Vol. 1 No. 1 (2018): January

This descriptive study was conducted to assess the agri-business ventures in Davao Occidental. Four municipalities were included, namely Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, and Jose Abad Santos.  The statistical tools used were frequency, percentage, and mean. Respondents were chosen through random sampling. Results showed that most of the respondents who engaged in agri-business aged 36-40 years old were mostly female, married, college graduates, Roman Catholic, and Cebuano. Moreover, the majority of the respondents preferred sole proprietorship as a legal form of agri-business organization, merchandising of agricultural products. The size of the agri-business in terms of capitalization falls under the micro category with an investment of P3,000,000.00 and below and employs at least one worker. The practice of agri-business in Davao Occidental in terms of production was sourcing raw materials from the locality due to the availability and abundance of agricultural products. Only a few respondents used technology in their businesses, and workers were hired from the locality to provide employment and income for the families. Most of the respondents preferred owner`s equity as initial investment and operating expenses, and marketing of the products was done through retailers. The term of payment was on a cash-to-cash basis, and the mode of promotion was publicity. The problem faced by the entrepreneurs was the transport of products from the farm to the assembly area or consumers—the high cost of transportation and damage during hauling led to a reduction in profits for the entrepreneurs.  

The study was geared towards the production of kalamansi nip enhanced with ginger extract. It was conducted to determine the acceptability of kalamansi nip with ginger extract with its concentration, acceptability of nip and juice among different market segments, available nutrients, shelf-life, and profitability of production. Experiments were carried out in a Completely Randomized Design and subjected to sensory evaluation. The nip was prepared with different ginger ratios: T1 (control), T2 (5%), T3 (10%); T4 (15%). Results showed that 5% ginger extract concentration had a higher acceptability. Using a 5% concentration of ginger, the researchers tested the nip and juice’s acceptability through sensory evaluation among different market segments. The evaluators liked both products. Laboratory analysis revealed that the kalamansi nip with ginger extract was found to contain 327 kcal per 100g, 71.35% carbohydrates, 4.55% crude fat, 4.12% saturated fat, 0.19% crude protein, 43.68 μg/g sodium, 508 μg/g potassium, and 101μg/g calcium. The kalamansi nip and juice lasted at room temperature for 51 and 3 days, respectively. In addition, kalamansi nip production had a promising return of 15 to 35%, depending on the amount of ginger extract.

Seagrass has a remarkable metal bioaccumulation capacity since it interacts directly with both the water column and the pore water through the leaves and roots as ionic uptake. Malita, Davao Occidental, has some extensive seagrass meadows that support populations of species like dugongs, turtles, and commercially and traditionally important fishes. This study aimed to determine the potential of seagrass in absorbing mercury. There were five species of seagrass observed in the study area (Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis, Halodule pinifolia, Halophila minor, and Halophila spinolusa). In New Argao, the highest mean percent cover (4.3%) and shoot density (519.2 shoots/m2) were obtained in H. ovalis, while the lowest mean percent cover (1.9%) and shoot density (197.87 shoots/m2) were recorded in Cullman. It was found that there were no significant differences in the density and abundance of H. ovalis between the sampling stations; however, there was a significant difference in the concentration of mercury between sampling stations. The mercury accumulation was observed to be high (41.9 ppb) and recorded from Tingolo, while in Culaman, the total quantity of mercury accumulated by H. ovalis was 21.5 ppb. There was a low positive correlation between mercury concentration and percent cover of H. ovalis, while a negative correlation (-0.518) was found between mercury concentration and shoot density. Because of the limited data available, conclusions about the relationships were not drawn. As to physicochemical parameters, the temperature, salinity, and pH recorded in all sampling stations were observed to be at their normal levels.

The study analyzed the rooting responses of selected citrus species using stem cuttings. Different rooting hormones, including IBA, IAA, NAA, Hormex, and Saredex, were applied to cuttings at the recommended rate. Six morphological characteristics were measured and detected after 60 days. Interaction effects between citrus species and rooting hormones in all parameters were not significant. Still, hormones and citrus mean had significant effects in all parameters except for days to shoot, number of shoots, number of leaves, and number of roots. The rooting performance of citrus species improved when NAA, IAA, IBA, and Hormex hormones were used. The results of the study clearly showed that the use of any rooting hormones, especially Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), could enhance the rooting ability of selected citrus species (Calamansi, Calamandarin, and Dalandan) as early as 60 days. Additionally, the application of nitrogenous fertilizer could improve the growth of potted, rooted citrus cuttings in nursery operations.

Balabag is one of the 40 barangays of Kidapawan City.  It has a total land area of 2,542 hectares, of which 842 hectares were used for agricultural and multiple purposes while 1,700 hectares were forest land. It has a population of 1,719 with 361 households; about 60% of the population were Indigenous People (IP), and 40% were non–IPs. This study aimed to assess the current conservation status of the endemic diverse species that surrounded the watersheds; gather and identify the priority needs of the community; promote the existing tourist destination; respect the “obo maneuver” culture and arts heritage; and enforce forestry laws, regulations, and other issuances in watershed management. Inventory, collection, and assessment with the participation of local assistants, foresters, and plant experts and conservation status using the IUCN Redlist were the methods used. Forty-eight different species of vascular plants were high in the Balabag secondary forest. In terms of flora, the study revealed that 14 species as edible, seven as medicinal, 11 could be utilized as firewood, one as raw material for handicraft-making, one as fuel, six as ornamental, four as food plants for animals, and four could be used as dyes, spices, and ropes. On the other hand, 23 fauna were recorded in the area: two species of birds, six mammals, seven amphibians, and eight reptiles. One species of threatened and endemic birds was noted, and one threatened species (Megaerops Wetmore) of mammal and Limnonectes magnus (Philippine Woodland Frog), a near-threatened species of amphibians, were also recorded. 

The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the leaves and fruit crude extracts from the Barringtonia asiatica plant against S. aureus and E. coli. The ethanolic extracts contained phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. The leaf extracts exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the fruit extracts and clear inhibitions were mainly observed in the first and second dilutions. Based on the results, there was a significant difference in the antimicrobial activities of the extracts against S. aureus but no significant difference was observed against E. coli. As for the traditional usage of B. asiatica, a personal interview was done by the researcher to the residents of Aplaya, Digos City. It turned out that out of 18 respondents, 55.55% claimed they’ve used the leaves while 38.88% used the seed/fruits and 11.11% utilized the roots as a treatment for ailments including stomach ache, goiter, skin disease, bone fractures, cyst, and hernia. These manifested that B. asiatica has a potential antibacterial agent and demands further investigation to identify underlying mechanisms responsible for bioactivities.