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

Fresh Pod Yield and Stability of NSIC-Approved Varieties of Pole Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)) in Benguet

Margie E. Bad-ey, Leoncia L. Tandang, Hector C. Gayomba, Johnson G. Bagtila — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Snap bean production is one of the main sources of livelihood of farmers in Benguet. It is mainly grown for fresh pods which can produce 17 to 28 t/ha depending on the cultivars. Snap bean farmers largely depend on the use of traditional variety which is low yielding with inferior pod quality. The BSU-IPB HCRS at BSU has developed and registered new improved varieties for production in the Northern Philippine Highland and officially approved by the DA-BPI NSIC for commercialization. On-farm trials involving eight varieties of pole snap beans were set up in four municipalities of Benguet following RCBD with three replications. The study aimed to evaluate the fresh pod yield, stability of NSIC-approved pole snap bean varieties, determine the most suitable location, identify the most stable and adapted variety for production in Benguet. The fresh pod yield of the eight pole snap bean varieties evaluated differed significantly among each other in four municipalities. Across locations, varieties ‘Itogon’ and ‘Kapangan’ produced the highest marketable fresh pod yield while variety ‘Itogon’ recorded the heaviest total fresh pod yield. Pole snap beans grown in Kapangan produced the highest marketable and total fresh pod yield. Significant interaction effect of genotype and environment was observed in the fresh pod yield. ‘Tublay’ was the most stable variety based on total fresh pod yield. Variety ‘Kibungan’ had specific adaptability in Kapangan and La Trinidad. Varieties ‘Mabunga’ and ‘Itogon’ had specific adaptability in Sablan and Varieties ‘Wangal,’ ‘Tuba,’ ‘Alno,’ ‘Tublay,’ and ‘Kapangan’ are best grown in Kibungan.

Geographical Variation, Path Diagram, and Regression Tree of the Incidence and Severity of Potato Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans): The Observed Pattern in the Major Growing Areas in Benguet Province

Han B. Bonoy, Precious M. Valentin — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

There are various multivariate statistical tools for plant disease epidemics to associate multiple epidemiological factors represented by the disease triangle and tetrahedron. However, its applications are limited in Asian countries, let alone in the locality. This descriptive causal–comparative [farm] survey research, therefore, utilized Cluster Analysis, Path Analysis, and Classification and Regression Tree (C&RT). These multivariate tools were used to assess the geographical variations, account the explained variance/ effect size, and model the causal relationship of multiple variables on host variables, environmental factors, and cultural management practices of farmers to visually assessed incidence and severity of late blight of potato farms in major growing areas in Benguet observed in May 2021. There are three (3) clusters of the observed farms that emerged, of which cluster 3 has consistently had the lowest incidence and severity of potato late blight observed. Therefore, the host characteristics and cultural management observed in cluster 3 are worthy of consideration in potato production. Both the best/tuned regression trees and the combined recursive path diagram showed host variables to have contributed a significantly high proportion of effect/ explained variance and emerged most of the significant predictors for the observed incidence and severity of potato late blight.

Phenotypic Characterization and Correlation Analysis in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Entries Cultivated in Itogon and La Trinidad, Benguet

Flori Joyce D. Cariño, Esther Josephine D. Sagalla — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Quinoa is adapted to a wide range of environments and contains a substantial nutritional value, which makes it the “Golden Grain”. An essential step to facilitate the selection and identification of genotypes with potential for introduction and adaptation is characterization. Thus, this study was conducted from January to May 2022 in Itogon and La Trinidad, Benguet involving seven quinoa entries to determine their phenotypic characters in each location; determine the best quinoa entries in terms of grain yield; and determine the correlation of the phenotypic characters of quinoa entries to seed yield. The quinoa entries varied in terms of stem diameter, stem shape and color, presence of pigmented axil, striae color, number of primary branches, petiole length, maximum leaf length and width, panicle color at flowering, and physiological maturity, panicle length and width, perigonium color, and episperm appearance and color. The characters positively correlated to seed yield per plant are plant height, number of primary branches and teeth on the leaf blade, petiole length, and maximum leaf length and width. Among the entries, G6.1 is the highest-yielding entry recommended for local quinoa production.

Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of Retailers and their Association to E. coli Contamination in Pork Sold in La Trinidad, Benguet

Edlyn Mae N. Ciano — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the meat hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pork retailers and the Escherichia coli (E. coli) load of pork sold in La Trinidad, Benguet. A total of 72 pooled pork samples (60 grams per sample) were collected from all 72 registered meat stalls in the La Trinidad Public Market and the satellite markets across the municipality’s 16 barangays. These samples were analyzed for E. coli presence and load, while face-to-face interviews using a KAP questionnaire assessed the pork vendors' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding meat hygiene. The results revealed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.73, p<0.01) between the vendors' KAP scores and the E. coli load in pork, indicating that barangays with higher KAP levels had lower levels of E. coli load. Further, 99% (71/72) of the pork samples tested positive for E. coli, with all samples exceeding the allowable limit (<10 cfu/g).The meat vendors demonstrated knowledge at 75.50%, attitude at 85.76%, and practice at 81.67%, resulting in an overall KAP score of 80.83%, classified as good. These findings suggest that while vendors demonstrate sufficient knowledge and satisfactory attitudes and practices concerning meat hygiene, significant gaps remain, as evidenced by the high levels of E. coli contamination and load. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these gaps, ensuring improved meat hygiene practices and reduced microbial contamination and load in pork sold in La Trinidad.

Inﬂuences and Perceived Changes Caused by the Agricultural Radio Program to the Farmer Listeners in Benguet, Philippines

Nora C. Sagayo — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study has examined the perceived effects of an agricultural radio program on farmer-listeners in Benguet, focusing on the characteristics of the listenership, the program's influence on their farming activities, and the perceived effects on their agricultural production. This qualitative research was informed by the Uses and Gratification Theory. It involved conducting in-depth interviews with key informants and farmers as methods for collecting data. The findings indicated that the agricultural radio program had a cognitive and pragmatic impact on farmers, as demonstrated by improved decision-making skills and heightened production results. The study concludes that the agricultural program could have a favorable effect on farmers' practices. The sustainability of agricultural radio programs within community radio stations could help address communication barriers in vegetable cultivation and post-harvest procedures. Ultimately, this could assist farmers in promoting their products and reducing the risks of vegetable waste.

Impacts of Technology Interventions on Managing Fusarium Wilt in Sweetpotato in Bauko, Mountain Province

Dalen T. Meldoz, Teresita S. Masangcay, Cynthia G. Kiswa, Analiza V. Alzarate — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fusarium wilt of sweetpotato caused by Fusarium oxysporum is considered one of the most destructive sweetpotato diseases. This disease has severely damaged sweetpotato crops, particularly in Mountain Province, Benguet, and Nueva Vizcaya causing an average of 51-100% yield reduction of sweetpotato. Of this, the NPRCRTC distributed about 76,824 pcs of quality planting materials (vine cuttings) as a quick response initiative from July 2016–June 2017 in Bauko, Mountain Province. Thus, this impact assessment was conducted to identify interventions introduced and adopted and to document and determine outcomes and economic impact of the interventions using descriptive analysis and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 42 respondents were interviewed through group interviews and discussions. Interventions in managing Fusarium wilt that revived the sweetpotato industry include farm demonstrations on the use of Trichoderma harzianum, lime, and combined chicken and hog manure; evaluation of sweetpotato entries for resistance to the disease; and conduct of training on organic fertilizer and sweetpotato processing, and tissue culture-derived plant materials of sweetpotato with different resistant varieties. Sweetpotato growers in Lagawa, Bauko, Mountain Province still lacked sufficient knowledge about the disease to implement the proper management approaches to support effective Fusarium wilt management practices. Adopting the resistant varieties, and using Trichoderma and organic fertilizer had at least produced a yield for home consumption. Using these interventions also reduced the infestation of Fusarium wilt on their crop, but still low due to limited access to reliable sources of planting material. The adoption of approaches to manage Fusarium wilt among sweetpotato growers has provided insight into the status of the disease in the community.

