• Development of designs and production of bent bamboo culms for furniture and accessories
• Split large diameter one-node culm cuttings in bamboo propagation

 

• Improved tapping of almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.) tree for sustained resin yield
• Spore culture and plantlet production of the endangered and endemic giant staghorn fern (Platycerium grande [Fee] Presl.)

 

• Plantation development and management of tiger grass for softbroom and handicraft industries

• Establishment of a rattan genebank in Mt. Makiling

 

• Development of a solid waste management system for Catbalogan, Samar
• User first research for sustainable development and natural resource management
• Ilog Natin Buhay Natin
• Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) of the Matigsalog community in the Philippines

 

• Morphology, distribution, and indigenous uses of spiked pepper (Piper aduncum L.)

 

• Butterfly collection: An alternative source of livelihood for IPAS and forest reserve areas

 

• Mangrove forest resources inventory of Ulugan Bay, Palawan
• Improved tree plantation establishment technologies in Eastern Visayas
• Salin teknolohiya sa paraang saliksik-unlad sa barangay tungo sa pagtatanim ng punong kahoy
• Determination of the extent of bark beetle infestation on natural apitong trees at CSDC, San Luis, Agusan del Sur
• Biology of Uraniid moth (Nyctalemon sp.) infesting Gubas stand (Endospermum peltatum) of CSDC, San Luis, Agusan del Sur
• Field survival rates of the different propagating materials of Balete at Lambunao, Iloilo condition

 

 
Bamboo and Rattan
 

Development of designs and production of bent bamboo culms for furniture and accessories.

Gigare and Marquez (DENR-ERDS-Region 6) shaped bamboo culms using different curve moulds made of GI sheets. These curve moulds are patterned after specific furniture parts like arm rests, headboards, etc. Kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana) and bayog (Dendrocalamus merrillianus) are the best species to use for culm bending because of their strength and durability.

Compared to other bending technologies which significantly reduces strength, durability and appearance of the culm, this technology enhances the strength of the culms especially along curvatures.

Cost and return analysis of the production of 40 bent culms is as follows:

Gross income (P150 @) = P 6,000

Less:total production cost (1st cycle) = P 4,505

net income (1st cycle) = P 1,495

1st cycle return on investment = 33.19%

2nd cycle gross income = P 6,000

Less:total production cost (2nd cycle) = P 1,000

Net Income (2nd cycle) = P 4,920

2nd cycle return on investment = 109%

Procedure

• Fabricate different curve moulds corresponding to furniture parts using No. 16 GI plain sheets welded together. Each mould design should consist of two parts, one part having the curve frame welded into it and the other part is the cover. The two parts are fastened together with machine bolts.
• Select bamboo shoots having a diameter of at least 8 cm and a height of at least 45 cm.
• Install the preformed mould right above the shoot using wooden pegs and wire to ensure that the selected shoot will grow into the mould entrance.
• When the culm outgrows the mould, dismantle the moulds carefully. This takes about 8 to 12 days.
• The bent culm must be protected from the wind by attaching it to adjacent culms.
• Harvest the bent culm after 2 years.

This is a modification of the one-node culm cutting technology. The technology was developed by Reyes (ISU) specifically for large diameter bamboos. Its main feature is the splitting into halves of large diameter one-node cuttings for propagation. This technology reduces planting stocks hauled from mother stocks. Lesser soil media because of smaller polyethylene bags are used. Species used are Bambusa blumeana Schultes and Bambusa blumeana var. Luzonensis. One to two year old bamboo poles with a minimum number of ten nodes having actively growing buds are the sources of propagules.

The total cost of producing 400 seedlings required for a 1 ha bamboo plantation with a spacing of 5m x 5m is P5,364.85 with an ROI of 11.84%. The cost per seedling amounts to P13.41, with a break even selling price of P15.00

