Pesticide use in coconut against leaf beetle is safe
In a recent study by pesticide toxicologists at UP Los Baños, the injection of neonicotenoid pesticides such as thiametoxam, imidachloprid and clothianidin in coconut trunks was found safe and effective in controlling the coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa longgisima).
Brontispa is a serious pest of coconut in the Philippines, having attacked more than 1.6 million coconut trees nationwide. Two years ago, 26 provinces were quarantined due to infestation to save the coconut industry- a vital component of the export economy.
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High-value goods derived from banana by-products
Being an industry that employs more than 40,000 people, the banana enterprise is among the Philippines' leading earners in the fruit business which contributes notably to the country's export revenues.
In spite of the banana industry's huge potentials for the export market, it is being plagued with some concerns in production in terms of "rejects." Reject is the term being used to refer to bananas which do not satisfy the quality standard for export due to size or peel discoloration.
These rejects are still suitable for processing, though. Unfortunately, there is a rather small business in the international trade for processed bananas. Ergo, the banana industry produces a lot of wastage which can be avoided only if given ample attention.
The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) has previously developed a technology for large scale pectinase ready for commercialization. Pectinases are enzymes that disintegrate pectic substances in plant tissues into smaller molecules. Using pectic enzymes is considered an alternative way of producing high value products from banana through the enzymatic process.
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New hibiscus hybrid named after researcher
MANILA, Philippines – The Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has named a hybrid of Hibiscus rosasinensis (gumamela) after Dr. Solita Camara-Besa, the first Filipina to specialize in biological chemistry.
Hibiscus rosa sinensis “Solita Camara-Besa” is the 35th honoree of the Hibiscus Hybrid Women of Science Series since the IPB began the project on hibiscus breeding in December 1994.
The project was aimed at developing hibiscus hybrids with “stunning” flower colors and appearance, improve the native cultivars, and develop new varieties with varied colors and appearance.
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Batangas mangroves help fight against global warming
Besides coastline protectors, mangrove forests are one of the most promising carbon sequesters, having the highest carbon net productivity among all ecosystems. By capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in its biomass, mangrove species are able to reduce the amount of excess carbon in the air, thereby lessening the greenhouse gas' contribution to global warming.
Forest researchers Dixon T. Gevana, Florencia B. Pulhin and Nelson M. Pampolina of the UPLB College Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) recently assessed the capability of mangrove forests to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which contributes as much as 26% to the greenhouse effect.
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A pocket of e-haven: SESAM and Batangas City partner for the environment
Renowned environment lawyer Antonio A. Oposa Jr. said that the Philippines is known to have the most voluminous legislation concerning the environment and its preservation. However, the record of implementation, he further said, suffers in the sickbed of non-compliance. His observation seems to be validated by the World Wildlife Fund International when it listed the environmental problems besetting the country and made the observation that these environmental problems are brought about by weak enforcement of laws and poor regulation.
In 1991, the Philippine legislature enacted Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, transferring, among many others, certain environmental management functions to local government units (LGUs). Among the LGUs that is taking this stewardship responsibility seriously is Batangas City.
With impetus provided by Presidential Decree No. 1152 or the Philippine Environment Code, it entered into an agreement with the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) in February 2009 for assistance in drafting the “Environmental Code of Batangas City, Philippines.”
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