Department of Agronomy & Soil Science

The Department of Agronomy and Soil Science (DASS) is among the very first departments created when this institution was converted into a state college in 1974. Many of its graduates are now successful professionals in various parts of the Philippines and abroad. The department has also produced graduates who became topnotchers in the Agriculturists Board Examination given by the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines.

The Department is composed of two sections:

Agronomy Section

Agronomy is an agricultural science dealing with field crop production and management. In recent years, Agronomy has broadened itself to answer issues regarding sustainable development. Also, the impacts of existing production systems on total plant production, the environment, and human health are now a major concern of Agronomy.

Soil Science Section

Soils are the Earth's living skin. They are major support systems of human life and welfare. Soil Science is the ecological earth science that deals with the characterization, management, and protection of soil resources in the forest, agricultural, wetland, and urban ecosystems.

Curricular Offerings

Agronomy:

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) major in Agronomy

• Master of Science (MS) in Agronomy
• Master in Agricultural Development (MagDev) in Agronomy
• Ph.D. in Agronomy (currently proposed)

Specializations :

• Crop Production and Management
• Crop Physiology
• Seed Technology
• Farming Systems
• Forage and Pasture

Soil Science:

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) major in Soil Science

Master of Science (MS) in Soil Science

Specializations:

• Pedology
• Soil Conservation
• Soil Chemistry
• Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
• Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry
• Soil Physics
• Soil Survey and Land Use

Research Thrusts

Agronomy

• Sustainable agriculture
• Crop production and management
• Pasture crop improvement
• Development of low input agricultural technology
• Response of crops to environmental stresses
• Seed technology

Soil Science

• Characteristics of soils in forest and agricultural ecosystems
• Formation and degradation of volcanic and limestone soils
• Effects of land-use change on soil characteristics and nutrient status
• Land suitability evaluation and mapping of soils
• Soil fertility evaluation and management of problems soils
• Soil pollution and remediation
• International Linkages

Some professors of the department maintain research collaborations with colleagues from noted foreign universities such as University of Hohenheim (Germany), University of Hawaii (USA), Cornell University (USA), Martin Luther University (Germany), National Taiwan University (Taiwan), Nagoya University (Japan), and United Nations University (Japan). Also, a professor in the department is an officer of the global organization of soil scientists, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).

Selected Publications

• Asio, V.B., C. C. Cabunos, and Z.S. Chen. 2006. Morphology, physicochemical characteristics and fertility status of soils formed from Quaternary limestone in Leyte, Philippines. Soil Science, USA, 171 (in press)
• Li, C.C., M.Y. Wu, V.B. Asio, and Z.S. Chem. 2006. Using soil quality indices to assess the effects of applying swine manure compost on soil quality under a crop rotation system in Taiwan, Soil Science, USA, 171:210-222
• Susaya, J.P., and V.B. Asio 2005. Status of phosphorus in the rain forest of Mt. Panagasugan, Leyte, Philippines. Annals of Tropical Research 27(2): 70-82
• Asio, V.B. 2005. Comments on the historical development of soil and weathering profile concepts from Europe and the United States of America. Soil Science of Society of American Journal, USA, 69: 571-572
• Ratilla, B.C. and R.G. Escalada. 2005. Time of incorporation of field legume herbage and its influence on the growth and yield of upland rice. Annals of Tropical Research 27:83-102
• Tulin, A.B., V.B. Asio, D.M. Campilan and S. Kawai. 2004. Characterization of nutrient deficiency symptoms in sweet potato through a farmer-scientist participatory approach. Annals of Tropical Research 26:141-167
• Cagasan, U.A. and B.C. Agarcio. 2004. Yield and economic returns of peanut and sweet corn as influenced by the timing of planting the crops in an intercropping scheme. Annals of Tropical Research 26: 1-22
• Javier, R.R. 2003. Cultural management manipulation for baby corn production. I. Effects of variety and organic fertilizer application on baby corn. Annals of Tropical Research 24: 34-47
• Villamayor, F.P. 2000. Selecting the best site for a sanitary landfill. Philippine Journal of Science 129: 47-49
• Chen, Z.S., T.C. Tsou, V.B. Asio and C.C. Tsai. 2001. The genesis of Inceptisols on a volcanic landscape in Taiwan. Soil Science, USA, 166:255-266
• Asio, V.B. R. Jahn, K. Stahr, and J. Margraf. 1998. Soils of the tropical forest of Leyte, Philippines. 2. Impact of different land uses on the status of organic matter and nutrient availability. In: Soils of Tropical Forest Ecosystems (A. Schulte and D. Ruhiyat, eds.). Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp: 37-44
• Asio, V.B. Jahn R., Stahr, K. 1999. Changes in the properties of volcanic soil (Andisol) in Leyte due to the conversion of forest to other land uses. The Philippine Journal of Science 128: 1-13
• Asio, V.B. and Chen, Z.S. (1998): Study of and site weathering in Northern Taiwan using micromorphological approaches. Taiwan Journal of Forest Science 13:259-269
• Asio, V.B. and Badayos, R.B. 1998. Biological accumulation of calcium carbonate in some lowland rice soils in the Philippines. The Philippine Agriculturist 81:176-181
• Escalada, R.G. B.C. Ratilla. 1998. Effects on Leucaena biomass application in comparison with inorganic fertilizer on cassava and taro yields in the Philippines. Agroforestry Systems 41:251-266
• Asio, V.B. 1996. Characteristics, weathering, formation, and degradation of soils from volcanic rocks in Leyte, Philippines. Hohenheimer Bodenkundliche Hefte vol. 33, Stuttgart, Germany, 209 pp. (book)

Facilities & Resources

Lecture rooms, audio-visual room, soil & plant analysis lab, soil microbiology lab, soil science teaching lab, pedology & geo-ecology teaching lab, agronomy teaching lab, department library, graduate student room, computer room, conference room, screen houses, field station & experimental site, seed storage facility, and vehicles.