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From the Ashes of a Pandemic: Leveraging Omics for R&D
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic caught the world unprepared for a global catastrophe. With the uncertainty of a vaccine in the near future, the pandemic marks the start of a new world that has to co-exist with the virus. COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to the lingering but neglected issues on environmental health and global food security but is also a timely opportunity to rise from the ashes, reboot our framework, and act with resolve for sustainable and resilient ecosystems and communities. The emerging tools and disciplines in the field of omics can be leveraged for a systems-level understanding of biological processes to accelerate advancements on knowledge, innovations, and policies towards a more sustainable utilization and management of resources in this post-pandemic age. In developing regions, omics research centers can serve as a gateway to this technology by providing access, building capacities, and facilitating collaborative and harmonized research engagements
Characterization of Genes Involved in the Autoregulation of Nodulation in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Get PDFEstablishment of an excess number of nodules markedly affects plant growth and development due to overconsumption of photosynthates for nitrogen fixation. Hence, the total root nodule number must be tightly controlled via a negative feedback mechanism (AON) to maintain an optimal nitrogen and carbon balance in chickpea plants. Chickpea genes whichplay important regulatory roles in root nodulation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were identified by aligning these genes with known genes of legumes available at phytozome through BLAST search. Chickpea nodulation genes identified and characterized in this study include CaNFR1/5, CaENOD40, CaNARK, CaRIC1, CaRIC2, CaNIC1, CaRDN1, CaRDN2, CaRDN3, CamiRNA172 and CaNNC1. These genes were orthologous to Medicago truncatula nodulation genes and were significantly expressed by inoculating chickpea plants with Mesorhizobium ciceri analysed by qRT-PCR using RNA isolated from the root and leaf tissues of inoculated chickpea plants at 0, 2, and 6 days after inoculation. Non-inoculated plants served as control. CaNARK genes were expressed in roots and leaves while the rest of the nodulation genes were expressed only in the roots. The nodulation ability of chickpea may be controlled by an internal AON mechanism which involves several genes that are orthologues with other legumes
Effect of Commercial Plant Growth Regulator on the Growth of Dragon Fruit (Hyolocereus sp) Cuttings Under Greenhouse Condition
Get PDFInformation is limited on the effects of commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) on dragon fruit. Most studies on rooting effects on dragon fruit cuttings employed very high doses of plant growth regulators (PGRs), which are not deemed practical for greenhouse and field applications. This study was initiated to evaluate the responses of four genotypes of dragon fruit (‘Royal Red’, ‘Moroccan Red’, ‘Mexican White’, and ‘Hawaiian White’) during greenhouse acclimatization to diluted concentrations of commercial PGRs that are readily available in the market. A single factorial experiment on genotype effects on root and shoot responses, without PGR, was conducted. A second experiment with a 4x3x2 completely randomized design, with four genotypes, three diluted commercial PGR formulations and two exposure times as factors was also done. Root length, number of roots, number of days to first shoot emergence and number of new shoots were measured after 50 days of acclimatization in the greenhouse. In the single factorial experiment, only ‘genotype’ had an effect on number of new shoots (P<0.05). In the multifactorial experiment, all factors tested did not have significant interaction effects. However, the main effect of ‘genotype’ on number of new shoots and number of days to first shoot emergence was also significant (P<0.05). The lack of significant effect of other factors and their interactions on most growth responses suggest that it is difficult to resolve differences among the four genotypes using highly diluted commercial PGR formulations after a 50-day observation period. However, our data still suggest that the ‘Red’ genotypes are more superior than the ‘White’ genotypes in terms of shoot growth
GIS-Modeling of Island Hopping Through the Philippines Demonstrates Trade-Offs Migrant Grey-Faced Buzzards During Oceanic Crossings
Get PDFMigration can be costly with consequences that can influence population trajectories. These costs and consequences are especially heightened during over-water travels, which can be high-risk events for birds. We created spatial models to evaluate potential migratory responses of “oceanic”, island-hopping grey-faced buzzards that encounter variation in landscape parameters and weather as they move through and out of the Philippine archipelago. We constrained the modeled routes to enter the island chain at Basco and to use one of four potential exit points in the south of the country, either Balabac, Bongao, Balut Island, or Cape San Agustin. We used all possible combinations of our three external parameters (stopover sites, water crossings and wind direction) to model alternative migratory routes for each of the four exit points (n = 20 migratory routes). Modeled grey-faced buzzard routes were between 1,582 and 2,970 km. Routes overlapped over eastern and central Luzon, along a leading line created by the Sierra Madre Mountains. Routes also overlapped and suggested unavoidable over-water crossings between Mindoro and Palawan, Negros and Zamboanga del Norte, and Leyte and Surigao. Our models suggest that the optimal migratory strategy for these birds is to find the shortest route to an exit point with the greatest possible access to stopover habitats and fewest open-water crossings under wind resistance. Understanding how each of these external factors affected the geography and characteristics of the migratory routes helps us to understand the context for different migratory strategies of birds that face dangerous open-water crossings on migration
Lawel e dad tô de lagad: An Ethnography of the Collective Wisdom of the Blaans on Disaster Management and Environmental Conservation
Get PDFThe Blaan communities in the hinterlands of Sarangani are continually exposed to different forms andtypes of environmental hazards. These hazards are brought about by disasters such as droughts, landslide, soilerosion, flooding and infestation of rats and swarm of locusts on agricultural crops. This paper seeks to providea thick and rich description of the indigenous knowledge of the Blaans on disaster management and environmentalconservation. It discusses and analyzes various environmental hazards identified and experiencedby the Blaans in the mountain ecosystems of Sarangani. Another aim of this study is to analyze thefunction of the social network of the tribe and their coping mechanisms in confronting the effects of naturaldisasters. This study utilizes first-hand information that are gathered through intensive ethnographic field observations in the hinterlands of Sarangani. Participatory Rapid Field Appraisal strategies were used to engage the members of the community as primary participants of the study. Moreover, key informant interviewsamong senior members of Blaan tribes and focus group discussions are used to supplement information generated through participatory research approaches. This study concludes that the Blaans in the mountainous parts of Sarangani have immense collective wisdom on disaster management and environmental conservation,which they have learned from their forefathers. Nonetheless, this vast knowledge system of the Blaans is gradually eroding due to dwindling interest of the younger generations and disappearance of the natural landscape that serves as the social laboratory for the Blaans to learn about the kanfulong de tribu.
