Biofertilizer Soon in BSU
09.23.09 -JSTabangcura   

     Realizing the benefits that could be derived from the use of bio-fertilizers for vegetable crops, researchers from BSU under the leadership of Dr. Carlito P. Laurean is currently bent on the bio-fertilizer research and development project.

     “To support the goal of BSU to become a pro-organic university, we will first supply bio-fertilizer to farmers/researchers within the school,” said Ho-ti Picpican who is the research assistant for the project.

     The bio-fertilizer being produced under the project as of now is a mixture of mushroom compost, chicken dung and sawdust. It contains 32.23% organic matter indicative of high nitrogen content which is one of the most essential nutrients needed by vegetable crops.

     “We follow the same process followed by commercial producers of fertilizer, the only difference is that we use other raw materials such as sunflower to enhance nitrogen content and we incorporate effective micro organisms such as trichoderma and some strains of bacteria that’s why its called bio-fertilizer,” added Picpican.

     Trichoderma is known to protect plant roots against diseases caused by fungi.

     Several field trials on the effect of bio-fertilizer on broccoli and tomato showed good response from the plants. More field trials and tests on the content of the bio-fertilizer are to be conducted in the future.

     So far the bio-fertilizer facility constructed under the project was able to supply other research projects within the university but according to Picpican, the facility still needs to be extended for mass production so that it can accommodate demands from the community.

     Initial raw materials for the first piling of compost last August this year was provided by the Binnadang project funded by PCARRD. The facility accommodates soil science and animal science practicum students.