uplbrdedigest_vol2no2

Volume 2 Number 2May 2010 - October 2010 1

RDEDigestOfficial Research, Development and Extension Newsletter of the University of the Philippines Los Baños

Volume 2 Number 2May 2010 - Oct 2010

INthisISSUE:

visit us at http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph

UPLB cops regional R&D awards Young researchers trained ... Web managers trained on CMS ... Watch research videos online ... Experts propose a 'collaboratory'Citrus leaf mottling culprit ... Cheap superconductor fabricated ...Lahar as enzyme immobilizer ...

Climate change and food security ...Personality sketch: Doc Art Salazar ...UPLB exhibit at NAST and DA-BAR ...Organic agri law's IRR discussed ...Experts move against armyworm ...Developing technopreneurs ...A new photobioreactor for biofuel ...Lakatan and latundan ripens better ...

UPLB gets patent for mango CA ...Researchers trained on patenting ...UPLB team surveys Cebu's IT hub ...UPLB shares TBI experiences ...PIONEER expands ST park operation ...Photo News ... Photo News ...

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UPLB garners major awards in regional R & D symposium

UPLB researchers took home most of the top prizes contested during the recently

held 23rd Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) conducted by the Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (STARRDEC) last August 19-20, 2010 at the Western Philippines University in Puerto Princesa City.

In the Research Category, Dr. Rita P. Laude, Vice-Chancellor for Instruction and professor at the College of Arts and Sciences-Institute of Biological Sciences, won first place for her study "Gene Discovery in Coconut."

On the other hand, the research on "Regulation of Ripening in

'Lakatan' Banana (Musa acuminata AA Group) with Ethephon and 1-Methylcyclopropene" by Dr. Elda B. Esguerra, Wella L. Absulio and Daphne Cassandra R. Hilario of the College of Agriculture-Crop Science Cluster garnered second.

The research on "Improving Production of Saba, Lakatan and Latundan Cultivars in Different Cropping Systems" authored by the multi-disciplinary team of Dr. Edna A. Aguilar, Dr. Jose Nestor M. Garcia, Dr. Nelly S. Aggangan, Dr. Juliet A. Anarna, Patrick M. Rocamora, Leonardo L. Tamisin, Jr., Dr. Felipe S. Dela Cruz, Jr., Michael R. Noel, and Louie Joseph A. Pabro also won first place, this time in the Development Category.

The 1st place winners from UPLB will receive P10,000 and a plaque each, while P7,000, along with a plaque, will be awarded to Dr. Aguilar's group.

The symposium is STARRDEC's venue to recognize the most significant research and development results in the Southern Tagalog region.

The first place winners of the different categories will be endorsed as entries to the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) which will be conducted by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) within the year. (Florante A. Cruz) ■

AWARDING CEREMONIES: Western Philippines University President Dr. Concepto B. Magay (leftmost) and Dr. Divinia C. Chavez, STARRDEC RRDCC Chair and President, Cavite State University (2nd from left) present the plaques to (from left, clockwise): Dr. Rita P. Laude, CAS-Institute of Biological Sciences; Dr. Elda B. Esguerra, CA-Crop Science Cluster; and Dr. Edna A. Aguilar of the CA-Crop Science Cluster and Dr. Juliet A. Anarna of BIOTECH-UPLB.

PHOTOS: courtesy of STARRDEC

2University of the Philippines Los BañosResearch, Development and Extension Digest

NEWSPHOTOS: FACRUZ

Young researchers mentored on how to make successful proposals

"Research is a big component of the university’s fund-generation

activities, and thus, we give importance to getting most of our research proposals approved for funding."

This was stressed by Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) during the start of a two-day training-workshop on "Developing and Packaging Successful Research Proposals," held in June 2010.

"That is why we are gearing part of our training services towards the younger crop of scientists who will form the core of our research manpower in the future," he added.

The training-workshop, attended by 22 young faculty and REPS from various

units of the university, was aimed at equipping participants with writing skills needed in preparing research proposals.

It was the third in a series of training programs conducted by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) for young and new researchers of the university this 2010.

Held on June 7 and 28, the training-workshop included eight modules developed by Dr. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza of the College of Agriculture-Crop Science Cluster, Prof. Mabini DG. Dizon of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)-Department of Humanities and Ruth M. Almario of OVCRE's Project Monitoring and Evaluation Section. The lectures focused on funding support and their requirements, writing proposals,

research ethics, and intellectual property protection.

During the lectures, seasoned researchers shared their experiences on how their proposals were easily approved by external funding agencies. Dr. Felino P. Lansigan of the CAS-Institute of Statistics and Prof. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza gave tips on how research concepts can be packaged into a successful project.

The participants were required to submit their respective proposals for critique by a panel of technical writers and editors. Dr. Mendoza, Prof. Dizon and Prof. Noel K. Torreta, also of the Department of Humanities, evaluated the proposals and provided valuable comments for consideration of the participants. (Ruth M. Almario and Florante A. Cruz) ■

Website content managers trained on using Joomla!

Chosen website managers of units under the supervision of the

Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) participated in the OVCRE’s first in-house training-workshop on content management using Joomla! last June 28, 2010.

Joomla!, an open source content management system that enables one to build online portals and applications, is currently the framework behind the websites being developed and deployed by the University of the Philippines Los

Baños Information Technology Center (UPLB ITC).

According to Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, the training-workshop was held to arm the staff with "updated knowledge on web administration to address the ever-evolving information needs of not just the UPLB community but as well as other individuals and entities relying on UPLB’s websites."

During the training, participants were initially taught how to come up with the appropriate content structure for their websites and were later provided with hands-on techniques on how to use the various features of their respective Joomla!-powered websites.

Aside from orienting and updating the managers in using the system, the activity also served as a discussion venue on how to resolve technical issues periodically encountered in the course of web development.

The training-workshop was participated in by 15 staff coming from the different offices under the OVCRE: Museum of Natural History, BIOTECH, Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, Pahinungod, and the UPLB Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship.

Staff from the UPLB’s Information Technology Center also participated in the training-workshop. (Mae Ann F. Bulang and Florante A. Cruz) ■

◄ PARTICIPANTS of the Joomla! content management system training click and tap away on their laptops while preparing their articles, media, and other documents for uploading to their respective unit websites.

◄ DR. FELINO P. LANSIGAN (right) challenges seminar participants to be creative and resourceful in getting information for their various proposals, as well as to strictly follow the requirements of the funding agency.


NEWS

Watch UPLB research videos online with new website

Students, researchers, and internet users from all over the globe can now watch presentations

and discussions on the latest scientific investigations conducted at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) through the newest web facility developed by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE).

Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco reported that the OVCRE’s Research Utilization and Dissemination Section launched its UPLB Research Videos Online website during the first week of April 2010. Currently, 31 videos are available in the website and more are currently being developed and prepared for uploading.

According to Dr. Supangco, "we are tapping the power and reach of the Internet and social media to deliver the outputs of our research investments."

He also said that with the online videos, "we can further expose our research findings to the scientific world and increase possibilities for more research collaboration and funding.”

Although a work in progress, the UPLB Research Videos Online website has already accumulated more than 10,000 page views since its launch five months ago.

In related developments, chapter videos of the documentary "UPLB: The Philippines’ Premier Research

University" have also been made online so that officials, faculty and researchers, given access to a fast broadband connection, can easily access and play the videos for showing anywhere in the world.

Also, all issues of the UPLB RDE Digest have been uploaded for online reading in the UPLB RDE Portal.

The OVCRE will be foraying into web streaming and/ or podcasting of R and D-related activities in the near future.

To watch the videos online, just log on to www.uplb.edu.ph/rde and click on the Science Videos link, or enter http://researchvideo.uplb.edu.ph in your Internet browser. (Florante A. Cruz) ■

Four young and promising experts from the College of Arts and Sciences-Institute of Computer

Science recently gave insights during their respective lectures last September 13, 2010 on how the university can take advantage of its resources in putting up a National Collaboratory for Computing Research.

The lectures were the following: "Advanced Intelligent Systems to Propel UPLB into the Next Century" by Prof. Jaderick P. Pabico; "Digital Image and Video Analysis for the Next Century" by Prof. Vladimir Y. Mariano; "Role of a Computer Simulation and Modeling Laboratory" by Prof. Arian J. Jacildo and "High Performance Computing for Collaboratory Research" by Prof. Joseph Anthony C. Hermocilla.

A collaboratory is essentially a "collaborative laboratory" or a center "without walls."

Computer scientists propose virtual center for collaborative research and development

With a collaboratory, scientists can communicate online, have the ability to access remotely shared research instruments, documents and files; and visualize their seemingly abstract experiments through computer systems.

In particular, a collaboratory would enable the university to enhance its capability to conduct simulation modeling, scientific visualization and novel data analysis.

Already, the computer experts say that UPLB's computational grid is very impressive and can accomodate this proposed collaboratory.

According to Prof. Pabico, "UPLB is capable of pursuing the establishment of a national collaboratory" since the university have at least 1,200 high-end computers, with 600 units or more already connected to the university fiber optic network.

"In its weather forecasting work, the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration just uses an 80-node system. We have already conducted some research here at the Institute of Computer Science which used 250 computer nodes," Prof. Pabico added.

Prof. Mariano also reported that UPLB is already collaborating with several international organizations. Prof. Mariano is actually working with IRRI in developing machine vision systems for rice, as well as with a multinational corporation in developing a system for grading pineapple.

According to the four experts, if UPLB will be developed into a collaboratory, it may be able to work hand-in-hand with other prestigious universities and research centers in the future in fields of computer forensics and security, computer gaming, web computing, and multimedia systems. (Florante A. Cruz) ■


FEATURED RESEARCH

BLOTCHY MOTTLE is the main symptom observed in Citrofortunella microcarpa (calamansi) with citrus leaf mottling disease.

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The culprit behind leaf mottling in citrus

Have you ever seen a citrus crop with leaves blotched in different shades of yellow and

green?

If you had, chances are, you have seen one showing symptoms of what plant pathologists call as "citrus leaf mottling" -a very serious disease which has greatly devastated the Philippine citrus industry during the 1960s.

Caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter sp., it is known as 'citrus greening' in countries such as China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India and South Africa. The insect Diaphorina citri serves as the vector of the disease in the Philippines.

Although the causal organism of citrus leaf mottling in other countries has already been identified, its pathogenic cause in the Philippines has never been established-scientific literature from the country still report that it is caused by a virus rather than by a bacteria.

The lack of an established identity of the citrus leaf mottling pathogen has led to a myriad of problems in disease diagnosis, indexing of planting materials, and development of proper disease management schemes.

Only very recently, Dr. Sta. Cruz of the College of Agriculture-Crop Protection Center, together with Dr. Rizaldo G. Bayot and other colleagues, finally put into record the identity of the pathogen.

Through a study funded by the UPLB Basic Research Program, Dr. Sta. Cruz' team gathered calamansi, sweet orange, pummelo, and kumquat plants with mottling symptoms from plantations in Los Baños, Laguna; Padre Garcia, Batangas; and San Pablo City.

Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Dr. Sta Cruz' team was able to detect the presence of C. Liberibacter in the diseased samples.

And to further build up on the results, scions were taken from the diseased samples and grafted to healthy citrus rootstocks. "We were able to transmit the disease-our experiments showed that a diseased scion will infect the whole plant as early as four months after being grafted," Dr. Sta. Cruz said.

"With PCR, we were also able to detect the pathogen in the other parts of the grafted seedling a few months after, leading us to correctly infer that Candidatus Liberibacter sp. is indeed the culprit behind citrus leaf mottling in the country," she concluded.

This has been the first report in the country on the detection and transmission of C. Liberibacter in citrus

with mottling disease.

The research team also used two other methods to detect the disease-gentisic acid detection (GAD) and iodostarch reaction (IR) test. However, Dr. Sta. Cruz recommended the use of PCR since aside from being the most sensitive, it provides reliable results and specifically determines the presence of the pathogen.

Though the GAD and IR tests should be further evaluated and optimized, Dr. Sta. Cruz reported that the two tests may be applicable for large-scale testing when and where PCR facilities are lacking.

Dr. Sta. Cruz' research is an important step in controlling the disease ravaging the citrus industry. "Because we now truly know the causal organism, we can help put forward the correct management methods to control the spread of the disease," she concluded. (Florante A. Cruz, with reports from Schenley Anne A. Belmonte and Mae Ann F. Bulang) ■

FOR THE STUDY'S DISEASE TRANSMISSION TESTS, grafted seedlings of Citrofortunella microcarpa (calamansi) rootstocks with Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) scions were used.

THE GRAFTED SEEDLINGS at four months showing early symptoms of Citrus leaf mottling.

BLOTCHY MOTTLE is evident on the leaves of this seedling at a full year after its grafting.


FEATURED RESEARCH

A superconductor comes around via cheap, improvised means

Material scientists at the University of the Philippines Los Baños have successfully

produced three simple forms of a superconductor by using seemingly low-tech procedures.

