Comparative Biology of Coconut Leaf Beetle (Clb) Brontispa longissimi (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Selected Coconut Varieties

Comparative biology and development study of B. longissima Gestro was conducted using different coconut varieties namely: Baybay tall (BAYT) green, Baybay tall (BAYT) brown, Malayan Red dwarf (MRD), Malayan Yellow dwarf (MYD), Albuera dwarf (ALD), and Tacunan dwarf (TACD) varieties was investigated in the laboratory. The duration of the developmental period of B. longissimi was influenced by the different coconut varieties used as host plant. Duration from egg laying to hatching of eggs of B. longissima on tall varieties ranged from 3 to 5 days, while on dwarf varieties it took 4 to 5 days. In all varieties, Brontispa beetles underwent 5–6 instars. In addition, it was observed that the fifth and sixth instars took a longer time period compared to other instars. The total mean developmental period of Brontispa on BAYT (green and brown) was shorter in days compared to all dwarf varieties except to ALD. The results generally showed that BAYT (green and brown) seemed to be a preferred variety. There was considerably higher larvae mortality in dwarf variety like MRD (40%) than those reared in the BAYT green and brown (22.21%, 19.12%), respectively. Beetles reared on BAYT (brown) also had the highest fecundity which was statistically different from the rest of the varieties. In addition, results showed that adults reared in both BAYT (green and brown) had the highest longevity observed compared to other varieties

Species Listing of Macrofungi Found in Paracelis Mountain Province, Philippines

Mushrooms are an important natural source of food and medicine. In the Philippines, only a few studies have been conducted on the diversity of mushrooms especially in the mountainous areas. The present study was conducted to document the species of macrofungi found in Paracelis, Mountain Province. The knowledge gained from this study can reveal their importance to the community. A total of 37 macrofungi belonging to 16 families, 26 genera, and 29 species were collected and identified. Twenty nine of the collected macrofungi were identified up to its species level and eight were only identified at its genus level. The collected samples were subjected to morphological identification based on its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The identified macrofungi were: Auricularia auricula-judae, Conocybe arrhenii, Coprinellus disseminatus, Coprinus sp., Crepidotus mollis, Daldinia concentrica, Earliella scabrosa, Favolus acervatus, Fomes fomentarium, Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma fornicatum, Ganoderma lucidum, Hygrocybe sp., Irpex lacteus, Lentinus strigosus, Lenzites elegans, Lepiota lilacea, Lepiota sp., Marasmiellus ramealis, Microporus xanthopus, Mycena sp., Panellus mitis, Paneolus cyanescens, Parasola plicalitis, Psathyrella candolleana, Psathyrella sp., Russula sp. Schizophyllum commune, Trametes elegans, Trametes gibbosa, Trametes hirsuta, Trametes versicolor, Trametes sp. 1, Trametes sp. 2, and Xylaria papulis. Out of these macrofungi, four species were identified as edible, viz: Auricularia auricula, Lentinus strigosus, Coprinus disseminatu, and Schizophyllum commune.

Application of Artificial Insemination (AI) as a Breeding Method for Dairy Goat Herd Build-Up in Region 3, Philippines

One of the constraints in the development of dairy industry in the country is the limited number of dairy animals of which only 14% are goats providing only 1% of the total volume of local milk production. Meanwhile, increasing dairy goat population is hindered by the lack or the high price of dairy breeder animals that can be used in improving our local stocks. To spur the population of goats with genetic potential for dairying among goat farms in Region 3, Philippines, artificial insemination (AI) was applied in this project. Within the implementation period, a total of 50 participants were trained on AI in goats. They served as AI service providers in their respective and nearby municipalities. Meanwhile, a total of 4 seminars on goat raising was conducted at the different municipalities to promote the use of AI in goat breeding and upgrading which were participated by a total of 166 goat raisers. A total of 346 inseminations were reported by the trained technicians. Based on the total number of inseminations monitored, the observed conception rate was 60.29% ranging from 37.50% in Bulacan to 100% in Zambales. Of the total number of kiddings recorded, the percent of singletons, twins, and triplets observed were 46.38%, 44.93%, and 8.69%, respectively, giving an average kidding size of 1.17. A total of 106 kids were born with 61.32% (65 kids) males and 38.68% (41 kids) females with an overall male to female ratio of 1.59:1. Majority (73.58%) of the total kids born were of upgraded Anglo-Nubian bloodline. Meanwhile, of the five commercial farms visited, the Soliman Goat Farm in Tarlac was selected as the location for the establishment of the farm-based goat semen processing laboratory. Moreover, the owner and the farm staff involved in operating the laboratory had already undergone training on semen collection, processing, and evaluation.

Gross Anatomy of the Heart of Mature Philippine Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.)

The gross morphology of the heart of mature Philippine water buffalo was described by determining the weight, length, width and circumference; measured the average external circumference of the pulmonary veins and artery, cranial and caudal vena cava and the aorta; determined the presence and location of ligamentum arteriosum; measured the thickness of the atrial and ventricular wall; described the components of the left and right atrioventricular valves, pulmonary valves and the aortic valves; determined the location and measured the length of trabeculae septomarginalis and determined the location of the os cordis. Hearts of ten mature Philippine water buffalo of both sexes were collected from abattoirs of Cabanatuan City. The absolute and relative weights of the heart were measured using digital weighing scale. Different dimensions like circumferences, length, and width of the heart; the external circumferences of major blood vessels; and the thickness of the wall of heart were determined using measuring tape and Vernier caliper. The number of cusps present in the left and right atrioventricular, pulmonary, and aortic valves was counted and the presence of ligamentum arteriosum was documented. Radiograph was used to determine the presence and location of os cordis. All of the hearts studied were pointed and bilaterally flattened. The base of the heart is markedly surrounded with fatty tissues. The mean absolute weight is 2.42 kg. The heart has a mean dimension of 21.71 cm x 17.49 cm. The mean circumference at the level of the coronary groove, middle and apex were 48.41 cm, 44.10 cm and 20.57 cm, respectively. An average of four pulmonary veins was documented to be present. The right ventricle has a constant three papillary muscles and three cusps while the left ventricle has a constant two papillary muscles and two cusps. The number of cusps of both pulmonary valve and aortic valve was three. Ligamentum arteriosum was present in all samples and it is located between the pulmonary trunk and aorta. The os cordis which is located at the aortic fibrous ring is present in all heart of Philippine water buffalo examined.

Effect of Light-Emitting Diodes on the Mycelial Biomass Production and Antioxidant Activity of Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst.

Light is an important factor for the growth of many forms of life, including mushrooms. This paper highlights the effects of the different wavelengths (red, 650 nm; blue, 450 nm; green, 525 nm) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the growth, biomass production and antioxidant properties of Ganoderma lucidum. G. lucidum is a white-rot, wood-degrading fungus in the Basiodiomycota that typically grows on logs. Mycelia were grown on coconut water agar (CWA) solid media for analysis of mycelial colony diameter as well as coconut water (CW) submerged culture for analysis of mycelial biomass weight. Both set-ups were incubated in variously-colored LED chambers. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of the harvested mycelia were also determined. After three days of incubation, G. lucidum mycelia under red LED recorded the highest mean mycelial colony diameter of 72.50 mm. In terms of mycelia biomass production, G. lucidum mycelia exposed in red LED and dark produced the heaviest weight. On the other hand, mycelia grown under green LED had the highest radical scavenging activity of 66.49% while those harvested from red LED showed the highest total phenolic content of 81.29 mg GAE / g of sample. Our results demonstrate that LED color influences the mycelial growth, biomass production and antioxidant activities of G. lucidum.

Increasing Quality Transplants through the Use of Microbial and Soil Amendments against Damping-Off Disease in Onion

The study was undertaken to identify best microbial and soil amendment in seedbeds that yielded quality transplants and to determine the effect of microbial and soil amendments in the seedling production.The following treatments were evaluated: T1 - Bacillus subtilis at 25 g; T2 - Trichoderma spp. (Asperellum and longibrachiatum) at 25 g; T3 – Vermicompost at 1.0 kg; T4 - Composted goat manure at 1.0 kg; T5 - Mancozeb M-45 at 10 g and T6 – Untreated (no application). The trial was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Observations were done at 10 DAS for % seed germination, 16 DAS and 25 DAS for % damping off, % seedling survival at 30 DAS, seedling height, root length and fresh weight of seedlings at pulling stage (35 DAS). The result of the study showed Red Pinoy onion variety has the lowest percentage of dumping off disease from the application of Vermicompost at 16 DAS and 25 DAS. Highest percent seed germination at 10 DAS, highest percent seedling survival at 30 DAS, tallest seedlings and heaviest weight of seedlings were produced by the application of composted goat manure. For Yellow Granex onion variety, Trichoderma spp. obtained lower percentage of dumping off at 25 DAS statistically similar to the effect of standard control Mancozeb M-45. Composted goat manure produced highest percent seed germination and Vermicompost obtained higher percent seedling survival comparable to the standard control Mancozeb M-45. Results obtained showed a significant (P=0.05) effect on the treatments on the different characters measured. Based on result, application of all treatments have shown fungal activity that promoted better growth and quality of onion seedlings for transplant.

