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.
source: pcarrd.dost.gov.ph, photo from seasite.niu.edu
how often should i apply salt as fertilizer to my coconuts.
@roehl, check this post for more info:
http://www.mixph.com/2008/08/salt-an-effective-and-cheap-fertilizer-for-coconut.html
@nobile, just put a kilo or 2 of salt 1 meter away around the tree trunk.
how am going to apply salt as a fertilizer in coconut? what is the steps..
thanks\\