Darel Kenth S. Antesco, Maria Charito E. Balladares, Alangelico O. San Pascual, Pablito M. Magdalita, and Fernando C. Sanchez Jr. The genus Plumeria, locally known as kalachuci, is a popular ornamental tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family. The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) maintains a collection of Plumeria trees scattered across its campus; however, the origin of these trees remains unclear due to a lack of proper documentation. This study conducted morphological characterization and pollen analysis to provide information for further research. Results revealed the presence of 2 Plumeria species in the campus. P. obtusa has a linear leaf shape with acute tips and revolute margins while P. rubra has a lanceolate leaf shape. Additionally, P. obtusa has a green peduncle while P. rubra has a peduncle ranging from red to dark red. In terms of floral traits, P. obtusa produces white flowers while P. rubra has flowers with a variety of colors including white, yellow, p...

Aytaç Moralar, Figan Dalmış, and Bahattin Akdemir Field testing of grain sowing machinery requires favorable field conditions and sufficient time periods, making laboratory tests a preferred alternative for determining performance under controlled conditions. However, a standardized testing system for evaluating sowing machinery has not yet been established. In this study, a test system was designed for laboratory testing of universal grain sowing machines. A movable platform was built on a chassis made using sheet metal with different dimensions and profiles. It operates through a hydraulic system via a programmable logic controller-based control system. The sowing machine placed on this platform allows for inclination adjustments (front, back, right, and left), simulating real field conditions in a laboratory environment. The setup is adaptable and can be easily secured to different types of sowing machines. Strength calculations were conducted for critical points of the developed...

Gede Sedana, Ketut Wirawan, and Naori Miyazawa The Green Revolution has significantly contributed to agricultural development. However, it has also caused environmental damage due to excessive use of agricultural inputs and land exploitation. To promote sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), organic farming has been recommended to improve and maintain agroecosystems. In Bali Province, Indonesia, the concept of Tri Hita Karana (THK), a form of local wisdom, has guided farmers in implementing the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique introduced by the government. This study explored how organic rice farming integrates local wisdom, assessed farmers’ knowledge and attitudes towards SRI, and examined government support initiatives for organic rice farming. The results revealed that SRI farming aligns with the principle of nurturing the soil to enhance fertility, improving soil, water, and air in paddy fields and surrounding areas. THK also guides ...

Yafen Han, Florfe M. Acma, Maria Melanie M. Guiang, Chris Rey M. Lituanas, Fulgent P. Coritico, and Victor B. Amoroso Using a soil culture method, this study investigated the morphoanatomical responses and phenotypic plasticity of Cardamine hupingshanensis (Brassicaceae) under different cadmium (Cd) concentrations. Root morphological indices initially increased at low Cd levels but decreased as Cd concentrations rose, exhibiting a low-promoting and high-inhibiting effect. Leaf morphology and biomass peaked at 5 or 10 mg kg-1 Cd before decreasing at higher concentrations but were still significantly higher than the control (P < 0.05). Anatomical structure analysis revealed no significant difference at 5 mg kg-1 Cd; however, at ≥ 100 mg kg-1 Cd, epidermal and spongy tissue thickness differed significantly from the control. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between Cd concentration and epidermal and spongy tissue thickness but a negative correlation w...

Syarif Prasetyo, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Tirtadanu, Agus H Purnomo, Sri T. Hartati, Umi Chodrijah, Prihatiningsih, Ari Wahyono, Jumari, and Rossi Prabowo Lake Batur in Bangli Regency, Bali Province is a priority area for ecological quality restoration in Indonesia due to its vulnerability to environmental changes caused by diverse and intensive utilization. Agricultural activities, fisheries, and tourism affect the lake’s water quality, leading to the uncontrolled growth of water weeds such as water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). To determine the relationship between water quality, community activities, and water weed presence, water samples were collected from 9 locations consisting of residential, tourist, aquaculture, and agricultural areas. In situ analysis was then conducted to measure turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), total nitrogen, total phosphate, and ammonia levels. Results showed that pH, temperature, DO, total nitro...