Procedure

• Create raised potting beds measuring 1m x 10 m
• Construct 2 temporary cogon shed covers which will be laid one on top of the other for full shading and only 1 for partial shading.
• Prepare the soil medium which is a combination of equal parts fine sand, ordinary garden soil, and top soil.
• Use polyethylene bags sized 5.5" x 9.5". Fold the bags from the base to a width of 2" and make 4 holes using a puncher. Fill the polyethylene bags with the soil medium to depth of 10 cms using trowel.
• Select robust growing 1-2 year old bamboo poles. Cut the poles at the base with a sharp bolo.
• Cut the main branches with a saw/sharp bolo leaving 2 branch nodes from the culm.
• Prepare the 1-node culm cuttings. At each node, make the base cut at a distance of 5 cm below the node and the upper cut at 12.5 cm above the node.
• Split the 1-node cuttings into half. Keep the half with the branch as propagule.
• Pot the propagules. Insert the propagule with the split portion facing down then tilt it to a slanting positing 30º from the vertical. Add soil media until the bag is filled.
• Transfer and arrange the newly potted propagules on the potbed.
• Newly potted propagules need to be initially saturated with water. For the first two months after potting, use backpack sprayer with fine nozzle to prevent unnecessary soil displacement and loosening of the propagules. On the third month, use a sprinkler for watering.
• Provide full shading for the first two months, partial shading on the 3rd and 4th months, and total exposure on the 5th.
• Weed the pots regularly.
• Prune regularly all roots growing beyond the bags. Start at 2 weeks before transplanting.

Minor Forest Plants

Improved tapping of almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.) tree for sustained resin yield.

Ella (FPRDI) observed that the traditional method of tapping almaciga to harvest the resin, namely, deep tapping, overtapping, and frequent rechipping are detrimental to the trees. A study of the basic structure of the stem, nature of resin production, and biological factors to consider in relation to the tapping processes, and the application of proper tapping process was conducted to develop an improved tapping method that increases and sustains the production of quality resin from almaciga.

 
Procedure

• Tap only trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 40 cm or more.
• The first tapping should be started at a point not more than 30 cm from the ground.
• Remove loose barks, dirt, and other foreign materials.
• Lightly scrape the portion to be tapped.
• Make a horizontal cut of about 2 cm wide and 30 cm long and not beyond the bark, taking care not to damage the cambium.
• Spray a mist of 50% sulfuric acid solution about 6 in from the cut portion to stimulate resin flow.
• Make a fresh cut of the same length but less width immediately above the previous one after a week when exudation stops, applying acid as before and tapping vertically upward.

Amoroso and Amoroso (CMU) conducted the study to determine the appropriate culture medium and condition for spore germination, gametophyte and sporophyte (plantlet) development of P. grande, to find out the optimum potting medium and conditions for acclimatization of the plantlets, and for mass propagation of the plantlets. The spores of P. grande were germinated in agar culture medium supplemented with nutrients sixteen days after sowing. Gametophytes were formed after one month in culture, while plantlets emerged from the gametophytes seven months after inoculation in culture medium.

The total cost of the technology is P11,678.70 (direct and indirect costs). If the plantlets are sold at P50 each, the net income for the production of 1,000 plantlets is P38,321.30.

Procedure

• Get spores from freshly collected fertile fronds of P. grande. Separate the spores from the sporangia by sieving through a fine mesh silkscreen cloth. Sterilize the spores in 10% sodium hypochlorite solution, rinse in sterile distilled water and inoculate in spore culture medium.
• Prepare the spore culture medium with the following ingredients: agar, sterile distilled water, ammonium nitrate, potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride and ferric chloride. Adjust the pH to 5.5 - 5.8.
• Place the culture plates under continuous illumination at 24°C to 25°C.
• Monitor spore germination and prothallial development once a week.
• Subculture the prothalli in fresh culture medium until plantlets are formed.
• Transfer the young plantlets to wire baskets containing two potting media: chopped coconut husk and compost; and chopped Cyathea roots and compost.
• Transfer the mature plantlets in clay pots containing garden soil with chopped Cyathea roots as toppings.

Minor Forest Plants

Plantation development and management of tiger grass for softbroom and handicraft industries.

Palma (DENR-ERDS-Region 10) generated and verified technologies on nursery and plantation establishment of tiger grass. Tiger grass can be propagated either by seeds or suckers. Propagation by seeds have a comparative advantage because seedlings can be produced in the desired quantity and can stay in the seedbeds/nursery for a year without getting spoiled, while suckers survival are uncertain and limited.

