Central Mindanao University (CMU) continues to make strides on research and development (R&D) projects supported by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). This is through the discovery of four new bamboo species and treatments to stress-induced wood defects in Falcata trees, among many others.
The long-standing partnership between DOST-PCAARRD and CMU has left an imprint in the Forestry R&D sector. Through the Council's Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD), ongoing and completed projects on various Industry Strategic Science and Technology Programs (ISP) implemented by CMU were monitored and reviewed.
The projects under the ISP of industrial tree plantation (ITP), which are mostly focused on Falcata species, reported progressive results. Improvement on wood quality was observed on stress-induced Falcata treated with hot water and girdling. Meanwhile, cases of pests and diseases in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 Falcata plantations were also carefully documented and revealed gall rust was the most widespread and most severe.
Dr. Torreta, Dr. Jupiter Casas, and For. Galega during the visit to CMU's bamboo demo site
On the other hand, mass production of the high-yielding falcata seeds was unsuccessful even with numerous consultations and interventions. It will, however, be rectified by the establishment of a hedge garden from planted seeds. Although not currently accomplished, the mass production will serve as an opportunity and a reference for next researchers to build on in the coming years.
The projects on bamboo also reported dynamic results. Some notable accomplishments under the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D program on bamboo include identification of four new climbing bamboo species with edible young shoots from Mt. Hamiguitan, and the ongoing potting, hardening, and outplanting of more than 3,800 bamboo clones. Assessment of Kawayang Tinik and Giant Bamboo for textile production, as well as the development of bamboo slat planing machines of engineered bamboo are also underway from two new bamboo projects.
These accomplishments were presented during the three-day monitoring activity that included a visit to the different project facilities such as the falcata and bamboo conservation demo sites, falcata hedge garden, sawmill for wood/bamboo processing, and the forest clonal nursery and rooting facilities (midst and non-midst).
(L) The FERD team visits the falcata hedge garden site with CMU project team; (R) CMU-housed Bamboo rooting facilities from the NICER program for bamboo.
With this annual monitoring event, the ongoing projects are now prepared to make more headway with their accomplishments and completed projects are ready to be furnished.