Latest from the NetworkEl Niño in First Semester 2005 Still Uncertain Bio-N Mixing Plants Across the Regions: Corn Farmers' Amidst High Fertilizer Cost FSTP, Now in Occidental Mindoro, Siquijor and Negros Oriental DA Corn Program to Reach More Farmers Through SOA Program DA Region X Links Corn Farmers to Institutional Market Planthoppers in Mindanao, where did they go? ACB Could Develop Resistance to Bt If not Used Properly Corn RDE Network Approves New Projects Bt Corn . . . What you need to know Special Corn Types Ready for Release in 2005 Results of Investments-Corn R&D Available Educational Materials
Corn production in 2004 reached 5.41 million MT. The
boost in production is attributed to
yield improvement and increase in harvested area. But for the first quarter of 2005, corn output may
only reach 1.41 million MT which is eight percent lower than its 2004
production level (1.53 million MT). Yield
for the same quarter may improve by 0.4 percent but area harvested may
decrease by 8.28 percent. The
decline in production is attributed to the typhoon damages on crops and
farmers’ anxiety on the El Niño phenomenon. Reference Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.
January 2005.Corn and Rice Situation
Outlook.
El Niño in First Semester 2005 Still Uncertain The memory of the devastating 1998
El Niño remains in the memory of our farmers. Hence, if farmers are
advised that it is coming, even if it is qualified as moderate, they would
not plant. Corn is basically a rain fed crop with large areas planted to
those easily affected by dry spell and therefore the issue of El Niño is
very important.
To understand properly, therefore,
the phenomenon as it relates to local corn production, the National Corn
RDE Network conducted a technical consultation last October 1, 2004. That
was in response to an earlier warning made that there might be a mild El
Niño that 4th quarter of 2004. The conclusion was that there
would be no El Niño in 4th quarter of 2004 but there would be
a possibility of a mild one in March 2005. That was a reason to heave a
sigh of relief and the actual turn of events proved the prediction right.
We even had a series of strong typhoons last December 2004 leading to
massive and deadly landslide in Quezon. But would an El Niño really come this first quarter or
later? That was the reason for a technical consultation made
last February 11, 2005 which was participated in by Dr. Felino Lansigan, Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, Dr. Emeterio S.
Solivas, Mr. Elmer E. Enicola,
Dr. Avelino M. Ramirez, Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan, Dr. Artemio M. Salazar
and Dr. Apolonio M. Ocampo. Essentially, there was a general observation of
increase in sea surface temperature (SST) in central and equatorial
Pacific (CEP) from where initial indicators of El Niño could be noted.
Another indicator is the sea level pressure difference south of CEP called
Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). This is usually monitored as difference
in sea level pressure in Darwin Australia and Tahiti Islands. There are
indications that this is growing but is not that strong yet. The common local perception is that there is no El Niño
and that the drying up condition we are experiencing is natural summer
occurrence. The folk prediction is that rains usually come after the Holy
Week which this year is on March 21-27. But will El Niño really not occur anymore this year? Actually it’s an issue of probabilities. Although
abnormalities and SST and SOI have been observed, the intensity and
duration are not strong enough to definitely conclude an El Niño. At
best, it will not happen. At most, it would be a weak one and we cannot be
exactly sure when will it come. PAGASA is therefore following up the
findings of international agencies involved in this work. It is also
monitoring closely the local weather conditions. The National Corn RDE
Network, among other public and private agencies, is collaborating with
PAGASA for the latest available advisories realizing the utmost significance of this weather phenomenon
in the economic life of our country.
Bio-N Mixing Plants Across the Region: Corn Farmers' Amidst High Fertilizer Cost To provide corn
farmers an affordable and effective alternative to improve their corn
yield, Bio-N is made steadily accessible by setting up mixing plants all
over the country. Through the
support of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn Program of the
Department of Agriculture, 32 Bio-N mixing plants were established in
strategic corn areas nationwide. Of the 32 established Bio-N mixing plants, 16 are in
full operation while the other 16 will start as soon as the equipment and
chemicals are completely delivered in the respective project sites.
LUZON Bio-N mixing plants that are fully operational in
Luzon are situated in Luna, Apayao; Iguig, Cagayan; Ilagan, Isabela;
Alfonso-Lista, Ifugao; Bacnotan, La Union; Malasiqui, Pangasinan; Capas,
Tarlac; Lubao, Pampanga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Sablayan, Occidental
Mindoro; Pagbilao, Quezon and Ligao, Albay.
Two more mixing plants that will operate soon are located in Batangas
City and Tigaon, Camarines Sur. VISAYAS
Corn
farmers of Capootan, Leyte enjoy the apparent big savings brought by the
operation of the Bio-N mixing plants in their area.
Farmers in other areas will reap the same benefits as the operation
of the mixing plants in the following sites get started: Paranas, Samar;
Calinog, Iloilo; Cuayan, Negros Occidental;
Bayawan, Negros Oriental and Toledo City. MINDANAO Bio-N still found its way in Mindanao even with the full
operation of the two mixing plants in Region XI (Compostela, Comal and Tagum City). The Regional Corn Coordinators in Mindanao are
doubling their efforts to start operating the 10 more mixing plants in
Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Trento,
Agusan del Sur; Sibugay; Wao, Lanao del Sur;
Ampaturan, Maguindanao; Kabacan, North Cotabato; Butuan City and
Banga, Cotabato. Two of these mixing plants in the pipeline will be fully
operational by the end of March 2005.
The
establishment of Bio-N mixing plants all over the country is a boon to
farmers. Now, they could
easily avail the fertilizer to increase farm income.