Broom-making is a popular household industry in Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon especially during off-farm season. The estimated annual cost and return of 1-ha tiger grass broom production from 1991-1996 using 1m x 2 m spacing are as follows:
 
 

Items	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
No of tiger grass seedlings planted/ha   No. of surviving clumps/ha   Ave. no. of panicles realized/clump *   Total panicle yield/ha.   Total no. of brooms/ha (30 panicles per broom) Gross returns (P10/broom) **   Less: development/maintenance & operating cost Net returns	5,000 4,688 11.15 49,657 1,655 16,558 21,934 (5,384)	4,688 30.94 137,795 4,593 45,930 19,431 26,499	4,271 39.24 159,214 5,307 50,377 24,292 34,085	4,683 26.07 183,714 3,457 37,027 16,770 21,257	3,959 22.41 84,285 2,809 33,708 15,532 18,176	3,438 30.51 125,777 4,193 50,316 20,639 29,677
Net Present Value (NPV) = P71,756   Benefit cost ratio (BCR) = 1.94      * Figures based on annual percent survival per result of research study conducted   ** 10% increase in price of brooms every other year was provided.

Bamboo and Rattan

Establishment of a rattan genebank in Mt. Makiling.

Lapis, Gonzales and Santos (DENR-ERDB) established a rattan genebank to provide basic and vital information on the species diversity of Philippine rattans, update rattan ecological distribution and its current state of conservation.

Different rattan species from different Philippine regions were collected in 1983-1984. Rattan seedlings and suckers collected were raised in the nursery and were outplanted at the "living garden" of the Los Banos Experimental Station in Mt. Makiling. Collected specimens were taxonomically studied and identified.

To date, there are 261 samples of rattan in the living garden collection. These represent 41 species/varieties which belong to four Philippine genera of rattan, namely, Calamus, Daemonorops, Korthalsia and Plectocomia. These were collected from 27 sources throughout the country while one species came from Malaysia.

 
Environment

Development of a solid waste management system for Catbalogan, Samar.

Gomba, Ricafort, Labuac, and Pagliawan (Samar State Polytechnic College) assessed the existing waste collection and disposal method in 17 urban barangays of Catbalogan, Samar from January 1996 to August 1997. Quantitative and qualitative studies on waste generation are conducted with an aim to provide input for waste recovery and processing. The economic and environmental acceptability of the existing method of collection and disposal is assessed.

Findings

• Daily waste generated in Catbalogan consisted of:

• The waste generation rates were used to determine the volume of waste generation in the future are:

• Foodwaste, manure, garden trimmings, and additives are processed and converted into organic fertilizer, a shredder fabricated in SSPC is used in paper processing. Paper is processed into fuel pellets. Plastics are sold to waste exchangers, waste buyers, and junkshops.
• The collection system has 3 collection trucks each composed of a driver and 3 helpers. However, the collection schedule is not appropriate for the specific area of collection according to residents. Furthermore, the public was not informed of the schedules. It was therefore concluded that a new schedule of collection must be developed.
• Waste reduction was achieved through proper waste segregation. Biodegradable wastes were recovered and processed into organic fertilizer, soil amendment, or filling materials. Non-biodegradable wastes were recovered and bought by waste peddlers.
• There is a need for an information campaign to make the solid waste management program effective.

User first research for sustainable development and natural resource management.

The USER-FIRST research for sustainable development in the Manupali Watershed workplan was aimed at promoting community-based approaches that would provide for an efficient and ecologically sound use of natural resources to achieve a sustainable community development. Salvani, Lapoot, Ramos, Oprencio, and Mabayo (DA-NOMIARC) used two significant tools to successfully implement the workplan. These were: community organization (CO) process and process documentation. The training and education aspect of CO contributed to the realization of the CO goals by drawing critical mass of population towards increased awareness on sustainable agriculture and natural resource development.

Workplans initial accomplishments included establishment of 23 research sites and identified 119 farm household partners from 5 agro-ecological zones, 5 pundoks per agro-eco were formed. The were 6 seminars/workshops conducted. The sharing and learning experiences by the FHP and community to the adoption by neighboring residents of some technologies implemented by the FHP in the farm.

Findings

• Results of problem diagnosis of Kamiasan and Kasagbutan, FHP, identified that the establishment of leguminous hedgerows (Rensonii and Flemingia) with crop rotation and diversification was the solution to low soil fertility.
• Yield and economic analysis during the first cycle On Farm Experimentation was not as good as the second cycle. This was due to heavy rainfall which damaged the crops and also due to the inability of the partners to follow the correct methodology of the technology.
• Simple and comprehensible research designs were found to be effective especially in farmer-managed activities. Complicated and incomprehensive are deemed by many farmers irrelevant, impractical, and not related to the circumstances in the farmers’ field.
• Technology dissemination and adaptation can be enhanced through eliciting farmer participation. Attainment of this was facilitated through community based approaches like community consultation and planning problem diagnosis, problem identification, screening solutions, and testing of options-farmer system approach.

Ilog Natin Buhay Natin.

The Research Center and the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Perpetual Help-Rizal conducted 6 studies to determine the factors that contribute to the deterioration of the Zapote River in Las Pinas. Results of the study will be turned over to the local government to help in their efforts to rehabilitate the river.

The five barangays lying along the downstream of the river are Pulanlupa Uno, Zapote, Pamplona Uno, Pamplona Dos, and Talon Dos were the focus of the study.

Findings

• The demographic characteristic of the 5 barangays revealed that most of them are female between 16-30 years old, Catholics and mostly elementary graduates. They have lived in the area for 10-20 years.
• Socioeconomic analysis revealed the residents in the poverty line. The dwellings were mostly rented. They have electricity but no water. Most of the homes shared toilets.
• Garbage is dumped in the river. The major solid wastes is plastic, which come from the houses, while liquid wastes come from factories in the area.
• The major source of water supply is the deep well. Some vendors sell water in big jars.
• Most prevalent of the water-borne diseases affecting residents are hepatitis, typhoid fever, infectious diarrhea, and dermatitis. The most common health habits that contributed to disease infection are eating with bare hands, buying cooked food, and improper food storage.
• Water temperature ranges from 27ºC to 29ºC; pH is slightly alkaline ranging from 7.5 - 7.8; dissolved solids ranges from 19.15 - 35.0 mg/l.
• Physico-chemical analysis of the water revealed that nitrate is highest in Pulanlupa, a residential area. Phosphate, dissolved solids, and biological oxygen demand are highest in Pamplona Dos which is an industrial zone.
• Chemical characterization of the river revealed that ammonia is highest in Zapote with a value of 1.60 mg/l; BOD is highest in Pamplona Dos at 38 mg/l. Chemical concentrations are generally higher in the industrial zones.
• The main physical factors that affect the occurrence of the planktons were temperature of 28ºC, pH of 7.7, slightly alkaline, and strong sunlight. The three groups of phytoplanktons identified were the green algae which are Ankistrodemus, Protococcus, and Scenedesmus, the blue-green algae which consist of Nostoc, Anabaena and Microcystis and the diatoms are Gyrosigma and Navicula. Zooflagellates consist of Euglena, Stena candeus and Pleurotricha grandis have the highest population in Zapote.
• The following plant species are the most abundant along the river. These are Avicennia officinalis, Bambusa blumeana, Brugiera eripetala, Brugeria cylindrica, Nipa fructans and Sonneratia racemosa.

Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) of the Matigsalog community in the Philippines.

Serrano, Josue, et al. documented the IKSPs of the Matigsalog community with a view of preserving them and promoting their use both by the indigenous cultural communities (ICC) and other concerned sectors of the Philippine society; and to develop a national framework for establishing the norms and mechanisms for interfacing of political and legal structures including the system for intellectual property protectin with indigenous people’s traditional socio-political systems and structures.

Documented IKSPs include swiddening/upland farming, hunting and trapping, blacksmithing, home garden, traditional medicine and ethnoveterinary medicine.

In this study, 338 Matigsalogs were interviewed. Other methodologies used were field observation, participant observation, brainstorming, focused group discussion, and matrix, photo and tape documentation.

Findings

• The name Matigsalog originally meant "resident of the Salug river (Davao river) specifically along its watershed. After the tribe’s victorious rebellion against the government led by their legendary datu, Datu Gawilan in 1975, it now refers to the entire tribe distributed in Bukidnon, Cotobato and Davao.
• The Matigsalog views his world as controlled by unseen forces headed by "Manama" or God.
• They have no concept of land ownership. On the contrary, they believe that the land owns man because when man dies he is buried in the earth.
• Their customs and traditions are woven in the sustainable nature of their practice in swiddening, ethno medicine, hunting and trapping and other practices. Rituals, rules in resource utilization, simple needs, and non-cash economy seem to appear to contribute to sustainability.
• A cycle of swidden cultivation consists of 5 activities, namely: site selection, slashing, burning, planting or cropping, and fallowing. Swiddening maybe communal, individual or a combination of both. The Matigsalog do not use calendars rather they are guided by the movement of the stars. Site selection starts in January. Due respect is given to owner spirits by the tribe before the site is cleared.
• The tribe’s major crop is rice. There are 75 indigenous rice varieties in the area, however, only 35 extant varieties remain. The variety chosen by the chief cultivator is planted centermost of the site. At each of the 4 sides, varieties chosen by women are planted.
• Other crops planted are banana, cassava, corn, and sweet potato. These are used to sheild rice from wild animals foraging.
• Leaves are used for controlling weeds and pests.
• Rituals are conducted with harvesting and threshing activities.
• The Matigsalog "rests" swidden land for 2 to 3 years to allow it to recover from one planting season.
• Ways of fishing are by hook and line; bobo, sikup, eete, manalum, laya, bisig, and poisoning using wild plants.
• Hunting and trapping are regulated. Animals’ spawning and mating seasons are respected. Only male adult animals are hunted. Food sharing is practiced.
• They believe that the forest is scared and home to the spirits with whom they have to live in harmony.
• There were 18 various medicinal plants documented that need to be classified and further studied. One named plant is claimed to restore the life of a snake-bite victim when administered within 24 hours.
• In ethnoveterinary medicine, 13 medicinal plants are used to treat dogs and horses.

Morphology, distribution, and indigenous uses of spiked pepper (Piper aduncum L.)

Spiked pepper grows abundantly in Northern Leyte, Western Samar and Zamboanga. It is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree with a height 15 feet and a trunk diameter of 3 to 6 inches. Nasayao and Fabella (DENR-ERDS-Region 8) studied its potential for agroforestry.

Findings

• Morphology. Spiked pepper belongs to the Family Piperaceae. In Eastern Visayas it is known as "kurukawayan", "buyo-buyo", "muyubuyo", and "baryo-baryo".
• It is an invader species that can easily occupy a bare or grassland area with its aggressive growth. An area dominated by spiked pepper have a highly dense population of as much as 2,632 trees/ha and 7,225 wildlings/ha.
• Distribution. Spiked pepper probably originated from Central America where it is known as Higuillo. In Eastern Visayas, it grows in association with other shrubs and pioneering tree species in grasslands and abandoned clearings in a wide range of soil types and terrain.
• Local inhabitants use it for firewood, house building, fence, walling material for poultry houses and copra driers.
• The potentials of spiked pepper for agroforestation are relatively high in view of its indigenous uses and its ability to green a denuded cogonal area. It is strongly suggested, however, that further investigation be made so as to discover its full biological potential specially in the area of nitrogen fixation.

Butterfly collection: An alternative source of livelihood for IPAS and forest reserve areas.

Mt. Katinglad Natural Park is rich in natural resources which could be a source of livelihood of residents of the area. Attempts are now being made to develop utilization strategies for the sustainable use of these resources. Decipulo (DENR-ERDS-Region 10) determined the possibility of butterfly collection as a livelihood opportunity in a natural park under the Integrated Protected Area system. The inventory of butterflies was done using modified pollard transect technique. A total of 5 transects were established in the sampling site.

Findings

• A total of 22 species were identified. Family Papilionidae (8) has the highest number counted, identified and classified followed by Pieridae (5), Lycaenidae (3), Nymphalidae, and Danaidae (2). The unidentified species, were not included in the counting. The most abundant species inventoried were Parantica dannatti (206), followed by Delias apoensis (113), Delias georgina (80), Delias levicki (57), Troides magellanous (53), Dodona deodata aponata (37), and Atrophaneura semperi (36).
• Thirteen species of the larval host plants and 11 nectar host plants for the adults were identified.

Mangrove forest resources inventory of Ulugan Bay, Palawan.

