DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year! See you in 2026!

HOPE FOR BANANA GROWERS | First GM banana resistant to Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 approved for commercial production and consumption. Australian scientists provide a comprehensive agronomic evaluation and report the regulatory approval of the top-performing line, RGA2-4 (QCAV-4), in Australia.

Full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70178

NEW PUBLICATION | This paper reviews the advances in ramie cultivation, taxonomy, ecology, chemistry, industry use, and medicinal and therapeutic properties. The insect pests and diseases affecting ramie plant growth and cultivation are also discussed.

JUST PUBLISHED | A Portuguese version of the paper "Harnessing Legume Productivity in Tropical Farming Systems by Addressing Challenges Posed by Legume Diseases" first appeared in the journal Nitrogen, has been published. This paper was authored by David Pires, with co-authors Catherine Hazel Aguilar, Cris Cortaga, Reynaldo Peja, Maria Angela Cruz, Joanne Langres, Mark Christian Felipe Redillas, Leny Galvez, and Mark Balendres.

RESOURCES | Get updated on Philippine Mycology. Whether on Animals, Humans, or Plants, here are some resources authored by Filipino Mycologists, Plant Pathologists, and Scientists.

Mycology in the Tropics: Updates on Philippine Fungi
Published by Academic Press/Elsevier
https://doi.org/10.1016/C2021-0-01644-8

Biosafety and Biosecurity: Practical Insights and Applications for Low and Middle-Income Countries
Published by Routledge/Taylor & Francis
https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003426219

Mycology in a Changing Planet: Applications and Perspectives from Southeast Asia
Published by Springer
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-2640-6

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Dr. Mark Balendres of the DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit and DLSU Department of Biology serves as one of the evaluators during the Paper and Poster Competitions of the 3rd Southeast Asian Coffee Education Congress Held at the International Convention Center, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.

LEADERSHIP | The De La Salle University Plant and Soil Health Research Unit congratulates Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research Director, Dr. Angelyn R. Lao, for being elected as the Vice President (26'-27') and President-Elect (28'-29') of the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE). Congratulations, Dr. Lao.

THESIS COMPLETED | The DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit congratulates the Batch , consisting of the Mango, Pepper, and Dracaena Research Teams, on the successful completion and approval of their theses. Congratulations, DLSU BS Biology students!!!! We are so proud of you!

Dr. Mark Balendres delivered the special lecture “Hosts, Killers, and Vectors: Plant-Pathogen-Insect Interactions” for BS Biology - Molecular Biology and Biotechnology students during the Agricultural Biotechnology class of Dr. Mark Christian Felipe Redillas at the Velasco 207.

The DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit congratulates Mr. Justine Christian Carrasca for successfully passing the 2025 Electronics Engineers and Electronics Technicians Licensure Examinations. Congratulations, Justine!

Congratulations to our Graduants [T1 AY 25-26] | The DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit proudly congratulates Jelena Mary Langit for successfully completing the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from De La Salle University!

Thesis Title: Knowledge Review and Elucidating the Causative Agent of a Cycas species Leaf Disease

Thesis Adviser: Dr. Mark Balendres

NEW BOOK CHAPTER | Congratulations to Ms. Mari Neila P. Seco (Visayas State University), Mr. Kris Lord T. Santos (De La Salle University), Mr. Victor L. Corbita (Caraga State University), Dr. Diana P. Paguntalan (UP Visayas), Dr. Mark Christian Felipe R. Redillas (UP Los Baños), Dr Latiffah Zakaria (University Sains Malaysia), Ms. Melissa P. Montecalvo (UP Los Baños), Mr. Angelbert D. Cortes (Cavite State University), Dr. Billy Joel M. Almarinez, Dr. Thaddeus M. Carvajal, Mr. Nico Bravo (De La Salle University), Mr. Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero, Dr. Divina M. Amalin (De La Salle University), Dr. Christian Joseph R. Cumagun (University of Idaho), Dr. Joy M. Jamago (Central Mindanao University), and Dr. Mark Angelo O. Balendres (De La Salle University) on their new book chapter in "Mycology in a Changing Planet: Applications and Perspectives from Southeast Asia," published by Springer Nature.

Photo Credits: From USM (for Dr. Zakaria) and From Consortium - Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (for Dr. Cumagun)