Prof. Marvin U. Herrera of the College of Arts and Sciences-Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics recently reported that his research group has proven the possibility of manufacturing Bismuth-based high temperature superconductors even under 'developing country' conditions.

Superconductors are materials which when cooled at a certain temperature have the ability to carry large amounts of electrical energy without any resistance.

And unlike copper wires and other conventional conductors which have resistance to the flow of electricity—resulting to energy loss–superconductors have zero resistivity and do not lose energy.

Superconductors also exhibit a property called 'perfect diamagnetism' enabling it to create a magnetic field opposite another material, making magnetic levitation possible.

With funding from the UPLB Basic Research Program and assistance of Darwin B. Putungan, Teodorick Barry R. Manguerra, Fjorda Kim R. Rubian, Katherine M. Calamba, and Vicki Ann A. Bagulbagul, Prof. Herrera used improvised partial-melting, sedimentation, and calendering techniques to produce Bismuth-2212 (chemically, Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8)superconductors in polycrystalline, thin film, and tape forms, respectively—techniques which are significantly less costly than the standard ones employed by the industry.

"What is truly amazing is that our fabrication methods is similar to how we make an ordinary ceramic figurine," Prof. Herrera reported.

According to the project leader, "about P90,000 only was spent in fabricating these Bismuth-based superconductors."

Albeit the simple and improvised methods of fabrication, the results of the study were presented during the International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT) held in Singapore last year.

And although Prof. Herrera's work is only basic research, its innovation carries great promise in reducing the cost of energy. Superconducting tape, for example, can carry 200 times more

electrical current than its equivalent copper wire.

"With cheaper superconductors, we can achieve energy efficiency, especially in the transmission and use of electricity," Prof. Herrera shared.

Moreover, the technology may also help reduce the cost of producing superconductor-based applications and equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic levitation trains in the future.

The study and its results prove that the pursuit of new materials by local scientists in a developing country such as ours is a definite possibility. (Florante A. Cruz and Mae Ann F. Bulang, with reports from Gerard E. Cueto) ■

BI-2212 UP CLOSE: Scanning electron micrographs of the fabricated bismuth-based superconductors in the forms of (A) Polycrystalline, lead-free and (B) Polycrystalline (0.6 lead) using partial-melting, (C) Film using sedimentation, and (D) Tape using calendering techniques.

A B

C D

PHOTOS: courtesy of MUHERRERA


FEATURED RESEARCHPHOTOS: courtesy of VCSABULARSE

From destruction to preservation: Lahar prolongs the use of costly enzymes

Enzymes are proteins present in living organisms and influence the way chemical reactions

occur inside them. Owing to their important industrial uses, enzymes are now purified from various natural origins and are being used to make antibiotics, cosmetics, and even common household products.

In the Philippines, enzymes are expensive because most of these are imported from other countries, even though raw materials for enzyme production abound locally. Thus, any method that would extend the shelf-life and use of these important enzymes would be indispensible to the industry.

Fortunately now, through a technique called enzyme immobilization, enzymes can be "entrapped" using what is called a 'solid support material,' thus regulating the enzymes' release and activation during chemical reactions.

Recently, Dr. Veronica C. Sabularse of the College of Arts and Sciences- Institute of Chemistry and her research team, with funding from the UPLB Basic Research Program, has gained headway in using an abundant material-lahar- as the solid support for immobilizing enzymes for industrial operations.

"Lahar contains sets of molecules which can be chemically manipulated so that the enzymes can be covalently attached to them, allowing them to be reused and not lost in the bulk solution," she said.

"We thought of using lahar because these are readily available, especially in the areas surrounding Mt. Pinatubo," Dr. Sabularse added.

In their experiments, Dr. Sabularse and her group first obtained lahar

from San Marcelino, Zambales and Floridablanca, Pampanga which they then washed, dried, heated and cleaned with acid. The end result was lahar of two colors or types: white and black.

"We compared the black and white lahar and found that the latter was more porous, and thus would have more areas where enzymes could bind with," Dr. Sabularse explained.

After chemically activating white lahar with 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane and glutaraldehyde, the enzymes papain and bromelein were added to the reaction, after which their immobilization rates measured.

Papain and bromelain are protein-breaking enzymes isolated from the papaya and pineapple, respectively, and are used for food and pharmaceuticals.

THEY ARE NOT MOON ROCkS: (A) Black lahar at 100x and (B) 500x magnification under a scanning electron microscope. The white, more porous lahar seen at (C) 100x and (D) 500x.

A B

C D

Results of the experiments showed that lahar immobilized papain by 67%, while bromelain, 84%. Treated papain and bromelain was also found to exhibit very good activity despite their immobilization.

"Generally, we also saw that despite repeated use and prolonged storage, lahar-immobilized papain and bromelain still continued to exhibit some activity," Dr. Sabularse continued.

With Dr. Sabularse's findings, lahar tucks in another potential use despite its connotation with disaster and tragedy. Who knows, there may come a time when the Philippines may use its vast lahar resources for various industrial products. (Florante A. Cruz, with reports from Rosario G. Gabatin and Gerard E. Cueto) ■


RESEARCH UPDATES

PHOTOS: courtesy of FPLANSIGAN, ADRAYMUNDO, and ACROLA

INTO THE UNPREDICTABLE WORLD OF CLIMATE Holders of the UPLB Centennial Professorial Chair Lecture on Climate Change and Food Security held on August 11, 2010 give insights and recommendations on how we can approach and prepare for the complex task of adapting to climate change.

Knowledge-based cropping calendar to avoid production risk

Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, professor at the College of Arts and Sciences-Institute of Statistics and affiliate faculty at the School of Environmental Science and Management, discussed a knowledge-based cropping calendar that may help agricultural planning–reducing the risks of economic losses brought by climate change.

In his lecture on "Managing Climate Risks to Enhance Crop Productivity for Food Security: Knowledge-based Dynamic Cropping Calendar," he recommended the use of forecasting strategies and early warning systems to determine when and how to optimally plant crops, as well as other management considerations, to help policy makers and planners-and ultimately the farmers-circumvent production risks caused by extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and droughts.

According to Dr. Lansigan, although the technology requires extensive data to be more reliable, its use by agricultural planners in the local levels may lessen the chance of having farmers plant during high-risk periods, and for institutions offering crop insurance, a better assurance that their investments are not at risk. (Florante A. Cruz and Mae Ann F. Bulang) ■

Climate change affects management strategy against pests

Dr. Avelino D. Raymundo, the director of the Crop Protection Cluster of the College of Agriculture discussed during his lecture on "Dynamics and Variability of Pest Epidemics in a Variable and Changing Climate" that losses in agriculture will go overboard if the growth, spread, and distribution of pests–all of which are influenced by climate–are left unmanaged.