Bio-N is a microbial fertilizer for corn that converts the nitrogen
from air into ammonia at an equivalent rate of 40kg nitrogen per hectare.
It improves root growth of corn, lessens use of inorganic fertilizer by
50-75% and increases corn yield. It
is safe to use and is not harmful to the environment unlike inorganic
fertilizers.
FSTP, Now in Occidental Mindoro, Siquijor and Negros Oriental From Argao and
Barili, the Farmer-scientists Training Program (FSTP) has expanded to
other Cebu municipalities, Occidental Mindoro, Siquijor and Negros
Oriental through the Phase-IV project supported by the GMA Corn Program. This expansion project which
started on August 15, 2003 aims to widely disseminate better
farming technologies to help improve the lives of poor farmers. About 1,266 farmers
from 15 municipalities and 228 barangays in Cebu graduated, bringing with
them the knowledge and skills they learned from FSTP about producing corn
more than their food requirement. . In Siquijor,
FSTP rapidly expanded to six
municipalities, namely Maria, Lazi, Enrique Villanueva, Larena, San Juan
and the town
proper of Siquijor with a
total of 400 farmer- graduates. Success
of FSTP in these areas was due to the support of the municipal and
provincial government officials. The expansion project
reached as far as Bayawan City, Negros Oriental with 144 farmer-graduates
and will extend further to
other areas in Bicol Region, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao Region. In the second year implementation of FSTP
expansion program, it will tie-up with the
Agricultural Training Institute
(ATI). FSTP’s
main objectives are: to
directly link the farmers with the scientists
to develop their potentials and strengthen
capabilities of LGUs and SCUs. These are part of ATI’s mandate
i.e. to train clientele, conduct multi-level training program to promote and accelerate rural development, and ensure that
research results are communicated to the farmers through appropriate
training and extension activities.
More partners are to be tapped to
strengthen FSTP’s program which achieved the following major
accomplishments through the years: increased farmers’ income from P6,000
to P100,000/cropping season, improved corn yield from 0.5 to 4-8 tons/ha,
trained over 5,000 farmers, strengthened the research and extension
capabilities of LGUs, SUCs, and NGOs involved; all contributing to improve
farmers’ living conditions.
DA Corn Program to Reach More Corn Farmers Through SOA Program Tabuk,
Kalinga– The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit-CAR
and the GMA Corn Directorate launched its first school-on-the-air (SOA) program for the year in Tabuk,
Kalinga on January 18, 2005. This is in
coordination with the Provincial Agricultural Office.
SOA
aims to educate farmers on corn production and technologies through radio
broadcast. This is the third
SOA to be held in Kalinga; the first one was already finished while the
second is still on-going in Alfonso-
Lista, Ifugao Province. According
to Mr. Gerardo Banawa, Regional Corn Coordinator a total of 146 farmers in
the area have graduated.
Banawa shared that SOA is just one way of disseminating information
to the corn farmers. It is a
especially designed radio program where the subject matter is presented
systematically and in a progressive manner.
The ultimate goal is to achieve desired Kalinga has
a total corn area of 5,847 hectares for yellow and 43 hectares for white
or glutinous corn. However,
Banawa revealed that an expanded target area of 720 hectares had been
set-aside for corn production in the municipalities of Rizal (200ha) and
Tabuk (520 ha). SOA
has to play a vital role in this expansion plan. Meanwhile, Ms. Juliana B.
Aclam, supervising agriculturist of the Provincial Agricultural Office in
Tabuk, said the governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members have
unanimously agreed to give counterpart logistics to support the program as
stated in the memorandum-of-agreement duly signed by Atty. Cipriano G.
Santiago, OIC Regional Director of DA-RFU-CAR and Kalinga Governor
Dominador Belac. Aclam further added that the
DA Provincial Office has already enrolled more than 200 participants/corn
farmers from the municipalities of Pinukpuk, Tabuk and Rizal.
She assured the regional office that the SOA will be a continuing
effort among the LGUs, the Corn Program and Regional Agriculture and
Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) of the DA-RFU-CAR and the Radyo ng
Bayan-Tabuk, in order to accommodate more farmers interested in joining
the program.
DA Region X Links Corn Farmers to Institutional Buyer To ensure
linkages with possible markets and to protect the farmer-producers from
the decreasing prices of corn, the Department of Agriculture (DA-X),
together with the private sector, worked out an institutional marketing
arrangement with Cargill Philippines, Inc.
This was revealed by Mr. Larry E. Paraluman, anchorperson of the
Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn Program, DA-X. Four cooperatives: Manolo
Fortich Multi-purpose Cooperative, Salvacion Multi-purpose Cooperative,
Liboran Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative, and Oro Integrated Cooperative
are being piloted to have a market tie-up with this institutional buyer.
Cargill Philippines will put up seed money for each cooperative as
a buying capital for corn. It will buy corn from these cooperatives at a price higher
than the prevailing market price. Cargill Philippines,
the producer of Purina Feeds requires quality corn as one of its feed
ingredients. Thus, to ensure
good quality, a post-harvest technology assistance is incorporated in the
market tie-up. Likewise,
Cargill is introducing a
modified corn-in-cobs dryer with lesser cost, in the area. According to Paraluman,
the success of this effort will radiate to other
beneficiaries as Cargill plans to expand this development
initiative to other cooperatives who may be interested to venture with
this marketing arrangement.
