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The study sought to find out the efficacy of Bio-N at reduced level. It aimed to determine the level by which Bio-N can substitute the amount of N based on the recommended N and showcase the economic advantages of using Bio-N

Scope and Delimitation of the Study:

The study was conducted in the upland corn research area of the DA-CVIARC, Ilagan, Isabela from 2003 wet season to 2005 dry season. The study was limited on the use of Bio-N and IES Cn 5, an open pollinated corn variety developed at DA-CVIARC. It focused mainly on its effect in grain yield and economic analysis on the use of Bio-N.

Conclusions:

Based on the results of the study, reducing the amount of N fertilizer applied to corn even up to 50% gave comparable yield with that applied with full Nitrogen requirement as long as Bio-N is used. The low cost of Bio-N gives an added advantage of reducing expenses incurred, hence, an increase in income.

In all four seasons of conducting the study, all the treatments with reduced N fertilizer + Bio-N gave greater return on investment than the treatment without Bio-N but full N requirement was applied. Plant height as well as tasseling and silking stages is not affected by the reduction of nitrogen fertilizer if Bio-N is used. This could only mean that the N-fixing bacteria, Azospirillum, contained in Bio-N is able to supply the amount of N deducted from the amount required (RR).

Recommendations:

Having proven that the use of Bio-N inoculant for corn can reduce N application up to 50%, the researchers recommended that the inoculant be included as part of the fertilizer recommendation. They also recommended that Bio-N inoculants be slowly sold to the farmers at subsidized price.

Name and Address of Researchers:

Mr. Severino C. Tumamang
Agricultural Center Chief I/Corn Breeder
Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural
Research Center (CVIARC)
Department of Agriculture
Ilagan, Isabela
Telephone No. (078) 622-0961

Ms. Josephine Dela Cruz
Sr. Agriculturist/Chief-ISL
Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural
Research Center (CVIARC)
Department of Agriculture
Ilagan, Isabela
Telephone No. (078) 622-0961

Submitted by: Ms. Milagros A. Rimando

Source: www.neda.gov.ph

For more information: Visit NEDA Bldg. Complex, Regional Government Center Carig, Tuguegarao, Catalans, Phone Number: 078-844-1336

DESCRIPTION:

The utilization of BIO-N in corn production increases yield while reducing the cost. This was proven thru an on-farm-research initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI conducted in Bansalan, Davao del Sur and Laak, Compostela Valley.

DETAILS:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office XI has introduced the utilization of BIO-N to increase corn production while reducing cost. The effectivity of using BIO-N was proven by an on-farm-research recently conducted in Bansalan, Davao del Sur and Laak, Compostela Valley. By using BIO-N, more than half of fertilizer (particularly nitrogen) application has been cut down.

BIO-N is a solid inoculant in powder form that contains two important strains of bacteria capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form usable by rice and corn plants. BIO-N contains bacteria that can enhance root development, growth and yield of rice, corn and other crops. This was developed by the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

BIO-N is used by simply mixing or coating seeds or as suspension for use in watering seedbeds or as a root dip. BIO-N comes in a handy 200 gram packet. Five to six packets are recommended to inoculate rice and corn seeds or rice seedling enough to plant a hectare of land. Significant effects on rice and corn inoculation can be obtained in the presence of ¾ to ½ of the recommended amounts of inorganic N.

BIO-N also enhances yield of rice and corn where organic fertilizers have been applied basally. BIO-N has also been shown to work with other crops such as onion, squash, pechay, melon, tomato, eggplant and okra.

The tables below show the yield of corn fertilized with chemical or BIO-N and the cost and return analysis of using BIO-N.

* Low yield was due to water stress during the tasseling and silking stage.

Submitted by: Mr. Nicasio Angelo J Agustin

Source: www.neda.gov.ph

For more information: Visit 2/F G.B. Cam Bldg. Cor. Alvarez and Monteverde Sts., Davao City, Phone Number:(082)2277495

The low-cost and organic fertilizer Bio-N being used to increase productivity in rice

BIO-N is a microbial-based fertilizer for rice and corn developed by Dr. Mercedes Umali-Garcia of BIOTECH, University of the Philippines in Los Baños. It is a microbial incoulants made with a bacterium called Azospirillum. It converts atmospheric Nitrogen (N2) gas into an available form for use by host plants such as rice, corn, sugarcane and some vegetable crops.

Source: www.biosolutions.com.ph

Photo Source: www.up.edu.ph

Gliricida sepium is locally known as kakawate. This legume is popular to the rural folks as a ripening agent for their harvested banana. Most farmers are not aware that this plant can be utilized as fertilizer to lessen their farm inputs.

Application of organic materials is a good agricultural practice to maintain soil nutrient level and ameliorate the properties of soil to sustain crop production. Many organic materials contain secondary nutrients and micronutrients in addition to organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

To test the potential of kakawate as bio-organic fertilizer, Nonilon G. Badayos of the Department of Soil Science and Dr. Gina V. Pangga of Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute conducted a study entitled Integrated Nutrient Management for Eggplant Production in Sta. Maria, Laguna. The experiment sought to evaluate the effect of kakawate on the growth performance and yield of eggplants and on the soils physical and chemical properties.

Three treatments were followed in this study, namely: no fertilizer (control), 100% inorganic fertilizer, and 50% inorganic fertilizer + 50% Gliricidia sepium.

Observations revealed that the eggplants fertilized with 50% inorganic fertilizer + 50% Gliricidia sepium were the most vigorous – growth rate was faster and the fruits were heavier than the other treatments.

To get more scientific results on kakawates effect on the crops performance and yield as well as its beneficial effect on the soil physical and chemical properties, further study is strongly recommended. Similarly, the economic benefits of applying organic materials as soil amendment and its potential as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers should also be evaluated. (N.G. Badayos/G.V. Pangga)

Source: http://community.uplb.edu.ph

The ceremonial planting of genetically modified (GM) papaya held last Feb. 10 at the University of the Philippines.Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) experimental field marked the start of the limited field release of the GM papaya resistant to the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV).

Approved by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Service, and University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Institutional Biosafety Committee (UPLB-IBC), the confined trial aims to evaluate the papaya horticultural traits under natural conditions and to generate data for economic analysis. The best candidate with desired traits shall be selected for the multilocation field trial and ultimately for commercial release.

The project on the development of biotech papaya started in 1999 with funding from PCARRD and the Department of Science and Technology.  The support fund totaled more than P20 million in 10 years.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) has been a reliable partner since the start of the project by brokering for the PRSV resistance gene construct from Monsanto and putting in research funds and facilities. In 2002, the United States Agency for International Development-funded Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSPII) supported the project.

Fund donor officials, Dr. Clive James, ISAAA chairman, and Dr. Frank Shotkoski, ABSPII director participated in the ceremonial planting.

Witnessing the event were Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, PCARRD executive director, and Dr. Enrico Supangco, UPLB vice chancellor for research and extension.   Local Institutional Biosafety Committee members; officials from ISAAA, UPLB, and PCARRD; media men; project staff; and researchers were also present during the event.

Article written by Angelina M. Garces, www.dost.gov.ph (S&T Media Service,Monday, 24 March 2008)