Technology Breakthroughs from UPLB
New plant and flower varieties developed by brilliant scientists from Asia’s premiere agriculture university (Part 2).
By Jo Ann Ancheta-Oruga
Hot water treatment
The UPLB –Post Harvest Training and Research Center developed the hot water treatment chamber for treating mangoes so that these will have a longer shelf life. This technology gave way to the export of mangoes in Japan and the Middle East by ensuring that mango fruits are free from fruit fly larvae and eggs.
Eggplant ‘mistisa’
This variety is the spreading type with profuse branching. It is resistant to bacterial wilt and moderately resistant to phomopsis. ‘Mistisa’ has a longer shelf life than most varieties, which makes it still marketable seven days after harvest.
Tomato ‘ara’
‘Ara’, a heat-tolerant all season tomato, is very vigorous and highly prolific. When ripe, its fruits are moderately formed and red orange. It yields 20-30 ton/ha during the wet season and 40-60 ton/ha during the dry season.
Cashew red princess
The red princess has a red large apple, with conical shape, and acidic flavor. It is very juicy with moderate fiber and strong aroma. It is recommended for apple and nut production. This variety is erect to semi-spreading tree, vigorous , prolific, and bears 400-500 fruits per tree per season.
The hibiscus hybrid celebrity, centennial, millennium, and oblation series
The UPLB- Institute of Plant Breeding has released three series of Hibiscus hybrids. The Celebrity Series is composed of five varieties of garden-type Hibiscus, which were named after media’s bestowed titles for Filipina actresses, namely: Diamond Star, Megastar, Novastar, Star for All Seasons, and Superstar.
The Centennial Series is composed of seven varieties, which are named after courageous Filipino Heroines namely: Tandang Sora, Oryang, Lolay, Marcela, Nay Isa, Ningning, Nazaria, Gabriela, Henerala Aguenda, Sentenarya.
The Millenium Series is also composed of seven varieties, which are dedicated after Filipino women scientists of UPLB. These are Claire Baltazar, Emerita de Guzman, Dolores Ramirez, Gelia Castillo, Hellen Valmayor, Obdulia Sison, and Millenia.
The Oblation Series are composed of three varieties named after Estrella F. Albastro, Emerlinda R. Roman, and Nelia T. Gonzales.
Chico mapino
Its flesh has a very fine texture. ‘Chico Mapino’ is also very sweet and juicy, with a melting taste. The tree is a regular and very prolific bearer of medium-sized fruits, weighing about 122 grams.
Guyabano Aguinaldo
It has a source-type variety, which makes it ideal for processing industries for fruit juices, puree, candies, and other processed products. The fruit is well formed. It has less seeds. It is also less fibrous so a high portion of the fruit is edible. Each fruit weighs about 1.5 kg.
Jackfruit mabini
This variety bears 50-80 fruits which can be harvested from February to July. ‘Mabini’ has an oblong fruit with yellow-green peel which weighs 15.4kg. it has yellow-orange flesh which is smooth, sweet and juicy. It also has strong aroma.
Improved corn varieties (Makapuno, IPB 911. IPB 929)
Makapuno is an open-pollinated glutinous corn variety. It yields an average of 6.26 tons per hectare in only 70 days. It is less sticky when boiled and is therefore less messy. It is a good cash crop because it can be harvested early and the price is higher than field corn.
IPB 911 is the first single-cross yellow corn hybrid approved for release by the National Seed Industry Council. It yields an average of 7.2 tons/ha and matures in 105 days. It can be grown throughout the country, all year. It is also resistant to downy mildew and tolerant to corn borer.
IPB 929 is a modified single cross yellow corn hybrid with an average yield of 7.01 tons/ha. It matures in 106 days and can be grown anywhere in the country throughout the year. Like IPB 911, it is also resistant to downy mildew and tolerant corn borer.
REFERENCE:
Marid Agribusiness Digest
Vol. 17 No.11* April 2007