Young scientists recognized for their outstanding achievements in weed science research

PMCP President Jesus Asistin (left), Jhoana Opeña, and Dr.
Gil Magsino, president of the Weed Science Society
of the Philippines.

NAGA CITY, Philippines—Two up-and-coming scientists were recently cited for their outstanding contributions to the management of major weeds that significantly affect rice production in Asia and the Pacific.

Jhoana Opeña (photo), an assistant scientist at the Weed Science Unit of the Crop and Environmental Sciences Division, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), received the Marcos R. Vega Memorial Award in Weed Science. The recognition was given for her research on the development of integrated weed management strategies in rice and rice-based cropping systems.

Edelyn Joy Vicencio, an undergraduate student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and IRRI affiliate research scholar, received the Best Undergraduate Thesis Award in Weed Science from the Pest Management Council of the Philippines, Inc. (PMCP).

Her study, Effect of early submergence on the survival of and growth of submergence-tolerant rice and weed species, focused on the effect of different submergence depth and duration of submergence on the early seedling stage of three rice cultivars and economically important weeds of rice in the Philippines.

Her advisers, Niña Gracel Dimaano, UPLB instructor, and Dr. Virender Kumar, senior weed scientist at IRRI, were also recognized for their exemplary guidance.

Opeña and Vicencio belong to the new generation of weed scientists who are expected to play vital roles in advancing the development of pest and weed management in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.

The awards were presented during the 47th PMCP anniversary and annual scientific conference in Naga City, Camarines Sur on 8-11 March. This year’s theme was Sustainable pest management for today and tomorrow.

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