He further explained that climate change affects the associations between pests and their host, creating new pest systems that are difficult to manage.

For example, frequent heavy rains and floods may increase the population of leaf fungal pathogens and induce the transport of soil pathogens to non-infected areas via water.

On the other hand, intense drought makes plants more susceptible to pathogen attack. Insect vectors, according to Raymundo, would also rapidly multiply, thus increasing chances of viral epidemics.

He underscored the importance of more extensive research on pest epidemics in relation to the varying climate to secure national food security.(Mae Ann F. Bulang and Florante A. Cruz) ■

Climate risk management courses suggested

Dr. Agnes C. Rola, dean of the College of Public Affairs suggested in her lecture on "Towards a Climate Risk-Resilient Agricultural Development: How can UPLB Address this Challenge?" that the university offer courses on climate risk management (CRM).

CRM is a large and growing body of scientific and policy work that puts together climate change adaptation, disaster management and development.

Dr. Rola benchmarked the global interest in CRM and found out that select universities abroad offer courses in climate science. However, most of the courses have no integration with agriculture-related courses.

According to Dr. Rola, UPLB lacks courses on climate data analysis, geography, risk analysis, decision analysis, as well as climate risk impact assessment, and thus should review and re-engineer its curriculum to develop the competency for climate risk-resilient agricultural development.

These competencies are required of a UPLB graduate to make them effective planners and advisors in the management of climate risks for food security. (Mae Ann F. Bulang and Florante A. Cruz) ■


DOC ARTSALAzAR

BY JOBELLE LYKA R. MAGNO

A servant of God, a man of science

PHOTO: EAAGRON

PEOPLE AND PERSONALITY

Church lay minister and agricultural scientist rolled into one – that is the Deputy

Director of the Crop Science Cluster of the College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) – Dr. Artemio M. Salazar, fondly called by friends and colleagues as "Doc Art".

Tracing back humble beginnings

"I am also a normal person so I admit that studying is indeed a hard thing to do. It is normal for us not to appreciate many things from school but when you start working, you will realize that you should have really paid attention," said Doc Art.

Just like any child in the world, Doc Art had dreamt of something he wanted to be and had gone to school to achieve it. But each day, he always found the need to excel in everything to maintain the only way he can continue studying– his scholarship.

Doc Art first wanted to become a medical doctor, but back then he already knew his family cannot afford a doctor's education. Their family have lived as illegal settlers in the town proper of Los Baños, Laguna. His father was a railroad track man and his mother was a housewife. The fourth from the eldest among eight children and the second son, he had a responsibility to take good care of his family.

"Up to college, my driving force, essentially, has always been to finish a degree, land a job, and to get out of poverty," he shared. His parents used to say "pag-aaral lang ang maipapamana namin at walang makakanakaw niyan sa iyo."

Keeping these in mind, Doc Art took his BS Agricultural Chemistry and masters degree in Plant Breeding both at UPLB. He became a PhD scholar in plant breeding at Iowa State University in the United States, and graduated in 1983.

With the continuously growing human population in the country, access to the limited supply of food has always been a struggle especially for the poor Filipinos. Good thing, Doc Art dedicates his life in developing the varieties of crops majority of his countrymen need on their dining tables.

He did not work alone. With the help and support from a competent research team, he spearheaded the development of crop varieties such as the Lagkitan corn and other yellow and white corn varieties.

According to Doc Art, the Lagkitan corn is stewed as nilagang mais. On the other hand, yellow corn is used as feeds for farm animals like pigs and chicken.

Last year, they introduced the high Yield and Protein Corn, named YAP corn in honor of the then Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap. This white corn variety is an alternative staple for rice, and when specially combined with rice is called "rice-corn."

Each and every hardwork Doc Art endures is for the Filipino, specially those who find living through farming. He always had a heart for the works of the poor with whom he finds stories similar to what he had during childhood.

Uniting faith and science

Science has always been used as a tool to understand nature. Though it is different from faith, Doc Art believes otherwise. According to him, faith is the direction you take in life knowing that there is a God who made everything and that there is life after death.


PEOPLE AND PERSONALITY

▲DOC ART with project staff Bernabe Cia inspecting a batch of newly-milled IPB Var 6 corn.

▲AMIDST THE SWEETNESS: Doc Art in the field, observing various successions of sweet sorghum.

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"My simple Catholic faith is to help small farmers by developing different varieties of crops appropriate to their conditions for better crop production and thus, to give everyone, especially the poor, a better chance to eat," he said.

Doc Art admits that although his high sense of responsibility and accountability is his strength, it is also his weakness.

He is aware that most of the time, he expects other people to be like him but since they are not so, this usually causes friction and he appears to be bossy.

According to Ana Gabatin, his staff at the National Corn Research Development and Extension (RDE) Program, Doc Art is strict because he simply wants his team to fulfill its objectives and finish everything that it has to accomplish.

"One of his major concerns is that many people rely on the outputs of their projects and their expectations should be met," Ana shared.

Ana started working with Doc Art in 2002, and is currently helping him package information materials on selected technologies for corn.

"As head of the Corn RDE Program, Dr. Art never chooses who the clients to accommodate and he is very humble and responsible," said Dr. Wilma Hurtada of the College of Human Ecology-Institute of Human Nutrition and Food.

Dr. Hurtada is one of Doc Art’s colleagues in promoting the use of rice-corn. She calls their team 'the corn brigade.'

Living a simple life with love

"When he got back from the States, he looked for a Catholic Christian group. I was the leader of Liwanag ng Panginoon then. We met each other at St. Therese Chapel," reminisced Rosario, the wonderful wife of Doc Art.

According to her, their love story started when their organization had 'getting-to-know-you' activities meant to make the group better in serving as one.

Being activity partners for three consecutive times had helped the couple learn more about each other. For Rosario, "it’s as if things fell on the right places in God’s will."

They got married, and blessed with three children to whom they have been good parents to.

Rosario recalled the times when they used to bring the kids to 'Jollibao'- not Jollibee, but to the Carabao Park where they fed the fishes in the pond.

Despite all his achievements in research and in the community, Doc Art remains simple, who is fond of reading inspirational poems, and involves his whole family in religious work.