CLARIFICATION
ON THE ARTICLE “Grain
of truth behind the corn boom, mess” which appeared on PDI last Oct 18,
2004 By
Artemio M. Salazar, Team Leader of the National Corn R,D& E Network
and Former Director of the DA GMA Corn Program
The article started off with the statement “The corn industry is now
riding on a production boom it never experienced in recent years owing
partly to a simple but controversial change in the system of spending the
P400 million a year corn program, which is being unfortunately reversed,
unwittingly, by the DA leadership” It is a good opening for it also
summarizes the entire write up. But substance is more important than form.
Yes, there is production boom but we cannot even attribute it to a
change in the system of spending the P400 million a year corn program. The
P400M is a round off of the P430M budget of the Corn Program this 2004. As
the Corn Program Director up to August 4, 2004, I am aware of the real
score. The article alludes to the Hybrid Corn Area Expansion Program (HYCARE)
which is just a small portion of the entire Corn Program. Hycare targeted
85,000 hectares out of the country’s 2,563,368 hectares or a mere three
(3) percent. The idea of that activity is to showcase the advantage of
using hybrids over open pollinated varieties or native varieties hoping
that the farmers will later shift to the better seeds. This hoped-for-
change in technology would then be most likely financed by the private
sector, government financing institutions like Land Bank or Quedancor,
LGUs or thru the countryside development funds of concerned congressmen.
In essence, it meant to harness the bigger resources outside DA by a
simple technology demonstration.
The effect of that activity (in 3% of the total corn area) will
therefore still be felt a year hence and thereafter.
Realizing the nature of this technology demonstration and adoption
phenomenon, it therefore is a continuing activity of the Corn Program. To
imply that the entire Corn Program fund
was used for this field demonstration activity and is responsible for the
production boom is not true. There
are lots of other activities of the Corn Program related to marketing
assistance, extension, information campaign, production support, R&D,
post harvest etc implemented through the regional field units and other DA
attached agencies.
Let me explain the reason for the production boom. It is simply
because of the encouraging price of corn compared to previous years plus
good weather and timely field support services. The high price is due to a
confluence of developments - locally and internationally. And one singular
reason for this is the approval of the Government, upon the clamor of LGU
heads in major corn producing regions, of not allowing corn importation at
the time of harvest. It sounds so simple but it was tough. In the past,
government importation at low tariff almost always would come in at the
time of harvest. After the Harurot onslaught last July 2003 and the
subsequent request for zero tariff importation, the request was that
importation should not come in November which was the initial harvest
month for Mindanao crop. The allowed 150,000 mt zero tariff importation
was not availed by the livestock sector because of higher import price
compared to local. Another 350,000 mt was requested the following early
part of 2004 but the momentum in production due to the encouraged corn
farmers plus the more expensive corn in the world market led the local
corn users to just resort to local corn. It was more expensive to buy
imported even at zero tariff plus the P0.50/kg service fee which is
roughly equivalent to five percent tariff. Out of the total 350,000 mt
allowed corn import, only 9,143 mt was availed of last May from Vietnam
and the quality was not even good. Local corn in terms of price and
quality was preferable. Unfortunately, we don’t have local soybeans and
without local alternative, it really hurt our feedmillers. Had local corn
been unavailable, the price of local meat would have been higher!
Back to the three (3) percent
hycare. As early as April 2004 which was the survey month of BAS,
we knew that corn production would pick up in the third quarter
(2004/2003) by 24 percent or 346,823 mt and area would increase by 78,842
hectares. Hycare was implemented only last May-June 2004. The July 2004
BAS survey confirmed the production increase based on standing crop to
1,929,306 mt. Talking about making a mountain out of an ant hill.
The said July survey of BAS also predicted that corn production
this year would be a record 5,344,574 mt i.e. up by 728,949 tons over last
year… without much subsidy and fanfare. Indications are that it might be
higher than 5.3M mt. The Program, with the support of the Government (and
I could say this now that the election is over) simply looked into the
situation of the corn farmers and seriously acted on it. For who among the
producers of any commodity would continue producing if he will lose from
doing it again? Right policy, right extension, right technology could do
wonders under the present situation.
Now corn is aplenty and cheap but
just at the right price for the farmers and users. Mere 245 mt was availed
of in the MAV (out of the allowed 212,119 mt) and most likely, there will
be no more with still huge stocks in Isabela and the forthcoming harvest
of Mindanao.
The bigger task, however, remains
as we next tackle the issue of post harvest: dryers and storage. Bulk of
our harvest comes during the rainy season and our storage capacity is good
only for two months. China has three years. To entice the private sector
to invest in post harvest, the Department should and has shown that corn
production in this country is not a losing proposition. We just have to
come in with efficiency building measures. It will require huge resources
and tact but we have accomplished the critical task of showing that we
could productively grow this
grain which the traditional exporters could not supply anymore. We need
not be a nation of importers all the time.
And arguing whether authority to pay is better than authority to
procure, is… pointless, almost irrelevant, plus malicious because it
insinuates that DA-RFUs are corrupt which I have confirmed to be not.
Otherwise, how could have we accomplished the feat? Certainly, the
management in the DA knows what it is doing and is not an unwitting
abettor of a perceived crime. Let us build up this nation with hard and
united work and do away with “talangkaan” Our people deserve true
service at this stage of our history.
Planthoppers in Mindanao, where did they go?
According to the report
of Mr. Reynaldo H. Legaste of South Cotabato, from January to August 2004,
infestation has decreased by 50 percent compared with the same period in
2003. As of October 10,
population decreased by 90 percent from its highest density.
It was also observed that during the dry season, damage of corn
planthopper was more severe. Also,
high frequency of rainfall contributed to population build-up of corn
planthoppers.
