Many Filipinos perhaps aren’t. But certainly, those in the "money business," particularly in the manufacture of paper bills, do.
Fact is, salago is one of the excellent materials in the manufacture of money, bank notes, stencils, art papers, grade papers, documentary papers, and strong papers. It is commercially grown in Cebu, Bohol, Misamis Oriental, and Leyte.
But like other plants, it is attacked by diseases, thus, its fiber quality and yield potentials are affected.
Realizing this, scientists Dr. Naomi G. Tangonan and V.M. Escopalao of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato, conducted a study titled "Rhizoctonia disease of salago and its control".
The research, as monitored by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), aimed to determine the cause of the disease (Rhizoctonia solani Kohn) and characterize it. It also evaluated the effective fungicides and potential biocontrol agents against R. solani.
Dr. Tangonan and Escopalao reported that the Rhizoctonia disease was first observed at the Philippine Industrial Crop Research Institute (PICRI) experimental areas at USM, where salago is grown.
Disease incidence was also noted at the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) in Toril, Davao City.
According to them, this was the first time that Rhizoctonia disease was reported in the country.
The pathogen infects all stages of salago. In seedlings, symptom is characterized by girdling, discoloration of vascular tissues, rotting in the base, and toppling over. In mature plants, the affected twig dry up, leaves fall off, and die.
Five fungicides (benomyl, difenoconazole, mancozeb, metalaxyl, and tridemorph) were found effective when applied as protectant and eradicant.
Likewise, six fungal biocontrol agents (Trichoderma sp., T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii, T. viride, Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus sp.) showed antagonistic effects against R. solani in vitro (in the field).
The Trichoderma species and Penicillium sp. had high degree of control (70-90 percent). — Rudy A. Fernandez