Awareness and Utilization of Social Media Tools in Tracking Social Intervention Projects among Rural Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Obiaocha N. Nwaogwugwu, Shakira O. Abdulwahab, Jessica N. Ajala — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the awareness and utilization of social media tools in tracking Social Intervention Projects (SIPs) among women in rural households in Rivers State. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of 450 women from the study area. Data were collected using a questionnaire validated by the researchers, while descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyze data. The result from the study showed that the majority of the respondents were within the age range of 31-40 years (mean age = 39 years), 47.4% had no-formal education, 88.8% were married, 58.2% of them have a household size of 4-6 persons, 33.2% and 32.1% are traders and farmers, respectively. Social media tools utilized are instant messages (98.0%) and WhatsApp (97.4%). SIPs provided were FADAMA (mean = 3.17), Skill Acquisition Training (mean = 2.83), among others. Tools used to access information for SIPs were Facebook (mean = 2.63), WhatsApp (mean = 3.03) and Instant Messages (mean = 2.99). The result showed that there was awareness in the use of WhatsApp (mean = 3.38) and Instant messages (mean = 3.81 in tracking SIPs among women. The study recommends that efforts should be made by non-governmental organizations, rural-based organizations and agencies to train rural women on the use of social media tools.

Agriculture in Guinaang, Mountain Province, 1985-1989

Linda M. Wicks — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Between 1985 and 1989, the people of Guinaang, Bontoc carried out several kinds of subsistence agriculture, predominantly irrigated rice farming and dry gardening, and to a minimal extent, swidden agriculture. Their agriculture requires exhausting labor inputs by women, men and even children, and they generally consume all of what they harvest. Most of their labor was devoted to their rice ponds which were dependent on springs and river water. Their most cherished agricultural land is strictly passed from one generation to the next through inheritance, never to be bought or sold. Sufficient productivity that meets the nutritional needs of the community was dependent on numerous factors, such as both family-level and community-level organization to exploit natural resources, the fine-tuning of agriculture to the annual climatic cycle, and rituals which can provoke the good intentions of the ancestral spirits. To assess intensification of agriculture, numerous factors, among them the planting second rice crops, must be examined.

Socio-Economic Proﬁle and Problems Encountered by Agriculture Students Recommendations for Enhancement of University Student Programs and Services

Margie Y. Sumanga, Eduardo G. Sumanga — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In developing countries, students' educational challenges are often linked to their socio-economic status. Arising educational problems and the socio-economic profile of students may be useful information that could be used by academic institutions to improve their programs and services for students in need. This study aims to describe the socio-economic profile of Agriculture students in a state university and use the findings to enhance student programs and services. Data were collected from 349 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture students during the second semester of the academic year 2018–2019 using a descriptive-survey research design. Findings revealed that most of the respondents belonged to low-income families, though their parents generally owned land and lived in permanent houses with access to electricity for lighting and owned basic home appliances. They relied on community water systems or hand pumps, and motorcycles were the common vehicle used for mobility. Financial difficulties were the most common challenge, particularly a lack of funds for daily expenses and limited internet access. Students also faced difficulty of the subject and lessons, many assignments, long travel distances, and insufficient campus photocopying services. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to enhance the university’s programs and services to better support student needs.

Teachers’ Perspectives and Practices on Student Engagement in Post-Pandemic Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Education

Bernadette B. Bugtong — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The shift back to in-person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant challenges in student engagement within the TVL track, where teachers must balance theory with hands-on instruction amid declining student motivation and changing learning contexts. Previous research lacks focus on teacher-driven strategies in TVL settings, particularly in post-pandemic settings. Using the QuantitativeQualitative research design, this study sought to determine the conceptualizations and practices of TVL teachers related to student engagement. Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire completed by 114 TVL teachers and in-depth interviews conducted with seven TVL teachers from 29 public secondary schools in the province of Benguet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests, including the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Mann-Whitney U post hoc test, to examine group differences. The study found that TVL teachers, regardless of teaching experience or performance rating, shared a consistent and holistic understanding of student engagement. While engagement strategies were generally highly to very highly practiced, a significant difference emerged in the domain of teacher-student interactions based on teaching experience. TVL teachers, although the strategies were at least highly practiced, face complex challenges such as inadequate resources, curriculum mismatches, and limited parental involvement, yet they respond with resourceful, teacher-driven approaches. These findings highlight the need for institutional support to reinforce student engagement practices, improve resource allocation, and formalize innovative strategies through targeted professional development and policy support.