The Japanese government recognized the project for its great potential in helping spur the development of Philippine agriculture and attaining food security.
A research team from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) recently bagged the 2017 Excellent Research Team of the Year Award by the Japan-based Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA).
The team was awarded for developing the Plant Food Supplement (PFS) through the successful use of radiation technology.
The Japanese government recognized the project for its great potential in helping spur the development of Philippine agriculture and attaining food security.
With just 3.2 liters per hectare of water mixed with the right proportion of the PFS, the formulation was proven effective in increasing the yield of rice, mungbean and other crops by over 20 percent.
Field tests also showed that rice applied with PFS had improved resistance against tungro bacilliform virus and bacterial leaf blight. Further, fields sprayed with PFS had higher survival rate after a violent storm compared with nearby fields that had no PFS.
PFS is developed from natural polymers, such as carrageenan, a common industrial ingredient extracted from seaweeds. Irradiation degrades polymers to form natural bioactive agents that can improve the health and increase the growth and yield of various crops.
