AGR21-BASIC BIOTECHNOLOGY

First Semester S.Y.2022-2023

BIOTECH’S MYKOVAM (UPLB)

OVERVIEW
MykovamTM is a soil-based biofertilizer comprised of eight species of AMF. This
biofertilizer is very effective in increasing yield and survival of agricultural crops, forest species,
horticultural plants, forage crops and fruit crops. Mykovam works very well in marginal soil
conditions (Abella 2012). Abella (2012) reported that this biofertilizer benefited the fruit growers
in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte. In a durian farm in the eastern part of Mindanao, durian trees
infested with Phytophthora (the most dreaded pathogen of durian), was controlled by the
application of Mykovam biofertilizer (Abella 2012).
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define what is Mykovam;
2. Learn how to apply Mykovam in different plant crops;
3. Identify the benefits of Mykovam.
MYKOVAM
Mykovam is a soil-based biological fertilizer containing spores, infected roots and
propagules of beneficial vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. It helps seedlings’ roots absorb
water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus. Mykovam also prevents root infection by pathogens
and increases plant tolerance to drought and heavy metals. Mykovam is cheap and easy to use
since a kilo of it can fertilize 200 plants. The application is done only once throughout the entire
life of a plant. It can replace 60-85% of the chemical fertilizer requirement of plants. Farmers can
apply Mykovam on agricultural crops such as vegetables, root crops, fruit trees and forest trees
except pines and dipterocarps, cabbages, petchay, mustasa and lowland rice.

Features of Mykovam
 Biological fertilizer containing strains of
vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (vam)
 Effective for agricuktural crops (except
crucifers) and forest trees
 Environment friendly
 Mykovam is a fungi-based bio-fertilizer developed by UPLB–BIOTECH. This
mycorrhizal innoculant is composed of spores, infected roots and other infective propagules of
endomycorrhizal fungi. Results of laboratory tests have also showed that Mykovam is an
efficient bio-fertilizer input for high value crops, ornamentals, fruit crops, and forest trees. But
how does Mykovam work?
According to Dr. Jocelyn T. Zarate of UPLB BIOTECH, when innoculated to seedlings
the fungi infect the roots and help absorb water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus, which is
needed by the plant.

Product Details
Weight: 1.10 kg
Mykovam is a microbiological soil amendment product that infuses beneficial fungi
scientifically proven during research and in actual farming applications to improve a plant's
overall growth. The action of Mykovam is to increase the naturally-occurring vesicular-
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the root system of plants and trees. These fungi establish a
symbiotic relationship with the plants where they exchange nutrients and chemicals essential for
each organism's survival. It is a perfect addition to your gardening arsenal because most urban
gardening soil and substrates do not have beneficial microbes similar to farm and forest
conditions. Adding Mykovam to your potted plants or even the ones planted on garden soil will
improve your plant's overall health.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

1. Use half a teaspoonful of Mykovam for every plant.
2. If the plant is already established on a pot or garden soil, dig a small hole 2-3 inches
away from the plant base, put Mykovam in the hole, cover and water. Mykovam will seep
into the roots and establish itself on the plants.
 3. If transplanting seedlings, add Mykovam at the bottom of the hole before putting the
seedlings on the new pot or soil. Cover seedling base with soil and water as usual.
4. Avoid direct sunlight or exposure to temperatures above 40 degrees celsius, it can affect
the performance of Mykovam.

WHO DEVELOPED MYKOVAM?

