Organic Vegetable Production
Rodel G. Maghirang
Organic agriculture is seen by some as a recent fad and by others as a return to the dark ages. It is neither. Organic agriculture has been with us for thousand of years. It was only recently that we learned to use inorganic inputs such as petrochemical-based fertilizers and pesticides. Before that age of what we called ‘Green Revolution’ which we erroneously hailed as the savior from hunger, agriculture was generally sustainable relying on on-farm resources to manage soil fertility and pests.
As we embraced what we thought as scientific agriculture we tried to eliminate all plants as weeds except for the main crop leaving the soil bare, mono-cropping is the order of the day, spray with poisonous pesticides on a regular basis polluting the environment, contaminating groundwater and killing-off non-target species. We called this ‘Scientific Agriculture’.
And as we sprayed the plants with poison, the pest damage is getting worse. So we spray more, the Chemical companies get richer, the farmers get poorer, the environment get sicker. So a second wave of ‘Scientific Agriculture’ is laid out…. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Foreign genes are inserted into plants, animals and microorganisms for them to exhibit traits that are never meant to be in nature: Corn and vegetables with stomach poison from Bacillus thuringiensis , plants with resistance to herbicide Roundup among others. These are being argued as creations to ‘Feed the World’. But realities paint a different picture. This is a genetic assault to the ecosystem, creating a worse selection pressure than pesticides resulting to different pests and maybe later different plants and microorganisms. This also results to the creation of novel proteins that can have lasting negative impacts on human health and the ecosysytem. This ‘Transgenic World’ is not a dream world but a worse nightmare.
Definition of Organic Agriculture
As defined by IFOAM, Organic agriculture includes all agricultural systems that promote the environmentally, socially and economically sound production of food and fibers. These systems take local soil fertility as a key to successful production.
Principle of organic farming is to allow Mother Nature to provide us food the way nature intended. The soil is of central importance. Organic farmers nourish the soil and its micro universe of life forms rather than force feeding the plants to grow unnaturally fast…….
Organics is about producing healthy food and fibre without the use of synthetic agri-chemicals, while ensuring animal welfare and environmental sustainability.”-IndoCert
Organic Principles (IFOAM)
The Principle of Health - Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.
The Principle of Ecology - Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.
The Principle of Fairness - Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
The Principle of Care - Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well being of current and future generations and the environment.
Nutritional benefits of organic food
Organic food in general are more nutritious than the conventional counterparts because they are grown with optimum supply of all the nutrients for normal plant growth unlike in chemical agriculture where plants are generally feed only with macro elements such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. Among the reports related to this are;
Nitrate levels in organic food are on average 15% lower (Virginia Worthington - Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables and Grains, 2001).
Scientists from Glasgow University have found a link between the levels of nitrates in vegetables and gullet cancer, which has trebled over the last 20 years and claims more than 3000 lives a year.
They believe that an increase in the use of nitrate fertilizers since World War II may be one of the main reasons for the rise in this cancer.
Organic vegetables have higher levels (between 10% and 50%) of secondary nutrients. These include antioxidants which help to mop up harmful free radicals implicated in cancer. (Shane Heaton - Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health, 2001).
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can lead to a variety of symptoms including muscle cramps and depression. (Truth About Food)
Between 1940 and 1991, trace minerals in conventional UK fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% - US figures show a similar trend (Defra and USDA)
Organic Diet Improves Quality of Breast Milk
Scientific studies show that consuming organic milk and meat improves the health qualities of nursing mothers’ breast milk.
European scientists have found that mothers who consumed mostly organic meat and milk have around 50 percent higher levels of rumenic acid in their breast milk. This acid protects against cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and asthma.
This study confirms earlier research by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research and the University of Newcastle showing that cows raised on an organic diet produced milk with 50% more Vitamin E and 75% more beta carotene than conventionally farmed cows.
The organic milk has two to three times more zeaxanthine and lutein, which are powerful antioxidants.
Higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids, that provide protection from heart and other diseases, are also found in organic milk
Source: "Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk"
British Journal of Nutrition, 2007.
General Guidelines in Organic Vegetable Production
1. Production and Marketing Plan
Before embarking on organic vegetable production it is best to have a marketing and production plan based on existing conditions in the area.
The market information should include : where, how much/week, month, what vegies, standards, how much are they willing to pay.
Based on the market requirements the production plan is drawn to include best area for production, crops to grow, intercropping/crop rotation, crop sequencing among others. The plan should include a comprehensive resource inventory, creating awareness of both human and natural resources available to the farm The plan should also potentially eliminate or reduce the need for high-cost inputs, other than labor, generally enhancing the overall profitability of the farming operation.
Based on the production plan the input system is drawn to include seeds, organic fertilizers, Bio-pesticides, water system, nursery, farm equipments, mulching material, trellis materials. In case of off-farm resource a list of each substance used, including its ingredients, source, and where/in what context it will be used. A map is helpful to keep track of inputs.
A process that enables a farm to balance farm profitability, community stability, and environmental vitality.
It is an intentional decision making and evaluation model which helps growers integrate the dynamic relationships of the economic, social and ecological consequences of management decisions in organic farming
Components of the Farm Plan
a) Assessment- Appraise On Farm Resource, including natural and man made resources
b) Identifying Key Issues- Ascertain barriers and opportunities of concern.
c) Goal Setting- Identify unique goals with regard to profitability, community, and ecology
d) Action Plans- Organic Farm Plans make deliberate use of available resources to achieve goals.
e) Monitoring- Evaluate and revise the plan's ability to quantitatively and qualitatively fulfill goals.
Increases the biodiversity of the agro-ecosystem, (due to the elimination of chemical inputs) including all soil and surface flora and fauna, and enhances the farming system's ability to:
a) Conserve of nutrients generated by biological processes of decomposition and mineralization;
b) Maintain more balanced predator, prey and parasitoid arthropod communities, potentially reducing vulnerabilities to insect pest problems;
c) Maintain soil, water and air quality, thereby providing food with no chemical residues;
d) Maintain soil health and structure, which enhances tilth, reduces surface crusting, improves water drainage, and air infiltration.
Enhances the regenerative processes related to agriculture
Does not deplete the soil's ability for long-term, sustainable agricultural production, due to its reliance of organic matter inputs (rotations, green manures, cover crops, manure and compost applications, mulches), it enhances
Promotes tillage practices that minimizes destruction of soil structure, leading to reduced compaction and enhancing the soil's physical qualities for improved drainage and aeration.
Promotes ecological literacy among organic farmers and an appreciation for the ecological processes that drive these systems, due to its reliance on biological/ecological processes.
Information in the Organic Farm Plan
a) Farm map: time and space
b) Producers should clearly describe practices in detail.
c) Describe crop rotation plans: each rotation used and how often.
d) Describe a soil fertility management program: how nutrient toxicity will be prevented and how soil fertility will be monitored.
e) Note soil conservation practices, including methods for preventing soil erosion and monitoring soil conservation.
f) List water quality practices, including methods to minimize water contamination such as buffers or borders, protect water quality including management of irrigation and run-off water, and how the effectiveness of the methods will be monitored.
g) Indicate weed management plan, including problem weeds, weed control methods,
h) Pest management plan, The plan must include methods for controlling pest damage to crops, a record of all pest control products used and intended for use, the frequency of pest monitoring, and methods for monitoring the effectiveness of the pest management program.
2. Crops, Varieties, Seeds
Grow crops based on market demand, suitability in the area, starting with the easy to grow.
Plant different varieties and select the most resistant
Produce your own seeds where possible
Easy to grow organically
Onion, leek, spring, shallots
Chives or Kutsay
Dragon Fruit/Pitaya
Asparagus
Saw toothed coriander
Galangal/Langkauas
Ginger
Herbs: Mint, Basil, Tarragon, Dill
Easy to Grow organically also (depending on variety)
Eggplant- A-300
Pole sitao-CSL 19, Sandigan
Snap Beans: B-21, T1
Garden Pea
Winged Bean
Cucumber- Oasis, Wls, Bituin, Pilmaria
Tomato-
Carrot
Lettuce- President, leaf type, romaine
Indigenous plants: Easy to grow
Malabar spinach (Alugbati), Jute mallow (Saluyot), Swamp cabbage (Kangkong)
Unti (Solanum nigrum), Lagikway, Malunggay , Saberdukong
Other easy to grow vegetables
• Squash, sayote, radish, okra, patola, upo, kundol
Somewhat difficult to grow organically
Crucifers- Cabbage , Petsay , Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage
Difficult to grow organically!
Honey dew melon
Hybrid watermelons
White Potato
3. Seedling production
Objectives
• Vigorous seedlings for transplanting
• Hardened to survive full sunlight
• With short, thick stem
• Vigorous, profuse rooting
• Extra seedlings for replanting
Materials needed
• Good quality seeds (organic)
• If organic seeds are not available, the commercially available seeds can be used but should not have chemical treatments
• Soil mix- garden soil, compost/manure, INI/Kuntan
• Seed boxes
• Nursery trays/lukong
• Nursery area
• Sprinkler
• Mulching material
Nursery specs
• Transparent roofing- to protect seedlings from too much rain
• Nylon net- to shield seedlings from too much sun (optional)
• Tray tables- to protect seedlings from stray animals
• Fence- against stray animals
• Near water source- for ease of watering
• Shielded but highest portion of the farm- wind and flooding protection
Soil mix preparation
• Mix equal amounts of garden soil, compost and I NI or at rates that would give a crumbly texture
• Sterilize by: steam sterilization, baking, malungay extract
Amount of seeds
• Based on % germination
• 10-20 % extra seedlings for replanting
• Example- 1 hectare eggplant, spacing 75 cm x 100cm.
• Amount of seeds needed-???
Computation on amount of seeds needed
• Based on 80 % germination
• 20 % extra seedlings for replanting
• 1hectare eggplant, spacing 75 cm x 100 cm.
1. Plants per hectare: 10,000 m2/0.75m x 1.0m= 13,333 plants/hectare
2. Seeds needed per hectare: 13,333/ 270 seeds/gm= 49.38 gm seeds/ha
3. At 80% germination: 49.38/0.8= 61.7 gm seeds/ha
4. With 20% extra seedlings: 61.7x 1.2= 74 gm seeds/ha only!
Seed requirement
Germination 80%, 10% reserve
Crop Seeds/gram Spacing
(m X m) Seeds/ha
(kg)
Ampalaya 5-7 0.30x3.00 3.0
Cabbage 275 0.50x0.50 0.25
Cucumber 50 0.50x1.00 1.25
Eggplant 270 0.75x1.00 0.074
Patola 15 1.00x3.00 0.70
Pepper 150-200 0.50x0.50 0.420
Tomato 300 0.50x1.00 0,105
Sowing
• Sow seeds in seed boxes
• Water seed boxes with sprinkler
• Make rows 5-7 cm apart
• Sow seeds thinly 5-10 seeds/cm
• Cover lightly with soil
• Mulch with rice straw, news paper or just cover with white net
• Water again
• Keep in a partially shaded area (10-30%)
• Water regularly
• Sow seeds in seed boxes
• Water seed boxes with sprinkler
• Make rows 5-7 cm apart, 2cm deep
• Label properly indicating variety and date of sowing, using strips of plastic cups or any water proof material. Use black pentel pen.
• Sow seeds thinly, 5-10 seeds/cm, for crops like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, pepper, eggplant
• Cover lightly with soil
•
• Water over newspaper, or net, or mulch first with coco coir or any such material.
• Keep under partial shade or nursery with net or plastic roofing
• Water regularly
Pricking
• Pricking vs direct seeding
• Prick 7-9 days from sowing depending on the crop
• Best to prick in the afternoon
• Use nursery trays, lukong or other materials
• Use sterilized soil mix of good texture
•
Maintenance
• Regular watering
• Partial shade then full sunlight
• Watering with tea manure or compost tea
Tea Manure
• 1 kilo manure per 20 liters water
• Soak for 10-14 days
• Mix daily
• Add molasses or raw sugar to eliminate foul smell
• Dilute to tea color and spray to foliage or drench to plots
Damping-off
• Due to infected soil aggravated by dense planting and excess watering
• Solution: sterilize soil, drench soil with compost tea before sowing, mix malunggay leaves to soil mix
Direct sowing to trays
• For big-seeded crops
• Needs equal depth of seeds
• Good for melon, watermelon, ampalaya, patola
• Transplant three weeks from sowing
Hardening
• To condition seedlings to actual field conditions
• Exposure to full sunlight
• Withdrawal of water
• Brushing to strengthen stem and root system
• At least one week before transplanting
4. Soil Fertility: Fertilize the soil not the plant
Fertilize the soil not the plant
Use organic fertilizer (animal manure, compost, vermi casts, leaves of legumes, wood ash, seaweeds, azolla)
Use Microbials: Rhizobium, PGPR- Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, Bio-N, Myco Vam and other microbial aids as well as IMO
Soil fertility management
Return weeds to the soil as mulch or as compost
Use green manures, live mulch, or cover crops
Take care of your soil. It has life and it gives life
In applying organic nutrients the following should be considered
- Crop nutrient removal
- Available nutrients in the soil
- Organic fertilizer to be added (based on N, P, and K)
- Subsequent crops to be planted
Ginger Fertilization
Ginger takes up large amounts of nutrients.
