Jackfruit’s adaptability to different growing conditions

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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Monday. September 18, 2017
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JACKFRUIT has superior adaptation to a wide range of growing conditions and has many uses, both commercial and non-commercial.

In fact, it is considered as one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the country.

During a recent two-day event at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay, Leyte, the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Program (ViCAARP) showcased the research and development gains of jackfruit as a primary commodity, together with three other products – coconut, pineapple, and shellfish.

As a technology transfer platform, the FIESTA (Farm-Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda) on “Jackfruit at Iba Pa” is one of the activities in connection with the VSU’s 93rd anniversary celebrations.

Farmers, officials, and faculty members of the VSU, ViCAARP, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST), and other concerned agencies joined the event.

FIESTA, as a technology transfer and commercialization platform, gathers the various players of agricultural R&D, primarily the technology generators, farmers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase regional agricultural, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) technologies, innovations, products, and services; assist in the diffusion of technologies for better farming opportunities; and provide a true encounter of various research and development beneficiaries to maximize the benefits of particular products and commodities.

With its importance as an industry, jackfruit has been chosen as a priority crop in a project being conducted in Eastern Visayas.

Titled “Tropical tree fruit research and development in the Philippines and northern Australia to increase productivity, resilience and profitability,” the project is implemented by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and PCAARRD.

The project aims to develop and implement integrated disease management solutions to diseases caused by Phytophthora palmivora.

The disease causes decline in fruit production and seedling dieback, and serious diseases which resulted in significant yield loss in jackfruit.

The project also targets to develop and implement crop management options to improve productivity and fruit quality, and realize improved processing options for jackfruit.

Various research activities in project sites are spearheaded by implementing agencies – the VSUand Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 8.

VSU handles experiments in disease management and studies in food processing.

On the other hand, the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center (RIARC) in Abuyog, Leyte, and the Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (EVIARC) in Babatngon, both of theDepartment of Agriculture, are conducting trials on disease and nutrient management, fruit load regulation, and flower induction.

The effects of different potting media, sanitation, inoculation, and phosphonate application on the health of jackfruit seedlings are being re-evaluated under the project, among other activities.

Research result shows that the combination of soil sterilization and phosphonate application reduced severity of Phytophthora disease in seedlings.

A similar result was obtained with a highly porous potting medium.

Inoculation trials using different Artocarpus species also showed that marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) and camansi (Artocarpus camansi) are resistant to Phytophthora palmivora compared with EVIARC Sweet, a well-known jackfruit variety. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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