An individual whose childhood made him strong, molded by the love of God, family, and friends, and disciplined by science - that is Dr. Artemio M. Salazar. ■

▲THE CORN BRIGADE, which also includes Engr. Balbino C. Geronimo and Dr. Wilma A. Hurtada, (2nd and 4th from left) with Doc Art during a provincial sortie to promote the UPLB Mini Corn Mill.


EXTENSION UPDATES

▲MARLYN BELTRAN (rightmost) of the CA-Crop Science Cluster answers questions from visitors of UPLB's booth on how to set up a Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) hydroponics system.

▲JOSE COMIA (rightmost) of the CEAT-ChemEng briefs newly appointed DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service Director Leandro Gazmin and DA-BAR Assistant Director Teodoro Solsoloy (2nd and 3rd from right, respectively) on UPLB’s prototype alagal photobioreactor.

PHOTOS: FACRUZ

UPLB showcases technologies at NAST and DA-BAR annual exhibits

The university, through the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research

and Extension (OVCRE), recently participated in two annual exhibitions held by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).

During the NAST 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting held on July 14 and 15 at the Manila Hotel, the OVCRE promoted the various online services it provides: UPLB Journals Online, UPLB RDE News Service, and the recently launched UPLB Research Videos.

On the other hand, UPLB products and technologies were again showcased to the public during the DA-BAR’s 6th Agricultural and Fisheries Technology Commercialization Forum and Product Exhibition, held from August 5 to 8 at the SM MegaTrade Hall II in Quezon City.

At the DA-BAR exhibition, products developed by the College of Agriculture’s (CA) various clusters and other units were sold. Highlight of the university’s display was a prototype bioreactor for the mass-production of microalgae for biodiesel developed by researchers from the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology- Department of Chemical

Engineering (CEAT-ChemEng).

Meanwhile, Dr. Edralina P. Serrano of the CA-Crop Science Cluster and Dr. Rex B. Demafelis of the CEAT-ChemEng discussed in separate fora various topics on postharvest

technologies and biofuel production, respectively.

UPLB’s involvement in the two exhibitions were sponsored in part by the UPLB Foundation, Incorporated. (Florante A. Cruz) ■

▲ FORMER SECRETARY, NOW CONGRESSMAN ARTHUR YAP (3rd from left) visits the booth with DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar (center), chats with Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco (next picture).


EXTENSION UPDATES

PHOTOS: FACRUZ

Organic agriculture act gets regional inputs from UPLB-led consultation

Organic agriculture is a big and potential income earner for the Philippines’ farming

sector. However, a law to support and provide organic agriculture the best economic and policy environment it deserves is lacking in the past.

With strong motivation to push organic agriculture into the limelight, industry stakeholders have been successful in partnering with concerned government agencies to draft the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

The act, recently approved by Malacañang last April 6, 2010, was created to serve as the foundation of a comprehensive program that will oversee the development of organic agriculture in the Philippines.

The Organic Agriculture Act however still needs a set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Responding to this, the University of the Philippines Los Banos, through the College of Agriculture-Agricultural Systems Cluster (CA-ASC), in partnership with the industry sector’s initiative One Organic Movement, recently led a regional consultation-workshop among stakeholders from the government and organizations of organic farmers last July 26, 2010 at the ASC Lecture Hall.

This activity was participated in by close to 150 participants from institutions in the CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions; including state universities and colleges, government research and extension organizations, and a number of representatives from various organic farming associations.

The UPLB leg of the IRR consultations is second to the last activity being spearheaded nationwide by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products Standards, which was tasked to craft the IRR in cooperation with the organic farmer organizations led by the One Organic Movement.

▲CHANCELLOR LUIS REY I. VELASCO (rightmost) with Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Dennis B. Araullo (center) and One Organic Movement Coordinator (leftmost) Pablito Villegas during the opening program of the regional consultation-workshop.

PHOTOS: MPDELROSARIO

The output of the consultation series will be forwarded to a technical working group for consolidation, review and finalization. The National Organic Agriculture Board will receive the final document from the technical working group and submit it thereafter to the Congress for approval. (Florante A. Cruz) ■

▲UPLB EXPERTS AND INDUSTRY STAkEHOLDERS listen intently to the discussions on the proposed implementing rules and regulations of the Organic Agriculture Act.


EXTENSION UPDATES

Experts move, collaborate to counter spreading armyworm outbreaks in Luzon

Farmers in several areas of Luzon have become confused and scared upon seeing their fields

being devoured by amassing batallions of voracious pests-the armyworm and its kindred.

Armyworm, commonly known as 'Harabas', is the larva of the Spodoptera sp. moth that causes great damage to crops such as corn, rice and others.

Although local government units in the affected areas are providing farmers with sprayers and insecticides to control the pests, the armyworm outbreaks -which originated from Bataan- are spreading and starting to creep towards Southern Luzon.

In fact, Wilma Cuaterno, Crop Protection Division Chief of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry has reported that close to 4,000 ha of corn have already been damaged in Batangas alone and more areas in Luzon are currently affected.

Prompted by the outbreaks not only of armyworms but also of cutworms and semi-loopers as well, an experts' discussion was held by the DA National Corn Program-funded project on “Packaging and Promotion of Selected Corn Technologies” last August 6, 2010 at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, UPLB.

The project is led by Dr. Artemio M. Salazar, Deputy Director of the CA-Crop Science Cluster.

The multi-agency discussion was attended by experts from the CAS-Institute of Biological Sciences, CFNR-Forest Biological Sciences, CA-Crop Science Cluster and the CA-Crop Protection Cluster. Bulk of the technical delegation came from

the Crop Protection Cluster led by its Director, Dr. Avelino D. Raymundo.

Other experts were from agencies under the DA organization -Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Region IV Crop Protection Center, and the National Corn RDE Program.

Why the sudden outbreak, and what should be done to counter them?

Scientists present in the meeting have concurred with the observations that the sudden spike in armyworm population was triggered by the onset of intermittent rainy and sunny days after the long dry spell which hit the country.

The outbreaks have stirred panic in the fields, causing farmers to excessively

spray pesticides, risking personal health and that of the consumers. Other than spraying, there is no quick and effective way to control the armyworms.

But according to Dr. Pio A. Javier of the CPC, "there are many potential biological control agents which can be used against the pests -Cotesia sp., Telenomus sp., Charops brachypterum, tachinid fly and the Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SpexNPV)." SpexNPV can substitute for synthetic insecticidal spray against armyworms.

