ACIAR and DOST-PCAARRD address mango production’s pre- and postharvest diseases

Experimental mango trees at the orchard of USeP in Tagum City were prepared for the trial on the effect of endophytic fungi for the control of pre- and postharvest diseases such as anthracnose and stem end rot (Photo by Allan B. Siano)

The Philippine mango industry has been thriving both in the local and international markets, with production as high as 783,225 metric tons combined for mangoes, mangosteens, and guavas in 2012, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango is also one of the best varieties in the world. However, pre- and postharvest diseases such as anthracnose and stem-end rot hinder mango production in the country.

To address this, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) funded the project, Research and development of integrated crop management for mango production in the southern Philippines and Australia.

During a field monitoring at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Tagum City, the Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD has identified experimental mango trees to test the effect of endophytic fungi for the control of pre- and postharvest diseases in mango.

Aside from the experimental trees, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture of Davao del Norte is implementing mango canopy and fertilizer management trials at the Davao del Norte Mango Research and Extension Center in Samal island.

“It is my first time to see our mango trees bear fruits after six years of managing this orchard,” said Mark Jumao-as, a farmer.

The CRD team, headed by its Director, Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, also monitored the mango project site at the SPAMAST orchard in Buhangin, Malita, Davao del Sur. The experimental trees in the orchard are being prepared as a parallel trial on canopy and fertilizer management.

The project aims to address challenges on mango yield and quality through the adoption of an Integrated Crop Management. Project deliverables include a set of “best practices” that will be disseminated to farmers and capacity building among extension workers and scientific staff to help in crop management.

The project is being implemented by the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), USeP, Southern Philippines Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

Source: http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2705-aciar-and-dost-pcaarrd-address-mango-production-s-pre-and-postharvest-diseases