The quality and integrity of rubber planting materials produced by clonal gardens and nurseries can now be ascertained through a technology which uses DNA fingerprinting. This can assure farmers that their planting materials are genuine and can enhance crop productivity. Thanks to the effort of researchers from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and their paper titled, Validation of Varietal Integrity of Promising Rubber Clones through DNA Fingerprinting.
The paper was awarded as the best research paper under the research category in the recently conducted 2016 National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD).
Dr. Emma K. Sales, a USM Professor, leads the project, which is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
USM is a member of the Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CAARRDEC).
The study, Lamp Assay and Test Kit: The New Diagnostic Platform for Swine Diarrheal Disease of the Central Luzon State University won the second place, while the study, Management of Cassava Phytoplasma Disease: Survey, Diagnosis, Characterization of the Visayas State University won third under the research category.
A Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) member agency, the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine School of Technology (SPAMAST), was awarded the best research paper under the development category for its paper, Science and Technology Community-Based Farm (STCBF) Coco Sap Production and Technomart Projects: Propelling Coco Sugar Industry Development in Davao del Sur.
Dr. Augie E. Fuentes, Research, Development and Extension Director of SPAMAST, leads the project.
The STCBF research yielded a 43.64% increase in the number of accredited and organized coco sap gatherers. It also helped in packaging and marketing Davao del Sur’s cocosugar products, which are now exported to the United States, Australia, Germany, and United Kingdom.
The study, Development of Supplemental Feeds for Free-Range Native Chicken won second place, while the study STCBF on Mango Production in Bataan of the Bataan Peninsula State University landed third place under the development category, respectively.
NSAARRD, an initiative of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), showcases the most outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in the improvement of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors through R&D. The 2016 NSAARRD was held on July 27, 2016 at the DOST-PCAARRD complex, Los Baños, Laguna. It was also held during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).