FFTC Annual Report 2010 41

Field evaluation of Taiwan yellow corn hybrids in Laguna province, Philippines

The Department of Agriculture is committed to increase the availability of quality, safe and affordable corn as feed and food. However, presently, one of the major problems confronting the agricultural crop industry is lack of quality seeds and its affordability. The farmers, in order to cope with the increase in demand for corn due to increasing population often result in the use of F1 hybrid seeds. However, at present, the private seed companies are now taking the lead to provide the needed supply of quality seeds for farmers. In 2006, concerted efforts have been done to address this need. Agricultural technical assistance program on modern corn cultivation techniques and introduction of hybrid corn varieties was initiated in Caraga region, Mindanao, Philippines through. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center in Taiwan and the Department of Agriculture. The program was conducted in order to raise the average yield per hectare, ensure sustainable production in prime corn lands, and address poverty by increasing the income of marginal corn farmers. Realizing the farmer’s need for quality seeds and modern production technologies, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the pioneering bureau of the Department of Agriculture that conducts Research and Development on varietal improvement and cultural management has done significant contribution in increasing the yield of farmers. BPI-LBNCRDC has released 61 Philippine Seedboard approved varieties of vegetables field legumes and fruit trees that passed through the National Cooperative Trials in the different regions in the country. It has established and maintains its own seed production stations that could supply high yielding and quality seeds all over the country. The Center now aims to conduct field evaluation on Taiwan yellow corn Hybrids to enhance food security, increase farmers income and provide continuous supply of quality yellow corn hybrid seeds in Laguna, Philippines. The project’s objectives are: 1) To evaluate the field performance of Taiwan yellow corn hybrids in Laguna province, Philippines and; 2) To promote the utilization of Taiwan yellow corn hybrids to farmers, local government agencies through conduct of a Field Day.

Filipino researcher measures the height of a corn plant in one of the experimental fields in Laguna Province, Philippines.

42 FFTC Annual Report 2010

A field evaluation of Taiwan yellow corn hybrid, commercial variety and BPI Variety were conducted in four towns in Laguna namely, San Pablo, Bay, Pila and Calamba and in the Experimental Area at BPI-LBNCRDC.

Summary and recommendationIn terms of yield performance, Taiwan yellow corn hybrids, significantly outperformed the yield of BPI variety and Commercial variety in the four testing sites in Laguna, Philippines. The highest yield was obtained in Pila, Laguna with a mean of 9.3 tons/hectare, followed by the yield in San Pablo City (8.1 tons/

ha), BPI-LBNCRDC (6.1 tons/ha ) in Bay, Laguna (3.5 tons/ha) and in Calamba, Laguna (1.42 tons/ha). The increase in yield in Pila, Laguna could be attributed to the kinds of soil. The area was previously not planted with other crops and the farmer cooperator practiced the integrated farming system and the use of organic fertilizer. Taiwan yellow corn was found to be acceptable among farmers cooperators and local government agencies. It is recommended that registration of the yellow corn hybrids in the National Seed Industry Council of the Philippines be done prior to commercialization of the variety in the country.

In terms of yield performance, Taiwan yellow corn hybrids, significantly outperformed the yield of BPI variety and commercial variety in the four testing sites in Laguna, Philippines.