Rona T. Dollentas is a soil scientist. She has greatly contributed in producing the guide books for different soil types in the Philippines.

Photo courtesy: Edwin C. Martin In a study conducted by a team of PhilRice’s weed science researchers, it appears that the growth and development of weedy rice are higher than cultivated rice. It also matures earlier than cultivated rice and its seedlings can survive even in adverse environmental conditions. Weedy rice is a type of a grain-bearing weed, considered as a pest, which reduces rice yields, affects quality of rice […]

Often, we only see people get their awards, but we hardly learn about their stories. We know that someone must have done something extraordinary, but we do not always get the chance to know more about the person’s motivations for doing good. This year’s Dangal ng PhilRice Outstanding Junior Development Worker, Jose Arnel E. Cordova, 35, shares his stories as a development staff member in PhilRice Negros, which serves farmers […]

A PhilRice Midsayap study conducted in General Santos City has found that Tubigan 22 (NSIC Rc240) can yield an average of 7.07 t/h, which is higher than its 6.4 t/ha average yield at the national level. Of the 29 released varieties tested, Tubigan 22 was the best-performing variety as it had the highest spikelet fertility and highest number of filled grains and spikelets per panicle. These traits are among the […]

Cheaper crop establishment cost, reduced seeding rate, and more accurate seeding compared with manual broadcasting are the main features of the new multi-purpose seeder (MP seeder) for direct seeding. During the field trials for the MP seeder last year, PhilRice engineers saw impressive results especially for farmers in the rainfed areas. “The machine is attached to a handtractor as it is common among farmers and many of them own a […]

A PhilRice study on the development of submergence-drought tolerant breeding lines has identified six recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that show good phenotypic traits, high tolerance to submergence and drought stresses, and high grain yield. According to Jonathan S. Conception, among the study researchers, recombinant lines are products of conventional breeding where two varieties with desirable characteristics are crossed or paired to arrive at desired traits. Breeding lines were developed from […]

Among PhilRice’s promising young scientists, Dr. Reynante Lacsamana Ordonio, 36, has already published in high-impact journals such as Science, Nature Cell Research and Scientific Reports, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences-USA. A rare feat for Filipino researchers. He is among the very few researchers at PhilRice that focus on plant molecular breeding and genetic engineering. Rey is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Nagoya University, working on rice […]

Sorjan farming system, which originated in Indonesia, appears to be a good alternative cropping method that promotes climate change adaptation, farm productivity, food security, and regular income for the farm family. In a PhilRice Agusan study, a 1-ha Sorjan farm generated Php75,000 additional income in a year. In 2016, income generally came from the sales of assorted vegetables such as lady finger, eggplant, string beans, cucumber, and tomato. This farming […]

Being a local gives one the advantage of seeing the needs in his community. It fuels the passion to contribute something in whatever means possible. PhilRice researcher Alvin D. Palanog, 35, grew up in a sugarcane hacienda in La Carlota City in Negros Occidental where his father worked as a laborer. As in most agricultural communities in the Philippines, life is difficult in their community during lean months or what […]

Photo credit: Honors Awards Program Committee, Civil Service Commission Information Office We introduce Mr. Rizal G. Corales, acting branch manager of PhilRice Negros, who was among the recipients of the PAG-ASA award, a prestigious recognition given by the Civil Service Commission last month. Kuya Rizal, as he is fondly called at PhilRice, hails from Sanchez Mira, Cagayan now residing at Bagong Sikat, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. He oftentimes […]