Three published research and development papers in agriculture, aquatic sciences, and natural resources and environment were conferred with the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Awards.
The awards were given during the recent virtual S&T Awards and Recognition of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology through its Facebook page.
In Agriculture category, the outstanding published paper was conferred to “De novo genome sequence assembly of dwarf coconut [Cocos nucifera L. ‘Catigan Green Dwarf’] provides insights into genomic variation between coconut types and related palm species,” authored by Darlon V. Lantican of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
It was implemented by UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding and the Boyce Thompson Institute in Cornell University in the United States
The research reported the first high-quality sequence assembly and annotation of the whole-genome sequence of a dwarf coconut variety, Catigan Green Dwarf (CATD).
This sequence provides the most basic information needed to conduct more precise and directed research to address productivity and income concerns of farmers, and the supply and quality demand imposed by local and international markets or consumers.
In Aquatic Sciences category, the award went to the project, “Reproductive development of the threatened giant grouper [Epinephelus lanceolatus]” by Peter A. Palma of the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (Seafdec).
The project was implemented by Seafdec, University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan; University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia; and Research Institute for Aquaculture in Vietnam.
The research work described the reproductive development of the threatened giant grouper, providing a foundation for ongoing research activities on the development of the giant grouper broodstock and hatchery management.
The research data can be used for the formulation of management policies for the threatened giant grouper species.
The project, “Mapping Fishing Activities and Suitable Fishing Grounds Using Nighttime Satellite Images and Maximum Entropy Modelling” by Rollan C. Geronimo of the Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, was the outstanding published paper awardee under Natural Resources and Environment Category.
It is implemented by the University of Hawaii, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth Observation Group, and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
The study highlights the use of nighttime satellite images in obtaining information on the spatial fishing effort of fisheries, especially in Southeast Asia.
Using maximum entropy modeling, the study identified bathymetry and chlorophyll as the main environmental predictors of spatial occurrence of the core fishing areas.
Data from the study can be used to inform various fisheries management interventions in the country.