An experimental trial in Isabela showed that the use of FertiGroe® nanofertilizers for corn reduced use of conventional fertilizers (CF) by 50% during dry and wet seasons. This translates to potential savings in fertilizer inputs by half of the usual amount that farmers use in their corn fields.
This was the initial findings of one of the component projects of the program, “Optimization of the Production and Use of FertiGroe® N, P, and K Nanofertilizers in Selected Agricultural Crops.” Results of optimized rate and timing of application of FertiGroe® is being verified in the field.
The field monitoring and evaluation (M&E) visit to the projects sites was arranged by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) to observe and check the yield and fertilizer use efficiency of FertiGroe® N, P, and K nanofertilizers on corn.
The visit coincided with the data gathering of the project team. At two-month crop stand, apparent differences in the yield were not yet visible among treatments. But after harvest, it is expected that the nanofertilizer treatments will perform better than CF treatments in terms of growth and yield, as what was observed in the last cropping season.
This DOST-funded R&D program, with seven project components, aims to optimize the production process and develop protocols for the application of Fertigroe® nanofertilizers. At its final completion, improvements in growth and yield of rice, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, coffee, cacao, and banana is expected.
Field visit is one of the M&E activities being coordinated in Regions CAR, II, III, IVA, VI, X and XI. The M&E team was led by OIC-Deputy Executive Director for R&D, Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, together with Adoracion B. Armada and Jacob B. Labita of PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD). Others who participated in the activity are Jen Charmaine A. Lorenzo and Marlene A. Ang from the Institute of Crop Science of the College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (ICropS-CAFS, UPLB) and Roynic Y. Aquino and Robert M. Atalin from the Department of Agriculture-Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC) (Jacob B. Labita, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).
DESCRIPTION:
An experimental trial in Isabela showed that the use of FertiGroe® nanofertilizers for corn reduced use of conventional fertilizers (CF) by 50% during dry and wet season. This translates to potential savings in fertilizer inputs by half of the usual amount that farmers use in their corn fields.
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FertiGroe® nanofertilizers help reduce amount of fertilizer application
With FertiGroe® nanofertilizers, amount of fertilizer application can be reduced by 25 to 50 percent. This was the initial result of a research and development (R&D) program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
In a pre-terminal review recently held at PCAARRD Los Baños, Laguna, Dr. Pearl B. Sanchez reported initial results of the R&D program, “Optimization of the Production and Use of FertiGroe® N, P, and K Nanofertilizers in Selected Agricultural Crops.” Dr. Sanchez is the program leader and director of the Agricultural Systems Institute-College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (ASI-CAFS-UPLB).
The program, with seven project components, seeks to maximize use of FertiGroe® nanofertilizers in rice, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, coffee, cacao, and banana. Dr. Sanchez said that the optimized rate and the application protocol were field-validated. Findings show a 50 percent reduction in the amount of fertilizer use in rice and potato field trials. Field evaluation for other crops are still ongoing.
During the Program Review, Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, PCAARRD Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Deputy Executive Director for R&D, mentioned that the program works towards contributing to productivity improvement and quality of life of Filipino farmers through partnership with various sectors. He also stressed how initial results of FertiGroe® N, P, and K nanofertilizers produced yields comparable with conventional fertilizers when applied to perennial and some annual crops even at half rate.
He reminded the project team on the possibility of a large-scale industrial production of the FertiGroe® nanofertilizers, which is yet to be realized. He expressed PCAARRD’s support in the eventual transfer and promotion of their research outputs.
Attendees of the Program Review include key officials and researchers from the ASI and Institute of Crop Science of the CAFS-UPLB, the lead implementing agency; representative from the Special Projects Division of DOST (DOST-SPD); monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team of DOST-PCAARRD through its Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD); regional project partners; and project coordinators and staff from DOST Regional Office CAR, II, IVA and VI, and external evaluators (Jacob B. Labita, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).
DESCRIPTION:
With FertiGroe® nanofertilizers, amount of fertilizer application can be reduced by 25 to 50 percent. This was the initial result of a research and development (R&D) program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by PCAARRD.
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A new ‘patis’ developed from tahong
Due to changing lifestyles and increasing demand for healthier food and food ingredients, a low-salt fermented mussel sauce was developed by the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).
Branded as Patis Tahong, this ‘patis’ or fish sauce is made from fermented green mussel (Perna viridis). Green mussel is abundantly found in the country and is considered as an important farming commodity in many coastal areas.
Just like the usual fermented fish patis, it can be used to add flavor to soups, broths, and dishes as well as a ‘sawsawan’ or dipping sauce. Unlike the fish patis, however, Patis Tahong has the potential of being a functional food and food ingredient. Functional foods are foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.
Aside from being low in salt, Patis Tahong is all-natural and has no artificial color, preservatives, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Mussel, its main ingredient, is high in protein, amino acids, zinc, calcium, and iron. It is also low in fat, cholesterol, and calories.
In a Consumer Acceptability Testing conducted, the product elicited positive responses for its odor, taste, and consumers’ willingness to buy. The low-salt mussel fermented sauce therefore has a market potential due to its product attributes.
The development of this product also addresses a specific market niche requiring low-salt seasoning but superior to industrially produced fish sauce. It has a promising competitive edge or at par with premium fish sauce brands.
The production of low-salt fermented mussel sauce can also provide an alternative livelihood in times of low demand for fresh mussel.
Patis Tahong is the result of the Mussel Sauce Project funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The project was led by Ernestina M. Peralta of the Institute of Fish Processing Technology of UPV (Butch S. Pagcaliwagan, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).
DESCRIPTION:
Patis Tahong is all-natural and has no artificial color, preservatives, and monosodium glutamate. Mussel, its main ingredient, is high in protein, amino acids, zinc, calcium, and iron. It is also low in fat, cholesterol, and calories.
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