ABSTRACTS FOR ORAL PRESENTATION: 6TH CONVENTION

1. PLANT SPECIES DIVERSITY IN OIL PALM PLANTATION IN AGUSAN, PHILIPPINES

Reynaldo S. Callano

Director, Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI),
University of Southern Mindanao Kabacan, Cotabato
Email: rscallano@yahoo.com

Abstract

The study surveyed and evaluated plant species found in the 8,000-hectare plantation of Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation, Inc. (FPPI) in Maligaya, Rosario, Agusan Sur.

Two areas within the plantation were selected: high elevation area (500 meters and above sea level) and low elevation plantation (100 meters and below sea level) of mature oil palm. In each elevation, three sites were established and 3 plots (at least 2 km distance from each counted and identified. Plant species were classified as: ferns and bracken weeds, sedges, woody broadleaves, creeping broadleaves, non-creeping broadleaves and grasses. Also, high species with medicinal and fungicidal properties were identified.

In the high elevation area single plant species count reached 73 per quadrant and at lowland area the plant species count was 105 followed by ferns with 81 per quadrant.

Keywords: FPPI, quadrant, species, oil palm, ferns, sedges, broadleaves, grasses.
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2. GROWTH AND BUDDABILITY OF POLYBAGGED RUBBER SEEDLINGS AS INFLUENCED BY SOIL TYPES

Luis J. Sumalpong and Evelyn A. Souribio

Respectively, City Agriculturist and Horticulturist,
Bayawan City, Negros Oriental
Email: ljsumalpong@bayawancity.gov.ph

Abstract

City Agriculturist, Department of Agriculture, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and Rubber Project Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, Bayawan City, Neg. Oriental

The LGU through the initiative of the City Mayor ventured to plant rubber targeted to least 1,000 hectares per year. The project started on August 19, 2005 after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Southern Mindanao and the LGU of Bayawan City. The project aims to find alternatives of agricultural venture that may alleviate countryside poverty. Also, to effect maximum utilization of land formerly planted with sugarcane, to minimize floods, prevent soil erosion, restore natural ecology, create employment, and generate sustainable income. Rubber is known to be an ecologically friendly plantation crop with its ability to absorb certain air pollutants.

Polybagged rubber nursery was established. To determine the suitability of rubber trees, a simple study was conducted. Polybagged rubber media used three types of soil: top soil, silty soil, and subsoil. The growth of rubber seedlings in these types of soil was evaluated.

Preliminary results showed that top soil and subsoil media produced robust growing rubber seedlings. Seedlings grown in silt soil were poor in growth. Three to four months after planting the seedlings were green budded.

Key words: LGU, USM, polybagged rubber, silt soil, budding.
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3. THE IRAYA MANGYANS’ INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES’ UNDERPINNINGS

Yolanda Benedicta D. Mendoza

University Researcher, Institute of Community Education,
College of Public Affairs, U.P. Los Baños, College, Laguna
Email: yola27ph@yahoo.com

Abstract

The United Nations has declared 1995 to 2005 as the Decade of the Indigenous Peoples (IP). This was an opportune time to highlight the knowledge and practices of the indigenous groups like the Iraya-Mangyans. Several studies have revealed that “any indigenous knowledge (IK) that helps people to deal with their environment over centuries has potential value for sustainable development.”

This paper does not intend to romanticize the Iraya-Mangyans’ traditional knowledge and practices but it aims to a) describe and appreciate their environmental practices; b) disseminate the practices which are of value in environmental resource management; and c) analyze the underpinnings of their IK and practices.

Mediation of a higher Being, concepts of communal property and reciprocity, harmony with nature, and community spirit were identified as the four environmental values to which the Iraya-Mangyans’ environmental management practices were founded. They are closely interwoven, strengthening and supporting each other to ensure ecological stability, equilibrium, and sustainability to provide the needs of the present and future generations. As the developed countries have something to offer in the advancement of science and technology, so also the indigenous people has a lot to offer to the modern world in preserving and managing the environment.

Key words: communal property and reciprocity, indigenous knowledge and practices
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4. EVALUATION OF SHALLOW GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN SELECTED TOBACCO GROWING AREAS IN BATAC, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES*

Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr.

College of Agriculture and Forestry
Mariano Marcos State University
Batac 2906 Ilocos Norte
Email: hulyo94@yahoo.com

Abstract

A field study on the assessment of groundwater quality was conducted to evaluate the suitability and quality of the underlying shallow groundwater in selected tobacco-growing areas in Batac, Ilocos Norte .
Shallow groundwater quality was investigated through actual field data gathering and laboratory analysis. Water quality parameters were focused on the chloride and electrical conductivity concentrations of the groundwater samples. Results of the study revealed that shallow groundwater in the study areas was slightly of poor quality. However, groundwater is still generally suitable for tobacco production. Abundant rainfall during the wet season can help naturally mitigate salinization through dilution.

Key words: tobacco, salinization, shallow groundwater quality
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* A portion of the dissertation study of the author at UP Los Banos, Laguna supported by SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
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5. VARIETAL DIVERSITY AND PATTERNS OF GENETIC EROSION OF TRADITIONAL UPLAND RICE CULTIVARS IN BARANGAY KIHAN, MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE , PHILIPPINES

Jaime A. Namocatcat,1 Florence L. Zapico,1 and Josephine R. Carino2

1Science Department, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics,
Mindanao State University, Fatima, General Santos City 9500
2 Indigenous Peoples Development Program, Office of the Provincial Governor,
Provincial Capitol, Sarangani Province
Email: fclasalita@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the level of genetic diversity of traditional upland rice cultivars and to identify the varieties grown in Barangay Kihan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Investigation was also done to ascertain the occurrence and extent of genetic erosion as well as the factors that contributed to it. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques, semi-structured interviews, survey questionnaire, community meetings, and recording field notes were the methods used in the study.

Results revealed a very high level of genetic diversity of traditional upland rice cultivars in the area. Seed movement was also unrestricted in the area for most of the sitios except for the remote ones. At the time of the study, 40 cultivars had already been discarded. This non-cultivation of traditional cultivars was primarily due to farmers’ preferences for those varieties with desirable agronomic traits and their very small farm sizes. Another problem identified was the inaccessibility of most of the sitios resulting to their lack of integration into commercial markets.

Key words: genetic erosion, participatory rural appraisal, varietal diversity, upland rice,
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6. COCONUT WATER AS A NOVEL CULTURE MEDIUM FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTION OF SCHIZOPHYLLAN

Renato G. Reyes1, Wolfgang Graßl2 and Udo Rau2

1Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon State University, C-3120, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, 2Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Federal Republic of Germany
Email: boyongreyes@yahoo.com

Abstract

In our search for a more practical, appropriate, and economical medium for the biotechnological production of schizophyllan from S. commune which is suitable for developing countries, we have investigated the possibility of utilizing coconut water as an appropriate medium. Coconut being an ubiquitous crop in tropical areas of the world produced water as a waste product. Thus in this investigation, water from matured coconut, variety macapuno was evaluated for schizophyllan production. Schizophyllum commune ATCC 38548 was used as the test strain. The procedure of Rau (1999) in the production of schizophyllan was adopted. The performance of S. commune grown in coconut water was determined in parallel with its performance in basal semi-synthetic medium consisting of glucose, 30g; yeast extract, 3g, KH2PO4, 1g and MgSO4.7H2O, 0.5g in 1000 ml deionized water and a triple sugar enriched medium containing 10.3g glucose, 7g fructose, 9g sucrose, 3g yeast extract, 1g KH2PO4 and 0.5g MgSO4·7H20 dissolved in 1000 ml deionized water. Results of our investigation showed that coconut water could stimulate the growth of S. commune with subsequent production of schizophyllan at 7.71g/1000 ml 4 days after incubation which is a day earlier than in the two semi-synthetic media. The basal semi-synthetic and the triple sugar- enriched media yielded 6.69g and 3.99g of schizophyllan per 1000 ml of the medium, 5 days after incubation, respectively.

Keywords: fungal polysaccharide, glucan, schizophyllan, Schizophyllum commune
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7. WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF FISH DEBONING INDUSTRIES IN DAGUPAN CITY AND SAN FABIAN, PANGASINAN, PHILIPPINES

Dominica J. Sajonas

Pangasinan State University, Binmaley Campus,San Isidro Norte, Binmaley, Pangasinan
Email: nica_sajonas@yahoo.com

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the waste management practices of fish deboning industries at Meleâs Dagupan city and Anjo Farm San Fabian, Pangasinan. Sixty respondents were interviewed, twenty-five from Anjo Farm and thirty-five from Meleâs Dagupan City. Forty-four (73.33%) were females and only 16 (26.67%) male respondents. There were 43 (71.67 %) married and 17 (28.33 %) single deboner respondents. The age of 42 (70 %) respondents ranged from 23-33 years old while 10 (16.67 %) belonged to 34-44 years and 8 (13.33 %) respondents were 45-55 years of age. The study revealed that 47 (78.33 %) respondents have been working as fish deboners for 1-5 years, some 10 (16.67 %) had rendered 6-10 years and 3 (5. %) respondents worked for more than 11-15 years as fish deboners.

The result of the study revealed that spines and viscera constituted the bulk of wastes generated from fish deboning. On the management practices, nearly 40 (66.67%) respondents developed wastes generated into new fish products for human consumption and as means of their livelihood while viscera were made as bagoong or cooked as viand. Other practice was to recycle the wastes as feeds and fertilizers. About 12 (20%) still practiced dumping of their wastes generated from deboning. Majority or 50 (83.33%) fish deboner respondents observed that they received more economic than ecological benefits on the proper wastes management. Pollution in nearby rivers and skin diseases are possible if no proper waste management is practiced.