Other factors on planthopper build-up include: close planting distance,
high nitrogen fertilizer, synchronized planting, decreasing population of
the natural enemies due to spraying.
Through the assistance of Dr. Glene Bellis of Agricultural Research
Station, Darwin, Australia, latest investigation confirmed that corn
planthopper in Mindanao is not a Sogatella species but Stenocranus
pacificus Kirkaldy.
“Entomoptherran
fungus is one of the natural enemies of corn planthoppers which is being
used in Indonesia but the red ant is the most effective predator of
planthoppers”, says Dr. Alberto T. Barrion.
Other bio-control agents of corn planthoppers include anagrus
osborni (wasp), Crytorhinus lividipennis (mirid bug),
coccinelid beetles, dragonfly, spider, dryinid wasps and stepsisteran
larvae.
It is therefore important to study the mass production of the
natural enemies of corn planthoppers.
Likewise, study on insecticide toxicity should be done to evaluate
its effect on the planthopper as well as on the beneficial insects.
Spraying of calbufuran to corn field is reported detrimental to
bird population.
Consultation on issues concerning insect pest of corn in Mindanao
was conducted last October 14, 2004.
Dr. Artemio M. Salazar of the Corn RDE Network spearheaded the said
meeting. From the discussions, it was strongly suggested that there
should be a provincial corn planthopper task force supported by the local
government units and state universities and colleges, with the technical
assistance of consultants from the regions.
Those who attended the consultation were: Dr. Emiliana N. Bernardo,
network adviser, Dr. Adelina A. Barrion of the Department of Entomology,
Dr. Alberto T. Barrion, Mr. Pepito Leysa of Region XII, Dr. Bonifacio F.
Cayabyab and Dr. Pio A. Javier of the National Crop Protection Center,
UPLB, Mr. Tom R. Lugod of Pioneer Hi-Bred, Dr. Romeo V. Labios, assistant
team leader of the network, and Ms. Wilma R. Cuaterno from the Bureau of
Plant Industry.
ACB Could Develop Resistance to Bt If not Used Properly
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) contributed
much in the area of crop protection but there is one possible cause for
alarm—the genetic ability of corn borer to cope with this gene
incorporated into the host plant. This
has long been a serious issue that even experts are disturbed of its
possible disastrous effect.
Cry genes were among the first genes successfully inserted
in several crops. Reduced
operational costs and use of chemical insecticides are some of its
advantages. Like in other crops, Bt corn is being used in areas infested
by the Asian corn borer (ACB). However,
continuous exposure of susceptible insects to Bt toxin might lead them to
develop resistance.
The first case of insect resistance to Bt in the field was observed
in diamond backmoth Plutella xylostella populations in the
Philippines and Hawaii. Cause
of resistance was mainly attributed to injudicious spraying of commercial
Bt formulations. It is now
well recognized that receptor modification is a major avenue for
development of Bt resistance in several insect species.
In order to prolong the usefulness of Bt corn in the field, it is
important to have an understanding of how Bt corn works against insect
damage.
Bt corn contains the Cry 1Ab protein
which has specific
insecticidal activity against the larval stage of corn borer.
Insecticidal action comes into effect once the corn borer larva
ingest the Cry1Ab protein. When
the protein is already inside the larval midgut (stomach), it would pass
through a membrane and binds with receptor proteins. Binding of Cry 1Ab
and receptor produces non-selective pores in the midgut which induce the
intoxication causing death of the larva.
Result of biochemical analysis done by Dr. Edwin Alcantara with his
colleagues reveals that a single protein molecule in the ACB midgut
is the only receptor responsible for binding with the Cry 1Ab protein.
An effective mutation in the receptor binding site will probably
reduce the ability of Cry 1Ab to bind with this receptor.
This will in turn reduce the efficacy of the Bt corn.
This is in contrast with other studies which show that in the
European corn borer, Cry1Ab recognizes three receptor proteins.
Alcantara who is conducting a research on “Molecular
Characterization of Midgut Receptor of ACB and Modification of d-endotoxin
of Bacillus thuringiensis” suggested that it would be necessary
to collect receptor profile data from several ACB populations across the
country to determine if this one-site characteristic is a general property
of most of ACB populations in the country.
The receptor profile that they gathered represents only one ACB
population (Los Baños, Laguna).
It is therefore needed to conduct a study to determine the actual
number of binding sites in the corn borer collected from other sites.
If there is only one receptor site in the Asian corn borer, then
there is a need for urgent implementation of refuge system in Integrated
Resistance Management (IRM) strategy.
Planting 20 percent of non-Bt corn in a Bt field would allow
susceptible insect to mate with any resistant insect that could possibly
emerge from Bt plants.
This proactive measure would enhance
Bt technology to the benefit of the corn farmers.
It is imperative for the government, non-government and private
sectors to help farmers adopt IRM strategy.
Time matters. If we don’t act now, Bt Reference Hua,
G., Masson, L., Jurat-Fuentes, J.,
Schwab, G., Adang, M. J. 2001. Binding
analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry d-endotoxins using brush
border membrane vesicles of Ostrinia nubilalis.
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67: 872-979.
Corn RDE Network Approves New Projects
Out of 50 project proposals evaluated, nine projects were prioritized by
the evaluation team of the Corn RDE Network for funding of GMA Corn
Program. Bureau of
Agricultural Research through the network shall monitor the progress of
the approved projects. Project
titles and names of the project leaders are listed below. 1. Systematic coordination of on-station
and on-farm corn research, development and extension programs in the
Philippines (Dr. Romeo V. Labios) 2. Safeguarding the local diversity of traditional white and
yellow corn germplasm in the Philippines
(Dr. Nestor C. Altoveros) 3. Delaying the development of resistance to Bt corn in the population
of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Guenee
(Dr. Belen M. Rejesus) 4. Evaluation of white maize varieties for food uses (Dr.
