Tissue Culture Lab Chief Shines in Regional R&D Symposium

Ms. Elizabeth P. Parac, CSU Tissue Culture Lab Project Manager, bested other contenders for the ‘Best Paper Award’ in the Research category during the ‘13th Annual CCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights’ held on August 4-5, 2011 at Philrice Training Hall, RTR, Agusan Del Norte.

Her paper entitled “In Vitro Induction of Polyploidy in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)” won her a plaque and PhP3,000 cash prize and a chance to compete during the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) in November 2011.

In her presentation, Ms. Parac stated that certain anti-mitotic chemicals are promising to induce polyploidy in zygotic oil palm. She added that the three mitotic agents used in her study increased the number of chromosomes in oil palm, which show the promise for ploidization. Nonetheless, concentration level and exposure time are important factors that affect the effectiveness of the various anti-mitotic chemicals. In closing, she recommended Flow Cytometry in the ploidy analysis because this is more efficient, convenient and accurate method than the conventional methods of chromosome counting and measuring stomatal length and width. Moreover, she stressed the conduct of further study especially on the induction of ploidization in vitro to confirm the chromosome and stomatal analysis.

Written by: Dr. Rowena P. Varela