A RESEARCH team from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) 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 a plant food supplement (PFS) using radiation technology.

The Japanese government recognized the project for its great potential in helping spur the development of Philippine agriculture and attaining food security. It is also eyed to help mitigate the effects of El Niño and climate change that ravage farmlands in the countryside.

The research team is led by career scientist Dr. Lucille Abad who heads DOST-PNRI’s chemistry research section. 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. (PR)