This year, two papers focused on improving tomato production and boosting saba banana production emerged as winners in the Best Research and Best Development Paper Awards, besting other entries presented during the 2024 National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD).
First place of the Best Research Paper Award was given to the project, “Development of Formulated Entomopathogenic Fungi (EPF) as Biofungicide against Tomato Black Leaf Mold (TBLM)” by the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU). The project team is led by Dr. Jonar I. Yago, NVSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, together with his colleagues, Ramon P. Bangao, Jr., Fil-Art Marie B. Baltazar, Eduard P. Bragado, Jessie I. Yago, Alvin V. Galamay, Jonathan L. Soriano, and Andre Miguel S. Litonjua.
NVSU developed a biofungicide derived from entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana and Isaria fumosorosea. The biofungicide was field-tested as a biological control agent (BCA) against TBLM. Being the first project to mark the use of EPF as a BCA, the project was officially recognized through Department of Agriculture (DA) Order No. 9, s. 2020, “Rationalizing and Strengthening the Crop Pest Management Functions, Services and Related Tasks of the DA.”
Second place of the Best Research Paper Award was given to the University of Southern Mindanao for the project, “Endophytes as Biocontrol Agent Against Major and Emerging Leaf Diseases of Rubber,” while third place was bagged by the Cavite State University for the project, “Antibiotic Sensitivity Profile and Dominant Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Selected Avian Bacterial Pathogens from Commercial Poultry Farms in Upland Cavite.”
Meanwhile, the top place for the Best Development Paper Award was given to the project, “Tissue Culture and Macro-Propagation of Saba: Cagayan Valley’s Planting Material Support System for Banana” developed by NVSU, Quirino State University, and the Cagayan Valley Research Center. The project team was led by Dr. Elbert A. Sana of NVSU, together with his colleagues, Analiza L. Esguerra, Flora Joy B. Garcia, Fredisminda M. Dolojan, Jinnalyn D. Andana, Gina Leah A. Dizon, Joylyn P. Dung-ao, Elen D. Ollani, Minalito L. Udcosan, and Wilson B. Oligo.
The top development paper aimed to boost saba banana production in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela by upgrading facilities that resulted in the production of disease-free and quality planting materials through tissue culture and whole-corm macropropagation method.
Second place of the Best Development Paper Award was garnered by the Bureau of Plant Industry – Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) for the project, “S&S Plaza Goes SciCAT Phase II: Promotion of Ecologically Viable Farming Practices and Generated Technologies Through Blended eAgri-Tourism Under the New Normal,” while the third place was given to the Central Mindanao University for the project, “DOST PCAARRD-CMU Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator Phase 2.”
The awardees were finalists of NSAARRD, which is held annually by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). The symposium recognizes outstanding R&D contributions in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector in the country.
The awards were conferred during the Science and Technology (S&T) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony, held in celebration of DOST-PCAARRD’s 52nd Anniversary on November 8, 2024.