PhilMech advances research on biocontrol agents

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is advancing its research in the use of bacteria and fungus to extend the shelf life of mangoes and fight pests that usually attack stored grains.

PhilMech executive director Rex Bingabing said that PhilMech scientists have discovered that certain kinds of antagonistic bacteria and fungus could fight bacteria that causes rot in mangoes.

The Philippines, he pointed out, has an abundance of flora where the natural active ingredients for biopesticides could be sourced.

"If we can lessen or eliminate the use of chemicals to fight the bacteria that cause rot in fruits or infests stored grains, consumers will greatly benefit because that will mean increased food safety for them,” he said.

For mangoes, PhilMech researchers combined the use of a biocontrol agent and hot water treatment to reduce stem-rot and anthracnose infection on mangoes.

Mangoes for the export market usually undergo hot water treatment to fight fungi that cause stem-rot and anthracnose infection.

Mangoes can also be sprayed with chemical fungicide before undergoing hot water treatment.

Based on PhilMech trials, combining hot water treatment with the use of a biocontrol agent reduced stem-end rot and anthracnose infection of mango samples by as much as 80 percent to 90 percent.

Traditional hot water treatment could reduce stem-end rot and anthracnose infection in mangoes by 60 percent to 90 percent.

PhilMech will conduct further testing on the combined treatment for mangoes before it could be commercialized.

Meanwhile, a separate ongoing research showed that certain Philippine native plants have natural active ingredients that could be used as biopesticides against pests infesting stored grains, particularly rice and corn.

Preliminary investigation showed a reduction of fungal and insecticidal activities when extracts from native plants Bituon, Bangbangsit, Anobrang, Hagonoy and Bayating were tested on stored grains.

Stored grains, particularly rice and corn, are usually sprayed with chemical pesticide which, however, presents some health concerns.

PhilMech is one of the government agencies that have taken an active role in developing organic or natural solutions for the country’s agriculture sector.

"One of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala’s vision for the Philippine agriculture sector is to reduce chemical use, and PhilMech’s researchers have made modest strides in developing biocontrol agents which will greatly help both farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs,” Bingabing said.

The agency has already discovered the biocontrol agent to fight the dreaded banana crown rot, and validated that the humble trichoderma can be used to reduce the spread of aflatoxinin on harvested corn. Aflatoxin is a known carcinogenic.