Lowland ecotype Cyperus rotundus L. has been reported infesting irrigated lowland ricefields in the Philippines. Its effects on growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions are unknown. Two experimental runs were conducted in a screenhouse to determine the growth of lowland ecotype C. rotundus with transplanted rice and wet direct-seeded rice at a sowing density of 0, 22, 44, 66, and 88 tubers m -2 ; and its effect on growth and yield of rice. Except for height, growth variables of lowland ecotype C. rotundus were increased with the increase in its initial tuber densities. Compared with 22 tubers m -2 , its number of off-shoots and tubers, and shoot and root biomass at 44 to 88 tubers m -2 increased by up to 3x. Growth variables of rice were reduced by the weed. Grain yield of transplanted rice was reduced by 14 to 38%; wet direct-seeded rice by 11 to 28%. Results suggest that lowland ecotype C. rotundus can grow well and reduce growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions. It also imply the need of developing a holistic weed control strategy against the weed.

Lowland ecotype Cyperus rotundus L. has been reported to infest irrigated lowland ricefields in the Philippines. Its effects on the growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions are unknown. Two experimental runs were conducted in a screenhouse to determine the growth of lowland ecotype C. rotundus with transplanted and wet direct-seeded rice at sowing densities of 0, 22, 44, 66, and 88 initial germinating tubers m–2, as well as its effects on the growth and yield of rice. Except for height, growth variables of lowland ecotype C. rotundus were increased with the increase in its germinating tuber densities. Compared with 22 germinating tubers m–2, its number of off-shoots and tubers plus shoot and root biomass at 44–88 germinating tubers m–2 increased by up to three times. Growth variables of rice were reduced by the weed. Grain yield of transplanted rice was reduced by 14–38%, whereas that of wet direct-seeded rice was reduced by 11–28%. The estimated yield losses of transplanted rice per weed plant were 0.8 and 0.1% as germinating tuber density and number of off-shoots approached zero (i) and 75.7 and 66.1% as the variables approached infinity (a). Estimated yield losses of wet direct-seeded rice per weed plant were 0.6 and 0.1% as the two variables approached i and 63.8 and 100% as variables approached a. Results suggest that lowland ecotype C. rotundus can grow well and reduce the growth and yield of rice under flooded conditions. Although the findings were obtained under screenhouse conditions, the results imply the need of developing a holistic weed control strategy against the weed.

The lead implementers of the Livestock Poultry Information – Early Warning System (LPI-EWS) project recognized the need to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the project, to further enhance the appropriate methodologies developed for a more responsive early warning system for broiler meat and pork to be properly guided in their planning and policy decision–making. The evaluation focused on the project’s strengths or weaknesses in terms of how it was able to achieve its set objectives, that are: to enhance network and access of unified data holdings within and among Department of Agriculture (DA) livestock agencies and statistical agencies, as well as its effectiveness in strengthening linkages with the private agribusiness sector (PABS), and with regards to the goal of capacity building and target publications. The relevance of the project is recognized, both by the personnel from the collaborating agencies as well as the PABS. The concept and manner by which the project is being implemented is commendable in that its many components and objectives were all touched simultaneously by the different activities conducted. The project was able to enhance network and access of unified data holdings within and among DA livestock agencies and had strengthened linkages between the government and the PABS. Goals with regards to capacity building and target publications were also achieved. At the national level Situation and Outlook for Broiler and Situation and Outlook for Swine are quarterly published and at the subnational level the Situationer Report for Broiler and Situationer Report for Swine are now being produced in the Batch I Regions III, IVA and X.

Gender and development (GAD)-related issues are important topics in nation building. GAD focal persons in government agencies are identified to mainstream implementation of GAD-related activities to include research and development. However, one of the limiting factors in gender-related research is the lack of technical knowledge on data analytics which is fundamental for decision-making. The Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Center in Luzon (SERDAC–Luzon) was established as a government’s response to this limitation. The Center aims to enhance the capacity of researchers in basic and advanced socio-economic research, especially on the use of statistical software for data analytics to a range of gender issues. Trainings were conducted among GAD focal persons to enhance their competency on the use of SPSS for data analytics. Lectures, discussions, and workshops using the software were the teaching modalities. Data on the GAD focal person participants in the trainings conducted at two universities were used. The pre- and post-assessment scores were the variables, and the differences of the scores indicated the effects of the training on their competency and level of knowledge. Differential response of the male and female participants was also analyzed. There was a difference in the level of competency and knowledge in data analysis and the use of the software by gender as indicated in the participants’ pre- and post-assessment scores. The training was effective in providing the participants knowledge and skills. The trainings contributed to the improvement of the participants’ competency on the use of the software and knowledge for data analytics.