases in ‘Carabao’ mango, the project aims to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for the detection of the causative fungi of anthracnose, stem-end rot, and scab. The LAMP will be used in the field for rapid detection of the said diseases.
Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman, PUP President, commended Dr. Alvarez’s team for conceiving and implementing the project and recognized the team as the torch bearer of R&D in the university. He also emphasized that the project output should be utilized by the mango industry.