The Bureau of Plant Industry - Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center o BPI – Los Baños Center was established in 1931 with the mission to generate crop farming technologies, and produce quality planting materials of lowland vegetables to ensure sustainable food production in the Philippines.
The Center produces two kinds of seeds, organic and conventional seeds. For organic seed production, the use of synthetic chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides that maybe harmful to the plants, environment and humans are strictly avoided. In conventional seed production, synthetic chemicals may still be applied to the plants but proper application must be observed. Both organic and conventional seeds are Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV).
Aside from seeds, the Center also produces seedlings of vegetables as well as fruit trees. Some of the vegetable seedlings can be used in the grafting technology. In grafting, the scion and rootstock from two different plants from the same family are combined. The technology is utilized to develop resilient seedlings that can withstand different environmental stress such as flooding and drought; soil-borne pathogens; and takes advantage of off-season production. The seedlings grafted in the Center includes: Kamlong, Ampatola, and Sweet Chili Pepper.
Black pepper seedling production was also conducted in the Center using single and double nodal cuttings. The columnar method and live support, using kakawate and kapok tree, were used in growing black pepper.
The technologies develop by BPI-Los Baños, other BPI Center and DOST are showcased in the Seeds and Seedlings (S&S) Plaza and Technology Commercialization Center (TCC). The TCC was established through DA-BAR funding and showcases the different technologies developed in the five Centers of BPI. Meanwhile, the S&S Plaza was established through DOST-PCAARRD program entitled Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT). The program aims to increase the farmers’ productivity and income through technology transfer and tourism activities.
