State researchers have developed a tissue culture growth chamber for mass propagation of coffee seedlings and embryo-cultured makapuno (ECM).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna,Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Cavite State University (CvSU), and the National Coffee Research, Development, and Extension Center were behind the development of the growth chamber innovation, DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T de la Peña said in a report.
He said the tissue growth chamber was developed “to produce produce disease-free seedlings in even shorter periods of time.”
“Through the growth chamber innovation, tissue-cultured embryos are subjected to a tightly controlled environment thus decreasing the chance of plant contamination and mortality rate,” he said.
"With its promising appeal to the market, the technology is foreseen to open more opportunities for the government and private organizations to put up income-generating tissue culture laboratories. This technology facility will have a significant impact on the coffee and makapuno industry,” the DOST chief added.
DOST-Calabarzon Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit said the project was initiated to address the shortage in the production of coffee and makapuno in the country
"With the help of this growth chamber, the duration of a conventional system of embryo culture propagation can be shortened. It will also help to increase the survival rate of seedlings in the in-vitro stage,” she explained.
The project was among the five major projects unveiled by DOST-Calabarzon during the opening ceremony of 2021 Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) on Oct. 11.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/11/dost-calabarzon-unveils-5-new-food-processing-agri-projects/