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Dec 08 2006

Various Farming Tips

Posted by: Leo in Other-Agri 1,170 Views

SWAMP SOIL AS FERTILIZER

One ton (1,000 kilos) of dry peat — a mixture of soil and organic matter found mostly in swampy areas — can supply as much as 40 kilos each of the major plant foods, or equivalent to two bags of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0 NPK). Peat is black in color and weighs relatively light.

DELAY RIPENING OF BANANA

Bananas (also other fruits and vegetables) emits gas called “ethylene.” The presence of this gas inside the enclosed bags when transported for shipment coupled with high temperature hasten the fruits ripening process. A food expert devised a new, low-cost treatment for prolonging the storage life of bananas and other fruits and vegetables during transport.

A charcoal-like material was placed inside a plastic bag which absorbs the ethylene gas given off by the bananas. It measures 15 x 15 x 2 cm. and soaked in a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate. Two slices were placed in each plastic bag containing a bunch of banana and tied at both ends with tape. They were cooled at a constant temperature of 20°C. Those packed in plastic bag without the charcoal-like absorbent ripened in just two weeks. The treated ones remained hard green, as if newly harvested and when the plastic bag was taken off, the fruits ripened normally.

SALT AS FERTILIZER FOR COCONUT

The application of sodium chloride (NaCl) can increase nut production, copra weight per nut and copra yield per tree. Research studies on chloride nutrition and fertilization of coconuts were extensively reported in 1972 on the positive responses of young and bearing coconuts to chlorine application. This was the result of adding potassium chloride to palms at the Davao Research Center of the Philippine Coconut Authority in Bago Oshiro, Davao City. The beneficial role of chlorine in the normal growth, accelerated development, and high nut and copra yields of coconuts was confirmed in the inland coconut-productive areas in Davao.

Leaf chlorine is the main factor for copra yields; and for foliar diagnosis (a tool for nutritional diagnosis and predicting fertilizer needs), the critical level of leaf-Cl was found at 0.30% C1 and optimum level at 0.50-0.55% C1. The addition of 60-70 g NaCl/seedling can increase the plants girth and fresh weight. It was found that seedlings from seednuts produced by NaC1-fertilized parent palms had bigger girths, more leaves, and higher total germination percentage, indicating that chlorine nutrition of parent palms is a positive factor in affecting the conditions of the seedlings in the industry.

EGG SHELLS AS FERTILIZERS

Eggshells can be used as fertilizers, cement and tile binder and paste ingredient after grinding them finely. They contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur which makes plants robust and vigorous. Ground eggshells can also be used as a reinforcing ingredient in pastes. Mixed with starch, the sticky substance can bind paper effectively. When used as a cement binder, the mixture dries easily and as tile binder, it gives a hard but smooth finish. One part white cement is mixed with every two parts ground shell.

BIO-CONTROL OF CROP DISEASE

Many of our local plants contain helpful chemicals, particularly alkaloids, that are effective against fungal and bacterial diseases of other plants. Thus, they are mixed with the soil to control the fungus that causes the diseases of seedlings. Allow the leaves to decompose for about one week before transplanting the seedlings. Some of these leaves are as follows:

abaca leaves, sampaloc, avocado, kakawate, alibangbang, lanzones,
acacia, ginger, ampalaya, malunggay, atis, cowpea,
guava, sampaguita, coconut, santan pula, calamansi, santol,
star-apple, chico, jackfruit, garlic, orchid, tanglad, datiles
rimas eggplant, onions, beans (red variety),
papaya, chichirica, cacao, upo, cassava,
sugarcane, calachuchi, watermelon, tobacco, saluyot

Thus, using plant leaves in controlling disease-causing organisms is no doubt cheaper than pesticides and insecticides. It is also simpler and easier to apply by merely incorporating the leaves with soil during cultivation. When decomposed, the leaves release certain chemicals which prevents harmful bacteria and fungi from attacking the crops. Besides controlling diseases, the leaves also increase the organic matter content of the soil, improving its structure and fertility.

source: pcarrd.dost.gov.ph, photo from seasite.niu.edu