The Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (PGP) is a plant food supplement extracted from red seaweeds and degraded through gamma irradiation that is well known to elicit plant growth. Results of multi-location field trials by the UPLB and PhilRice in collaboration with DA and DOST Regional Offices in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 9 and 11, showed an increase in yield between 15 to 40% for carrageenan PGP-treated rice crops as compared to crops grown under farmer’s practice. The carrageenan PGP was initially distributed to 2,500 ha of rice farms in each aforementioned region. Moreover, capacity building and promotion of carrageenan PGP and integrated pest management or IPM to farmer-cooperators and partners were conducted. Technical bulletins and user manual as a guide in using carrageenan PGP in both transplanted and direct-seeded rice have been developed, published, and distributed to partner agencies. Semi-commercial scale testing of the carrageenan PGP is underway. The Carrageenan PGP is currently registered as an inorganic fertilizer by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority with Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) as the licensed manufacturer.
