To augment Quezon’s production of quality planting materials for its greening efforts, the Quezon Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) through its Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) sought the assistance of the Urban and Biodiversity Research and Extension Center (UBRDEC) for a two-day training on macro-somatic clonal propagation held from May 4-5, 2023.

Twenty-seven (27) participants from Quezon PGENRO participated in the training, which included lectures on the topics of ERDB’s macro-somatic cloning technology and the establishment of clonal nursery and plantation, and a series of hands-on demonstration activities.

Quezon PGENRO hopes to harness ERDB’s macro-somatic clonal technology to bolster the quality and quantity of indigenous planting materials which can be used in different greening programs for the province.

“The presence of ERDB through UBRDEC in Quezon province is very advantageous for us”, PGENRO Department Head Manuel Eugenio A. Beloso shares at the opening of the activity, citing the “accessibility of relevant research information“ for their projects and programs.

The province lost a total of 352 hectares of natural forest cover from 2010-2021, signifying the need for incorporating different approaches to enhance the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in which quality planting materials assume a critical role.

An action planning activity was conducted to determine a preliminary timeline, set of activities, and the personnel necessary for them to establish a macro-somatic clonal nursery, as they initially plan to produce 2000 indigenous rooted cuttings for their pilot project.

UBRDEC Center Head Gregorio Santos Jr. expressed that UBRDEC will continue to collaborate with the PLGU to ensure the provision of technical assistance. For. David Ivan T. Malinao, UBRDEC

Published: