Technology on cheaper aster production developed

MANILA, Philippines - Flower growers can now considerably minimize their electric expenses when producing aster, the popular filler in bouquets and other flower arrangements.

How? Use gibborellic acid (GA) as growth inducer for aster, also commonly known as baby’s breath.

Research has shown that aster is a “long-day plant,” needing more sunlight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., reported Sandra Alena Ilao of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

Now comes a study done by Dr. Leonido Naranja and Maria Charito Balladares, horticulture professor and research associate, respectively, of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), showing that GA can induce fast growth of aster without it being exposed to long sunlight.

For the successful scientific study, Dr. Naranja and Balladares won the F.Q. Tesoro Technology Transfer award conferred by PCARRD, a sectoral council of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The research project was funded by the Los Baños municipal government headed by Mayor Caesar Perez. Los Baños is the country’s top producer of aster, turning out about 800 metric tons of baby’s breath annually.

“With the use of GA, aster growers and producers in Los Baños no longer have to spend a large sum on electricity,” the UPLB researchers said.

Normally, a system of aster production that includes supplementary lighting entails expenses of P30,300 in the first planting season alone. These expenses include cost of electrical consumption, materials, and labor.

With the use of gibborellic acid, aster producers spend only P7,500.

Dr. Naranja and Balladares reckoned: By using GA, aster producers can earn P46,180 in each planting season. In contrast, farmers who use supplementary lighting earn P9,500 during the first planting season and P29,500 in succeeding seasons.

They further averred: “GA is easy to use and is environment-friendly. Farmers no longer have the worry about installing electric wires and working with hot bulbs. Since use of GA does not require electricity, it also contributes the energy conservation. Also, no fuel is burned when GA is used in the production of aster.

Los Baños farmers initially were reluctant to use GA as flower inducer. Now, all aster growers in the town use gibborellic acid in producing baby’s breath.

Dr. Naranja and Balladares are also encouraging aster growers in other regions to adopt the technology.

Along this line, they have been presenting the technology in science forum and garden shows, among other venues. – Rudy A. Fernandez