MANILA - Biotechnology research firm Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines Inc. was cited as saying Tuesday it will apply for commercialization of the genetically altered bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, corn next month when it harvests the crop from its multi-locational field tests.

Pioneer's Country Manager Jet G. Parma was cited as saying the company will harvest next month its Bt corn from the field tests, which were conducted in five different locations. Pioneer is a unit of Dupont & Co.

Pioneer is conducting field tests for the wet season Bt corn crop and plans to conduct its dry season crop early next year. Parma said Pioneer won't wait for the result of the dry season crop and the company will file its application for the commercial use of Bt corn as soon as the results of the wet season crop are out.

Parma was further cited as saying Pioneer is optimistic it will reap encouraging results from the field tests, adding, "We expect to see a 30% yield difference."

Parma said the company will conduct another set of multi-locational field test for the dry season of crop year 2003 to substantiate its claims on the yield difference.

Biotechnology guidelines released by the Philippine Department of Agriculture require local testing of the technology including contained testing in a greenhouse, a single location field test and a multi-locational field test.

Pioneer is actually testing the same Bt corn seeds called Yieldgard introduced by Monsanto Philippines. Monsanto filed last month its application for commercialization of its own Bt corn.