Presentation during the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Seminar Series on June 21, 2018 at RDMIC Bldg., cor. Visayas Ave., Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City

1.  BS Agriculture, Soil Science (1985) UPLB
 MS Soil Science, Soil Microbiology (1991) UPLB
 PhD Microbiology, Microbial genetics (2006) UPLB
 Scholarships: SEARCA, Fulbright Philippine Agriculture
About me:
Father: Col. Ricardo T.
Tambalo (Lipit, Manaoag)
Mother: Josefa Valerio
Dalmacio (Linoc, Binmaley)
2012
2014
2018

2. June 21, 2018
Ground Floor, BAR Annex, Elliptical Road, Diliman,
Quezon city
Efficacy of Mykovam on Coconut
and
Introduction of
MykoPlus for Crop Production
Jocelyn T. Zarate, Ph.D.
University Researcher, BIOTECH,
University of the Philippines Los Banos

3. I. Introduction:
BIOTECH, mission
Agriculture and Forest Biotechnology program
II. The beginnings of Mykovam: formulation
and trials
III. Understanding Microbial communities
IV. MykoPlus development and trials
V. Quiz
Training of Trainers on use of MykoPlus for Mango and other
cropsOrder of presentations:

4. National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (BIOTECH), UP Los Baños
BIOTECH is committed
to contribute in enhancing the
quality of life of the Filipino
through the growth and
development of biotech
industries.
We will exploit biotechnology
as an enabling technology for our
country’s agro-industrialization
and people’s empowerment.
MISSION
5 Programs at BIOTECH:
Focus on: Agriculture and
Forest Biotechnology
Bio= life
Technology= science, art,
skill, process
Microorganisms
(bacteria, fungi)

5. The global needs
1. MORE FOOD
2. SUBSTITUTE / SUPPPLEMENT
chemical inputs
3. IMPROVE/ SUPPORT
Sustainable Agriculture
Bringback
soil health
and
biodiversity
Expensive, degrades the soil and pollutes ground water
Agriculture and Forest Biotechnology
Program of BIOTECH

6. Developed- 1990's
Mykovam- soil based
biofertilizer containing
mycorrhizal fungi
Developed - 2013
MykoPlus- powdered form
plant growth promoter with
mycorrhiza plus other beneficial
microorganisms
The Solution

7. The beginnings of Mykovam
Project Leader: Dr. Reynaldo E. Dela Cruz
College of Forestry, UPLB and BIOTECH
Study leader: Nelly S. Aggangan
Research Assistants:
Elsie Lorilla, Isagani Amatorio, Nelson
Pampolina, Lorna Trinidad, Jocelyn Zarate
Year 1988 -1990

8. Mycorrhiza
research
beginnings
 isolation
 identification
 Mass
production
 Inoculation
trials

9. Available Mycorrhizal Inoculants (1990s)
VAM ECTO
-applied at 1 softdrink cap /seedling
-incorporated in germination box
- soil inoculant - 1 tablet/seedling - inoculate seedlings
directly on hyphae or
hyphal suspension
MYKOVAM Vegetative MyceliaMYCOGROE

10. JT Zarate
MS Thesis
JT Zarate

11. JT Zarate
MS Thesis
JT Zarate
MS Thesis

12. Collaboration with FFF Application of Mykovam and
other biofertilizers for enhanced
growth and yield of coconut
Lecture about Biofertilizers:
Mykovam and the use of soil test kits

13. Collaboration with FFF

14. Collaboration with FFF
Researcher managed project sites (3); Farmer managed 13 sites
1. Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), Lucban, Quezon
2. Barangay Calape, Bohol
3. Barangay Alicia and Makilas, Zamboanga plus Sibugay- water logging/damaged due to
drought and extreme heat plus peace and order problem in the site
Treatments SLSU Lucban, Quezon site:
T1 - Uninoculated
T2 - Mykovam (50 g)
T3 – Supplement (BioGroe, 500 ml/seedling)
T4 - Mykovam plus BioGroe
Note:
Chemical fertilizers applied on 2nd year:
RRC= 500g/tree Ammomium sulfate, 100 g/tree Muriate of Potash and 480g/tree
agricultural salt
½ RRC = 250 g/tree Ammomium sulfate, 50grams/tree Muriate of Potash and 240
g/tree Agricultural salt.
These were split-applied in three separate dosages (quarters) to achieve the total
annual chemical fertilizer requirement.