Its developer, 2021 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee Dr. Nelly Aggangan, designed
Mykovam to be an effective natural alternative to chemical fertilizers for both forest trees and
agricultural crops. It takes advantage of the natural occurrence of fungi in the soil, making this
biofertilizer environment friendly. It is also relatively cheaper compared to the fertilizers
currently dominating the market.
Dr. Aggangan, a scientist at the UPLB National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (BIOTECH), started improving the formulation of Mykovam in the mid-1990s.
Her research was an off-shoot of earlier studies on mycorrhiza at BIOTECH by Dr. Reynaldo E.
de la Cruz in the 1980s. She then worked with Dr. de la Cruz as his research assistant and
witnessed the fertilizer’s development from the latter’s original concept. She improved Dr. de la
Cruz’s formula, beginning with originally three strains. It later rose to five, then eight, and now
to 12 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
A kilo of Mykovam is enough to fertilize 200-400 seedlings and to replace 60-85% of the
plants’ chemical fertilizer requirement. This means that farmers can save expenses on fertilizer
and earn more profit. It can be used on fruit trees such as guava, rambutan, papaya, citrus,
lanzones, banana, coffee, guyabano, coconut, and mango; and on agricultural crops including,
but not limited to corn, tomato, eggplant, onion, garlic, pepper, cassava, and sweet potato. It can
be applied to almost all plants except crucifers and a few trees.
Aside from enhancing plant growth, Mykovam can also protect plants from harmful
pathogens. BIOTECH reports on its website how the biofertilizer helped a group of farmers in
Bohol and in Mindanao overcome Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that once devastated the
banana industry. Mykovam’s effectiveness in growing indigenous forest tree species such as
narra, batino, bani, salago, and ipil was also recognized by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).
In 2011, DENR sourced Mykovam for its National Greening Program to fast track seedling
growth and increase their chances of survival in harsh soil conditions. Mykovam has also been
proven effective in helping restore forests and soil in areas affected by mining. Applying
Mykovam to seedlings can increase their tolerance against drought, high temperature, and heavy
metals in denuded forest lands.
REFERENCES
https://agora.uplb.edu.ph/food-security-and-sovereignty/mykovam/?
fbclid=IwAR11dYjHJDg80ctUaiOSMvRhZVSKluyEebWSaqQU9h7Vtm8vPPrQbeQWPJ
c
https://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/research/our-technologies/article/53-mykovam?
fbclid=IwAR0FrT5k1XMdOm5xddTcITLV6PvKaDU03TqW0ZbgoexfnQs92z6ZF8XV_S
Y
https://horizon.uplb.edu.ph/horizon-magazine-2022/its-alive-mykovam-the-hardworking-
biofertilizer/?fbclid=IwAR3s5QopXURgXFhE_8HJWJWyZf-
MpehaGRrvyauNhPT8E34rUFG7QLzutjc#:~:text=dominating%20the
%20market.-,Dr.,Mykovam%20in%20the%20mid%2D1990s
https://www.cdlnaturals.com/Mykovam-Bio-Fertilizer-p422676738?
fbclid=IwAR1JTflDEHVLuUCfOFFeOzcS13HX4PAkAwE5sSkc2NJTY856vtARbtAEVN
Q
https://businessdiary.com.ph/6642/mykovam-effective-growth-enhancer-coconut/?
fbclid=IwAR1HppTaxrZT3iEO9qHj6YtnS4yFMzWRyChvB2-iaht2Ca4C7GCio2PY5RI

AGR21-BASIC BIOTECHNOLOGY
 First Semester S.Y.2022-2023

ROUNDUP READY SOYBEAN

OVERVIEW
Roundup Ready crops are crops genetically modified to be resistant to the herbicide
Roundup. Roundup is the brand-name of a herbicide produced by Monsanto. Its active ingredient
glyphosate was patented in the 1970s. Roundup is widely used by both people in their backyards
and farmers in their fields.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define what is RoundUp Ready Soybean;
2. Identify the effects of Roundup Ready Soybean; and
3. Learn the history of Roundup Ready Soybean.
ROUNDUP READY SOYBEAN
Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR soybeans) are genetically engineered soybeans that have
had their DNA altered to allow them to withstand the herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient
in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup). They are also known as "glyphosate tolerant" soybeans. RR
Soybeans were first planted commercially in 1996. When planting RR soybeans, a farmer can
spray the entire crop with glyphosate, killing only the weeds and leaving the soybeans alive.
However, one concern with the heavy use of glyphosate on Roundup Ready Crops is that it will
lead to the development of glyphosate resistant weeds (sometimes referred to as "superweeds").

IMPACT ON HERBICIDE USE

 Predictably, as farmers were now instructed to spray their entire soybean crops
with glyphosate, the adoption of RR soybeans increased the amount of glyphosate use. However,
as weeds also evolved glyphosate resistance and as "weed shifts" occurred, in which less
susceptible varieties of weeds became bigger problems once more susceptible weeds were
elimina ted, farmers growing RR soybeans had to use ever higher amounts of glyphosate on
their RR soybeans to control weeds. A leading weed scientist testified before Congress that
"between 1996 and 2006, the amount of glyphosate applied per planted acre of soybeans in the
U.S. increased from less than 0.2 to about 1.2 pounds, a six-fold increase." At the same time
more and more of the soybean crop was planted in Roundup Ready seeds each year, "The
soybean glyphosate rate per crop year increased from 0.69 pounds per acre in 1996 to 1.36
pounds in 2006, or 9.8% per year. The average one-time rate of application rose 27% from 1996
through 2006, while the number of applications rose from 1.1 to 1.7, or 55%.
Of course, total herbicide use measured in pounds is not a perfect measure, as herbicides
are not all equal in toxicity. Glyphosate, for example, is seen as less toxic than many other
herbicides. Unfortunately, as more and more acres are impacted by glyphosate resistant weeds,
farmers have begun using other, often more toxic herbicides to deal with them. Because
glyphosate resistant Palmer amaranth is often already resistant to other herbicides (such as ALS
inhibitors), often the last option left are PPO Inhibiting Herbicides.

RR SOYBEAN
 In 1982, Monsanto and Calgene both begin working on Roundup Ready crops. While in
1989, three companies namely, Agracetus, Asgrow (then owned by Upjohn and later acquired
by Monsanto), and Monsanto begin working together on RR soybeans. In year 1992, Monsanto
licenses their Roundup Ready soybean trait to Pioneer. And on December 6, 1993, the USDA
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a notice in the Federal Register
announcing that it had received a petition from Monsanto to deregulate (legalize) its Roundup
Ready soybean variety MON 04032. On May 18, 1994, U.S. deregulates MON 04032, and on
April 9, 1996, U.S. deregulates MON 04032. In 1996, both Asgrow and Pioneer Hi-Bred
International begin selling soybeans with Monsanto's MON 04032 trait under the brand name
"Roundup Ready."
In addition, in April 3, 1996, the EU announces it will allow imports of MON 04032. The
first glyphosate resistant horseweed (Conyza canadensis) in the U.S. is discovered. They are
found in the U.S. in soybeans. In 2004, the first glyphosate resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia
trifida) and Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in the U.S. is discovered. They are
found in the U.S. in soybeans. In 2005, the first glyphosate resistant Palmer Amaranth and
Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus (syn. rudis)) in the U.S. is discovered. They are
found in soybeans and cotton. While on 2007, the first glyphosate resistant Johnsongrass
(Sorghum halepense) in the U.S. is discovered. They are found in the U.S. in soybeans.
June 27, 2007 when Canada deregulates a new RR soybean variety from
Monsanto, MON 89788 and on July 23, 2007, U.S. deregulates MON 89788. In 2008, Monsanto
introduces MON 89788 under the brand name "Roundup Ready 2 Yield®," marketing them as
"the second generation of the popular Roundup Ready® technology farmers have used since
1996." July 24, 2008 the US deregulates Pioneer Hi-Bred 's Glyphosate Tolerant soybean
variety, Event 356043 soybeans. In addition to being glyphosate tolerant, it is also tolerant
of ALS Inhibiting herbicides.. September 23, 2009, Canada deregulates Pioneer Hi-Bred's Event
356043 soybeans and on 2010, Monsanto rebrands MON 89788 as "Genuity Roundup Ready 2
Yield." On December 16, 2011, U.S. deregulatesd Monsanto's "Improved Fatty Acid Profile
Soybean," MON 87705, which also have a Roundup Ready trait. In 2012, the USDA considers
petitions to deregulate the following glyphosate tolerant soybeans.