Alcachupas, Dela Cruz and Deogracias (DENR-ERDS-R4b) conducted mangrove forest inventory in Ulugan Bay to find out the stand structure and species composition of remaining mangrove forests in the area. Transect method of mangrove forest assessment was used for the inventory.

Findings

• Out of 935 ha mangrove area, 735 ha is natural stand, 200 ha are planted through contract reforestation.
• About 268 ha is composed of old growth forest on the northeast and eastern shore and mixed plantation of old and young growth mangrove forest on the southern and southwest portion.
• A total of 16 mangrove species were observed. Among these species, the bakauan babae (Rhizophora mucronata) registered the highest total number of trees, volume per hectare, and relative density while Busain (Bruguiera gymorrliza) registered the highest basal area, relative frequency, relative dominance, and important value.

Nasayao and Germano (DENR-ERDS-Region 8; ViSCA; UPLB) established tree plantation trials in the marginal uplands of Leyte with the general objective of generating technologies related to increasing productivity of planted forest trees.

The overall growth performance of Australian and local species from different provenances were measured after 15 months.

Findings

• There are 11 outstanding species and provenances. These are Acacia auriculiformis (16152, 17961, 18218), A. leptocarpa (18404,18079), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (18604, 17297, 18709), L. leucocephala, P. indicus and Swietenia macrophylla. Other species/provenances which showed good potential for agroforestation are: A. mangium (18212, 17945, 16938), E. deglupta (18706, 15615), Casuarina cunninghamiana (18007, 13512, 13516), A. aulacocarpa (17628, 18358), and E. tereticornis (13418, 16349, 18603).
• The improved cultural management technologies applied are: fumigation of germination medium; fertilizer application to the potting mix; appropriate pre-germination treatments; inoculation of seedlings using Rhizobium and Mycorrhiza; application of complete fertilizer and Muriate of potash to the outplanted seedlings; application of chemicals to control pest and diseases like powdery mildew, leaf roller, stem borer and others. Weeding, brushing and replanting were done as necessary.

Bucad and Soriano (DENR-ERDS-Region 2) with the help of LGUs and private landowners established tree plantation show windows in various private lands of Region 2 to effectively propel knowledge and technology adoption by various ENR clientele-groups. In this way, the plantation can be claimed by the private individuals as their own and as a consequence, the plantation will be well maintained and protected. The project is also an avenue for eliciting community support to research and development operations.

The operators for the Saliksik Unlad Sa Barangay or Volunteer-Operator for Research (VOR) were volunteers consisting of barangay officials, landowners, and enterprising individuals. They have the resources and capabilities to shoulder input requirements for establishment of tree plantation. A MOA was signed between DENR and VORs that would ensure the VORs a certificate of tree ownership from the CENRO. Planting stocks were initially provided by DENR. The VORs underwent an on-site practicum on planting stock production and plantation establishment. They were also trained on data gathering.

There are now 21 VORs (15 in Isabela, 3 in Cagayan, 2 in Nueva Viscaya, and 1 in Quirino) who established their own yemane plantation. These VORs represent different sectors of society: barangay officials, farmers, businessmen, retirees and government employees who want to transform their landholdings into productive tree plantations.

Findings

• The plantations of the VORs exhibited good performance in terms of growth and survival.
• Yemane plantations with spacing of 2 m x 3 m require an initial capital of P14, 929.
• If the Saliksik-Unlad method is followed, in Year 6 a projected volume of 68,000 bd. ft. would be harvested from 1,000 trees at P14.00/bd. ft resulting to a net income of P904,876.00.
• The successful implementation of the project is attributed to the involvement of people in project planning and execution.
• Endemic practices by farmers must be blended with updated technologies in coming up with more beneficial technology.

Determination of the extent of bark beetle infestation on natural apitong trees at CSDC, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

Bark beetle infestation of apitong has been increasing these past three years. The first reported case was in Ambuklao Dam. Last year bark beetle have infested PICOP and PTFI plantations. Recently, the Casilayan Softwood Development Corporation (CSDC) residual apitong stand was also infested by bark beetle. These apitong are inside a gubas plantation. Cacanindin, Melana, and Fernandez (DENR-ERDS-Region 10) determined the extent of the infestation and the condition of the trees at CSDC. Their aim was to help DENR come up with measures to control the further spread of the bark beetle infestation, thereby protecting the remaining healthy apitong trees. A 100% inventory (1,647 trees) of apitong was conducted and their diameter at breast height (dbh) was measured. The trees were categorized into : a) dead; b) infected but living; and c) healthy.