Lilia S. Collado) 5. Installation and utilization of agrometeorological stations in two
major corn-producing provinces: Isabaela and Cagayan
(Dr. Avelino M. Ramirez) 6. Site-specific soil fertility evaluation and improvement for
sustained high corn yields in major corn-growing areas
(Dr. Henry P. Samonte) 7. Farmer-scientists RDE training program (FSTP) in corn-based
production system for sustainable agricultural development: Part IV:
Further expansion of pilot areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao ( Dr.
Romulo G. Davide) 8. Development of mass rearing technique and field evaluation of the
larval-pupal parasitoid, Trichomma cnaphalocrosis (Uchida)
Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae) against corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis
(Dr. Stephen G. Reyes) 9. Establishing a knowledge-based crop forecasting system for corn in
the Department of
Agriculture: Pilot testing in Isabela
(Dr. Felino P. Lansigan)
With this new set of projects, the Corn RDE Network, together with other
government agencies, non-government offices, private sectors and other
collaborating agencies, shall continue to address the existing needs of
the corn industry.
Geographical
Information System (GIS) found its way to the corn industry!
Regarded as a high-tech equivalent of an analogue map, GIS can
provide individual maps containing the needed information in various ways
by the different stakeholders of the corn industry.
GIS technology is a computer-based system that can be used to
assemble, store, manipulate, and display geographically referenced
information. This technology
integrates common database operations such as query and statistical
analysis to produce maps with visual geographical analysis.
The produced maps can be used to
locate the actual hectarage planted to corn and come up with exact figures
of production. However, the
system requires reliable data to generate equally reliable maps.
These data that are stored in the computer are put together and
manipulated to come up with maps showing details such as the areas
suitable for growing corn by region or by province and by cropping season.
It could also project limitation maps for corn based on chosen indicators
like ground water potential, slope, elevation, rainfall, soil type and
other bio-physical and agro-climatic characteristics.
With the advent of GIS, there are brighter prospects to optimum and
sustained utilization of the natural resources to bring back the vigor and
wealth to the countryside. This
would certainly contribute in the country’s march to agricultural
development and later on to the nation’s economic progress.
Technological advancement has always
been viewed as a tool in any development undertaking.
As for agricultural development, corn industry is just one of those
sectors that benefits from a number of technologies, with GIS as one.
Bt Corn... What you need to know The
Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) approved the first Bt corn*
for propagation and import for direct use in December 2002 after almost
six years of trial and safety evaluation.
This
primer attempts to answer several basic questions about Bt corn. 1.
What
is Bt? Bt
or Bacillus thuringiensis is a
common soil bacterium that produces its own insecticidal protein. Its
property was discovered in 1901 by a Japanese bacteriologist, S.
Ishiwata but failed to make formal description of it. A decade later, a
German, Ernst Berliner named the bacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis after the Thuringia region of Germany, where he
isolated the organism. The Bt protein has been used safely since 1950s
by organic gardeners and farmers worldwide as biological insecticide. 2.
Why
develop Bt-protected plants? Bt-protected plants meet the key criteria in developing new pest control product: technical feasibility, need, efficacy, and safety. Bt-protected plants offer promises of safe and effective insect control. 3.
What
is Bt corn? Bt corn is a variety of corn where a specific Bt gene is inserted to produce a protein that protects the corn plant from feeding by Asiatic corn borers (ACB). This makes the corn plant naturally resistant to attack by ACB. 4.
How
does the Bt protein in Bt corn control target pests? The Bt protein controls insects by disrupting the insect’s digestive system. Once inside the alkaline gut of the target insect, the Bt protein is activated and binds to specific receptors. This mid-gut is punctured leaving the insect unable to eat. Within a few days, the insect dies. 5.
What
are corn borers? Corn
borers are the no.1 insect pests of corn in the Philippines. They cause
up to 80% yield loss as they feed on the stem, leaves and corn ears even
before they are harvested. Because of the injuries caused by the corn
borer, plant disease-causing organisms such as fungi and bacteria can
readily come in and attack the corn plants. These aflatoxin-producing
fungi or molds that cause cancer may find their way into the corn seeds
fed to our livestock and poultry animals. 6.
How
is Bt corn different from other controls for corn borers? Corn
farmers are free to choose from the available solutions to the corn
borer problem. Most farmers use insecticides, which can make people ill.
The insecticides may also adversely affect other non-target organisms.
In some areas, Trichogramma is
not available. In other areas, labor is too expensive to make
detasseling practical. During the rainy season, none of the
above-mentioned solutions is feasible. Bt corn is just another option
that is safer alternative to chemical pesticides and more effective than
biopesticides.
Results of the field trials of Bt corn in the
Philippines are very promising. Harvests from Bt corn were found to be
30% to 68% higher than non-Bt counterparts. The computed yield increase
between Bt and non-Bt corn ranged from 1.6 to 3.4 tons/ha.
Based on the average farm price of corn at Higher crop yields.
Result of the field trials in the Philippines shows that Bt corn
can significantly increase yield to an average of 40%. Reduced farm costs.
A study by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that
farmers who planted Bt crops in 1998 eliminated 8.2 million pounds of
pesticide active ingredients. Increased farm profit.
