Department of Horticulture

hortiThe Department of Horticulture at VSU is a center of excellence for instruction, research, and extension in horticulture playing a lead role in the development of the fruit, ornamental, vegetable and plantation crop industries in the Visayas.

Offers HORTICULTURE as a major field of specialization in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs of the Visayas State University.

 

Sections

  1. Pomology - focuses on the generation of suitable technologies and training of technical manpower for a competitive tropical fruit industry.
  2. Plantation Horticulture - addresses critical issues and concerns towards the development of appropriate technologies and technical manpower for the modernization of plantation crop industries with an emphasis on abaca, coconut, coffee, and cacao.
  3. Olericulture - aims at developing the full potential of the region's resources for the effective, efficient and sustainable production of high-value vegetables.
  4. Ornamental Horticulture - leads in the development and advancement of the region's ornamental industry.
  5. Nursery Culture - deals with the commercial propagation of important horticultural crops using traditional tools and micropropagation techniques.
  6. Postharvest Horticulture - concerns with the preservation of the quality of harvested horticultural produce.

Extension Activities

  1. Training, Techno-demonstrations and Technical Consultancy
    • Cultural Management of Ornamental plants
    • Hands-on training on asexual propagation of fruit trees
    • Abaca production and management
    • Establishment of cold storage facilities for high-value vegetables and cut-flowers
    • Production of high-value vegetable crops
    • Organic vegetable production
    • Bio organic fertilizer production
  2. Distribution of production guides and other extension materials
  3. Production and distribution of various vegetable seeds
    • Growing vegetable for seed production
  4. Promote the production and monitor disposal or high-quality planting materials of various fruit crops
  5. Provide technical assistance on fruit, vegetable, plantation and ornamental crops production to growers/techno farm
  6. Organize/Assist/Participate Garden Shows and Agri-trade Fair for marketing linkages and technology promotion
    • Garden show
    • Agro-industrial fair

Facilities/Resources

  1. Laboratories
    • Tissue culture laboratory
    • Postharvest technology laboratory
    • Seed processing and seed storage
    • Crop physiology and service laboratories
  2. Production Project / Experimental Areas
    • Vegetables and seed production Projects
    • Fruit crop nursery project
    • Ornamental crop nursery project
    • Fruit orchard (12 ha.)
    • Cacao project (2.8 ha)
    • Coffee project (2 ha)
    • Scion Grove
  3. Other Facilities
    • Library and reading room
    • Lecture room and audio-visual equipment

Department of Food Science and Technology

Food TechThe Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST) plays an important role in the development of society. It is one of the institutions in the country offering Food technology as an academic program. It could, therefore, play a vital role in human resource development needed in the various technology transfer particularly in food science and technologies. It could also spearhead the generation of knowledge in food science and technology and in initiating the application and use of food science strategies and technologies in specialized areas of development.


Vision

The DFST as the center of excellence in food science and technology in the Visayas.


Mission

Enhancement of the general well-being of the beneficiaries of agriculture, fishery, and agro-industry in the Visayas through effective manpower development, technology generation, dissemination and application of appropriate food technology.

Goals

Effective education in food science and technology.
Appropriate knowledge and technologies relevant to food processing and utilization.
Strong linkages with private industries and organizations for the commercialization of appropriate technologies generated.
Public awareness and advocacy on relevant issues affecting food quality and safety.
Dynamic cooperation with various units in the institution and with external organizations concerned with food science and technology.

 

Programs

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Food Technology, a four-year course, as its major undergraduate degree program the department also offers the MS in Food Science and Technology for graduate students.


Career Opportunities

  • Food Technologist in Food Industries
  • Research and Development Workers in Food Companies
  • Technical and Sales Representatives in Food and Related Industries
  • Researchers in Government and Research Institutes
  • Instructors and Researchers in Colleges, Universities and Technological Institutes
  • Government Food Inspectors in Regulation and Safety
  • Extension Workers in Government Agencies
  • Entrepreneurs in the Food Business
  • Managers in Food and Related Companies
  • Food Engineers in Food and Related Establishments
  • Quality Control Scientists

 

Student Organization

Philippine Association of Food Technologists - Kappa Student Chapter (PAFT-KSC)

Objectives:

  1. To be true and scientific Food Technology Students
  2. To support and pursue the goals of the LSU Organization of Food Technology Students who are self-reliant and self-sufficient.
  3. To abide by the rules and regulations of the College.
  4. To work harmoniously with other student organizations and help foster the objectives of the school for economic and social causes.

Department of Agronomy & Soil Science

dassThe 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.

Department of Animal Science

ansciThe sole department under the college of agriculture dealing with animals, the Department of Animal Science is a pillar for instruction, research, and extension in animal science offers the Bachelor in Animal Science (BAS) with majors in Animal Production and Animal Health, Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs of the Visayas State University.

The department has two divisions – Animal Production and Animal Health.

 

Departments under CAFS

dass        Department of Agronomy and Soil Science 
 ansci   Department of Animal Science 
 devcom logo rendered   Department of Development Communication 
 Food Tech   Department of Food Science and Technology 
horti   Department of Horticulture
pestmgt   Department of Pest Management
dpbgr tommy makeover   Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics
  1. College of Education and Agricultural Technology
  2. College of Fisheries
  3. College of Environmental and Agricultural Technology
  4. College of Industrial Technology and Engineering

Subcategories

Programs