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[av_heading heading=’Detecting fungal diseases in mango’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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February 16, 2018
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A PROJECT has been launched to detect fungal diseases such as anthracnose, stem-end rot, and scab in “Carabao” mango.
The three-year project, titled “LAMP Detection Assays for Anthracnose, Stem-end Rot, and Scab Disease Pathogens in Philippine ‘Carabao’ Mango,” will be implemented by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
It will be funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
The project, which is PUP’s first research and development project on mango, will be led by the PUP’s College of Science.
While Mie University in Japan will collaborate with PUP in the project under the DOST and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Joint Research Program (JRP).
The DOST-JSPS JRP is a bilateral exchange program that started in 2004.
Filipino and Japanese scientists will be jointly conducting projects under the program in accordance with their mutual agreement on international scientific collaboration.
Addressing the losses brought about by fungal diseases in “Carabao” mango, the project aims to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for the detection of the causative fungi of anthracnose, stem-end rot, and scab.
The LAMP will be used in the field for rapid detection of the said diseases.
It is expected that the project output should be utilized by the mango industry.
Considering the involvement of more than 2.5 million farmers, the country’s mango industry is considered as one of the backbone industries of the local agriculture sector.
Under the industry, the “Carabao” mango variety is among the country’s vital export products and ranks third in terms of volume, with a production of about 885,000 metric tons, and area coverage, which is about 188,100 hectares.
The variety is known in the international market as the “Manila Super” mango, and dubbed one of the best varieties in the world.
In fact, “Carabao” mango has a very high potential as an export commodity – whether fresh or in processed form.
However, industry problems have greatly affected its performance in the international market.
Specifically, the declining yield and quality could be attributed to pests and diseases, poor nutrient and water management, low adoption of improved technologies, and high postharvest losses.
Other industry problems include difficulty in farm operations due to the large size of the “Carabao” mango tree, non-assurance that planting materials sold in nurseries are true-to-type “Carabao” mango, and the high cost of production due to inefficient pesticide application.
To address the problems besetting the industry, PCAARRD crafted the Industry Strategic S&T Program or ISP for mango.
The ISP for mango aims to increase yield by 158 percent; reduce postharvest losses by 65 percent; and enhance the capability of mango growers on Integrated Crop Management, Postharvest Quality Management, and Good Agricultural Practices.
Under the PCAARRD’s National S&T Program for “Carabao” Mango, information, education, and communication materials on enhanced integrated pest management for the management of mango twig borer and cecid fly, two of the most serious insect pests of mango, were already developed. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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