Who loves tedious work? Feliciana Cortez loves everything about her task as laboratory aide at PhilRice Central Central Experiment Station. She does laboratory chores, seeding, transplanting, and collecting study samples, which are tagged as dirty works in the research field. Ate Fely to her peers is the Most Outstanding Laboratory Worker during the 2017 Dangal ng PhilRice award. At 46, she never imagined to receive such recognition.   Outstanding worker […]

Farmers’ worries during rainy season may soon be reduced with the development of a line that is resistant against bacterial leaf blight (BLB), one of the most destructive rice diseases occurring during continuous heavy rains. Developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Line 27 (PR37171-1-1-1-2-2-1-1) withstood attacks of major BLB races found in the country. Ronalyn T. Miranda, PhilRice science research specialist, said Line 27 has broad-spectrum resistance to […]

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 […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently trained about 300 rice-based growers in Marawi, Lanao del Sur to help them resume farming, which was left for almost a year due to the city’s siege. Teodora Briones, head of PhilRice’s Corporate Services Division, said farmers in the area expressed interest in going back to farming after Ramadan. However, the farmers have yet to restore their livelihood […]

A young graduate of BS Biology at the Central Luzon State University is loving his work at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice); describing it as fulfilling and fun. Only 24, Jonathan S. Concepcion, Science Research Analyst at Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division, has authored 17 papers and posters. Amidst the research rigors, he manages to pursue his studies and other skills. Found his love at the lab Jonathan started as […]

In just 60 seconds or less, farmers can now receive fertilizer recommendations through the mobile app version of Minus-One Element Technique (MOET). A complementary device for the MOET kit, the soil nutrient calculator can provide the right amount, combination, and type of fertilizer to be applied. PhilRice senior researcher Ailon Oliver V. Capistrano said the new mobile app, which is used before crop establishment, helps farmers avoid excessive or inadequate […]

Rice farmers tend to change variety every cropping season. Jesus Nibres, 65, of Davao Del Norte considers many factors before trying and planting a specific variety. With almost four decades of experience in rice production, Mang Jesus is keen on recommending varieties. For him, a variety has to be high-yielding, resilient, and resistant to major pests and diseases. All these and more are the characteristics found in Mestiso 20 (M20), […]

Farmers in the upland can raise their harvest through bacteria that was found to increase plant growth rate and yield. Researchers, led by scientist Jayvee A. Cruz of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), discovered that actinomycete (Streptomyces mutabilis), a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), showed promising results. Based on Cruz’s study, actinomycete, an aerobic bacterium suitable under upland conditions, can increase root dry weight, number of tillers, and root depth of […]

Public hybrid rice will soon be easily available for Palawan farmers following a recent intensive training attended by the province’s agricultural workers. Marlon Montero, rice program project officer in Palawan, said that the province’s hybrid rice seeds were sourced out in other regions including Davao. “There is a risk in procuring the seeds away from Palawan knowing that this can negatively affect the germination rate. With our current efforts, we […]

Soil degradation is a quiet crisis; it exists but it is barely noticed as it happens slowly. With the current population of the world, which is about 7.3 billion and may reach up to 11 billion by 2050, the more frequent utilization of soil for food production is seen to degrade soil quality. According to Dr. Rattan Lal, soil scientist from Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Ohio State University, soil […]