Field Trials Of 'Mutant' Corn: GenSan execs asked to reconsiderban

Agroseed Phils., which is currently conducting field trials in Lagao, General Santos City together with the UP Institute for Plant Breeding to test the adaptability of a genetically engineered corn variety, said they will still try to convince the local government to reconsider its decision banning the experiment.

"It will be a waste since this early, we can already see that the field tests are successful and Bt corn can help local farmers, who are now suffering from the devastating effects of the Asian corn borer," Agroseed's Dr. Manny Logronio told The STAR.

The field tests were approved by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP).

Logronio said field reports from South Cotabato revealed that corn farmers are currently suffering from 30 to 80 percent yield reduction caused by the corn borer.

Agroseed put Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis into the local corn hybrid to create resistance against the Asian corn borer.

But aside from the corn borer, Bt corn was also registering resistance against earworm and cutworm, especially during the vegetative stage, based on initial observation from the field trials being conducted by Agroseed in a 500-square-meter plot in General Santos City.

While corn fields in surrounding areas were suffering from the destruction caused by the corn borer, the corn plants in the Agroseed trial site were erect and free from any damage.

The corn plants were planted last Dec. 15 and were supposed to be scheduled for harvest after 105 days, or March 29.

But last Feb. 22, the local council issued a cease-and-desist order, preventing Agroseed from further conducting field trials. The order was supposed to take effect 10 days upon issuance of the order.

Logronio said they are still trying to set a meeting with General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino to convince him to reconsider, and not to enforce the council's resolution.