15. Collaboration with FFF
SLSU, Lucban site

16. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban site
 Height, stem
diameter and number
of leaves between
treatments were
comparable as of Y1

17. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban site Y1.6
6 months after chemical fertilizer application

18. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban site Y3
Only biofertilizer x chemical fertilizer
interaction was significant **

19. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban
site Y3
 Appearance of coconut
trees
 No chemical fertilizers

20. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban
site Y3
 Appearance of coconut
trees
 1/2 Recommended Rate
Chemical Fertilizers

21. Collaboration with FFF
Results: SLSU, Lucban
site Y3
 Appearance of coconut
trees
 Full Recommended Rate
Chemical Fertilizers
 Mykovam+RRC had the
tallest height and looked
more vigorous compared
to other treatments

22. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site
Collaborator: Catmonan Small Coconut Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (CSCFMPC)
headed by Mr. Norberto Bagui
Coconut variety: San Ramon
Date set up: January 16, 2009
Design: RCBD with 3 blocks; 10 x 10 meters per coconut seedling
Treatments Calape site:
T1 - Uninoculated control, unfertilized
T2 - ½ Rec. chem..fertilizer (1/2 RRC)250g Urea, 250g Salt and 150g Potash
T3 - Full Recom. rate chemical (RRC) 500g Urea, 500g Salt, 300g Potash
T4 - Mykovam, unfertilized
T5 - Mykovam + ½ RRC
T6 - Mykovam + full RRC

23. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site
 Y1.3 Steady
increase in
height and stem
diameter but no
particular
difference
between
treatments

24. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site
 Steady
increase in
leaf/palm
number until
Q3 but
 decrease in Q4
and start
mature leaves
development

25. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site
Leaf analysis:
• Total N: Highest
Mykovam+RRC
comparable with
1/2RRC
• Total K: Highest in
Mykovam+1/2RRC
• Total P: Highest in
Mykovam+RRC

26. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site

27. Collaboration with FFF
Calape, Bohol site

28. Collaboration with FFF
Summary
• Growth of coconuts was slow with or
without chemical fertilizers
• Mykovam application showed promising
results with highest P content in leaves,as
well as N and K
• Need to apply some more fertilizers and/ or
other amendments

30. Microbial communities:
Man’s workforce for better
agriculture

31. What is the relationship of an
elephant and ant?
Ang elepante ay
nagdadagdag ng
sustansya sa lupa
Lahat ay
nilalanggam
• Food chain - Ants are just part of the food chain
• Millions of other smaller players
nematodes, fungi, bacteria, etc.

32. • Microbial communities degrade organic matter (OM)
(composting), nourish themselves then multiply and
these active microbial activity produces great impact on
soil fertility!
 What is your role?

33. Microbes “Macro”

34. Plants need all 16 elements in order to grow
and provide yield
16 Nutrient Requirements

35. Kapag kulang sa isang
elemento, hindi tataas
ang ani. Kailangan ang
lahat ng 16 na
elemento

36. Microbial Communities
Roles and Functions
Engage in processes related to
nutrient cycling
1. Organic matter decomposition
2. Nutrient transformation
Nitrogen
Phosphorus (Phosphate solubilization)

