Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have developed HormoGroe, a low-cost and natural root growth enhancer soon to be made available to Filipino farmers.
The plant growth regulator which enhances shoot and root development is now in the commercialization phase, as announced by Executive Director Enrico Paringit of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) on October 7, 2020.
Project leader Dr. Lilia M. Fernando says the non-synthetic agricultural product contains three hormones Auxins, Cytokinins, and Gibberellins to induce flowering and better rooting in plants. HormoGroe™ uses naturally occurring plant growth regulators and an environment-friendly method of production to enhance the growth of vegetables, plantation crops, and ornamentals.
The nano-formulated product yielded promising results after being tested on coffee, cassava, banana, vegetables, and plants such as gumamela and bougainvillea.
“We hope that through this Philippine-made product, our team would be able to help farmers increase their yield, improving life and productivity,” says Dr. Fernando in a DOST webinar on August 12, 2020.
The DOST-PCIEERD is also funding MakilingTek, the spin-off company established by the UPLB researchers to manufacture and market the eco-friendly HormoGroe which will be initially available to local farmers cooperatives, and growers by next year, 2021.
The HormoGroe project team needs potential investors and partners for product distribution and testing on other crops. They can contact project leader Dr. Lilia M. Fernando through lmfernando@up.edu.ph.
UP Los Baños is promoting agriculture and food security through their edible landscaping starter kits distributed to selected families amid the pandemic. A UPLB botanist also recently identified two locally-grown medicinal plants with properties that could potentially treat novel coronavirus patients.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to UP Los Baños for developing a natural plant growth booster soon to be in the market!
Want to know how to be a Proud Pinoy? Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com, and our socials on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, for new story notifications, and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
