2 weeks Ago
The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) will fund two projects by the Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation, Inc. (Philsurin) that seek to produce high-performing varieties of sugarcane that are also weather-resistant. “Sugarcane-growing areas in the Philippines experience dry periods lasting 4.
5–6 months, which makes drought tolerance a vital trait for sustainable production,” the DOST-PCAARD said in a statement. “Moreover, diseases such as downy mildew and smut can cause significant yield losses, which poses a threat to the sugarcane industry.” One of the projects being implemented by Philsurin will utilize in-vitro techniques to identify sugarcane varieties that are tolerant to drought and resistant to diseases such as smut and downy mildew.
“Philsurin researchers aim to accelerate the development of improved varieties more efficiently than traditional breeding methods through somaclonal variation. This process induces genetic diversity through cell and tissue culture,” the DOST-PCAARD said. Meanwhile, the second project aims to develop new hybrid varieties by combining “the wild species’ high performance and disease resistance with the conventional varieties’ high sucrose content to enhance genetic diversity and crop sustainability.
” The projects are being spearheaded by scientists Rosalyn Luzaran and Graziella Tabulinar. According to DOST-PCAARD data, the country’s sugarcane industry contributes P76 billion annually to the economy. Sugarcane is being cultivated in nearly 400,000 hectares in the country, with farms mostly on Negros Island.
There are about 88,000 sugarcane farmers, the agency added. — VBL, GMA Integrated News.
