DA researchers trained to save trees from virus

Two researchers from the Department of Agriculture recently completed a two-week training in India on effective management of a new threat to the country's rubber industry -a viral disease that affects rubber trees.

According to the recent release sent to The Freeman by the Bureau of Agricultural Research, two DA staff, Chito Leoncito de la Cruz, agricultural center chief III of Regional Field Unit 12 and Siya Belongan, research center manager of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, are now ready to share inputs from the said training.

Only 10 participants, mostly from rubber producing countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, were allowed to take the said training in India.

The training focused on Corynespora leaf fall disease of the rubber tree, which has become a threat to natural rubber production in most rubber producing areas.

In other countries, BAR reported that it had caused a significant crop loss.

The conduct of international training for research and extension officers specifically those involved in crop protection strategies in research and rubber management diseases forms part of the project "Improving management strategy in combating rubber leaf fall disease funded by Common Fund Commodities.

It included classroom, laboratory and fieldwork covering topics on morphology, physiology, survival and variability of the pathogen, host pathogen inter relationship including enzymes and proteins in host resistance, toxin and it's use in disease screening, disease weather relationship, control measure and sustainable crop protection methods.

There was also hands on training given in the field on symptoms, spore monitoring, spraying, dusting and integrated disease control.

The representatives are now finalizing a program for implementation in the country.

Here in the Philippines, rubber industry is booming in the Mindanao regions.

The said industry is one of the highest income generating in the agricultural sector. -Ferliza C. Contratista