From the results of the group's initial discussions, they are now initially crafting a national program to address the current outbreak of armyworms in corn plantations, and later, to come up with a disease outbreak plan for all economic crops in the country. (Ana Lisa G. Gabatin and Florante A. Cruz) ■

▲THE SPECIES OF ARMYWORM that attacked several provinces in Luzon from June until the 1st week of August were the (C) African or black armyworm (Spodoptera exempta), (D) grass armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia) and the (E) true armyworm (Mythimna separata).

▲ARMYWORMS ARE VORACIOUS EATERS and most destructive when present in large numbers. The larva is the most destructive stage of this insect and feeding in (A) corn can be recognized by eaten leaves with only the midribs left. In (B) eggplant, all the leaves may be eaten. It multiplies rapidly, laying more than 1000 eggs during a short lifecycle of 20-29 days.

A B

C ED

PHOTOS: courtesy of DA-Regional Crop Protection Center-Region IV.


FEATURED EXTENSION PROGRAM

The Making of Technopreneurs: Improving human resources in the AFNR Sector BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

The growing concern on the apparently declining enrolment in courses related to agriculture,

forestry and natural resources (AFNR), has prompted the government to directly intervene in increasing the supply and demand of manpower of AFNR graduates who are important in the public and industry sectors.

Doing its part to help solve the problem, UPLB is now training students to become future "technopreneurs"-people who are specifically inclined to use modern technology as foundations of their business ventures.

Led by the College of Economics and Management-Department of Agribusiness (CEM-DAM), BIOTECH and two clusters of the College of Agriculture, the university started a program on "Harnessing UPLB’s Capacity for Technopreneurship and Technology Commercialization: Key to Better Placed AFNR Graduates" in 2009

UPLB has generated a lot of technologies in are specially geared toward processing and value-addition," project leader Prof. Faustino Q. Arrienda II of CEM-DAM shared.

STUDENTS are given exercises on juice processing by Prof. Dennis Marvin O. Santiago (2nd from left) of the CA-Food Science Cluster.

MENTORS like Dr. Olivia C. Emata (in lab coat) of the CA-Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster interact with students during the sessions.

PHOTO: GHPIAMONTE

"By increasing the rate by which our technologies are extended to potential users, we achieve two things: our technologies are eventually used, and adopters are technically trained to become efficient technology managers and entrepreneurs" he added.

The project is now training 30 students and alumni on the technological aspects and processing of UPLB-developed products: functional fruit and puree, high-end cheeses and microbial rennet.

To practice what the students are learning from the courses conducted by the project, the students' respective start-up projects are currently being implemented inside the laboratories and facilities of the College of Agriculture's Food Science Cluster and Animal and Dairy Science Cluster and BIOTECH, where they are closely mentored by the technology developers.

"In relation to the management aspects of the start-ups, students are also taught how to identify opportunities and concerns and formulate and implement business strategies," said CEM-DAM's Prof. Dinah Purah T. Depositario, lead proponent of the UPLB AFNR project.

"Aside from these, we mentor them in their business plan preparation and implementation, as well as in developing competencies to enhance their technoprenurial capability," she added.

The project is part of the P200 M- funded national program “Enhancing the Demand for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Graduates through Science and Technology” being led by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Simply called the "AFNR Program," the program involves more than 50 state universities and colleges (SUCs) that aims to:

(1) analyze the factors affecting the supply and demand of AFNR courses;

(2) promote skills enhancement among the AFNR manpower through the upgrade of facilities and improvement of the curriculum in SUCs; and

(3) support entrepreneurship development, technology business incubation and employment generation in the AFNR, among others.

(Florante A. Cruz) ■

PHOT

O: C

VLAB

E


FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Food versus fuel – this is an issue which has persistently hounded the use of renewable resources

in energy production, much so that experts worldwide are frowning upon the idea of using large areas of land for producing biomass for biofuels rather than rearing man’s food.

In the Philippines, the government is pushing the wide-scale farming of sweet sorghum and Jatropha in marginal lands for bioethanol and biodiesel, respectively.

But aside from having difficulty in attracting domestic and foreign investment in energy production, the government is still in the process of developing contiguous farm locations which are fit for sweet sorghum and Jatropha.

"Solving this dilemma," says Prof. Rex B. Demafelis of the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology - Department of Chemical

Engineering, "requires the development of what we call '3rd generation' biofuel sources, such as algae, which does not require large investments in land resource."

Using microalgae for biofuels has enormous production potential– they grow faster, cheaper to produce, and have very high oil content.

Using microalgae is also beneficial to the environment; it captures carbon dioxide in the air, and can be used for recycling nutrients and treating wastewater.

Currently, Prof. Demafelis’ research group is perfecting a laboratory-scale prototype device for mass-rearing algal biomass which will be used as feedstock in biofuel production.

The device, called a photobioreactor, is a closed environment that uses natural or artificial light to provide a suitable environment for the algae’s growth.

Solving the food vs. fuel issue Developed photobioreactor, a promise in producing a new source of biofuel

"We have recently designed and fabricated an externally-illuminated vertical column draft-tube airlift photobioreactor for cultivating Chlorella vulgaris for biodiesel production," Dr. Demafelis reported.

"Inside the photobioreactor, the algae circulate along with water and nutrients. The algae grow inside the tubes and are harvested once the maximum density is reached," he added.

With a capacity of 21 liters, the prototype has an outer tube, a draft tube, and uses an air duct and compressor for aeration.

Prof. Demafelis and his research team are now optimizing the parameters of the photobioreactor for upscaling.

"We also hope to increase the optimal residence time of the photobioreactor while considering costs for investment and operations," he said. ■

BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

THE PHOTOBIOREACTOR HAS LANDED: The tube containing a swirling and bubbling green liquid and surrounded by bright lights is not an alien capsule but UPLB’s prototype algal photobioreactor.

PHOTO: FACRUZ


Table bananas such as our local Lakatan and Latundan always have problems with ripening.

Some ripen prematurely, others quickly over-ripen, while others ripen non-uniformly.

In order to control ripening of these bananas, postharvest handlers dip them in water mixed with a chemical called ethepon that releases ethylene, the compound responsible for ripening.

When Dr. Elda B. Esguerra and her research team from the Postharvest and Seed Sciences Division of the CA-Crop Science Cluster studied the practices of wholesalers in Divisoria and other markets, they found out that handlers just use bottle caps to measure ethepon they apply.

“We saw that the ethepon they apply was so much - about 3000 to 4000 ppm - that bananas ripen in one or two days after arriving from the production areas,” Dr. Esguerra reported.

The banana just ripens better BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

With a grant from the Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Esguerra and her team has now developed the proper ripening regimes to delay or hasten the fruits' ripening.