37. Have you seen a bacteria?
Gram reaction
(+)(-) Bacteria are the dominant
life forms on earth.

38. Have you seen a fungi?
Mushroom
Mycorrhiza
Ectomycorrhiza Endomycorrhiza (VAM)

39. Organic Matter Decomposition
General reactions in microbial decomposition processes.
Adapted from Wolf and Legg (1984).
Complex Polymers
e.g. Cellulose, Lignin, Protein
Monomeric Units
e.g. Sugars, Phenols, Amino Acids
Extracellular Enzymes
CO2 + H2O +
More Energy +
More Biomass
CO2 + CH4 + Alcohols +
Organic Acids + NH3 +
H2 + Less Energy + Less
Biomass
Aerobic
(with oxygen)
Anaerobic
(fermentation)

40. Nitrogen Transformation cycle
N≡N
Animal
waste
Nitrogen
fixation by
bacteria in the
roots and in the
soil
Ammonia
(NH3)
Fertilizer
Manufacturing
Ammonia
(NH3)

41. Nitrogen Fixation
 N≡N
 Haber-Bosch Process
 N2 + 3H2 2NH3
 Temperature: 400-500°C
 Pressure: up to 200 atm

42. Nitrogen Fixation
 Also energy intensive
 Takes place at ambient (normal)
temperature and pressure
N2 + 8H
Nitrogenase
2NH3+ H2
 Biological Nitrogen Fixation

43. Phosphate Solubilization
 Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms releases bound
phosphate
Clearing zones around colonies indicating
phosphate solubilizing ability of isolate

44. mycorrhizal spores
ugat
Each fungal hyphae serves as additional
roots for greater nutrient & water absorption
Mycorrhiza
Fungi going inside the roots
Mycor= amag rhiza= ugat

45. Production of secondary
metabolites
 Plant growth-promoting
hormones
 Antibiotics and other
chemicals (siderophore)
 Work as a team
Waste product of one might be the food of another

46. Importance of Microbial
communities
Crop Production
Stimulate rooting and fruit set
Enhance yield
Promote germination
Stimulate flowering

47. ”I can see you!”

48. Plant growth
Promoter
Provides solution to problems on
 low yield and income
 poor soil properties
Jocelyn T. Zarate, PhD.
Team representative/ University Researcher, BIOTECH,
University of the Philippines Los Banos

49. MykoPlus videos
Si Mateo at ang MykoPlus
How to use MykoPlus

50. MykoPlus Control
70% RR +
MykoPlus
Cassava
The Solution
Mycorrhiza Plus
“mykes” “rhizaa”
Fungus- Root
association
Other Microbes
N fixers
P solubilizers
Growth hormones
 Efficient addition to chemical and organic farm inputs
mycorrhizal
spores
Microbes in MykoPlus provide
 Nitrogen from air
 make available Phosphorus
 growth regulators eg IAA for stem elongation
 increase absorption of water and nutrients
Fungal hyphae serving as roots
How does MykoPlus work?

51. How to use MykoPlus?
Coated on seeds
Coated on planting materials
(cane points, tubers)
Recom
mended
Rate
(RR)
70% RR +
MykoPlus
 Soil treatment
Eggplant
With MykoPlus Control
Cassava
Corn = 5 - 30% Grain yield increase
Rice= 25- 44%Grain
yield increase
Soaked rice seeds
Better seed germination than control

52. Since 2015 more farmer trials
 Government projects involving Community
Participatory Research
 Thesis students, Farmers and farmer groups
Our customers

53. • Developed - BIOTECH, Univ Philippines Los Banos (UPLB)
Start-up on-going incorporation
Business model
Manufacture - Direct sales
Distributors
Farm suppliers
Farmers
• Licensing Agreement from University-DOST (May 2, 2018)
• Patent filed - Aug. 2017
• Funded - Dept of Science & Technology PCAARRD & PCIEERD
Jocelyn T. Zarate, Ph.D.
Email: jtzarate@up.edu.ph
Thank you !
MykoPlus,
Plus sa Ani, Plus sa kita
Try mo na!