THE NATURE OF ROUNDUP SOYBEANS

Roundup ready soybeans are those that have been treated and genetically-altered to
make them more resistant to Roundup pesticides. This application has become a popular one for
many different seeds due to the prevalence of this particular pest control chemicals. A large
number of farmers are turning to these beans as a way of protecting their crops and keeping them
safe from damage.
 For example, farmers could now safely spray more herbicide on their beans to protect
them from a variety of different pests. This meant that they could do so without worrying about
the potential for severe damage. In the past, Roundup and other herbicides had to be used more
carefully because they always had the risk of seriously hurting or even killing many types of
crops.
However, geneticists for herbicide companies found ways to increase bean resistance in a
way that doesn’t otherwise affect their growth. For example, you can typically grow these beans
without noticing any significant differences between them and others. Even better, the taste is
about the same, which means that your profits aren’t likely to be affected. How else did this
affect soybean growth, though?
THE EFFECT ON PESTICIDE USE
How did farmers react when Roundup ready soybeans were presented? They started to
use higher volumes of glyphosate, the primary chemical used in Roundup. The use of this
chemical increased from 0.69 pounds per acre in 1996 to 1.36 pounds in 2006. That is an
increase of nearly 10 percent every year. One-time application rates also rose 27 percent across
the farming community. The only problem noted with this increase was a higher level of resistant
weeds throughout these communities. The use of herbicides almost always causes this reaction
because resistant plants survive and take the place of those with no tolerance. Therefore, farmers
had to increase their use of this pesticide to take out those weeds that were resistant and eradicate
them.
Weeds that resist glyphosate include giant ragweed and common ragweed. Palmer
amaranth and common water hemp also resist this chemical but at weaker levels. The big issue
here is that weeds like palmer amaranth can produce half a million seeds – which have spread to
over 20 different states in the last few years. Does this mean that these soybeans were a failure?
SHOULD YOU STILL TRY ROUNDUP SOYBEANS?
Though an increase in weeds has been noted in some areas, the vast majority of farmers
end up with far fewer seeds on their soybean farms. That’s because new types of Roundup ready
soybeans are produced nearly every year. These beans are adjusted to make them more tolerant
of these chemicals, which allows researchers to come up with even more potent and better
herbicides. Even better, these same scientists are working to create treatments that can destroy
these resistant weeds. The fight is one that doesn’t end with one treatment of Roundup. Instead,
farmers and researchers must continually seek out new ways of protecting crops and creating
better soybean yields. This work must be continuously tweaked to produce the results that you
deserve for your plants.
Even better, many of these soybeans are designed to counteract the potentially harmful
yield effect caused by using these chemical treatments. As a result, you will have relatively high
numbers of soybeans nearly every year that you harvest. Make sure to pay attention to the news
to learn more about these potential beans. Before you plant, though, you must know what to
expect from these beans.
DO THESE BEANS REQUIRE ALTERNATE PLANTING METHODS?
Roundup ready soybeans are not significantly different in design than conventional
beans. They are just more resistant to various types of chemicals and herbicides. They must be
handled with the same care, planted at the same time, and get the same types of nutrients and
water. And if you were to see them with non-Roundup beans, you wouldn’t be able to tell the
difference between them at all.
Therefore, you can plant these beans with your healthy soy harvest without difficulty.
This benefit is significant for farmers who want to focus on high-quality food and an excellent
yield without worrying about extra work. Instead of waiting for special beans to grow or treating
them with unique planting methods, you can add these beans to your normal cycle and get great
results.

REFERENCES
https://onlineseedsales.com/roundup-ready-soybeans/?
fbclid=IwAR1ugGL3ClmYCKmvBame_IbWghB6S4rFMyDtPre4jhP4_gy6JqQIHeCvFqQ
https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Roundup_Ready_Soybeans?fbclid=IwAR1_J9fkM87S-
AL-K_Dbwe3Jfvievhd2lmysyRd5Rk35dK_XdB57JIEwQHg
 BASIC BIOTECHNOLOGY
AGR21

Prepared by:
Pelaez, Kristine C.
BSA II