SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
A team of researchers at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has developed a natural root growth booster that will be available in the market in 2021.
The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) announced this in a press statement on Tuesday, October 6.
“Scientifically proven and tested, HormoGroeTM, an innovative root growth enhancer, can speed up seed germination, induce rooting, enhance shoot growth and flowering in plantation crops, high value ornamentals, fruit trees, and vegetables,” PCIEERD said.
It added that the product “is made up of naturally occurring microorganisms that are nano-encapsulated to increase its utilization rate and reduce impact of environmental risks.”
HormoGroeTM tests on coffee, cassava, banana, vegetables and some ornamental plants, including gumamela and bougainvillea, yielded positive results, PCIEERD said.
Project leader Dr Lilia Fernando cited the benefits of using HormoGroeTM.
“Unlike other products available in the market, HormoGroeTM is not synthetic. It is naturally produced by bacteria and is nano-formulated,” Fernando said.
The product, which is expected to become available commercially in 2021, will be initially sold to farmer cooperatives, plantations, and retail stores through distribution channels, PCIEERD said.
PCIEERD said that the UPLB researchers set up MakilingTek – a spin-off company that caters to the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of HormoGroeTM – through its Funding Assistance for Spin-Off and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) program.
PCIEERD Executive Director Dr Enrico Paringit believes that HormoGroeTM can boost the production of good quality crops. “Making HormoGroeTM available and accessible to Filipino growers will enable them to contribute to food production in a sustainable manner,” he said.
The government agency said that the HormoGroeTM project team needs potential investors and partners for product distribution and testing on other crops. Inquiries can be directed to Dr Lilia M. Fernando at lmfernando@up.edu.ph or through +63495361620. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.