Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal)

Management Strategies Against Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze) Infesting Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) in La Trinidad, Benguet

Jay R. Sagario — 2023-12-29

The study evaluated five management strategies against flea beetle infesting pechay varieties in terms of population, degree of crop injury, yield, and yield loss, determined the degree of efficacy and contribution of the treatments against flea beetle, and compared the return on investment (ROI) of the different management strategies employed. The study was conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet in 2021. Results revealed that while management strategies have a significant influence on the degree of injury by flea beetles (23% or slight in Black Behi and 30% or moderate in Cherokee), no positive interaction was traced in all major parameters used. Untreated plants showed even comparable injuries with those installed with physical barriers such as sticky traps, row covers, and sweeping. Insecticide spraying gave the greatest contribution as a single management strategy in both Black Behi and Cherokee varieties; however, netting gave the highest control contribution. For combination treatments, sweeping + netting gave the highest contribution of control but sweeping + row cover contributed the least to flea beetle pest control. Further, netting gave the highest ROI in Black Behi followed by sweeping + netting, while insecticide use resulted in the lowest gain. On the other hand, Cherokee had the highest ROI under sweeping + netting, closely followed by netting, while the lowest ROI was obtained from sweeping + row cover. Netting has contributed much in decreasing the insect population and degree of injury regardless of variety; however, the use of Black Behi without any applied treatments is still the most practical way in pechay production.

Scaling Up Rootcrops Technology and the Women’s Wisdom in the Conservation of Sweetpotato Varieties

Ruth S. Batani — 2023-12-29

Sweetpotato, an important traditional food crop especially for women farmers in semi-subsistence communities recorded nearly a total wipeout in 2014. Its absence on the farmers’ table brought out expressions such as ‘kakaikawa’ (it is deeply missed) and kasla met bagas dayta (likened to rice as a staple), revealing how sweetpotato is woven into the everyday lives of these households. Informed of research results done previously in the same community, the extension phase that aimed at saving this important crop through the introduction of a university package of technologies (PoT) took a non-linear path, which this paper highlights. The participatory extension approach of transferring technology at the community level explored how women took on the task of selecting sweetpotato varieties according to locally defined criteria that imitates the traditional varieties. The wisdom of women in conserving traditionally cultivated sweetpotatoes that were abruptly cut due to Fusarium wilt infestation was again utilized during the adoption phase. The practice of seed keeping or, in this case, cultivating planting materials in ‘mother plots’ for exchange and propagation in other areas facilitated the technology adoption. Despite some setbacks in the earlier experience of the PoT, sweetpotato growing was assessed to have recovered successfully by 2020 with indicators resting on the availability of the item on the table, during rituals, and as a buffer income source. The area cultivated also increased by 42%. From the narratives of the women partners, the adoption of the tissue-cultured clean planting materials technology went beyond Kibungan, the initial project site.

Effective Density of Lure Trap Against Coffee Berry Borer Infesting Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica Linn.) in Benguet, Philippines

Gemma S. Das-ilen — 2023-12-29

One major insect pest of Arabica coffee is coffee berry borer (CBB) which was recorded present in Benguet Arabica coffee farms. Previous study revealed that 28 to 47% of these farms were infested with CBB in 2011 to 2014. The management of CBB using lure trap was found effective in other coffee producing countries but yet to be proven locally. This study evaluated the use of lure trap in Arabica coffee farms in Atok and La Trinidad, Benguet in 2018. This study aimed to determine the appropriate number of lure traps per 50 coffee trees. Specifically, to determine the duration of methanol and ethanol lure solution in the traps, population of coffee berry borer trapped, and the effect of lure traps on the percent infestation of coffee berries. Results showed that the duration of the methanol: ethanol lure solution differed in the two locations with the lure solution lasting longer in La Trinidad. The use of 4 lure traps per 50 trees recorded the highest population of adult female CBB trapped in both locations. Meanwhile, the percent infestation was lowest with the use of 4 lure traps per 50 trees in Atok. Therefore, it is recommended to use 4 lure traps per 50 coffee trees to Arabica coffee production areas similar to Atok, Benguet conditions against CBB. Results of the study could serve as basis for further research on the use of methanol: ethanol lure trap in managing CBB in different Arabica coffee production areas.

