Published papers of authors from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) gained top place in the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award under the Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences categories, respectively.
The paper, “New Multiple Abiotic Stress Tolerant Rice Variety Developed from Combining Tissue Culture and Gamma Irradiation” published in the Philippine Journal of Science, gained the award, Outstanding Published Paper in Agriculture Category. The paper was authored by Christopher C. Cabusora, Nenita V. Desamero, Martha V. Chico, Henry T. Ticman, Josielyn C. Bagarra, Gelyn D. Valida, RJ D. Buluran, Raña Mae A. Sumabat, and Marie Antoinette R. Orbase from PhilRice.
The paper expounded how the researchers were able to develop a mutant line PR48421-FR13A-IVM2012DS-1-7-4, derived from in vitro mutation of FR13A, which is resistant to seawater. This development could benefit coastal communities dependent on rice farming as their source of livelihood. Aside from being tolerant for drought, salinity, and submergence, the mutant line achieved an average grain yield of 3,069 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) in saline-prone areas. Being resistant to pests and diseases and with acceptable grain quality, the mutant line was approved and released by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) as NSIC 2022 Rc686 (Salinas 39) in 2022.
Meanwhile, the paper, “Utilization of marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii as a feed additive in seawater-tolerant Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) strain,” published in the Frontiers in sustainable food systems journal, gained the award, Outstanding Published Paper in the Aquatic Sciences Category of the same award. The paper was authored by Fredson H. Huervana, Cleresa S. Dionela, Eirene Dorothy S. de la Torre, Carmelo S. del Castillo, and Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar from UPV.
The research project was done to see if tilapia, which has low omega-3 content, can be supplemented by marine diatoms to increase its eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content. UPV researchers identified Thalassiosira weissflogii, a marine diatom that exhibited high content of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) including EPA and DHA. Trials conducted in the project revealed that a 2.55% supplementation dose of T. weissflogii to the seawater-tolerant Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) strain can promote growth and enhance the tissue content of omega-3 fatty acids.
The Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award, conferred annually during the S&T Recognition and Awarding Ceremony of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), honors Filipino scientists and researchers for their exceptional research and development (R&D) results aligned with the Council’s mission to advance the country’s national economic and food security. The papers should be published in a local and/or international journal that is accredited by the International Scientific Indexing (ISI) within the last five years prior to the date of award.
The award, which was established in 1987, pays tribute to Dr. Elvira O. Tan, an outstanding researcher and a prolific writer. The award has three categories: aquatic sciences, agriculture, and natural resources and environment. Only the first two categories were conferred this year.
The respective authors were conferred with the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award during the Science and Technology (S&T) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony and 52nd Anniversary celebration of DOST-PCAARRD held on November 8, 2024.