The general fertilizer requirement is 180 kg/ha N, 180 kg/ha P2O5, and 255 kg/ha K2O.
The considerably high K requirement makes ginger sensitive to low K supply.
These requirement can be supplied from 0.5 kg/m2 of decomposed animal manure or 1 kg/m2 of compost.
Options: compost, vermicompost, Mycovam, Bio-N
Vegetable Fertilizer Requirement
Crop Nitrogen
(Kg/ha) P2O5
(kg/ha) K2O
(kg/ha)
Asparagus 80 - 150 50 - 100 50- 100
Bean 60 - 120 60 - 120 50 - 100
Broccoli 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Cabbage 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Carrot 80 - 150 80 - 150 50 - 100
Cauliflower 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Corn, Sweet 120 - 240 60 - 120 50 - 150
Cucumber 80-150 50-100 50-200
Eggplant 125-150 100-250 100-250
Garlic 100 - 200 60 - 150 50 - 200
Lettuce 120 - 180 100 - 200 0 - 200
Muskmelon 100 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Onion 120 - 300 60 - 150 0 - 200
Pepper, Chili 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Pepper, Sweet 120 - 240 100 - 250 0 - 200
Potato, White 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Irish 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Sweet 80 - 120 60 - 120 0 - 100
Squash 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 150
Tomato 100 - 200 60 - 150 0 - 200
Watermelon 100 - 160 60 - 120 0 - 200
Soil analysis: Available NPK
Compute available NPK in the soil based on the following formula
N- %; (value/100) x 2,000,000 kg/ha x 0.05 (%N in OM) x 0.04 (mineralization rate of OM)= kg N/ha
P- ppm; multiply by 2 to get kg/ha; x2.29 = kg/ha P2O5
K- (cmol/kg soil), multiply by 780 to get kg/ha; x 1.2= kg/ha K2O
Nutrient content of agricultural wastes
Type of wastes Nutrient (%) per dry weight basis
N P K Ca Mg C:N ratio
Coconut coir dust 0.39 0.06 1.76 0.13 0.11 117.0
Rice Hull 0.40 0.05 0.38 0.07 0.04 102.0
Rice Straw 0.53 0.27 1.70 0.50 0.48 67.0
Pineapple trunk 1.18 0.08 2.26 0.09 0.10 37.0
Corn Stalk 1.13 0.44 1.75 0.37 0.18 43.0
Oil Palm frond 0.70 0.07 0.97 0.53 0.14 61.0
Oil palm empty bunch 0.60 0.06 1.92 0.13 0.11 83.0
Chicken dung 1.72 1.82 2.18 9.23 0.86 12.42
Cow dung 2.05 0.76 0.82 1.29 0.48 30.25
Cocoa pods 1.00 0.05 1.08 0.12 0.05 na
Other organic fertilizers
Compost- 7.8 pH, 0.8% N, o.35% P, 0.48% K+ME
Vermicompost- 6.8 pH, 1.94% N, 0.47% P, 0.70% K+ME
Madre de Cacao (Glyciridia)- 0.8% N, 1.8% P, 2.8% K+ME
Average chemical composition of manures
Manure Chemical composition, %
Water N P K Ca Mg
Cattle (Fresh) 79.0 2.06 0.66 0.77 0.70 0.16
Old 71.4 2.41 0.75 0.88 0.81 0.12
Carabao (Fresh) 71.0 1.22 0.85 0.79 0.15 0.09
Old 67.8 1.09 0.82 0.70 0.19 -------
Swine (Fresh) 73.8 2.76 2.64 1.47 1.26 0.09
Old 70.5 2.11 2.41 0.91 0.35 0.04
Broilers (Fresh) 82.1 3.17 3.25 2.35 0.52 0.25
Old 44.6 3.17 3.29 2.41 0.65 0.37
Pullet (Fresh) 79.6 2.60 4.42 3.06 3.38 0.09
Old 53.8 3.61 3.33 2.38 1.39 0.41
Layers (Fresh) 73.5 4.02 3.71 1.55 4.09 0.14
Old 52.2 4.22 3.82 2.00 4.12 0.48
5. Water management
Water used in the production of fruits and vegetables can be a source of pathogen contamination and dissemination.
The chances of contamination of fruits and vegetables with microorganisms present in water can increase depending on factors such as:
Product growth stage
Type of crop (leafy, fruit, root, flower)
Time between water application and harvest
Water and product handling practices
Sources of water
Primary and secondary sources must be identified and checked for possible sources of pesticide and microbial contamination
Surface sources such as rivers, streams, and reservoirs
Ground water from wells (open or capped)
Public water systems such as those provided by towns or other municipalities
Rain water
To protect water sources:
Keep animals and children out of the fields;
Provide field workers with properly constructed and maintained restrooms or sanitary mobile units;
Properly develop wells and water systems.