Direct Organogenesis and Regeneration of Arabica Coffee Cultivars

Milagros R. Dumaslan — 2023-12-29

Arabica coffee is a very important crop in the Cordillera region and one of the promising industrial crops in the highlands. To develop a tissue culture protocol for ‘Typica’, ‘Mundo Novo’ and ‘Red Bourbon’ cultivars, different growth hormone combinations of Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP), Kinetin, (Kin), Indole Acetic Acid, (IAA), and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with different concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 ppm/L and light conditions were tested on the somatic embryo as an explant grown in MS medium. Result showed that using somatic embryo of ‘Mundo Novo’ inoculated in 2ppm BAP and 2ppm Kinetin at 16 hours light, shoot emerged after 18.2 days and shoot proliferated with an average of 4 shoots at 91.75 days after inoculated in 2ppm BAP+ 2ppm Kin + 1ppm IAA at 24 hours light. However, 'Typica’ inoculated in 2ppm BAP, 2ppm Kin and 2ppm IAA at 24 hours light induced shoot emergence after 19 days and proliferated through direct organogenesis with an average of 5.43 shoots in 2ppm BAP +2ppm Kin + 2ppm IAA at 87.4 days after inoculation at 16 hours light condition. Subsequently, 'Red Bourbon' initiated shoot emergence after 35 days inoculated in 1ppm GA + 8ppm BA + 0.5ppm IAA in dark condition. Moreover, the regeneration of plantlets transferred to MS containing 2 ppm IBA, 2 ppm NAA and 2 ppm IAA were elongated and rooted 2-3 months after transplanting. Highest percentage of survival was recorded on 1 part of vermicompost: 1 part sand: 1 part of burnt rice hull on cultivar 'Red Bourbon' and 'Mundo Novo'. In addition, soil media with 1 part of BSU compost: 1 part sand: 1 part of burnt rice hull has a 100% survival rate on 'Typica' and 'Mundo Novo'.

Online Modyul para sa MAED Filipino Pagsasaling-Wika: Isang Pagtataya

Jessica Marie Inalvez-Dela Peña — 2023-12-29

This study developed an online module for the Master of Arts in Education major in Filipino Translation Course in response to online-based education. It developed the online module based on the graduate study curriculum; determined the application available to use online; described the effectiveness of the online module based on experts’ evaluation of purpose, content, presentation and organization, testing, and training; and determined the student-teachers’ level of acceptance of the developed online module and the implications in teaching Filipino translation. The study used a descriptive research design and adopted the ADDIE model to evaluate the module. Participants included four experts of Tarlac State University, one external validator, 10 master's teachers, and 15 student-teachers. The Katobee Author Application was used to develop the six learning modules. The validation, purpose, content, presentation, acceptance level, organization, and testing and training obtained a highly acceptable evaluation. By adopting this developed module, professors created a more inclusive learning environment that supports diverse student learning styles and promotes academic success for all students who took the course. Learning and teaching became easier and accessible to graduate students. Teachers became aware of the use of the software by adopting it into other subject courses, which helped them to develop more instructional materials. The module contributed greatly to the teaching and learning process during the pandemic.

Degree of Exposure to Internet Slang Language and the Essay Quality of English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners

Mary Ann N. Cahayon — 2023-12-29

The way we communicate and the nature of language have changed dramatically due to computer-mediated communication through social networking sites (SNS). Online slang, particularly in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, has been under-explored in bilingual situations. This quantitative correlation study examines the relationship between English as a Second Language (ESL) learners' exposure to internet slang language and essay quality in 130 participants. The study aims to explore the implications of online slang usage in bilingual situations, highlighting the need for further research in Internet Linguistics. The current study found a significant association between the degree of exposure to internet slang, specifically in terms of time spent and online jargon, and the respondents' essay quality. Since SNS can create platforms that allow for participation while also facilitating observation and habit formation, it is vital to be aware of learners’ second language development, as it can be a valuable tool for language instruction. In conclusion, internet slang does not hinder the second language development of the students; it merely transforms it.