Imelda DG. Olvida, Nico Jayson C. Anastacio, and Paul Jersey G. Leron This study examined gendered differences in the experiences of local farmers in Sariaya, an agricultural municipality in Quezon Province, Philippines. Using the Harvard Analytical Framework, this paper aimed to provide insights into how gender influences the experiences of local farmers under the Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) Community Program of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DAPhilRice). A qualitative approach was employed using data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes on the different gendered differences in the roles, resource access, needs, and challenges of local farmers in the implementation of the RiceBIS Community Program. The findings showed differentiated roles between men and women in both production and leadership in organizations, which are attributed to the cultural ge...

Kumar Shubham, Gopikrishnan T, and Anshuman Singh This study investigated air quality dynamics in Northeast India, a region with unique terrestrial features, including the Eastern Himalayas. While air quality varies across districts, pollution impacts the entire area. Northeast India’s rich ecology is crucial for Himalayan climate regulation. Robust air quality monitoring and pollution control are essential to preserve environmental balance. This work focused on forecasting emissions of aerosols, SO2, NO2, CO, HCHO, O3, and CH4 primarily associated with human activities. Utilizing data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite instrument from 2019 to 2023, a 9-mo forecast was conducted using 5 machine learning models: random forest, cubic regression, linear regression, quadratic regression, and k-nearest neighbors algorithm (KNN) models. The effectiveness of models was evaluated through R2, mean square error (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). The results sho...

Alvin P. Jimenez, Grignard James R. Buday, and Rina B. Opulencia Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae, acquire antibiotic resistance via horizontal transmission of resistance genes in poultry farms that give rise to multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The presence of MDR strains that are potentially pathogenic and zoonotic poses a concern to animal and human health. The aims of this study were to isolate MDR, potentially pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae from Philippine native chicken (PNC) and to analyze the genome of a representative MDR isolate to gain insights into the mechanisms, acquisition, and transmissibility of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Cloacal swabs from PNC were used to isolate putative Salmonella that were then tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Twenty-six putative Salmonella isolates obtained from 13 chickens of PNC breeds exhibited diverse MDR phenotypes. Analysis of the whole genome of a representative MDR isolate, which was resistant to...

Mary Joy M. Abit, Rene Franchesca A. Pilar, and Analiza Henedina M. Ramirez Research has been conducted globally to investigate the growth and colonization patterns of Pontederia crassipes Mart. This research aimed to examine the impact of varying rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on the growth of P. crassipes and determine the nutrient levels that would result in the greatest growth response. P. crassipes plants were placed in plastic containers filled with 5 L of distilled water. Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied separately at varying concentrations. Specifically, N was added at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg L-1 and P at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 mg L-1. P. crassipes demonstrated high nutrient uptake efficiency, absorbing 57% to 87% of applied N and 96% to 99% of the applied P. Total weekly biomass increased with N application to an optimal concentration of 25 to 30 mg N L-1, after which growth declined. Leaf production was highest at 30 mg N L-1, while N and P both accelerated ...

Maria Luisa D. Guevarra, Jennelyn C. Bengoa, and Gerlie P. Antesco Three new varieties of Hoya were registered to the Germplasm and Technology Release and Registration Office of the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños and the National Seed Industry Council, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture in 2020 and 2023, respectively. These are open-pollinated (OP) segregants of Hoya ilagiorum (Kloppenburg, Siar & Cajano) that were generated in 2010. Evaluation of OP seedlings started in 2012 and the selection of promising segregants yielded 3 varieties, namely ‘Moonlight’, ‘Sunkissed’, and ‘Starburst’. ‘Moonlight’ has a dainty creamy yellow inflorescence consisting of 31 to 112 individual flowers forming a semi-globose to globose umbel akin to a full moon during anthesis, thus the name. ‘Sunkissed’, with its striking leaves, also has a semi-globose to globose umbel composed of 37 to 73 individual flo...