Hybrid rice is a major technological breakthrough in the Philippines since 2002 under the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program of the Department of Agriculture. It increases rice yields from 5 t/ha to 8 t/ha particularly in Central Luzon, which is tagged as the rice granary of the country. The region faces challenges in maintaining farmers’ receptivity and ensuring long-term adoption of the technology. After more than two decades, an evaluation study on farmers’ socio-demographic profiles and perceived challenges is essential to understand the technology’s long-term impact and offer insights into how the government can effectively support long-term receptivity to hybrid rice. The study used descriptive-comparative survey research design. Farmers were mostly male, elderly, married, have large households, attained secondary and tertiary education, members in farmers’ groups and have not received formal training on hybrid rice technology. Farm holdings were primarily small-scale across the region, with average farm size of 2.6 ha. Farmers preferred cultivating SL-8H and Longping hybrid rice varieties during the dry season. Yields in Nueva Ecija were higher than those in Bataan due to comparative advantage in terms of topography and better access to irrigation facilities and extension services. Pest and disease infestation was the primary challenge identified by farmers in hybrid rice production followed by inefficient seed delivery system, financial constraints, technical knowledge gap and seed supply mismatch. To mitigate these challenges, farmers proposed for sustained capacity-building, enhanced technical support from both public and private sectors, establishment of technology demonstration farms, and the timely provision of high-quality inputs and postharvest logistics.

This study aims to determine the effect of the combination of fermented noni and lime on consistency and sensory properties. The design used was a completely randomised design (CRD) with one factor, namely the ratio of fermented noni and lime, which were P1 50:50, P2 60:40, P3 70:30, P4 80:20, and P5 90:10. The study was conducted at the Integrated Agroindustry Laboratory, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Untag Surabaya. Data collection consisted of organoleptic test data from 30 panelists and analysis results, namely physical consistency analysis in the form of texture testing using a penetrometer. The analysis results indicate that the optimal formulation for fermented noni jelly candy, serving as a reference for producers to manufacture consumer-preferred fermented noni jelly candy ( ), is a 50:50 ratio of fermented noni to lime.

This research investigates the quality and safety of vacuum-packed chilled rabbit meat. The study evaluates organoleptic, physico-chemical, and microbiological parameters of rabbit meat stored under vacuum conditions at 0-4 °C for a defined period. The results demonstrate that vacuum packaging effectively extends shelf life, preserving meat's safety and quality. After the full storage period (10 days, plus an additional 3-day reserve period), the meat maintained acceptable organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical stability, and microbiological safety. Laboratory analyses confirmed that chilled rabbit meat is safe for consumption and complies with all current regulatory requirements.

This study aimed to determine the effect of soaking time of mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprout extract on the growth of snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) leaf cuttings. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture's screen house, UGJ Cirebon used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments of immersion duration (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes) each repeated five times. The parameters observed included root length, time to shoot emergence, number of shoots, leaf thickness, chlorophyll content, and plant growth rate. The analysis results showed that the immersion duration significantly affected root length, initial shoot emergence, and number of shoots, especially at 40 and 60 days after planting. The best treatment was obtained at 30 minutes of immersion which consistently produced the most optimal root and shoot growth. Meanwhile, there was no significant effect on leaf thickness, chlorophyll content, and plant growth rate in all treatments. The phytohormone content in mung bean sprout extract such as auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin is thought to play a role in stimulating root and shoot growth in the early phase of snake plant cutting propagation. This study proves that natural PGR from mung bean sprouts has the potential as an environmentally friendly alternative in supporting the vegetative propagation of ornamental plants.

harvest can produce good quality fruit. The characteristics of fruit commodities at various levels of maturity at harvest time greatly determine the quality because different levels of fruit maturity will affect the quality of the fruit, and inappropriate levels of maturity will cause low fruit quality. This research was carried out by the UGJ Cirebon Faculty of Agriculture Laboratory from July to August 2024. This research used an experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Variables measured included weight loss, total dissolved solids content and vitamin C. Tests were carried out using analysis of variance and Duncan's test. The results showed that differences in pineapple ripeness levels made a difference to fresh weight, weight loss and total soluble solids levels. High fresh fruit weight and weight loss were obtained at a maturity level of 20%, while high total soluble solids were obtained at a maturity level of 30%. Vitamin C levels showed no differences at various stages of maturity.

