Dr. Danilo B. Largo, Director of the Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office of the University of San Carlos, presents "Seaweed Health Management: Understanding Ice-Ice Disease and Epiphyte Infestation" during the first day of the Central Visayas Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC) Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The ice-ice disease and epiphyte infestation, according to Dr. Largo, are two of the main reasons for the decline in the country's seaweed production. Both cause low yield and quality of carrageenan, low price of raw materials, and reduced income of farmers.
Dr. Largo described the ice-ice disease as the whitening at the thalli of seaweeds causing premature fragmentation. He added that it is caused mainly by unfavorable seawater conditions and presence of opportunistic microorganisms.
Described as filamentous algae that appear like hairs covering the host seaweed, epiphytes cause unhealthy growth and deterioration of seaweeds. Dr. Largo also noted that excessive amount of nutrients, high water temperature, and high light intensity cause proliferation of epiphytes on seaweeds.
Measures and innovation to address the said seaweed health concerns were also discussed in the presentation.
The presentation was during the plenary sessions of CVAARRDEC's Seaweed FIESTA.
Held on May 29-30, 2019, the FIESTA was conducted to promote and commercialize technologies and innovations on seaweeds in Region 7.