PH9700001 PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1995 TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT 2 8 Ik 1 3 PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1995 TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I. Research and Development in Food and Agriculture 1. Integrated Fruit Fly Management Based on Sterile Insect Technique in Guimaras Island 1 2. The Use of Gamma Radiation for the Extended Commercial Storage of Some Agricultural Crops 14 3. Irradiation as a Quarantine Treatment for Ornamentals 20 4. Improving Dairy Cattle Production at Farm Level in Southern Luzon 26 5. Development of Progesterone Immunoassay Kit for Evaluating Reproductive Status of Ruminant Livestock 34 6. Induction of Beneficial Mutations Through Irradiation for Rice Varietal Improvement 47 7. Induction, Evaluation and Utilization of Beneficial Mutations in Mungbean .. 51 8. Induction, Evaluation and Utilization of Beneficial Mutations in Ubi (Dioscorea data L.) 56 9. Induction, Evaluation and Utilization of Beneficial Mutations in Asexually Propagated Crops: Pineapple 60 10. Induction, Evaluation and Utilization of Beneficial Mutations in Asexually Propagated Crops: Sweet Potato 65 11. Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Mungbean Under Stress Environment (Acid Soils) 67 Chapter II. Research and Development in Health, Environment and Industry 1. Applications of X-ray Analyses 70 2. Development of Gel Column for "MCHTC Generator 73 3. Urban Waste Management 79 4. Metro Manila Air Pollutant Characterization and Source Identification 80 5. Radiation Sterilization of Medical Products and Tissue Grafts 91 6. Determination of Radon Levels in the Philippines .">.~,^ 95 (# Somatic Mutation in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Among Metro Manila Residents: Indicator of Exposure to Environmental Pollution !" 99 8. Hydrogeological Process Studies/Environmental Surveillance 104 9. Survey for Nuclear and Other Industrial Minerals 106 10. Preparation of Superionic Conductors 108 11. Preparation of Magnetic Materials Specifically Magnetic Oxides 119 12. Radiotracer Technology and Sealed Sources Applications 122 13. Development and Application of Nuclear-Based Analytical Techniques 123 Radiosensitivity of Lymphocytes Among Filipinos: Radiation Induced Micronucleus Test for Radiation Exposure Assessment . .1 128 (15/ Detection Method for Irradiated Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera philippinensis) for Quarantine Purposes ... f 131 PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1995 TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 111. Scientific and Technological Services 1. Nuclear Engineering and Facilities Operation 136 2. Irradiation Services 137 3. Nuclear Training 138 4. Computer Services 139 5. Nuclear Information Dissemination 140 6. Scientific Library and Documentation Center ,. 146 Chapter IV. Nuclear Regulations, Licensing and Safeguards 1. Nuclear Safeguards 148 2. Formulation and Updating of Regulation Standards 149 3. Inspection and Enforcement for Radioactive Materials and Facilities Licensing 153 4. Safety Evaluation and Licensing 155 5. Radiation Protection 157 6. Radiological Impact Assessment 163 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INTEGRATED FRUIT FLY MANAGEMENT BASED ON STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE IN GUIMARAS ISLAND ABSTRACT For stock culture, about 2 to 3 large fruit fly rearing cages each containing from 60,000 to 65,000 adult fruit flies were maintained in the laboratory. Data on egg hatchability (87.1%), pupation (99.3%), adult emergence (94.3%), fliers (87.1%) and sex ratio (49.8:50.2, M/F) were routinely gathered for each generation. For fruit fly production, 3,5 and 6 ml eggs were seeded per tray of larval diet and results showed 3 ml-eggs produced large and heavier pupa (14.1mg) as compared with 5 ml-eggs (12.6 mg) and 6 ml-eggs (11.9 mg). On the other hand, methyl eugenol feeding tests were conducted to determine if male annihilation could be integrated with SIT and preliminary results showed the older the fruit flies exposed to the lure, the longer it fed and the more frequent it visited the lure. Fruit fly infestation based on the number of pupae recovered per kg of fruits was relatively high in fallen or dropped fruits particularly in starfruit (85.8) and mango (52.8). The relative abundance of the oriental fruit fly in Guimaras was also determined at 15-day intervals and data showed population peak was observed in July and then it declined reaching lowest count in October. To suppress male fly population, a total of 1,273 hectare- area in Guimaras was covered with fibreboards impregnated with methyl eugenol and malathion at 4 pcs per hectare and replenished every 50 days. Monitoring of fruit flies showed a decrease in fly population. However, to be most