Crop biotechnology in the Philippines.
Tecson-Mendoza E. M.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baņos, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
AgBiotechNet 4 : 1-7
Abstract : The Philippines has adopted biotechnology as a tool to increase agricultural productivity in the context of sustainable agriculture as a state policy. Plant tissue culture technologies have been most widely utilized in research and have found applications in industry. Small to large laboratories undertake tissue culture of banana, orchids, sugarcane, pineapple and makapuno mutant coconut. Markers (protein and DNA) have been used for studying genetic diversity, varietal identification and for marker-assisted selection of major crops such as rice, maize, sugarcane, coconut, tomato, mung bean, etc. Genes from pawpaw, mango, and coconut as well as from viruses of bunchy top and papaya ringspot have been cloned, sequenced and characterized. Development of delayed ripening trait in papaya and mango and ringspot virus resistance in papaya by genetic engineering is ongoing. Putative transgenic papaya plantlets are now being grown out in a screenhouse for fruit quality and horticultural traits evaluation. Multi-locational field testing of Bt maize is being conducted in different locations in the country. The Department of Agriculture is conducting consultation on the proposed rules governing the release of biotechnology-derived plants and plant products.