It remains unknown whether there are available gall rust resistant seed sources of Falcata (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W.Grimes) in the country or elsewhere. This study was conducted to obtain baseline data for future progeny selection of gall rust… More

It remains unknown whether there are available gall rust resistant seed sources of Falcata (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W.Grimes) in the country or elsewhere. This study was conducted to obtain baseline data for future progeny selection of gall rust resistant clones of Falcata in the region. The objectives were to determine whether there are available seed sources or mother trees in the region that are resistant to gall rust, and whether gall rust infection has negative effects on the growth of Falcata. The trial (with 130 mother trees as treatments and four replications) was assessed in November 2020- or five-years following establishment in 2015. Mean percent incidence (15.0 ± 5.0% to 80.0 ± 14.1%) and severity (3.75 ± 1.25%) to 35.0 ± 16.95%) of gall rust varied significantly among treatments indicative of genetic diversity among mother trees. The incidence ranged from ‘occasional’ to ‘widespread’ while severity ranged from ‘low’ to ‘high’ with mother trees 99 (Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte) and 106 (Magsaysay, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental) emerged as the most resistant of all. Height and diameter were positively related to gall rust incidence and treatments only, although none of the mother trees with resistant traits had superior growth. There was however indication of growth and disease tolerance tradeoff where trees with higher gall rust incidence tend to grow bigger perhaps to compensate for any negative impacts from gall rust infection. Less

Lake Apo, an 18-hectare lake situated in Guinoyoran, Valencia City, Philippines is a tourist destination. It was once an ordinary pond, but with the initiatives of the community and some visionary private individuals, it has become a promising tourism site.… More

Lake Apo, an 18-hectare lake situated in Guinoyoran, Valencia City, Philippines is a tourist destination. It was once an ordinary pond, but with the initiatives of the community and some visionary private individuals, it has become a promising tourism site. Hence, the study was conducted to assess the initiatives of conservation undertaken by the stakeholders of Lake Apo, analyze the issues confronting the lake, and describe the tourists’ assessment on the lake. The study is descriptive employing quantitative and qualitative approaches. Survey, Focus Group Discussion, and Key Informant Interview were the tools used in data gathering. The residents claimed to be highly dependent on the lake. It gives them livelihood since it was opened to tourism, a source of leisure, and a source of protein. As a tourist spot, the lake receives positive assessment from tourists. Its beauty and serenity appear captivating. Tourism is the lake’s most viable utility. The stakeholders are desirous to transform the lake into a vibrant and sustainable ecotourism site. However, young as it is now, tourism in Lake Apo is hounded with controversy on conflicting claim of ownership, and issues on poor resource management, unregulated anthropogenic activities, and poor waste management. Less