Increased yield and decrease pesticide cost contribute to a
higher net return for Bt corn farmers. Improvement in the environment.
Bt corn requires less pesticide use. It can play an important
role in making agriculture, particularly corn, more sustainable and more
productive. Reduced labor inputs.
Since Bt corn no longer requires insecticide application for corn
borer, farmers will have more time for other farm management duties. Less dependency on
importation. Philippine
imports an average of 300,000 to 500,000 metric tons of corn annually.
Increase production of yellow corn can reduce dependency on corn
importation. 10.
Is
Bt corn safe for humans? Since
Bt corn is very specific, it would not harm man. The Bt protein will
only affect an organism with specific receptor sites in its alkaline
gut where the proteins can bind. Human beings and many insects lack
these receptors. Besides, the stomach of humans is acidic. 11.
Will
Bt corn cause allergy? The
Bt protein does not cause allergy because it is easily digested or
degraded in heat. 12.
Will
Bt corn make humans antibiotic-resistant? The
approved Bt corn variety does not have an antibiotic resistant gene. 13.
Can
we feed Bt corn to other animals? Bt
corn is safe to poultry and livestock animals. They showed comparable
performance when given Bt corn feeds. Dogs,
guinea pigs, rats, fish, frogs, salamanders and birds have shown no ill
effects from eating the Bt protein. 14.
Will
Bt corn affect other non-target organisms? Bt
protein is highly specific and will only affect insects that have
specific gut receptors to the protein. Similarly, honeybees and lady
beetles, both beneficial insects, showed no harmful effects upon eating
Bt protein. 15.
Will
corn borer develop resistance to the protein produced by Bt corn? Available
data show that after 5-year commercialization of Bt crops, no reported
pest resistance occurred. Insect Resistance Management Plan will prolong
the use of Bt crops and will guard against unintended consequence. 16.
What
is the effect of Bt corn on soil ecosystem and groundwater? The
Bt protein does not move or leach with groundwater because it binds to
soil particles. The proteins do not particularly last in acidic soil
conditions. Under sunlight, Bt protein is destroyed very rapidly. 17.
What
happens if Bt corn cross-pollinate with native varieties? There
is no harm in cross-pollination since Bt protein will only affect the
target insects. There is also less probability for cross-pollination
since corn has limited pollination period of 5-10 days. Pollen viability
is at most 60 minutes and is affected by weather especially high
temperature. Also, cross pollination declines with distance e.g. 1% at
33.3 m to 0.03% at 53.3 m at release point. Studies show that 200 m are
enough to isolate, in space, one field from the other Still,
cross-pollination may be avoided by planting Bt corn 21 days before and
after the non-Bt corn is planted. White and yellow corn farmers are also
following this temporal isolation to avoid cross-pollination. 18.
Why
did the monarch butterfly larvae feed with Bt corn died? Bt
protein affects Lepidopteran insects like the monarch butterfly. Under laboratory conditions, monarch butterfly larvae died when it was
forced-fed with milkweed mixed with fresh Bt corn pollen. The
preliminary result, however, is not reflective of actual field
conditions. In
fact, reports indicate that Monarch population in North America has
increased, which coincides with the increase plantings of Bt corn. Under
field conditions, direct exposure of the caterpillars to Bt protein on
milkweed is minimized or prevented due to the distribution of milkweed
in the field and the behavior and migration pattern of the monarch
butterfly in relation to the growing season in the US. 19.
Is
there international support for GM crops including Bt corn? More
than 50 international organizations including Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, European Commission, The Third
World Academy of Sciences and the national academies of science and
technology of several countries declared GM crops including Bt corn as
safe and pose no additional threat to human and environment. 20.
What
is the government doing regarding the issues on Bt corn? DA
has always been vigilant in assuring the entry of safe foods for the
Filipino consumer. To date, it has no basis to declare Bt corn unsafe.
As a policy, the department encourages further studies to provide
science-based support to different claims.
Bt
corn has undergone thorough testing for toxicity, allergenicity and
nutritional food and feed values. Countries of the European Union,
Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada, United States, South
Africa and Argentina have approved Bt corn for food, feed, and
environment. From
1996 to 2002, Bt corn has been planted to almost 44 million hectares.
References: Agriculture
and Biotechnology Strategies, Inc. 2002. Essential biosafety. Betz,
F.S., Hammond B.G., Fuchs, R.L. 2000. Safety and advantages of Bacillus
thuringiensis-protected plants to control insect pests. Regulatory
Toxicology and Pharmacology 32, 156-173. Fernandez,
E. C. 2002. "Conventional to genetic engineering approach in host
plant resistance to insect pests" Philipp. Ent. 16(2): 104-109. Fernandez,
E. C. 2002. Environmental safety concerns of GM crops. Paper presented
during the Media Workshop on Biotechnology held on 4-5 June 2002,
Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. Gonzales,
L.A. 2000. Breaking new ground: The prospect of enhancing the corn
sector's global competitiveness through biotechnology. SIKAP/STRIVE
Inc.: Bay, Laguna, Philippines. Gonzales,
L.A. 2002. Likely transcendental effects of agri-biotechnology: The case
of Bt hybrid corn in the Philippines. Paper presented during the
Symposium on Bt Technology: Facts and Issues held on 5 May 2002, Los Baños,
Laguna, Philippines. uppatz,
J.L. 2000. The Science and safety assessment of GMP foods. ASA Technical
Bulletin Vol. HN32. ISAAA.
2002. Bt insect resistance technology, Pocket K No.6. ISAAA.
2002. Global status of GM crop: Dominant GM crops and their traits;
http://www.isaaa.org/kc/Global_Status/gstat/ 2002/dominant.htm. Sanders,
P.R., Lee, T.C., Groth, M.E., Astwood, J.D., Fuchs, R.L., 1998. Safety
assessment of insect-protected corn. In
Biotechnology and Safety Assessment, 2nd ed. Taylor and Francis. Webster, J. & Chrispeels, Maarten, J. 2002. Food from genetically improved crops in Africa. University of California San Diego Centre for Molecular Agriculture and AfricaBio.
This primer is a joint project of :
SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center Website: http://www.searca.org/~bic E-mail: bic@agri.searca.org
Department of Agriculture GMA Corn Program Website: http://www.da.gov.ph
*The DA-Bureau pf Plant Industry issues permit based on transformation even. The first Bt corn, which was granted permit, was Bt corn MON810.
Special
Corn Types Ready for Release in 2005 Corn is one crop known for its natural wide genetic variability. Its mode of pollination (95% cross) and genetic system have resulted to myriad forms different from the usual hard grain we know that are used as human staple or animal feed. Some of these discoved "special types" have unique features that confer them higher economic value. These would include sweet corn, waxy corn, pop corn, high lysine/tryptophan corn (limiting amino acids in ordinary corn) and those with different forms of starch. In many advanced Asian countries, they grow very limited normal corn. They have instead concentrated on these special types which give farmers higher income. Sweet and waxy corn are big business in Japan, China and Korea. Sweet corn is also a big business in Thailand, and cornstarch in Korea and China. Furthermore, modified high-lysine corn known as Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is extensively grown in Mainland China. In our country, the market for sweet corn is very big although there are no official data regarding these. Waxy corn is more widely grown and we even have some native varieties of this type. We import practically all our popcorn. We have no QPM yet. There are some starch-manufacturing plants in the country which started with rice and have shifted to corn. Now, even cornstarch is being directly imported. Very limited activities in the country have been done regarding those special corn types starting with Department of Agronomy-UPLB, College of Agriculture-UPLB and now at the Institute of Plant Breeding-UPLB. For sweet corn, Asukar, IPB 3369 and IPB 3375 have been released. For glutinous, we have Lagkitan and Improved Macapuno. Ilagan Experiment Station of DA at Isabela has also released some waxy corn varieties. We have no local popcorn variety released yet although there are some native varieties. An open pollinated variety of high-lysine corn called Protena had beed developed earlier but didn't prosper due to field pest problems. The variety of Nutrisweet is a combination of high lysine and sweet corn. On the other hand, DLU Pearl Sweet is a combination of waxy and sweet corn. Some breeding materials have been developed by IPB for these various special corn types. In order for the farmers to reap the full benefits from these special corn types, we have to first improved our technology in producing them. The logical start is their genetic improvement. Hence, the verge of the DA-BAR funded project "Breeding for Special Maize Types" wit h Dr. Artemio M. Salazar as the project leader, together with his corn breeding team venture on developing improved cultivars, open pollinated and hybrids, of special corn types specifically sweet corn, waxy corn, pop corn, quality protein maize (QPM) and high-starch content corn type.
Results of Investments-Corn R&D
Dr. Peter Guzman- pguzman@laguna.net Actual tests in marginal farmers field showed that newer varieties could yield 2.7 t/ha vs. their former varieties 1.71t/ha Distributed 10 tons of seeds: USM VAr 10 seeds to farmers in Sarangani and North Cotabato; USM VAr 10, VisCA Var 2 and UPLB Lagkitan to Isabela, Cagayan and Leyte Produced pamphlets on recommended varieties of corn
Dr. Belen Morallo-Rejesus- belro@lgn.csi.com.ph Developed a mass rearing technique for earwig, a natural enemy of the Asian Corn Borer which could feed on eggs, larvae and pupae of the insect Developed conservation methods for the natural enemies of the ACB like Orius Provided hands-on training on the mass rearing, field releasing and conservation of the natural enemies of ACB Produced brochures
Dr. Felino P. Lansigan- fpl@instat.uplb.edu.ph Produced maps for the provinces of Isabela, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Cebu, Tarlac and Misamis Oriental depicting corn productivity and consumption profile Preliminary analysis using eco-physiological growth model show that the best yields in the country could be detained from Cagayan Valley Illustrated that GIS could be useful for policy makers
Dr. Romeo V. Labios- rvl@lgn.csi.com.ph Characterized the features of corn-growing environments in terms of soil condition, agrometeorological data, pest problems, institutional support (credit, market, road and technology) and socio-economic condition of the farmers Identified technology components which could appreciably increase productivity e.g. varieties, land preparation method, biological control of pests, use of microbial fertilizer, and crop-animal integration On-farm tests showed increase in yield in rain fed lowlands from 1.75 to 4.15 t ha-1(yellow);upland plain 1.15 to 3.15 ha-1 (white); upland plain/rolling 2.48 to 3.99 t ha-1 (white) Through on-farm research the potential of conservation tillage, a cost reducing technology, was verified and its effect shown to farmers; not only are the productivity and income improved, sustainable resource use is promoted as well Provided farming systems R&D short training course to 54 corn researchers from RIARCs and DA-LGU staff in six project sites Provided training to 197 farmers on corn-based farming systems Established strong partnerships among LGUs, farmer organizations, private industry and local SCUs Produced 19 pamphlets/brochures and six briefing papers Published seven articles in various publications Presented papers and posters in national and international scientific conferences (Awarded Best Poster in Asian Agriculture Congress, 25 April 2001; AFMA R&D Paper Award (Crop Science Midstream/Downstrean) of DA-BAR 4 October 2001; CSSP Best Paper -2nd Place (Downstream category)25 April 2002
Dr. Romulo G. Davide- loycar@laguna.net Increased Income from about P60,000-100,000/cropping season Increased farmers' corn yield from 0.5 to 4 tons/ha by adopting newer varieties and improving his cultural management practices Have trained 1,876 farmers; being expanded from Cebu to Mindoro Occidental Produced brochures Strengthened linkage with the various SCUs and LGUs
Provided trainings on corn-based program planning in extension in Occidental Mindoro and El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, Batac, Ilocos Norte and Ilagan Isabela Provided workshops/trainings for stakeholders on participatory tools Assisted stakeholders in organizing themselves Established Aklatan at Sanayang Pambayan (ASAP) in San Jose, Mindoro Helped in strengthening farmers organization Produced brochures, pamphlets, newsletter and modules
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Available Educational Materials:
Gabay sa Produksyon ng Rekomendadong Barayti ng Puting Mais Giya sa Produksyon sa mga Rekomendadong Barayti sa Puting Mais Gabay sa Pagpaparami ng Binhi ng Open-Pollinated na Mais
Development of Biological Control Based...