According to the project’s results, Lakatan should be dipped in just 2000 ppm ethepon solution for one to five minutes. If delayed ripening is desired after ethepon treatment, bananas should be stored at 18-20oC so that it would fully ripen in 13 days. Ethanol at 50 or 75% concentration can be mixed with 2000 ppm ethephon to reduce astringency in ripe Lakatan.

On the other hand, Latundan can be dipped for 1-5 minutes in 1000 ppm ethepon and stored between 18-20oC so that it would ripen in 11 days.

Ethepon-treated bananas stored at ambient temperature of 25-28oC would lead to faster ripening. Lakatan would ripen in just five days, while Latundan would ripen within four days.

A

Dr. Esguerra also studied the use of 1-methylcyclopropene or MCP to extend the shelf-life of the bananas. MCP is a competitive inhibitor of the ethylene action.

MCP is available as a powder but active in gas form. To liberate the MCP, water is added to the powder. For Lakatan bananas, 0.1 µl l-1 MCP treatment for 12-24 hours can retard ripening for 26 days at ambient condition. For Latundan bananas, 0.5-1 µl l-1 MCP is required to make the bananas remain green for 20 days.

The effect of MCP can be reversed by applying 2000 ppm ethepon several days after MCP treatment.

Dr. Esguerra also pointed out that MCP can be used together with ethepon. “With combined application of MCP and ethepon, you can delay ripening of Lakatan up to 26 days, while Latundan can be delayed up to 20 days" she said. ■

PHOTO: FACRUZ

USING ETHEPON AND 1-MCP IN POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF BANANAS: (A) Latundan, 1000 ppm ethepon, (B) Lakatan, 2000 ppm ethepon, (C) Lakatan, 2000 ppm ethepon with 50/75% ethanol, (D and E) Lakatan with 1-MCP at 3 weeks, (F and G) Latundan with 1-MCP at 2 weeks.

B

C

D

E

F

G

FEATURED TECHNOLOGYPHOTOS: courtesy of EBESGUERRA


FEATHER ON CAP: This small piece of paperboard ensures that the CA technology is protected, and enables both the university and the inventor to gain economic benefits from the technology.

TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION UPDATES

UPLB has been granted its newest patent for a technology that extends the shelf-life

of 'Carabao' mangoes to four weeks after harvest utilizing the Controlled Atmosphere (CA) environment. The "Method of Extending the Marketable Life of 'Carabao' Mangoes," is a technology developed by Dr. Ma. Concepcion C. Lizada, former director of the then Postharvest Training and Research Center of the College of Agriculture.

CA technology has actually been used commercially for apples and pears. Although several studies have been done on green mangoes, none have been done on 'Carabao' mangoes until the study of Dr. Lizada.

Under normal conditions, mangoes remain viable for some time after harvest. However, they continue to undergo metabolic changes and eventually deteriorate. These metabolic changes cannot be prevented but can be slowed down.

An important metabolic process highly relevant to storage life is respiration. To extend storage life and preserve the fruit quality, respiration must be reduced.

The CA environment provides the enabling conditions for prolonging the marketable life of 'Carabao' mangoes.

Under this environment, temperature, relative humidity and ideal gas mix are maintained without sacrificing fruit quality.

Prior to CA, carefully selected physiologically mature, disease-free and unblemished green mangoes are subjected to hot water treatment for disease control and then hydrocooled.

UPLB’s gains patent for controlled atmosphere technology for carabao mango

Hydrocooled mangoes are then pre-cooled through the CA.

For mango traders and exporters requiring a shipment period of 14 days or more, the CA is the ideal system. With this invention, it is now possible to ship commercial quantities of 'Carabao' provided that transport vans equipped with the CA system are used and pre-shipment measures are met.

Mango ranks third, behind banana and pineapple, as the country’s top fruit exports, generating US$ 23.28B in 2008. With this technology, mango exporters can expect an increase of earning from 'Carabao' mangoes.

Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, and who currently spearheads the technology commercialization efforts of the university has this to say:

"While this patent may look like another feather in our cap, we must fully commercialize this CA technology. The technology has the potential to boost the country’s mango industry and to generate additional income for the University through technology licensing. We are now in the process of negotiating with a couple of partners." (Elias B. Abao, Jr.) ■



Last June 21, the UPLB Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (CTTE)

successfully held its one-day seminar-workshop on patents for 16 participants, selected by their respective heads, from various units of the University.

According to Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, the activity was held to strengthen the capability of university units to handle the protection of their respective technology innovations and breakthroughs.

"We hope that with this activity, our units will be able to manage its intellectual properties (IP) more efficiently," Dr. Supangco added.

Held at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, the seminar-workshop on "WYSK (What You Should Know) about Patents" concentrated on the process of patent search and provided participants with knowledge and tools needed to determine the patentability of the inventions developed in their respective units.

During the seminar, participants were oriented on the basics of patents and the criteria for patentability of inventions. The participants also underwent hands-on exercises on searching patents online which is integral in product and process development.

The seminar-workshop was facilitated by two patent experts from the Intellectual Property Philippines:

UPLB CTTE starts comprehensive training program on patenting

Engr. Merito J. Carag from the Bureau of Patents and Engr. Virginia F. Aumentado of the Information and Technology Transfer Bureau.

The UPLB CTTE is embarking on a comprehensive capability-building program in Intellectual Property and now works very closely with Intellectual Property Philippines representatives to improve and shorten

the IP processing time here in the university.

"We also plan to conduct an intensive training program, which will run for several days, on drafting claims before the end of the year," Mr. Elias B. Abao, Jr., Development Management Officer of the UPLB CTTE said. (Elias B. Abao, Jr. Florante A. Cruz and Mae Ann F. Bulang) ■

CONDUCTING A SEARCH OPERATION: Engineers from the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology looking for patents related to toys are “suprised” to see the results.

RESCUED?: All smiles after the day was done — participants looked relieved after the grueling hands-on patent search exercises, but definitely anticipate more challenges to come.

PHOTOS: FACRUZ



International hybrid seed corporation to expand operations inside the UPLB Science and Technology Park

Renovation of the right wing of the first floor of the ACTETSME building is in full swing to accommodate the expansion of Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, Inc., a multi-national corporation engaged in the production and sale of commercial hybrid seeds. Pioneer started its ties with UPLB in June 2009 with the signing of a two-year lease contract involving the rental of a one-hectare experimental farm at the Science and Technology Park for its hybrid rice research. It was followed by another lease contract for an office space at the first floor of the ACTETSME.

According to Mr. Mark Nas, Pioneer Hi-bred Philippines Senior Research Associate, the expansion is needed to provide additional room for its employees and to complete Pioneer's rice research facilities in Los Baños.