Key words: fish industry, products, fish wastes, water pollution
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8. INDIGENOUS FOLKLORE AND TRADITION:ELEMENTS OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN
BATAK DOMAINS, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PHILIPPINES

Maria Carinnes Pamintuan Alejandria

Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City 5300
Contact Numbers: 09217203423/048 4343578
E-mail: carin_alejandria@yahoo.com or bulalayaw@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the traditional beliefs of the Bataks, as present in their folklore, and the conservation of the biodiversity in their recognized ancestral domains.

The study was conducted intermittently from August 13 until December 17, 2005. Two Batak communities were selected as sources of key informants. These are the communities under the jurisdiction of barangay Tanabag and Concepcion respectively. Since this research primarily aimed at establishing the effect of folklore and traditional beliefs on biodiversity conservation, this inquiry has been designed to use the qualitative method employing anthropological data gathering techniques with the folklore and tradition as independent variables, the level of adherence to these as the intervening variable, and the extent as to which biodiversity is conserved in the domains as the dependent variable.

The study revealed that the communities, which are characterized as having high adherence to their supernatural beliefs specifically on the tumalu’non, a folklore character known as an entity of the forests that poses threats to Bataks who disturbs his territory, were able to intensively maintain biodiversity in their domains as opposed to those who believed the contrary. It was also observed that several species of trees like the Balete Ficus stipulosa miq. Linn.) and the Pati or Tan-ag (Kleinhovia hospita) were also more abundant than the others as a result of the belief that these trees are the abode of the tumalu’non.

These results proved that in the midst of environmental conservation plans and legal structures, which are often considered by the natives as illegitimate due to cultural differences, the traditional beliefs of the indigenous people served as key element to the conservation of biodiversity in their domains. A fact that could further strengthen the feasibility of imminent plans of various organizations regarding environmental concerns.

Key words: anthropology, Bataks, supernatural and traditional beliefs,
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9. INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT ON LOCAL COCONUT HYBRID, CATIGAN DWARF X LAGUNA TALL (CATD X LAGT): EARLY CROP DEVELOPMENT YEARS

Millicent I. Secretaria,1 Severino S. Magat,2 Emmanuel D. Aterrado, 1
and Rogaciano Z. Margate 1

1Phil. Coconut Authority-Davao Research Center, Bago Oshiro, Davao City
E-mail address: pcaasd@pldtdsl.net or milsecretaria@yahoo.com
2 PCA-Agricultural Research Management Dept.,
RDE Branch, Diliman, Quezon City
E-mail address: ssmagat@pacific.net.ph

Abstract

An integrated crop management (ICM) on local coconut hybrid, Catigan dwarf x Laguna tall (CATD x LAGT) was conducted in a major Cl-deficient soil (Tugbok clay loam, Typic Tropudalf) at the Davao Research Center, Bago Oshiro, Davao City. Three levels each of nitrogen (as urea, 46% N) and chloride (as NaCl or common salt, 50%Cl) and the practice of integrated pest management (IPM) on coconut rhinoceros beetle in the early stage (2000-2004) of crop development were tested.

From year 1 to year 4, the application of Cl (0.40 – 1.50 kg/palm/year) showed significant effects on the stem girth, leaf production rate, and living fronds of the local hybrid. Initial flowering was observed at 2.25 years from planting from palms with average rate of N (375 g urea) and double rate of Cl (1,600 g NaCl) fertilizer treatment, subsequently initial nut harvest at 3.9 years. At four years old, the highest % flowering was observed on the average rate (N1+Cl 1)-treated palms with 96 % flowering as compared to only 70% for control (N0+Cl0) palms. Correlation analysis showed that leaf-Cl content is the main determinant of growth indices and nut yield of hybrid CATD x LAGT palms. The use of green muscardine fungus (GMF) - impregnated trap boxes demonstrated highly effective control of coconut beetle population on hybrid palms in replanted coconut areas.

The practice of ICM on coconut palms as the local hybrid used with proper combination of crop nutrition, fertilization management, and IPM resulted in accelerated growth, early flowering, and nut yield.

Key words: local coconut hybrid, fertilization management, Cl nutrient, integrated pest management, replanted area
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10. EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF IMMATURE RUBBER, KABACAN, COTABATO, PHILIPPINES

Leonila M. Tolentino

Education Program Specialist (Email: nila615@yahoo.com)
University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, 2409 Cotabato

Abstract

A fertilizer trial was conducted to evaluate the growth response of immature rubber trees to different fertilizer levels. Two-leaf storey polybag buddings were planted in May 1999 using the double row system of planting, 2 m x 3 m x 19 m. Five fertilizer levels were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block design with five replications.

Results showed that the growth of rubber trees (in terms of height and stem diameter) was significantly influenced by the amounts of fertilizer applied. Nitrogen content of the leaves was likewise, significantly affected by fertilizer levels. Phosporous content, on the other hand, was not significantly affected.

Results of the experiment indicated that indeed fertilization is an important factor to consider in rubber cultivation as evidenced by the fact that the unfertilized trees and those fertilized with lesser amounts were not yet tappable five-and-a- half years after planting.

Key words: tappable, two-leaf storey, polybag buddings, double row system, immature rubber
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