| Pitcher plant is new dollar-earner |
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| by Mirchiko Lopez, Office of Research, UP Mindanao) | |
| Thursday, 08 March 2007 03:12 | |
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DAVAO CITY (Office of Research, UP in Mindanao/06 March) -- The locals call it “pitsel-pitsel”, scientists call it by it scientific name Nepenthes truncata Macf., and the rest popularly call it as Nepenthes or Pitcher plant. They are one and the same tropical plant that is a natural habitat of our forests in Mindanao, including the forests in Marilog District – Davao City. The Philippines has been recognized as one of the centers of development for tropical pitcher plants. Now, UPMin will undertake a “soft launch” on March 8 to 20,2007 of the Nepenthes or Pitcher Plants during the Araw ng Dabaw Agro-Trade Fair at the Magsaysay Park, Quezon Boulevard, Davao City. The activity aims to generate public interest in the idea of conserving endangered species of plants and making a livelihood out of it is possible. This may be done by mass propagation using tissue culture techniques proven to be successful through R&D efforts of UPMin.
Successful technique in propagating the Nepenthes or Pitcher Plant is a product of five years of research and experimentation of UPMin, particularly the College of Science and Mathematics. The hard but fruitful labor was sustained through the research grants by the following agencies: Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Philippine Council for Agricultural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD); University of the Philippines (UP) System and the University of the Philippines in Mindanao (UPMin). Let Dabaweño’s appreciation transcend towards conservation and livelihood/income opportunities for our very own giant insect-eating plant, declared as the King of Carnivorous Plants by the Nepenthes University. Contact Us: Office of Research Telefax No. 293-1830 The Nepenthes Project Research Room Research Assistant: Share this story through the following Social Media sites:            |
