‘Farmer-friendly’ rat found in rice terraces 

Believe it or not: There’s a rat species that does not eat rice (palay).

On the contrary, it feasts on giant earthworms, and is regarded as friend of farmers tilling the world-famous rice terraces in the Cordilleras.

The rodent has been identified as Luzon Montane striped shrew rat, which belongs to the Order Rodentis, Family Muridae, and genus Chrometys.

At maturity, the species weighs 200 grams and has a body length of seven inches. Its tail is 12 centimeters long.

Its fur is brown, with dark brown dorsal bands from head to anus.

That the Luzon Montane striped shrew rat does not attack rice plants has been documented in a study done by researchers of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), the Banaue and Hungduan (Ifugao) local government units, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia.

The researchers are E. Gergon, R. Goshi, B.M. Catundan, N.V. Desumero, A. R. Martin, L.S. Sebastian, all of PhilRice; A.C. Cabigat of Banaue LGU; A.B. Cayong of Hungduan LGU; and E. Aplin and G. Singleton, both of CSIRO.

The research is trying to initiate solutions to rate infestation and the farms’ disintegration caused by giant earthworms.

The rat pest species collected from terraced fields in Banaue and Hungduan were identified as Rattus rattus complex while those trapped in residential houses were Mus susculus complex.

The Chremotys species was classified as non-pest as it fed only on giant earthworms. Those trapped were released to preserve them.

For the past few years, giant earthworms have been contributing to the destruction of the rice terraces.

The annelids, many of which are as long as 20 inches with a diameter of a man’s index finger, tear down the earthen supports of the rice terraces by slithering through the paddies walls. When submerged in water, the terraces collapse.

‘Kamlong’ Getting The Nod Of Vegetable Growers

A unique vegetable fruit plant is now turning into a "spectacle" in the agriculture sector. And a potential money-maker, too.

It is fondly called "kamlong" simply because it is "kamatis" (tomato) grafted on "talong" (eggplant) rootstock.

The result of the "union" is off-season tomato that can thrive during the wet season under rainshelter.

The grafting technology was developed by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, in collaboration with the Taiwan-based Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC).

The research – "Enhancing Off-Season Tomato Production Through Grafted Tomato Technology" – was conducted by CLSU researchers Clarita Aganon, Lun Mateo, Teotino Aganon, Dennis Cacho, Rolando Pagaduan, Eduardo Marsan Jr., Aurea Roxas, and Anacleto Bala Jr.

It studied the feasibility of growing grafted tomato during hot-wet months in the lowlands under rainshelter and in open field and evaluated different rootstocks and scions as they affected growth and yield of grafted tomato.

Although demand for tomato is year-round, production is concentrated during the cool months (October to early February), resulting in market glut from January to May and meager supply during the rainy months (June-December).

Thus, the scientific endeavor to produce off-season tomato.

‘Doc Pat-ET’: Symbol Of Better Future For Rp Dairy Industry

Remember "Doc Pat-ET" featured in this corner not long ago?

It is the first F1 (first generation) calf produced in the country through embryo transfer (ET) technology. The calf, which is 50 percent Holstein Friesian and half Saniwal, turned one-year-old last Oct. 29 at an impressive weight of 330 kilograms.

The calf has been named Doc Pat-ET after Dr. Patricio S. Paylon, PCARRD executive director, himself a noted animal scientist. ET entails the transfer of fertilized egg (embryo) from one cow to a recipient (surrogate) cow to complete its gestation.

Doc Pat-ET and the other 16 ET dairy calves are among the outputs of the ongoing PCARRD-funded project "Production of High Quality Philippine Dairy-type Animals Through the Use of Reproductive Biotechniques".

Implementing the project is UP Los Baños-Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI) headed by Dr. Virginia Barraquio. The project team is composed of Dr. Antonio Rayos (leader), Dr. Jose Arceo Bautista, Dr. Demetrio Marcial Sr.; Conrado Oroiro, and Antonio Oliva (members).

"This early, Doc Pat-ET already shows signs of genetic superiority relative to its counterparts," attested Dr. Elaine F. Lanting, assistant director of PCARRD’s Livestock Research Division. Both its birth (39 kg) and yearling (330 kg) weights are heavier than those produced by DTRI through artificial insemination which usually weigh 30 kg and 250 kg, respectively.