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A SCIENTIST from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has been recognized by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) for his groundbreaking work on “weedy rice,” a major but often overlooked threat to rice productivity.
Edwin Martin, crop protection specialist at PhilRice, was named one of CLSU’s outstanding alumni during the university’s 61st College of Agriculture foundation day for leading the first comprehensive study on the biology, distribution, and potential uses of weedy rice — a “mimic plant” that competes with cultivated rice and can reduce yields by up to 30 percent.
“Very few had studied weedy rice. Documenting how it spreads and competes opened the door for other scientists,” he added.
Because of its similarity to commercial seedlings, weedy rice is frequently sown and harvested with the crop, leading to reduced grain quality and economic loss. Martin’s research drew attention to its persistence in farmers’ fields and paved the way for new investigations at PhilRice, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and the International Rice Research Institute.
Martin currently leads crop health surveillance across PhilRice stations and is involved in field initiatives including trials of AigamoRobo — a Japanese-developed robot that removes weeds in flooded rice fields, herbicide synergy protocols for direct-seeded rice, and studies on fall armyworm infestations in irrigated areas. These projects follow integrated pest management approaches to reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
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Martin began his PhilRice career in 1995 as a service contractor. He earned his master’s degree from the UPLB, including a semester at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He entered the government’s Scientific Career System in 2019 and was promoted to Scientist II in 2025.
Aside from his research, Martin mentors CLSU students on weedy rice and encourages future scientists to pursue hands-on learning.
“The award is less about me and more about the research, the students, and staying connected to the college that shaped us,” he added.
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