Findings

• About 59% of the trees are dead. These are trees with dbh of 50 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm.
• Thirty-six percent (36%) of the trees are healthy. Most of these trees have dbh of 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm.
• Infected but living trees comprise 5% of the total population of trees inventoried.
• The trees being attacked are the residual apitong stand and the future harvestable timber.
• Population count of the bark beetles is measured at the base, middle and top segments of the trunk. The base portion of the tree is the most populated, followed by the middle and top portions. This indicates that the harvestable segment of the bole is the one destroyed.
• There is an eminent danger of the planted species and other species in the natural stand to be attacked by the bark beetle if the apitong are depleted and also if no effective control measures are applied.
• The downstream economic effect may be negatively experienced by the consumers of the wood products.
• The study recommends that apitong and other dipterocarp species be studied deeply specifically on the aspect of resistance to infestation including possible preventive and control measures through an effective and efficient pest management program.

Biology of Uraniid moth (Nyctalemon sp.) infesting Gubas stand (Endospermum peltatum) of CSDC, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

Cacanindin, Melana, and Fernandez (DENR-ERDS-Region 10) studied the black (Nyctalemon sp.) moth which infested the CSDC Gubas plantation from March to July 1996 in which the whole plantation was defoliated. The life cycle or biology of the black moth will be studied to prevent infestation in the future and to recommend control measures especially during heavy infestation.

Findings

• The life cycle of the black moth ranges from 60 to 68 days from incubation period to adult emergence to death.

• It was observed that each female has an egg laying capacity of 100-300 eggs and 15-25 eggs per mass per laying. These eggs were laid on the lower epidermis of gubas leaves.
• The eggs are laid en masse, light green in color and spherical in shape. It has a size range of 1.20 mm to 1.40 mm or an average diameter of 1.28 mm. Five days after laying, the egg appeared crystalline white with golden stripes on its shell.
• The larva pupates on the leaves of ground plants by folding and spinning together the leaves with silkthread.
• The larva is Eureciform type that is cylindrical with reduced antennae. The head is brown with biting mouthparts. It has 5 pairs of prolegs on the abdomen and three pairs of thoracic legs. The larva is also black or yellowish-green in color with an average body length of 57.7 mm, and an average body width of 12.0 mm.
• The pupa is obtect type, dark-brown in color. It has an average body length of 34.18 mm and an average body width of 11.68 mm. But unlike other pupa, it is not totally enclosed in the cocoon.
• The newly emerged larva feed on the succulent portion of the blade part of the leaves of gubas then to the marginal portion 2 days after emergence. Each larva consumed only a portion of a leaf per day and searched for another leaf the next day.
• The adult is nocturnal in nature. It is expected that mating and oviposition usually takes place during nighttime within the plantation or within the natural stand.
• The adult is brown to dark brown in color regardless of sex. It has a white-tipped hindwings and a single white band forming a V-shape when the wings are folded. The antenna is filiform type with an average length of 25.2 mm and segments ranging from 95-100. The size of the female’s abdomen is bigger than the male’s and more oblong. Males have an average body length of 34.0 mm and a body width of 8.0 mm while females have an average body length of 38.0 mm and a body width of 11.0 mm. The wingspan of a female is much wider than a male. Males have an average wingspan of 128.0 mm while the females have an average of 156.0 mm wingspan.
• The adult moth with siphoning mouthparts prefer to ingest liquid substances like water and sugar solution.

Tomambo, Alli, Mamaril and Catedral (WVSU) conducted field planting of potted balete cuttings, water sprouts and marcots to determine which propagating method is best suited for Iloilo conditions. Planting holes of 25 cm² were made at a distance of 5 m x 5 m. Strip brushing and ring weeding were done as needed. Fertilizer was applied every 4 months at the rate of 5 grams per planting using T-14. The survival rate of Balete planting in the watershed area of WVSU was determined one year after planting.

Findings

• Of the three propagules, marcots performed best in terms of field survival.
• All or 100% of the marcots survived.
• About 65% of the stem cuttings survived.
• Only 50% of the watersprouts survived.

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