6. Pest Management
a. Intercrop
Avoid mono-cropping
Plant different crops depending on use, location and market
Intercrop within the row and in blocks
Use different varieties even in the same crop as much as possible
Companion cropping
Chilli- with okra, eggplant, radish
Cabbage- with onion and tomato
Tomato- with carrot, cucumber, onion, garlic
Cucumber- with radish, corn, lettuce
Peanut- with corn, okra
Radish-with cucumber, tomato. chilli
b. And rotate crops
Helps disrupt the life cycle, habitat and food supply of many pests and diseases
Helps in soil conservation, improve soil fertility and reduce weeds
Rotation systems…
Leaf-root-legume-fruit
Root-leaf-fruit-legume
Legume-fruit-root-leaf
Fruit-legume-leaf-root
c. Grow pest repellents
Spices (onion, garlic, leek, lemon grass, ginger, turmeric)
Flowering plants (marigold, cosmos, sunflower, zinnia)
Herbs (basil, tarragon, coriander, )
Repels many pests
• Allium – onion, garlic, chives
• Herbs - mint, oregano, coriander, anise
• Spices – ginger, turmeric, lemon grass
• Flowering – marigold, pyrethum, fever few,
d. Grow sacrificial plants around the area
Crops more preferred by pests- plant them as borders
Susceptible weeds- do not remove them otherwise the pest will transfer to your crop
Heavily damaged plants- do not remove, to increase the natural enemies
Crops more preferred by pests
Dill on tomato - for hornworm
soybean on crucifers, carrot, eggplant- for beetles.
Zinnia, marigold- for beetles, etc
Okra – for leaf hoppers in eggplant
Choi sam- for crucifers
e. Encourage the natural enemies
Do not spray chemical pesticides
Allow weeds in some areas
Plant attractants of natural enemies- basil, amaranth, sunflower, cosmos, zinnia
Have an area for them
f. Use physical methods of control
Tiriscide
Balothion
Smoke Bomb
Desabog (asukal, sapal, yamas)
Inside de kulambo
g. Use mulch
Plastic Mulch Application
• Make beds 30 cm high, 1 m wide and ½ to ¾ m apart
• Mix with the soil the organic fertilizer. Soil can also be drench with FPJ.
• Apply plastic mulch at the hottest part of the day
• Silver side up, black side down
• Cover the end with soil and roll out the plastic
• Cover the sides with soil so it will be stretched properly
• Make holes with heated tin cans or wire.
Don’ts in mulching
• Do not step on the beds in preparing them
• Do not apply the plastic on dry plots. Moist soil is best.
• Do not lay the plastic before manuring. Apply the manures and compost first.
• Do not apply plastic when cloudy. Apply only when the day is hot.
• Do not have the beds too close to each other. Have ½ to ¾ m alley for ease of movement between plots.
• Do not secure the plastic with bamboo sticks. Cover the sides with soil instead.
• Do not make holes by cutting the plastic. Use heated cans.
Why Use Mulch
Protecting the soil from wind and water erosion: soil particles can not be washed or blown away.
Improving the infiltration of rain and irrigation water by maintaining a good soil structure: no crust is formed, the pores are kept open.
Keeping the soil moist by reducing evaporation: plants need less irrigation or can use the available rain more efficiently in dry areas or seasons.
Feeding and protecting soil organisms: organic mulch material is an excellent food for soil organism and provides suitable conditions for their growth.
Suppressing weed growth: with a sufficient mulch layer, weeds will find it difficult to grow through it.
Preventing the soil from heating up too much: mulch provides shade to the soil and the retained moisture keeps it cool.
Providing nutrients to the crops: while decomposing, organic mulch material continuously releases its nutrients, thus fertilizing the soil.
Increasing the content of soil organic matter: part of the mulch material will be transformed to humus.
Sources of mulching material
Weeds or cover crops
Crop residues
Grass
Pruning material from trees
Cutting from hedges
Wastes for agricultural processing or from forestry
Constraints of Mulching
Some organisms can proliferate too much in the moist and protected conditions of the mulch layer.
Slugs and snails can multiply very quickly under a mulch layer.
Ants or termites which may cause damage to the crops also may find ideal conditions for living.
When crop residues are used for mulching, in some cases there is an increased risk of sustaining pests and diseases.
Damaging organisms such as stem borers may survive in the stalks of crops like cotton, corn or sugar cane.
Plant material infected with viral or fungal diseases should not be used if there is a risk that the disease might spread to the next crop.
Crop rotation is very important to overcome these risks.
When carbon rich materials such as straw or stalks are used for mulching, nitrogen from the soil may be used by microorganisms for decomposing the material. Thus, nitrogen may be temporary not available for plant growth (risk of N-immobilization).
The major constraint for mulching usually is the availability of organic materials. Its production or collection usually involves labor and may compete with the production of crops.
Nitrogen immobilization
When organic material is applied to the soil, the decomposing microbes multiply quickly.
For growth, they need nutrients, especially nitrogen.
If the applied plant material does not contain sufficient nitrogen (i.e. it has a high C to N ratio), the micro organisms take it from the soil.
This process is called nitrogen immobilization, as the nitrogen is fixed temporarily in the microbes and released only after some time.
The microbes compete with the plants for nitrogen and the crop may suffer from malnutrition.
Old or rough plant materials should be applied to the soil at least two months before planting or sowing the main crop.
Nitrogen immobilization can occur when the following materials are applied: straw or grain husks, material containing wood (e.g. twigs, saw dust), half rotten compost.
Other notes on application of Mulch
If possible, the mulch should be applied before or at the onset of the rainy season, as then the soil is most vulnerable.
If the layer of the mulch is not too thick, seeds or seedlings can be directly sown or planted in between the mulching material.
On vegetable plots it is best to apply mulch only after the young plants have become somewhat hardier, as they may be harmed by the products of decomposition from fresh mulch material.
If mulch is applied prior to sowing or planting, the mulch layer should not be too thick in order to allow seedlings to penetrate it.
Mulch can also be applied in established crops, best directly after digging the soil, it can be applied between the rows, directly around single plants (especially for tree crops) or evenly spread on the field.
h. Consider the importance of weeds
Avoid naked soils (rated PG)
Allow some weedy areas for:
Increase of natural enemies
Protection from the sun and rains
Increase in soil fertility
Microorganisms in the soil
i. Last defense
Spray silicidin for aphids and larva (100 gm hot pepper, extract juice, good for one sprayer, add soap, bring wife)
Spray Perlathion for mites, whitefly, mealy bugs
Spray Nucleo polyhedrosis virus (NPV) for Lipidepterous pests- collect dead and sickly bugs, liquify, 10-15 larva good for 1 sprayer,
Spray Bt (Xintari, Halt)
Other Botanical pesticides
Other microbial pesticides…
7. Harvesting, post harvest
• Harvest at the right stage of maturity
• Best to harvest when the leaves are dry
• For leafy vegetables, best to harvest towards the afternoon
• Practice cleanliness and Food safety…
• TLC…
• Use plastic crates lined with paper or banana leaves.
• Containers should protect the produce from damage from bruises and compression
Summary
Not a technology but a practical and evolving system
Continuously unfolding …
Science is playing catch up
Respect for life…
References
Adam, K. L. 2005. Herb Production in Organic Systems. www.ATRRA.ncat.org
CETDEM organic farming project, Malaysia.
Dofour, R. 2000. Farm scaping to enhance biological control. www.attra.ncat.org
Guerena, M. 2006. Cole Crops and Other Brassicas: Organic Production. ATRRA
Heaton, S. 2001.Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health.
IFOAM. Training Manual on Organic Agriculture in the Tropics.
Kuepper, G, and M. Dodson. 2001. Companion Planting: Basic Concept and Resources. www.attra.ncat.org 10p.
Lawn, C. R. and E. R. Kaufman. Organic Seed Crop Production: A New Niche for New England Farmers . FEDCO Seeds. 8p.
Maghirang R. G. 2004. Improvement of Vegetable Production in Pagadian City. Unpublished Terminal Report. TAPI-DOST Project.
Maghirang, R. G. 2002. Organic Vegetable Farming. In Local Seed Systems for Genetic Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture Sourcebook. Fernandez, P. G., A. L. Aquino, L. E. P. de Guzman, M. F. O. Mercado (Eds). University of the Philippines Los Baňos- College of Agriculture, Laguna, Philippines. P 146-153.
Maghirang, R. G. and G. D. Docuyanan. 2009. Organic Vegetable, Trend in Breeding and Selection for Our Asia-Pacific Region. Paper presented during the Organic Asia Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. August 18-21, 2009
Maghirang, R. G., L. D. Taylo, M. L. D. Guevarra, M L. J. Sison, 2009. Bestseller Vegies for Organic Production in The Philippines. Agrinotes.
Maghirang, R. g. 2009. Organic Fertilizers from Farm Waste Adopted by Farmers in the Philippines. Development and Adoption of Green Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Enhancement of Rural Entrepreneurship, September 28 - October 02, 2009, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Some Pesticides Permitted in Organic Gardening. Denver County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener
The Organic Center www.organic-center.org.
Worthington, V. 2001. Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables and Grains.
www.ifoam.org
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Organic Breeding
General Guidelines in Organic Vegetable
Variety Development and Seed Production
Rodel G. Maghirang
Chapter 1. Generation of Stable Lines
1.1 Expected Output:
a. Organic vegetable varieties/cultivars ready for release/NCT trials
b. Variety recommendation for organic growers (where variety development is not technically possible in the Philippines)
c. Organically produced seeds of selected varieties
d. Seed production guides
e. Updated organic vegetable production guide
1.2 Starting genetic materials
a. From farmers’ fields
-This can be genetically stable but heterogenous genetic materials. These are land races that farmers had been using for several years. Stable lines can be expected from pole sitao, snap beans, garden pea and tomato.
-Relatively stable lines can be expected from pepper, eggplant and okra.
-Higher levels of genetic variation in cross pollinated crops: ampalaya, cucumber, melon, squash.
- It is best to collect during the off-season and where there are pest and disease problems
-Or segregating populations from the original F1 hybrids bought by the grower: tomato, eggplant, pepper, ampalaya, cucumber, melon, squash,
b. from the market- fruits with mature seeds can be good collections. Generally they can be assumed as F2s, except for obvious landraces as in squash shaped tomatoes etc. It is best to collect during the off-season.
c. From formal breeding programs
- Stable breeding lines with defined pedigree
- Segregating lines with defined pedigree and level of heterozygosity
d. From seed companies
– Open pollinated varieties (OPVs)- can be used as check variety or to come up with variety recommendation If variety development is not possible). In the case of often crossed and open pollinated crops selection from OPVs can also be done to come up with a distinct variety from the original OPV.
- F1 hybrids- can be used to generate segregating materials. Or as check variety
e. Nomenclature
- In naming germplasm collection it is best to use numbers only. Eg. 10-001, 10-002, the 10 to indicate year collected and the next digits as the line number
- Have a germplasm logbook to be used exclusively for collections. Have separate sections per crop. Indicate entry number, description (eg. Variety name if any), date collected, place where collected, remarks (for any outstanding trait or notes on the collection)
1.3 Observational Trial
a. Plot sizes and spacing
- For stable lines and hybrids- 5-10 m2 per line
- For segregating lines- as big as possible of up to 200 plants per line
- Spacing- similar to commercial production but can be made closer:
Table 1. Spacing within and between rows in selected vegetables
Crop Space between hills (cm) Space between rows (cm) Notes
Eggplant 50-75 75-100
Pepper 30-50 50-75
Tomato 50-75 75-100
Ampalaya 30-50 200-300
Cucumber 30-50 75-100
Melon 50-100 200-300
Squash 50-100 300-500
Sitao 30-50 75-100
Snap Beans 30-50 75-100
Garden Pea 20-30 50-75
Lettuce 20-30 30-50
Pechay 15-20 20-30
Carrot 7-10 20-30
Chinese cabbage 20-30 30-50
Onion 10-20 20-30
Okra 10-20 50-75
- Intercropping- different crops may be planted alternately to minimize outcrossing in often-crossed crops such as eggplant, pepper and okra.
b. Selection Environment
- Less than optimum condition
- Less nutrients at just 50-75 % of normal requirement supplied using available organic fertilizers
- Minimal or no active pest management application
- Calibrated stress condition from water and weeds to be able to select desired lines tolerant to various stresses based on breeding objectives
c. Breeding Objectives
- Desired traits of the line/cultivar/variety. Plant characters- earliness, height, branchiness, etc; Fruit characters- size, color, quality, shelf life etc, Resistance- to specific pests, stress,
Table 2. Important pests of selected vegetable crops.
Crop Important Insect Pest Important Disease Notes
Eggplant ESFB, Leaf Hopper BW, Phomopsis
Pepper Mites, Thrips, Fruitfly Cercospora leaf spot, Mottling, BW
Tomato Fruit worm, fruitfly, White fly BW, ToLCV, late Blight
Ampalaya Fruit fly, aphids CLS, Downy Mildew, BW, mosaic
Cucumber Cutworms, fruitfly Mildews
Melon Fruitworm, mites Mildews
Squash Fruitfly, bettles Mildews, Leaf curl, mosaic
Sitao Beanfly, pod borer, aphids Cowpea Rust, mosaic, fusarium
Snap Beans Beanfly, pod borer, aphids Bean Rust
Garden Pea Pod borer, leaf miner, Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt
Lettuce blight
Pechay DBM, Webworm, flea beetle Soft rot, Rhizoctonia blight
Carrot Cutworms Blight, RKN
Chinese cabbage DBM, Flea beetles Leaf spot, soft rot, club root
Onion Leafminer Twister, bulbrot, purple blotch
Okra Leafhopper Mildews, Leafmold
- Breeding objectives should be based on the preferences of the consumers, growers, traders, present and future conditions
d. Selection Criteria
- Selection criteria should be clear to the breeder/staff including the hierarchy of traits
- Use best check variety , OPV and/or hybrid as reference in terms of performance
Table 3. Proposed check varieties for the organic trials
Crop OPV Check F1 Hybrid Check Notes
Eggplant Mistisa, DLP, BLP Casino, Domino
Pepper Smooth Cayenne, Sinagtala, California Wonder Majesty
Tomato Super Apollo Perfect 89, Permata, Diamante
Ampalaya Sta Rita Jade Star, Galaxy
Cucumber Poinsett, Pilmaria, Batangas White General Lee, Governor
Melon Gulfstream
Squash Rizalina, Batac Suprema
Sitao Sandigan, CSL 19 -
Snap Beans Alno, Burik -
Garden Pea Chinese Dark Green -
Lettuce
Pechay Black Behi -
Cabbage Scorpio
Carrot Kuroda -
Chinese cabbage Green Cool
Onion Red Pinoy, Tanduyong -
Okra Smooth Green -
e. Remnant seeds
- Always have reserved seeds for each line in case of crop failures.
- Maintain the remnant seeds for a minimum of 3 generations removed. Example. Remnant seeds of F2 lines should be maintained up to at least there are already F5 lines. In case F5 lines failed (typhoons, no selfed, etc), go back to remnants of F5. If there is failure again go back to remnants of F4. Then remnants of F3, Then remnants of F2. Such failures are common in cross pollinated crops such as squash and ampalaya.
- In the case of self pollinated crops bulk seeds in addition to the remnant seeds can be used.
1.4 Selection
a. Line selection
- For stable lines, that is, plants and fruits are generally similar, line selection can be done.
- Select best lines (as good as or better than the check in terms of vigor and yield)
- Just rouge out off-types if any
b. Individual plant selection
- If there are distinct variation among plants within the entry/line
- Select best plants. Harvest fruits from the selected plants separately. Each plant will be planted as separate line next generation.
- Harvest fruits form the unselected plants as bulk seeds
c. Labels
- For segregating materials the name or label of the line will be different from the last generation. Example; for line 10-001. If two plants were selected in the line, the seeds from better plant will be labelled 10-001-1, the other as 10-001-2. The bulk seeds will be 10-001-0.
- The next season each selection will be planted as separate line or entry, 10-001-1, 10-001-2. The bulk seeds 10-001-0 is just reserved in case of crop failures. Also, part of the seeds of 10-001-1 and 10-001-2 will be set aside as remnant seeds i case of crop failure and there is a need to go back to the previous generation.
- Selections from 10-001-1 will be labelled 10-001-1-1, 10-001-1-2 etc...
- For stable lines the original collection number will just be retained. Example if line 10-005 is already stable then the next planting it is still labelled as 10-005.
1.5 Controlled Pollination
a. Highly Selfed Crops
- Controlled pollination is not needed in highly selfed crops such as tomato, pole sitao, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and garden pea (Pisum sativum)
- There are lines however of pole sitao where outcrossing is significant such that bagging flowers that will open the next day is necessary.
b. Often Crossed Crops
- In crops with complete flowers but outcrossing is significant bagging or caging is necessary so as to maintain the genetic integrity of the selected line or plant.
- This necessary for eggplant, pepper, okra.
- Individual flowers in eggplant and okra that will open the next day are bagged with glassine bag, aluminium foil, plastic soda straw or rolled paper. Fruits are tagged as selfed (X).
- For pepper, selected plants are caged with net after removing fruits and opened flowers to ensure succeeding fruits are selfed. Soda straw and cotton may also be used specially in the low elevation.
Figures 1 . Bagging in Eggplant: Flowers that will open the next day are covered snugly with aluminium foil to prevent cross pollination.
Figure 2a. Selected plants in pepper are enclosed in net bag to prevent cross pollination.
Figure 2b, use of soda straw
c. Cross Pollinated Crops
- Cross pollinated crops- Cucurbits (ampalaya, cucumber, squash, melon), Crucifers (pechay, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower), Allium (onion)
- For cucurbits do blind selfing designated as (x) or sibbing designated as #.
- Blind selfing is termed so because there are still no fruits which can used as basis of selection. This is done in crops like squash, melon and watermelon because selfing at a later stage when fruit characters are already visible . bag or clip unopened female flower that will open the next day, then look for unopened male flower and bag or clip also. Have 2-3 male flowers per female flower to be sure there will be enough pollen the following day. The next day, gather the male flowers (bagged the previous day) and gently rub the anther of the male flower to the stigma of the bagged female flower. Bagged again the female flower to prevent pollen contamination and mark as selfed using a cotton tie or a plastic tag with (x) mark.
- Sibbing is done usually at the later stages of line development (F6 on wards) to have a uniform line. This can also be done during the early stages to save highly female plants (mostly female flowers only). Bagged the female flower and in the absence of male flower in the same plant bag male flowers from plants in the same line (Sibling) . Pollinated the following day and mark as # to indicate the fruit is sib.
- For crucifers and onion- just rouge out off-types and allow remaining plants to inter-cross. Or ball out selected plants, grow them under net and allow to intercross.
Figure 3 and 4. Bagging in cucumber and ampalaya for selfing.
d. Do controlled pollination only up a level when the plants within the line are relatively pure. Generally 2-3 selfing depending on starting material.
1.6 Succeeding Trials
a. Segregating Populations
- Set plant to row or each selected plant or line as separate entry and do another round of selection. F3 will become F4, F4 will be F5, F5 will be F6. F6 line are generally stable. In some cases F5 are also reasonably uniform already.
- When stable already the selected lines can be evaluated in replicated yield trials
b. Stable Lines
- Enter the selected lines in replicated yield trials
- These lines can be grouped into types with separate check varieties if applicable. Example: in eggplant long purple selections can be grouped together separate from the oblong or round and will have appropriate check varieties.
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Chapter 2. Yield Trials
2.1 Yield Trials
a. Entries
- Stable lines, stable land races, OPVs, F1 Hybrids
- Check varieties can be OPV and/or hybrids
- If there are distinct variety type grouping, the entries should be grouped accordingly. Example: In eggplant round fruited lines should be grouped separately from the long fruited type. In tomato, indeterminate from determinate. Other groupings can be salad, table and cherry type.
2.2 Trial Environment
- Initial trial can be done under less than optimum to adverse conditions specially if there are too many entries. This means less nutrients (50-75%), minimal pest management, minimal watering/irrigation.
- Subsequent trials can be done under optimum organic conditions to determine the potential yield of the selected entries. This means optimum nutrient management, pest management, maintenance and watering but stil following the PNS for OA.
2.3 Plot sizes and replications
- 5-10 m2 per entry per replication for crops grown with close spacing with 2-4 replications
- For crops with wider spacing such as ampalaya and squash 10-25 m2 per entry per replication
- Set aside 1 meter at both ends for seed increase or another replication for seed increase for the next trial.
2.4 Selection
- Selection is generally based on yield performance at this stage.
- Refinements on other selection criteria will also be done such as eating quality, uniformity, shelf life, etc
2.5 Seed Increase
a. Highly Selfed Crops
- Do rouging at seedling, flowering and fruiting stage
- Select best plants if there are apparent differences
- Harvest mature fruits from best plants Bulk seeds as for next trial or as stock for seed production.
- The rest of the seeds as commercial organic seeds
b. Often Crossed Crops
- Do rouging early to prevent pollen contamination
- If the entry or cultivar has some degree of isolation from other entries just select best plants as source of seeds for next planting.
- If the entries are side by side selfing through bagging and caging will be needed. Select best plants then bulk the selfed seeds for the next trial or seed production
- For seed increase of stable lines in often crossed crops have barrier crops/plants around each entry to minimize cross pollination from the other entries.
c. Cross Pollinated Crops
- Isolate entries from each other to minimize contamination. Rouge out off-types at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage. Select best fruits after harvesting as source of stock seeds. The bulk of the seeds as commercial organic seeds.
- If isolation is not possible, do sibbing and selfing. Selfed seeds will be as remnant to reconstitute the variety if needed. Select best plants/fruits after harvesting, bulk the seeds from the selected fruits as stock seeds. The rest of the seeds as commercial organic seeds.
Chapter 3. On-farm Trials
On farm trials is done to make sure that the variety being developed is adapted to a particular growing area and acceptable to the grower and his market. In organic OFT the farm should already an organic farm whenever possible. In the absence of sufficient organic farms, production areas in the process of conversion can also be considered.
Generally only the seeds of the lines to be evaluated are given free to the grower-partners. If available the variety being used by the grower will be used as the check variety. In its absence commercial OPV or hybrid may be used.
The size of the area is not fixed. The target is for the grower to be able to sufficiently evaluate the performance of the test lines/varieties from production to the market. The grower will have to plant the test lines side by side his usual variety using his organic production method with all the entries treated similarly. The organic production method could be enhanced by the researcher but still all the entries should be given similar treatments..
Replication within the farm is optional. Usually the farm is treated as one replication so at least three (3) farms will be used per set of entries. But because of a number of uncertainties it best to have more farms as trial areas.
3.1 Lines for On-Farm Trials
- Only the lines selected from the yield trials will be entered in OFT.
- 2-3 entries per crop is optimum and maximum of 5. The variety being used by the co-operator will be used as the check variety
3.2 Selection of Cooperators/partners
- Organic vegetable grower, used to planting the crops to be evaluated
- Willing to evaluate the entries at his own cost, with only seeds as freebies.
- 2-3 cooperator per crop to be tested. Organic growers will be the replication.
3.3 Responsibilities
- The project will just provide the seeds for trial
- Technical advise will be given as necessary
- The grower will plant the entries following his own procedures unless some improvements are necessary
- The grower will treat all entries in the same crop similarly
- The grower will do the selection himself but will allow visits from the project.
- The fresh harvest and seeds will be owned by the grower and the project has no right to get any share. Samples can be obtained but at prevailing market price.
- The grower however cannot claim ownership of thee line or variety
3.4 Interventions
- The only intervention is the new line/variety. Seeds will be provided by the project at no cost to the grower.
- Other technical interventions can be given in the form off advise on cultural management.
3.5 Data Needed
- Data will be gathered by the gathered except for yield which is not necessarily exact as estimates can be used.
- The grower will provide the project of his preferences and reasons why
- The project will obtain the other necessary data related to on-farm adaptation such as reaction to pest and diseases relative to the check.
Chapter 4. Organic Seed Production
4.1 Organic seed production
Use resistant variety
Isolation distance of 200-300 meters (for eggplant and pepper), 500-800 m for cucurbits, to avoid pollen contamination from unwanted varieties
Plant barrier crops around the area such as corn
Plant also okra (trap crop for hoppers in eggplant)
Grow marigold and cosmos around
Use organic fertilizers and pesticides
4.2 Quality inspection in seed production
4.3 High Quality Seeds
The advantages of high quality seeds are remarkable:
High Germination percentage
High Vigor or Energy Potential.
High Physical and Genetic Purity
High Tolerance to adverse field environmental conditions
Good Storability Potential
High Uniformity or Homogeneity in size, weight, shape & color
Clean or Free from serious seed – borne diseases
4.4 Stock Seeds
Verify pedigree
Stock seed quality: % Germination & % Purity
% True – to – type & % Homogeneity
Lot history & Traceability
4.5 Field History
Volunteer crops from previous season
Weeds: Common & Noxious
Diseases: Common & Seed – borne
Insects: Serious disperse
Irrigation & Water Supply
Rainfall: Total annual amount & Distribution
Social and political issues if any
4.6 Seed production environment
Best season (cold, dry)
Best soil and water availability
Proper soil fertility management
Proper pest and disease management
Rouging of diseased plants (re: seed borne diseases)
Rouging of off-types and mixtures
4.7 Keeping seeds pure
Isolation distance- 800-1000 m for cross pollinated crops, 100-300m for often-crossed (eggplant, pepper), 5-10 m for self pollinated
Bagging- for small amount of seeds bag the flowers in self pollinated crops to prevent out-crossing. Or to control pollination as in squash and ampalaya
Caging- isolate the whole plant with nylon net cage or bag. Remove first fruits that are open pollinated
4.8 Cultural Management
Based on organic standards:
Isolation barrier from conventional farms
Water management: to prevent contamination from non-organic farms
No synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
Intercropping and crop rotation
Mulching
Higher levels of Potassium needed than in fresh vegetable production.
