A young scientist from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) garnered first place in a conference held in the United States, July 30-Aug.1.
Emerging as winner in the poster category during the 16TH Annual Conference of Nitrogen Use Efficiency held at Kansas State University, Jayvee A. Cruz competed with other 22 entries from universities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Idaho, and North and South Dakota.
Cruz, 32, presented the results of her study on Endophytic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Isolated from Nipa Palm as Growth Promoters for Upland Rice. The study found that bacteria from nipa palm can help enhance the growth of upland rice.
The PhilRice senior science researcher who is pursuing her doctor’s degree in Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge discovered that selected bacteria can increase the total biomass dry weight of upland rice by 25-50% at 14 days after sowing (DAS) and by 40% at 21 DAS.
“Significant increase in total biomass dry weight and their ability to colonize the rhizosphere demonstrate the potential of these bacteria, which were isolated from nipa palm, as plant growth-promoting inoculant for upland rice,” Cruz said.
Cruz, who hailed from Paombong, Bulacan, said that the Philippines is not behind in terms of research.
“The only difference is that some countries are more advanced in terms of laboratory and field equipment,” she said.
While in the Philippines, she conducted advance research studies on plant growth-promoting bacteria to boost rice yield and reduce cost in drought stress-prone environment. She has published 16 scientific papers and submitted a patent application.
“As a Filipino scientist, I am truly humbled and honored that our research is being recognized in other countries like the US. I would like also to commend my co-authors who have generously supported this research,” Cruz said.
The conference focused on nitrogen use efficiency and sensor-based nitrogen management and gathered top researchers working on soil fertility.
“Her presentation was superb, and it showed interesting new results” said Dr. Andres Patrignani, assistant professor at the Kansas State University.