UP Diliman Librarians’ Familiarity, Roles, and Challenges in the Realization of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Their Implications for Improving Library Services

Reina R. Irinco — 2023-12-29

Librarians and libraries can play a strategic role in the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This research discussed the librarians' familiarity level of the UN SDGs, the familiarity level according to demographics, and the information service programs, roles, and challenges which librarians face in attaining the UN SDGs. It used a modified online survey questionnaire to gather data from 93 UP Diliman supervisory and non-supervisory librarians. Results showed that UP librarian respondents were "somewhat familiar" with the UN SDGs, with the supervisory librarians more familiar, while the majority of the non-supervisory librarians were less familiar. Librarians' familiarity showed no difference between age, work experience, library type, and sex assigned at birth. The differences in their familiarity depended on their educational attainment and current position. The information literacy program was perceived as the most effective medium to understand UN goals fully, and their perceived most critical role is as information disseminators. Inadequate funding support was perceived as the most challenging factor. Librarians need to upgrade their knowledge of the UN SDGs. The study also proposes creating a library information program to understand the UN SDGs better.

Psychological Vulnerabilities and Mental Health Measures of the iGeneration Students

Karryl Mae C. Ngina — 2023-12-29

This study looked into the psychological vulnerabilities such as depression, anxiety, stress, and self-harming behavior of iGeneration students. The scales used were the DASS-21 scale and the Self-harm Inventory among the iGeneration in a Philippine local university. The baseline data were then used to develop curriculum interventions for selected general education subjects to address the mental health needs of the respondents. On the other hand, life skills and mental health protective behaviors of the iGeneration were analyzed as variables that need to be strengthened in local mental health programs. Notable results show that the mental health needs of the iGeneration are very apparent, especially in terms of their anxiety level where the majority of the respondents were under severe to extremely severe levels. An alarming result is that almost half of the respondents admitted to engaging in self-harming behaviors. Also, around 7% of the 1548 respondents admitted having attempted suicide. On the other hand, only 10% of the surveyed respondents were seeking professional mental health care. For the respondents’ main source of social support, family and friends are the topmost support followed by school and relatives. Only a few had identified religious groups and community groups serve as a source of social support. Also, life skills in communication and interpersonal relations, creative and critical thinking, and decision-making are the top three priority sets of life-skills identified. With such a scenario, it is crucial to enhance and improve collaborative mental health care initiatives for students.

Betel Nut Consumption: Exploring Perceptions of Young Farmers in Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet, Philippines

Heidy B. Mangali — 2023-12-29

This ethnographic study explored the perspectives of young farmers regarding betel nut chewing. This study examines the perspectives of young farmers on betel nut chewing and explores the social factors that motivate this practice. The research reveals that betel nut chewing is not simply a habit for pleasure rather it is a habit to manifest shared beliefs and perceptions. It also serves as a means of asserting one’s social identity based on the socially constructed meaning they attach to it. The habit is revealed to be a representation of masculinity among young farmers. Moreover, betel nut chewing becomes a fulcrum of socialization among young farmers. However, the study also reveals that betel nut chewing causes some issues, leading young farmers to adopt measures such as proper oral hygiene and the use of star anise (Illicium verum) to mask bad smells. The research concludes that betel nut chewing is a complex practice driven by the beliefs and social implications attached into the habit.

Momma: Understanding Young Farmers’ Perspective of Betel Nut Chewing in Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet, Philippines

Dianne A. Bay-an — 2023-12-29

This paper explores how young farmers in Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet perceive betel nut chewing through the reasons, beliefs, and social meanings they attach to the practice. The researcher employed the qualitative research design through the conduct of in-depth interviews and participant observation. The respondents of this study provided a new perspective on betel nut chewing as it is already an integrated part of their farming life. They claim betel nut chewing as a productive vice because it provides them with benefits such as warmth, strength, focus, relaxation, and hunger and thirst regulation. Betel nut chewing has also become an integral part of creating and cementing friendship among farmers as it is also a part of their celebratory practice after every harvest and other occasions. It has slowly built its place as an agent of communication among chewers which are also farmers.