FNCA Biofertilizer Newsletter and Mycorrhiza

FNCA Biofertilizer Newsletter
Mr. Richard M. Balog, Editor, Leader of FNCA Biofertilizer Project of the Philippines, Issue No. 7 February 2007

Message from the Philippines.

Dear Readers,

This 7th issue of the FNCA (Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia) Biofertilizer Newsletter features the activities pertaining to research and development, industry, use and promotion and impactof Biofertilizers in Philippine agriculture. It's my pleasure to share to you information herein that you may find interesting and valuable in line with the same activities in your respective areas.

The need to address the food requirement of the growing population in the Philippines made the farmers adopt the latest technology in agriculture like the use of high yielding and resistant crop varieties. These varieties however require high amount of nutrients making the farmers dependent on agricultural input like inorganic fertilizers. It was reported that from 1966 to 1998 fertilizer application in the Philippines increased from 20% to 80%. Nitrogen, considered as the most limiting
factor in crop production, gains the highest mark of all the major nutrients from inorganic sources applied by farmers. The 2001 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Yearbook on fertilizers stated that from 1987 to 1998, Philippine consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers increased from 371,487 MT to 546,499 MT. Such consumption resulted to high production for some time but adverse soil and other environmental conditions were observed in the long run. This called for the use of other alternative inputs. The use of biofertilizers has been determined as one of the main options to address the rising concern on agricultural and environmental sustainability.

Biofertilizer industry in the Philippines grown considerably with the promotion of Government of bioorganic farming and the active involvement of research institutions, private individuals and enterprises. Biofertilizers in various forms have been developed and more researches on rhizobia legume symbiosis, azolla, mychorriza, sesbania, blue green algae and the living microorganism (Nfixing bacteria) were encouraged.

My sincere thanks to the contributors who graciously contributed some highlights of their research works and efforts. Without their contributions, this issue would not have materialized.

Best regards,
Richard M. Balog
FNCA Biofertilizer Project Leader, Philippines

See also:
3. Mycorrhiza