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Reef Rugosity and Butterflyfish Community Structure in Punta Dumalag Marine Protected Area, Davao City
Get PDFThis study investigated the rugosity and butterflyfish community structure in Punta Dumalag, Davao City in twelve transects distributed in three stations. The transects were laid parallel to the shore at a depth of five to six meters in three stations. Rugosity indices, percent hard coral cover, butterflyfish species richness, abundance, diversity, biomass and density across all sampling stations registered low values, which may be attributed to a combination of fishing pressure and a strong prolonged southeast monsoon. Correlation analysis between rugosity and butterflyfish abundance showed low correlation coefficients that were statistically not significant, which may be caused by the confounding effect of interactions among fish species, territorial activities by fish species affecting reef structural complexity and low sample size.
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Community-Based Organizations: Role on Coastal Resource Management in the Sarangani Bay Area
Get PDFIn areas along Sarangani Bay, there is a substantial supply of marine resources. Unfortunately, the demands, at times, exceed the supply so intervention like establishing Coastal Resource Management (CRM) is an important mechanism to sustain resources. This study documented the community-based initiatives of various organizations among municipalities and barangays along Sarangani Bay that support its role in the coastal resource management in the area. Also identified are the factors affecting the aforementioned role. The researcher employed Key Informant Interview (KII) among officers and members of organizations and officials of local government units (LGUs) in the municipalities of Sarangani Province and General Santos City (SARGEN) and also retrieved available documents for content analysis. It is evident that crucial to the success of the community-based organizations is the support and funding coming from local and international agencies in order to initiate putting of marine protected areas, implementing bantay-dagat, promoting clean-up drive and solid waste management, and introducing alternative livelihood projects. There are two success stories that serve as proofs of continuing initiatives of the organizations. Further, there are factors that either facilitate or hinder the success of the community-based organizations.
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Screening for Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Associated with Five Musa spp. Cultivars in SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines
Get PDFRhizospheric bacteria (PGPR) associated with 5 banana cultivars planted in SOCCSKSARGEN were studied. Microbial population in newly established and old plantation was compared. Bacteria were purified and their beneficial characteristics were determined. This study was able to collect one hundred twenty (120) bacterial isolates, 20 (17%) of which were nitrogen-fixers, nineteen (19/20) were phosphate solubilizers and seventeen (17/20) were IAA producers. From this study, five bacterial isolates coded PE05, RS10, PE11, PE13, and PE18 were found positive for nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and IAA production which may be further evaluated for their potential application in the formulation of biofertilizers for banana cultivation.
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Lead Absorption Abilities of Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.) and Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum G. S. Bunting) in Lead-Based Paint Coated Compartments
Get PDFLead has multiple detrimental effects in developing children and pregnant women. It can cause behavioral problems and decrease in IQ among children while complications may occur among pregnant women. This research is focused on two plants, Epipremnum aureum (money plant) and Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea), and their ability to sequester lead from air released by lead-based paint. The age of the plants (young or mature) and the type of plants were the factors used in the study. Each plant was placed inside a wooden compartment for seven days, where the interior surface was coated with lead-based paint. For baseline reading, one gram of leaves was collected from each plant before each was placed inside the painted compartment. Leaf samples were collected after the plants were placed inside the painted wooden compartments. The leaf samples were then subjected under atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the amount of lead present. Results revealed that both Epipremnum aureum (money plant) and Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea) are capable of absorbing lead released in air from the lead-based paint coated compartments with differences at 2.4 ppm and 14 ppm; respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences on the lead absorption abilities of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Epipremnum aureum based on age (P=0.44). However, there was a significant difference in their capacity to absorb lead released in air based on the type of plant (P=0.009).
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Ethnomedicinal Resources of the Indigenous People’s (IP) Groups in the SOCSARGEN Region
Get PDFAn ethnomedicinal study was conducted to document the medicinal plants used, the manner of preparation and application in the treatment of ailments and the consensus in the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments among four (4) indigenous people's groups, the Obo in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, T'boli in Maitum, Sarangani Province, and Blaan and Tagakaolo in General Santos City. The ethnobotanical interview was conducted using open-ended semi-structured questionnaires among identified traditional healers and elders as well as the household in the community. A total of 136 plants species, mostly herbs (47%), have been recorded with the corresponding conditions or illnesses in which they are believed to exert a therapeutic effect. Plant parts utilized for traditional medicine of the 4 IP groups include leaves (38%), roots (25%) and bark/stem (16%). Decoction (54%) and direct consumption (27%) applied via oral route are the common traditional medicine preparation. The IP communities in the SOCSARGEN Region have a rich pharmacopeia of traditional medicinal plants that persist through time despite the availability and convenience offered by modern medicine.
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