effective, ah island-wide implementation of male annihilation has to be undertaken. Also, application of SIT in Naoway, a 12-ha islet SE of Guimaras was proven to be successful after two biweekly releases of sterile fruit flies. OBJECTIVE TO eradicate the Oriental fruit fly in Guimaras with an ultimate goal of establishing a fruit fly-free island in order to facilitate export of mangoes without the need for quarantine treatment. METHODOLOGY Fruit Fly Production and Quality Control Repair and upgrading of the Entomology Modular Laboratory for fruit fly production was requested to increase fruit fly production ta25 million pupae per week. The first phase of the repair started 2995 PNRI Technical Progress Report last January and the second phase was initiated in December, 1995. For mass rearing operations, two to three large fruit fly rearing cages each containing 60,000 - 65,000 adult flies were continuously maintained in the laboratory as stock culture. Data on the number of eggs collected per week per cage, percentage egg hatchability, pupation, adult emergence and fliers, and sex ratio were routinely gathered to ensure good quality flies in each generation. Egg Seeding Test The use of 3,5 and 6 ml eggs seeded per tray of diet were compared based on pupal recovery and pupal weight for each treatment. This was done by spreading the different egg densities in tissue paper placed on top of diet using a camel's hair brush. The larvae that developed were collected after 7 days for pupation in coconut coir dust. After one week, the pupae were sieved and measured in a graduated cylinder. The number of pupae per 10 ml were counted and the weights of 25 pupae for each treatment were determined. Methyl Eugenol Feeding Test Methyl eugenol feeding test was studied using 6-, 9-, 12- and 13- day-old sterile unmated male adult flies. Five sterile male adults of each age group were painted on the thorax with enamel paint for identification and held in small cubicle cages. A cotton wick in bottle ampoule to which 1.5 ml of methyl eugenol had been applied was placed inside the cage. The amount of time individual male spent feeding and visiting the methyl eugenol source was noted over a 30 min period. The methyl eugenol source was then removed, and the males were re-tested 5 days later following the same procedure. Ecological Studies I. Fruit Infestation Biweekly host survey of Oriental fruit fly (OFF) was continuously done from various locations in major areas of Guimaras. Picked or dropped host fruits either cultivated or wild suspected to be host of OFF were collected and brought to NMRDC laboratory. Fruit samples were weighed, dissected and the larvae collected were allowed to mature and pupate in coir dust. After one week, the pupae were collected by sieving the coir dust. Fruit infestation was determined by counting the 1995 PNRI Technical Progress Report number of pupae recovered per kg of infested fruit either picked or dropped. II. Population Dynamic Studies OFF population dynamic studies were conducted in 3 barangays which include Supang in the town of Buenavista, Lininguan in Jordan and Igang in Nueva Valencia. Fifty traps were placed per site by hanging on trees situated approximately 50 m apart. Trap catches were collected twice a month and the counts per trap per day (CPTD) for each month was determined. Fluctuations in fly populations were compared among the different sites. Male Annihilation Field Trials Prior to areawide fruit fly eradication in Guimaras Island by SIT, reduction of OFF population by male annihilation technique was initiated in Guimaras. Setting-up of fiberboards impregnated with methyl eugenol and malathion was expanded to increase the area of coverage. In Buenavista, three sites were added and these are Oro Verde Holding Development Corporation (OVHDC), Salvacion and Jamandre farm with a total area of 231.9 has. In Jordan, 11 sites were added namely NMRDC, Poblacion, Buluangan, Southern Orchard, Chavez Farm, Trappist, Bugnay, Constancia, Aguilar, Alaguisoc and Tamborong with a total area of 1,021.25 has. Two sites were selected in Nueva Valencia. These include Concordia and Lucmayan with 10 has each. The total area covered for this year was about 1,273.15 has. Mark-Release-Recapture Study in Naoway Islet Naoway, a 12-ha islet, was selected as a pilot site to demonstrate the feasibility of eradicating the OFF by SIT. Prior to sterile fly releases, a mark-release-recapture study was conducted in March and repeated in August, 1995 to estimate the absolute density of OFF in the islet. The experiment was done by releasing 10 -11 days old marked sterile flies in the morning by allowing them to fly freely from an open cage for 30 min. Twenty-five traps were hung 4 hours after the release at an approximate distance of 50 m apart covering an area of 6 ha on each site. Released flies were recaptured 24