Corn Borer: A Major Threat in Corn Production How to Control Corn Borer Using Predatory Earwigs Earwigs: Kaibigang Kulisap Orius: Kaibigang Kulisap Trichogramma: Kaibigang Kulisap Corn Borer: A Major Threat in Corn Production How to Control Corn Borer Using Predatory Earwigs
Yield Gap Analysis in Corn-Producing Areas in the Philippines Corn Profiles of Major Corn-Producing Areas in the Philippines
Guide to Corn Forage Conservation and Utilization Corn Forage Conservation and Utilization Bio-N: An Effective Nitrogen Supplement to Inorganic N Fertilizer Corn Earworm Guide for Corn Production in Paddy Fields Corn Production in Paddy Fields Guide for Conservation Tillage Technology for Corn in Paddy Fields Conservation Tillage Practices in Corn Production After Rice PRA: A Tool for a Community Responsive Corn RDE Project Procedure in the monitoring of Asian Corn Borer Egg Masses and Damage (Module 2002-06) Trichogramma:Kaibigang Kulisap Laban sa mga Pesteng Uod ng Mais at ng Iba pang Pananim Corn Weevil:Threat in the Storage of Corn in Cotabato and Bohol (Module 2002-09) Corn-Chicken Farming System:Guitawan, Arakan, Cotabato Experience (Module 2002-10) The Potential of Biofertilizers in Corn Production for Leyte Condition (Module 2002-09) Corn Forage Conservation and Utilization (Mahaplag, Leyte Experience)-Module 2002-11 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technologies Against Asian Corn Borer: The SAgbayan Bohol Experiment (Module 2002-08) Enhancing Adaptation and Utilization of Location-Specific Corn-Bassed Technologies in Arakan, Cotabato (Info. Brochure No.1-Series 2002) Farming Systems Profile of Farmers in ARakan, Cotabato and Proposed RD&E Program (Info. Brochure No. 2-Deries 2002) Enhancing Adapatation and Utilization of Location Specific Corn-Based Technologies in Kalabaylabay, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental (Info. Brochure No.3-Series 2002) On-Farm Adaptive Research on Corn:San Jose, Mindoro Occidental (Vol.1 No.1-January 2002) Conducting Corn On-farm Research and Outreach
Farmer-Scientists Training Program...
FSTP: A Historical Background FSTP: The Process FSTP:Values Formation System FSTP:INM for Cebu Corn Field FSTP: Corn on the Rocks FSTP:Detasseling for Higher Yield FSTP:You Can Produce Your Own Seeds You can Develop Your Own Variety OPVs Adopted to Corn Field of Cebu Managing Plant Population in Increasing Corn Yield Enhancing Income Through Corn-Based Cropping System Common Corn Diseases in Cebu
Participatory Action-Research...
Communication Component: Radio Plugs: Earwigs, Detasseling, IPB 911, Tamang Pagpapatuyo ng Mais at Bio-N Update Online:Two Issues Mais: The Philippine National Corn RDE Program Pagtatanim ng Mais Pagkatapos ng Palay sa Tuligan: Aganang Maisna, Gintong Kinabukasan Tayo Na't Magkaisa sa National Corn Program
Extension Component:
Modules: How to Do Participatory Rapid community Appraisal (PARCA) in Community-Based Extension Program Planning How to Organize, Analyze and Present Results of PARCA How to Conduct Livelihood Analysis in Community-Based Extension Program Planning How to Apply Stakeholder Analysis in Community-Based Extension Program Planning How to Apply Causal Model in Community-based Extension Program Planning How to Apply Logical Framework in Community-Based Extension Program Planning How to Formulate Development Indicators How to Formulate a community-Based Extension Management
About the Network Technologies Developed and Being Developed Gabay sa Produksyon ng Mais Radio Drama Series: Maisang Kwento, Mais de Mayo and Suyuan sa Maisan Testimonial Comic: Success Story of Mr. Carlos Guevarra Tikada: 5 episodes (five-minute radio discussion and dramatization on important issues) How to Protect your Grains MAISagana (monthly newletter) 16 Technical Videos on Corn (soon to be released) Mais: Ginintuang Butil (Educational Comics on Bt Corn and Conservation Methods for the Natural Enemies of ACB) Guide to Corn Production (English and Bicol versions, soon to be released)
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