UPDATES

Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0912-510-1003

SRA-LGAREC

Vol. 1 No. 9 p. 1

November

1997

PHILSUTECH S SEMINAR ON EL INO: A TIMELY REMINDER

The Division of Agriculture of PHILSUTECH Assn., Inc. headed by VP Rodrigo E. Tapay, Manager II, SRA-LGAREC and Director Joemarie Lopez, Manager of Nabingkalan Planters Assn., sponsored a seminar on El ino last November 21, 1997 at Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel. A total of 94 participants registered representing the planters, millers and government sectors from the different mill districts of Negros, Panay, and Cebu. PHILSUTECH expected a participants of 50 but it turned out to more than a hundred including non-paying members. The well attended seminar was interesting because of informative and enlightening speeches of, namely; Maximo W. Baradas, Ph.D., visiting scientist (Agrometeorology) of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, and Teodoro C. Mendoza, Ph.D. Associate Professor of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, both of UP Los Banos, Laguna. The topics as well as the discussions, were all relevant to the country recent issue affecting s the agricultural sector, particularly the sugar industry. Dr. Baradas

presented the paper on the Mitigating the Adverse Effect of El ino on Sugarcane Farming. He stressed that the most critical stages in the development of sugarcane with respect to water are the establishment period, early vegetative, and early yield formation. That a 60% moisture stress at the establishment and early vegetative period can reduce final yield by 45%. Furthermore, 65% moisture stress in the early yield formation can cut the yield by 30%. He also said that two general methods of mitigating the effects of El ino are increasing the water supply and minimizing the water losses. Rainfall multiplication, zero run off, shallow tube wells, water impounding structures (tie-ridges on farms, SFR and WIP and s s), cloud seeding are among the ways to increase the water supply. Minimizing water losses include use of evaporation suppressants for reservoirs, mulches (soil, trash, plastic), no off-barring and no hilling-up, zero and minimum tillage, windbreaks, organic fertilizers and mudpress. Use of drought tolerant varieties also helps. Dr. Reynaldo Sampang, a panelist from SRA-LAREC mentioned that the new HYV s which are tolerant to drought are Phil 7228, Phil 7464 & Phil 8477. He recommended the use of balsa (kalmut) to minimize

evaporation and improve capillary movement of water and at the same time stimulate tiller formation. Dr. Mendoza presented the paper on El ino Phenomenon and Some Adaptive Practices for Sugarcane Production. He revealed that upon reviewing the sugar yield data coinciding the crop years with El ino Episode, this phenomenon did not have any significant effect on the total sugar yield on the year it happened. It was after considering the location of the farms and correlating soil types where the negative effects became evident as in upland/rolling areas and sandy soils. The recommendations to mitigate adverse effects of El ino in sugarcane are the following: ? ? Plant early to avail of the residual moisture in the soil. ? ? Plant a higher density of 50,000 to 60,000 canepoints./ha to give allowance to seedpieces that may not germinate
?

? Plant canepoints in a horizontal position with buds at both sides and covered deeply with pulverized soil to prevent rapid drying of canepoints.
? ? Deep plowing of 12 to 18 and subsoiling for the purpose of breaking the hard pan layer.

UPDATES
Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0912-510-1003

SRA-LGAREC

Vol. 1 No. 9 p. 2

November

1997

? ? Use fast growing and drought resistant varieties like Phil 8477, Phil 7228 & Phil 7464. ? ? Soak the canepoints in running water for about 36 to 48 hours to hasten germination. ? ? Apply full dose of fertilizer at planting to avail of moisture still in the soil. However, in case of drought situation, avoid applying fertilizer until moisture is available. ? ? Use cane trash and other farm wastes as mulch to cover soil surface (inter-rows) and minimize evaporation losses. ? ? Avoid burning canes and trashes. ? ? Make efficient use of irrigation resources by using drip irrigation or using low volume delivery to avoid wastage. ? ? Maintaining ratoon crops instead of plowing the field and planting new canes. ? ? Construction of irrigation system (deepwell or shallow tube well). One of the reactors, Mr. Sofronio Parohinog, Jr. of the Department of Agriculture cautioned the group to anticipate control measures against infestation of rats and locust which is prevalent in the wet season after a long period of the El ino Phenomenon.
/glr

PHILSUTECH ASSOCIATION, INC.

Officers and Members of the Board (1997-1998) Chairman of the Board President Administrative Division VP-Director Director Agriculture Division VP-Director Director Engineerin g Division VP-Director Director Fab. & Chem. Control Div. VP-Director Director Trans. & Cane Hdlg. Div. VP-Director Director Treasurer Administrative Officer Mr. Jose Manuel C. Lopa Mr. Ramon H. Durano VI

Mr. Terence S. Uygongco Mr. Raul G. Espina

Dr. Rodrigo E. Tapay Mr. Jose Mari Z. Lopez

Mr. Dean L. Guevarra Mr. Arcadio S. Lozada, Jr.

Mr. Napoleon I. Tumunong Mr. Romeo L. Zarris

Mr. Manuel Y. Gonzales Mr. Renato P. Cabati Mr. Julio M. Manalo Ms. Haydee V. Villanueva