Research Highlights

            In 2017, PRCRTC conducted 20 research projects; 5 of them were already completed. The major research findings are as follows:

 Germplasm Collection

• Six 6 accessions were added to the existing 298 cassava germplasm collection.
• No additional accession was added to sweetpotato (969 accessions), yam (370 accessions), and taro (368 accessions) germplasm collections.

 Varietal Improvement

Cassava

• Sixteen (16) NSIC registered varieties and two (2) farmer’s varieties were used to develop the breeding block.
• Sixty (60) hybrid genotypes produced from the cassava breeding program were subjected for preliminary yield trial
• Ten (10) genotypes were evaluated for shade tolerance

Sweetpotato

• Thirty (30) accessions were used as parents in polycross breeding nursery
• Two (2) new breeding nurseries were established, in which twelve (12) orange fleshed genotypes and ten (10) purple fleshed genotypes were used as parents
• Four (4) F1 hybrids were used as entry for the NCT regional yield trial
• NSIC Sp 33 out yielded all the tested varieties with a yield of 9.58 ton/ha

Yam

• “Ubi” varieties with highest survival rates at high elevation were VII – 2, NSIC VII – 6, NSIC GV – 8 and LA – 539; in general poor yields were obtained (less than 7 MT/Ha).
• Best yielding tugui variety at high elevation was PSB VT – 3 with a yield of 14 Mton/ha.

Taro

• BLSM 115 and BLSM 151 and PRG 813 (commonly called as Chowking) are two new entries introduced through the EU Taro project.
• The local accessions PRG 813 and PRG 744 could be good sources of genes for the improvement in dry matter content.

Crop Porduction

Soil and Nutrient Management

• Microbial inoculants with Biozome-200 treatment gave higher sweetpotato yields compared to the treatments added with fertilizers only
• Micronutrient supplement and microbial inoculants increased tuber yield of purple yam

Pest Management

• Eleven (11) NSIC registered cassava varieties showed tolerance and resistance to phytoplasma infection
• Pre-planting treatment of cassava stakes with streptomycin for the control of phytoplasma increased yield in all 48-NSIC registered varieties
• NSIC Cv-30 (Rayong 5), being the most susceptible to CPD and sensitive to pesticide treatment resulted to high mortality rate and late germination.
• Phytoplasma infection increased HCN content, lowered chlorophyll production, and reduced starch and dry matter content
• VG – 2 ad NSIC G – 9 had higher phytophthora leaf blight disease rating than the new taro genotypes

Production of Quality Planting Materials

• Philrootcrops cassava nursery, maintaining 18 NSIC registered varieties, was accredited by the Bureau of plant industry
• PSB Sp-17, NSIC Sp-25, and NSIC Sp-30 were propagated in a bigger area for mass production of planting materials
• Four hundred and seventeen (417) kg of “ubi” and “tugui” tubers were distributed to different clienteles

Post-harvest Processing

• Five NSIC sweetpotato varieties (NSIC SP – 33 VSP – 5, PSB SP – 15 and 16) produced higher flour yield per hectare basis compared to the native cultivars
• Sieve analysis on the powder product of VSP – 6 obtained an average Fineness Modulus of 0.87 which is classified as “Very Fine”.

Product Development

• Four extruded products from dried cassava grates (yuca puffs, cacharon, extruded noodles and grains) were developed

Processing Machines

• Machines was developed for the processing of extruded products, including 1) portable extruder for puffed products, 2) extruder for cooking and forming (cacharon, noodles and grains), and 3) conveyor system.
• Fabrication of a conveyor system and electric heating units, and biomass furnace for the two units of the rotary drum dryers was completed.

Extension

Integrated Extension Program for Rootcrops

• Continued existence of recommended varieties of root crops due to continued distribution of planting materials to the farmers as well as on training on the processing and utilization of rootcrops
• Trained a number of rootcrops farmers and processors to disseminate the technologies and other relevant information about rootcrops production and utilization
• Established nurseries to support the production
• Established partnerships with other Business Development Support (BDS) providers to support the rootcrops industry development

S&T Based Sweetpotato Value Chain Development in Tarlac, Albay and Leyte-Samar (Leyte-Samar Highlights)

• Established 12 start-up value chains in Leyte and Samar
• Extended relevant information and knowledge on production, processing, marketing, business management and other aspects on rootcrops value chain through the Farmer Business School approach
• Finished an 8-month FBS course to the 12 start-up value chains in Leyte and Samar
• Started the development of zero-waste processing system for rootcrops and some high value products from sweetpotato
• Same activities were conducted in Tarlac and Albay sites

Cassava Value Chains for food in selected areas of the Philippines

• Established start-up cassava value chains in selected areas of the Philippines through VCD and FBS approaches combination
• Facilitated the acquisition and delivery of the Grates and Flour Processing System developed by PhilRootcrops to interested entrepreneurs. In the picture is the Mayor of Naguilian, Isabela granting the award to Brgy Captain Juanito Agbunag, the leader of the beneficiary PO.
• Technical assistance and trainings on cassava processing, Safety and Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP)
• Facilitated the transfer of processing equipment to PLGU Maasin including the building design and other technical supports. The grates and flour processing equipment transferred was the one previously granted by the DOST to a group of beneficiaries in Hinungangan but was not used due to internal problems of the supposed beneficiary organization.

Cassava Mapping Project

• Established a database from the pilot project sites which was used as input for interactive map for cassava using the quantum GIS system.
• Completed the development of the protocol for the database and information collection
• Conducted further mapping trainings

Value Chain Development of the Binagol and Sagmani MicroIndustries in Leyte

• Established a process to increase the shelf-life of Binagol and sagmani using the water retort.