Soil-litter Collembolan Diversity in an Arabica Coffee-Benguet Pine-Based Agroforestry System

The study aimed to determine the effect of Arabica coffee- Benguet pine based agroforestry system on soil-litter collembolan diversity. Under this agroforestry system, two coffee production systems were identified in this study, the Agroforestry Coffee System (ACS) and Lone Coffee System (LCS). ACS have coffee plants growing under Benguet pine trees while LCS have coffee plants that are not under any shade trees. Shannon diversity index (H’), Margalef’s richness index (Dmg), Soil temperature (ST), and Soil Moisture Content (SMC) data were gathered and subjected to linear regression with correlation analysis, and student T-test. The result of this study revealed a higher species richness of collembola under ACS (Dmg =3.52±0.47) than LCS (Dmg = 1.75±0.36). Similarly, ACS has higher diversity index (H’ = 1.68±0.66) than LCS (H’ = 0.90±0.49). ACS ST and SMC was 18.60±0.21℃ and 68.34±12.22% while LCS was 21.24±1.31℃ and 55.38±5.52%. ST had significant negative association with diversity and SMC had positive association with diversity. However, only Dmg had significant correlation with SMC. In regression analysis, 18.7% of the total variation in H’ was explained by ST. While for Dmg, 56.6% and 21.7% of its total variations were explained by ST and SMC, respectively. These results showed that ACS can conserve collembolan diversity because it creates a microclimatic condition favorable for the collembolans. This finding could serve as basis for endeavors to promote and develop agroforestry systems.

Effect of Color Light Emitting Diode on the Mycelial Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Ganoderma lucidum in Solid and Submerged Culture

Light is an important factor for the growth of many forms of life, including mushrooms. This paper highlights the effects of the different wavelengths (red, 650 nm; blue, 450 nm; green, 525 nm) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the growth, biomass production and antioxidant properties of Ganoderma lucidum. G. lucidum is a white-rot, wood-degrading fungus in the Basiodiomycota that typically grows on logs. Mycelia were grown on coconut water agar (CWA) solid media for analysis of mycelial colony diameter as well as coconut water (CW) submerged culture for analysis of mycelial biomass weight. Both set-ups were incubated in variously-colored LED chambers. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of the harvested mycelia were also determined. After three days of incubation, G. lucidum mycelia under red LED recorded the highest mean mycelial colony diameter of 72.50 mm. In terms of mycelia biomass production, G. lucidum mycelia exposed in red LED and dark produced the heaviest weight. On the other hand, mycelia grown under green LED had the highest radical scavenging activity of 66.49% while those harvested from red LED showed the highest total phenolic content of 81.29 mg GAE / g of sample. Our results demonstrate that LED color influences the mycelial growth, biomass production and antioxidant activities of G. lucidum.

Gelatin from Milkfish Scales for Food Application

The amount of gelatin used worldwide in the food industry is increasing annually. Recovery of valuable components from fish processing-by products could help solve problems on tons of wastes produced each year and address religious beliefs like Islam and Judaism as well as the fear of mad cow disease. In this study, gelatin was extracted from milkfish scales for food application. The physical properties (yield, strength, color, clarity and pH) of extracted gelatin were studied and compared with commercially-available bovine gelatin. Marshmallows were developed from these gelatin sources. Sensory evaluation was done to determine the appropriateness of the level of a specific attribute and the consumer’s preference using the nine-point hedonic and just about right (JAR) scales. The extracted fish gelatin was comparable to bovine gelatin in terms of strength but they differ in terms of color, clarity and pH. The fish gelatin had a yield of 8.7%, high bloom value of 505g, white appearance and an acidic pH (5.25). The marshmallow developed from fish gelatin is comparable to bovine gelatin in all attributes (color, aroma, texture, taste, sweetness and aftertaste) except for sweetness. Overall, the gelatin extracted from milkfish scales can be used as an alternative to bovine gelatin for food application such as in marshmallow production.