THE Cordilleras is the foremost producer of major agricultural crops in the entire country (PSA-CAR).
The region’s ideal environment makes semi-temperate vegetable, root crop, fruit and ornamental planting materials thrive. This, however, does not free the crops, planting materials and soil from degenerative diseases caused by viruses and fungi. This may be attributed to farmers’ exchange and use of infected materials, and crop management. This is aside from the lack of indexing and/ certification of planting materials and climate change.
A study conducted by several researchers of Benguet State University identified and assessed the incidence and severity of diseases in the six provinces of Cordillera that necessitates the use of quarantine. The provinces involved are Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.
An estimated total farm land area of 33.5 ha was surveyed by the researchers, 12.1 ha in the thirteen municipalities of Benguet, 6.6 ha in Apayao, 3.67 ha of Mountain Province, 2.3 ha in Ifugao, 8.10 ha in Abra and 0.58 ha in Kalinga.
Their study found that Tomato Mosaic Virus (TMV) is prevalent in a one-hectare- tomato farm in Bokod, Benguet while Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) had the highest occurrence at Sablan, seconded by Conner, Apayao then Balbalan, Kalinga, and Aguinaldo, Ifugao. Of the 0.20 ha surveyed, 40 percent was infected with BBTV in Sablan and of the 0.25 ha surveyed area in Conner, 30 percent was infected with the same virus. 20 percent of 0.03 surveyed in Balbalan and 1.5 ha in Aguilnaldo were BBTV infected.
Moreover, 80 percent sof the 0.20 ha surveyed planted with Chinese cabbage plants in Buguias, Benguet is infected with Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus. In the survey conducted in Mountain Province, of 0.25 ha land area, 15 percent incidence of Potato Aucuba Mosaic Virus (PAMV) in potatoes was found, whereas, 12 percent of Tublay, Benguet’s coffee nurseries were infested with yellowing, little leaf and mosaic symptoms.
In addition, bacterial diseases were also noted in La Trinidad, Atok and Alno, Benguet. Mushroom bacterial blotch caused by Pseudomonas sp., bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum Race 1 on seed potatoes, and rose crown gall caused by Agrobacterium sp. on white roses were the eminent bacterial diseases.
Furthermore, the study documented several fungal diseases. These diseases were yam anthractnose, chrysanthemum white rust, anthurium leaf spot, strawberry leaf spot and berry rot, coffee leaf spot and Fusarium wilt in banana. Potato late blight and taro leaf blight were also identified in the study, caused by fungal-like organisms.
This information was lifted from the Benguet State University Research Journal, July- December 2015, Vol. 74. The study was entitled” Quarantine and other Important Diseases Affecting Economic Crops in the Cordillera”, conducted by Janet Luis, Ph.D., Jocelyn Perez, Grace Backian, Jennie Bawayan, Cynthia Kiswa and Clarence Codod. - BSU-REPO, A. Tostos
Broiler is the primary ingredient in making the Cordilleras common viand "Pinikpikan." The food that is surely served on every household’s table in the region. Loved for its enticing soup and stringy meat. While black pepper is a condiment that best compliments poultry and other meat cookery. However, did the thought of it being a feed additive for broilers imaginable?
A study conducted at Benguet State University showed that ground black peppers is in fact economically beneficial feed additive of broiler commercial feeds. Fifteen grams of ground black pepper added to a kilogram of a commercial feed. The ration above was proven to be effective in reducing the feed intake of the broilers without affecting the weight gain of the broilers. Additionally, the study found that the ration improves the feed efficiency of broilers,
This according to Shverdi, et.al (2013) and El Tazi et.al (2014) is because herbs and spices incorporated in poultry and agricultural livestock could enhance productive performance as its addition improves flavor and palatability. The claim corroborated with the statement of Acker (1983) which says that herbs like black pepper improves digestibility. Small amounts added to feed additives according to him are catalysts in the digestion and nutrient-metabolism.