The article presents a synthesis of investigations conducted on 10 corn hybrids from the early and medium maturity groups, tested under ecological conditions in the northern part of the Republic of Moldova in 2023 at the Visoca Testing Station in Soroca District. According to tests carried, the productivity of the corn hybrids varies on average between 8,17 and 8,61 t/ha, depending on the maturity group. This variation underscores the influence of ecological factors on the development of the hybrids. Corn hybrids from the medium maturity group demonstrate a productivity that is 0,44 t/ha higher than that of the early maturity group. The year 2023 provided favorable climatic conditions for assessing the water loss capacity of the kernels, from physiological maturity to harvest. The maximum intensity of moisture loss from the kernels was observed in the stage IV, where the average percentage of moisture lost per day was 0,45% for hybrids from the early maturity group and 0,48% for those from the medium maturity group. Thus, hybrids with different capacities for moisture loss from the kernels were obtained. The tests highlighted corn hybrids with varying rates of moisture loss from the kernels even after harvest, particularly emphasizing those from the medium maturity group. Articolul prezintă o sinteză a investigațiilor efectuate asupra a 10 hibrizi de porumb din grupa de maturitate timpurie și mijlocie, testate în condiții ecologice în nordul Republicii Moldova în 2023, la Stațiunea de testare Visoca, raionul Soroca. Conform testărilor realizate, productivitatea hibrizilor de porumb variază în medie, între 8,17 și 8,61 t/ha, în funcție de grupa de maturitate. Această variație subliniază influența factorilor ecologici asupra dezvoltării hibrizilor. Hibrizii de porumb din grupa de maturitate mijlocie demonstrează o productivitate cu 0,44 t/ha mai mare decât hibrizii din grupa de maturitate timpurie. Anul 2023 a oferit condiții climatice favorabile pentru determinarea capacității de pierdere a apei din boabe, de la maturitatea fiziologică până la recoltare. Intensitatea maximă a cedării umidității din boabe a fost observată în etapa a IV-a, unde procentul de umiditate pierdut pe zi a fost, în medie, de 0,45% pentru hibrizii din grupa de maturitate timpurie și de 0,48% pentru cei din grupa de maturitate mijlocie. Astfel, s-au obținut hibrizi cu capacități diferite de pierdere a apei din boabe. Testările efectuate au evidențiat hibrizi de porumb cu ritmuri diferite de cedare a umidității din boabe și după recoltă, în mod special s-au evidențiat hibrizii din grupa de maturitate mijlocie.

Palm oil is the world's main vegetable oil commodity and significantly contributes to the food industry. However, challenges related to the low content of certain nutrients and susceptibility to lipid oxidation are major issues that affect product quality. Fortification technology is an innovative solution to improve palm oil's nutritional value and oxidative stability. This article aims to evaluate the development of modern technology in palm oil fortification, including the addition of vitamin A, vitamin E, bioactive compounds, and the use of natural and synthetic antioxidants. Various methods, such as microencapsulation, nanotechnology, and biofortification techniques, are discussed in the context of their effectiveness in maintaining nutritional stability, preventing lipid oxidation, and extending product shelf life. This review highlights the challenges of implementing fortification technology, including technical and regulatory aspects in the food industry. The results of the review indicate that fortification technology improves nutritional quality and the oxidative stability of palm oil, thus supporting the development of healthier and more value-added food products. The implementation of vitamin A and E fortification with nanotechnology is expected to be able to answer global nutritional challenges and increase the competitiveness of the palm oil industry in the international market.

Taking into consideration the positive properties of the ZooBior product, an autochthonous remedy, obtained through modern technologies from Spirulina platensis, is of interest its impact on the health, and especially on the clinical and hematological status of quails. The research was carried out under poultry farm conditions on four batches of quails, of 50 birds each. The feed for three experimental batches was supplemented with ZooBior in different doses (10.0-15.0-20.0 mg active substance/kg feed), while the birds from the control batch were fed regular diet without supplementation. The tested product induced decreased values of body temperature and respiratory movements, highlighting its antistressor properties, as well as the positive impact on hematopoiesis and natural resistance in quails. Luându-se în considerație proprietățile benefice ale produsului ZooBior, remediu autohton, dobândit prin tehnologii moderne din Spirulina platensis, prezintă interes impactul acestui preparat asupra sănătății, în special asupra statusului clinico-hematologic la prepelițe. Cercetările au fost efectuate in condiții de fermă zootehnică, pe patru loturi de prepelițe a câte 50 păsări. Hrana pentru trei loturi experimentale a fost suplimentată cu ZooBior în diferite doze (10.0-15.0-20.0 mg substanță activă /kg furaj), iar păsările din lotul martor au avut un regim alimentar obișnuit, fără supliment. Produsul testat a indus valori diminuate ale temperaturii corporale și ale mișcărilor respiratorii, evidențiindu-se proprietățile anti-stres, precum și impactul pozitiv asupra hematopoiezei și rezistenței naturale la prepelițe.

In the process of obtaining grapevine clones free from viral diseases and bacterial cancer, there are often cases where protoclones, seemingly healthy, well-developed, and with high yields, are found to be latently infected with bacterial cancer. This disease is most caused by agrobacteria from the genus Allorhizobium vitis and sometimes by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and it is one of the most destructive diseases for grapevines from an economic perspective. The bacterial pathogen exists systemically in grapevines and spreads through infected propagation material. In the present study the Triplex End-Point PCR method was used for accurate and rapid identification of pathogenic strains of agrobacteria. One-year-old mature vines from 6 varieties and forms of grapevines were taken for the research. Microbiological testing on Roy & Sasser semiselective medium showed that five of the six plants tested were positive for Agrobacterium spp. infection. The positive tested samples were subjected to PCR testing. The presence of PehA gene, which is used to identify Allorhizobium vitis and to differentiate it from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, was confirmed in all tested samples. The virF and virD regions associated with the production of nopalins, octopins and vitopns were also detected. The test results suggested that the method allows for the reliable detection of pathogenic cultures carrying the tumor-inducing plasmid. The obtained results contribute to the development of strategies to combat bacterial cancer infections and improve phytosanitary selection practices for grapevine propagation material. În procesul de obținere a clonelor de viță de vie libere de boli virale și de cancer bacterian, adesea se observă cazuri în care plantele, aparent sănătoase, bine dezvoltate și cu o producție ridicată, se dovedesc a fi infectate latent cu cancer bacterian. Această boală este cauzată cel mai des de agrobacterii din genul Allorhizobium vitis și uneori de Agrobacterium tumefaciens și este una dintre cele mai distructive boli, din perspectivă economică, pentru vița de vie. Patogenul bacterian există sistemic în vița de vie și se răspândește prin materialul de propagare infectat. În prezentul studiu a fost utilizată metoda PCR Triplex End-Point pentru identificarea precisă și rapidă a tulpinilor patogene de agrobacterii. Pentru realizarea cercetărilor au fost prelevate vițe mature de un an de la 6 soiuri și forme de viță de vie. Testarea microbiologică pe mediul semiselectiv Roy & Sasser a demonstrat că cinci dintre cele 6 plante testate au prezentat rezultate pozitive pentru infecția cu Agrobacterium spp. Loturile testate pozitiv au fost transferate la etapa investigației prin metoda PCR. În toate probele testate a fost confirmață prezența genei PehA (466 bp), care servește pentru identificarea bacteriei Allorhizobium vitis și pentru diferențierea ei de Agrobacterium tumefaciens. De asemenea s-au detectat regiunile virF (382 bp) și virD (320 bp) asociate cu producția de nopaline, octopine și vitopine, ce servesc drept sursă de nutrienți pentru bacterii. Rezultatele testărilor au sugerat că metoda permite detectarea fiabilă a culturilor patogene purtătoare de plasmida inductoare de tumori. Rezultatele obținute contribuie la dezvoltarea strategiilor de combatere a infecțiilor cu cancer bacterian și la îmbunătățirea practicilor de selecție fitosanitară a materialului de multiplicare viticol.