Speaking of the expansion, Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco relayed that "the expansion is a testament of the trust and confidence being forged between the two organizations."

"We are headed towards a longer and successful partnership, and we believe that this academe-industry relationship will become a model for others to emulate," Dr. Supangco concluded (Elias B. Abao, Jr.) ■

PHOTO: FACRUZ

UPLB shares technology business incubation experiences with Southeast Asian counterparts

Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco and UPLB Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship staff May Anne A. Cruz joined with at least 30 other participants from the Philippines during the conference on "Promoting Business Incubation in Southeast Asia - Importance of Networking and Dialogue on International Success Stories" held from June 14-17, 2010 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The conference was aimed to intensify the exchange of knowledge within Southeast Asia, specially with existing national and international networks in good practices in business incubation.

During the workshops, Vice-Chancellor Supangco and May Anne Cruz presented the university's current projects aimed to enhance and facilitate technology business incubation, and the various experiences and best practices the UPLB team has encountered in the course of their technology transfer and commercialization efforts.

Nearly a hundred people from Indonesia, VietNam, Thailand, the Philippines and other countries participated in the symposium sponsored by Germany-based InWEnt Capacity Building International and the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia.(Florante A. Cruz) ■

PHOTO: LJAOCHIM/InW

Ent Bonn

UPLB tech incubation team benchmarks IT park of UP Visayas, completes feasibility study for own UPLB IT hub

The UPLB Technology Business Incubation Team recently concluded its study on the feasibility of establishing a UPLB Information Technology Hub after surveying the capabilities and management of technology business incubators (TBIs) in UP Visayas, Lahug, Cebu from July 23-24, 2010.

The team, composed of Elias B. Abao, Jr., May Anne A. Cruz and Ronilo P. Violanta and led by Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco, interviewed the management and staff of Cebu InIt Technology Business Incubator, as well as its clients Cybertech, Inc. and Unang Pahina.

Aside from studying the TBIs in the Visayas, the team also earlier studied the TBIs located in UP Diliman, as well as conducted surveys among potential clients from the UPLB faculty, research and student sectors.

Stakeholders and partners from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry have also been surveyed.

The feasibility study was supported by a P70,000 grant from the DOST-Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development. (May Anne A. Cruz and Florante A. Cruz) ■

PHOTO: EBABAOJR


PHOTO NEWS

▲ Dr. Felino P. Lansigan of the CAS- Institute of Statistics (standing, center) shared some tips on what new researchers should remember when making proposals for submission to funding agencies last June 7, 2010 at the OVCRE.

BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

▲ Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco and Vice-Chancellor Enrico P. Supangco (2nd from top and center, respectively) meet with officials and representatives of the KumHwa Seed & Young Plants Co., Ltd. as part of their visit to Hankyong National University (HNU) in South Korea last May 13, 2010.

▲ Mr. Elias B. Abao, Jr. (topmost) of the UPLB CTTE, briefs the counterpart visitors from the Hankyong National University on the operations of the UPLB Science and Technology Park last August 10, 2010.

▲ Freshman and sophomore students taking up medicine at the Far East University of Korea arrived last July 13, 2010 for a study and cultural tour of UPLB and Laguna. The tour, coordinated by the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, was given support by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension.▲ Laos Vice Minister Dr. Bounkouang Phichith (center) and Ministries Secretariat

Dr. Keoboualian Vonsouvanh (leftmost) paid a courtesy call at the OVCRE last August 4, 2010 as part of their study tour on food and nutrition policies and program management. The tour was coordinated by the College of Human Ecology - Institute of Human Nutrition and Food through Dean Sue Liza C. Saguiguit and her staff.

▲ Exhibitors from UPLB and UPLB Foundation, Inc. pose for a light moment before the opening of the 6th AFTCFPE at the SM MegaTrade Hall II last August 5, 2010.


PHOTO NEWS

managing editor/ layoutFlorante A. Cruz

writers/ editorsFlorante A. Cruz

Rosario G. Gabatin

contributorsRuth M. Almario Elias B. Abao, Jr.

May Anne A. CruzAna Lisa G. Gabatin

Mae Ann F. Bulang • Jobelle Lyka R. Magno

production/ circulationEvelyn E. Bite

Renato E. Apolinario, Jr. • Alex C. Genil

advisersEnrico P. Supangco • Moises A. Dorado, Jr.

The RDE Digest is published semi-annually by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It is released every April and October each year, in time for the UPLB Commencement Exercises and UPLB Loyalty Day, respectively.

Otherwise stated, articles appearing in every issue are selected from those which have already been published at the RDE News Website [http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph], UPLB Link or UPLB Horizon.

Contributions related to research and extension from UPLB faculty and staff are welcome. Please send manuscripts and digital photographs via email: [email protected]. Comments on the published content can also be sent through the same email address. Requests for use of content for publication should be addressed to the Editors.

For inquiries, please contact us at: Research Utilization and Dissemination SectionOVCRE Building, Kanluran cor. Lanzones Roads, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031 PhilippinesTel. No. (63) 49 536-5326; Fax No. (63) 49 536-7181, VOIP: 1525, Email: [email protected].

The RDE DigestOfficial Research, Development and Extension Newsletter of the University of the Philippines Los Baños

BY FLORANTE A. CRUZ

◄ Nearly a hundred people from UPLB’s scientific community gathered on August 11, 2010 at the UPLB Operations Room for the UPLB Centennial Professorial Lectures on Climate Change and Food Security.

Professorial lecturers were Dr. Felino P. Lansigan of CAS-INSTAT (Managing Climate Risk to Enhance Crop Productivity for Food Security: Knowledge-based Dynamic Cropping Calendar for Farm Operations), Dr. Avelino D. Raymundo of CA-CPC (Dynamics and Management of Pest Epidemics in a Variable and Changing Climate) and Dr. Agnes C. Rola of CPAf-ISPPS (Towards a Climate Risk Resilient Agricultural Development: How Can UPLB Address This Challenge?)

▲ Engr. Merito J. Carag of Intellectual Property Philippines’ Bureau of Patents orients participants on the basics of patents and the criteria for patentability of inventions during the UPLB CTTE’s seminar-workshop held June 20, 2010.

▲ Management and staff of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, as well as some their guests from other units, wait for the blessing of their new headquarters. The Office of the Chancellor, along with the offices of the five Vice-Chancellors, recently moved to the newly renovated and furnished 3rd Floor of the UPLB Main Library last July 20, 2010.

uplbrdedigest_vol2no2

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