4.9 Roguing of Seed Crop
The existence of off-type plants in the seed crop is a potential source of genetic contamination.
The removal of such plants is termed as roguing.
Off-types, diseased and abnormal plants are also to be removed.
The number of roguing required for the seed crop will vary with the kind of vegetables, purity of the seeds sown, nature of the previous crop etc.
Roguing may be done at the following stages as soon as the off-types are recognizable:
i) Vegetative stage
ii) Flowering stage
iii) Maturity stage
In the seed crop, off-type plants should be rogued out at different times of the day by walking in different directions of the plot.
In general the cross-pollinated vegetable crop for seed production should be thoroughly rogued before flowering.
4.10 Selection for stock seeds
Select superior plants that will serve as stock seeds for the next cycle of seed production
To prevent degradation of the variety
30-50 plants can be selected based on seeds needed
Tag selected plants
Harvest the plants separate from the rest
Label the seed lots accordingly
4.11 Nutrient management
Fertilize the soil not the plant (pag-yamanin ang lupa)
Use organic fertilizer (animal manure, compost, vermi casts, leaves of legumes, wood ash, seaweeds, azolla)
Use Microbials: Rhizobium, and other microbials (IMO, LABS, FPJ, FFJ, FAA, SWE)
Green manuring
In Bayawan City the proportion of the different preparations is 60:30:10 ratios depending on the stage of the plant. During the vegetative stage it is 60% FAA, 30% FPJ and 10% FFJ.
During the change-over it is 60% FPJ, 30% FAA and 10% FFJ.
During the fruiting stage it is 60 % FFJ, 30% FPJ and 10% FAA.
Vegetable Fertilizer requirements
Crop Nitrogen
(Kg/ha) P2O5
(kg/ha) K2O
(kg/ha)
Asparagus 80 - 150 50 - 100 50- 100
Bean 60 - 120 60 - 120 50 - 100
Broccoli 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Cabbage 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Carrot 80 - 150 80 - 150 50 - 100
Cauliflower 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Corn, Sweet 120 - 240 60 - 120 50 - 150
Cucumber 80-150 50-100 50-200
Eggplant 125-150 100-250 100-250
Garlic 100 - 200 60 - 150 50 - 200
Lettuce 120 - 180 100 - 200 0 - 200
Muskmelon 100 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Onion 120 - 300 60 - 150 0 - 200
Pepper, Chili 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Pepper, Sweet 120 - 240 100 - 250 0 - 200
Potato, White 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Irish 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Sweet 80 - 120 60 - 120 0 - 100
Squash 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 150
Tomato 100 - 200 60 - 150 0 - 200
Watermelon 100 - 160 60 - 120 0 - 200
NOTE: The actual rate of fertilizer for any given vegetable crop should be chosen with consideration to soil type, recent cropping history, yield targets and soil test results.
Soil analysis: available NPK
N- %; (value/100) x 2,000,000 kg/ha x 0.05 (%N in OM) x 0.04 (mineralization rate of OM)= kg N/ha
P- ppm; multiply by 2 to get kg/ha; x2.29 = kg/ha P2O5
K- (cmol/kg soil), multiply by 780 to get kg/ha; x 1.2= kg/ha K2O
4.12 Pest management
Use resistant varieties
Intercrop and rotate crops
Plant Pest repellents around the area
Grow also Sacrificial plants
Encourage natural enemies
Physical control methods
Importance of weeds
Last defense: Botanical pesticides, OHN, sprayable biocons
4.13 Record keeping
Maintenance of Identity and Lot history
Weights
Locations
Quality information
4.14 Harvesting
The basic rule of harvesting is to allow the seed to mature as long as possible on the plant without the seed or fruit becoming diseased, or overly ripe.
Each type of plant has an optimum time for collecting the seed, but factors such as climate, weather, disease, insects, birds, or rats may require that the seed be collected at less than the optimum time.
Legumes can normally be left to mature and dry in the field, but during wet humid weather, it is best to harvest early and allow the beans to continue maturing and drying under cover.
4.15 Quality Inspection in Seed Processing
Receiving and Visual Inspection
All shipping documents & seed packing list
Amount # seed bags & re-weighing
Visual Inspection - physical appearance & color
Mechanical and/or Insect damaged seed
Inert matter, other crops & weed seeds
Sample taken for seed quality tests
4.16 Dry seed processing (pods, capsules, seed heads, etc.)
When seeds are ready to be processed, the entire seedpod, capsule, or seed head will become brown and dry.
During the maturation process, the ripening pods and capsules change color from green, to yellowgreen, to yellow, to light brown, to a darker brown, or dark gray
Seeds of legumes and brassicas often develop a split along one side of the pod. This is the best time to collect the seed, before the pods start to open and scatter their seed.
Threshing
A period of air-drying is important before seeds are threshed.
Plant material should be spread out in thin layers until all plant material is dry; otherwise, mold, decay, and heat from decay will cause damage to the seeds.
As the plant material dries, seed pods may split open or shed seed. Harvested material should be stored in a well ventilated room with low humidity.
During this time you should be aware of insects, especially weevils that feed on the seeds.
Plants that have pods, such as beans and okra, can be threshed by placing the pods in a large feed sack, which is tied shut securely, and then placed on the ground where it is flailed, stepped on, jogged on, or danced on with a twisting motion.
The sack is turned often to redistribute the plant material for further threshing.
When using this method, it is best to use running shoes or other soft-soled shoes because seeds can develop hairline cracks and splits from too much pressure.
4.17 Wet seed processing (crop with fleshy fruits, fermentation)
After harvest ripening necessary
Soft fruits such as tomatoes are cut up, mashed, and then fermented.
Cucumbers, ampalaya and melons are cut in half, the seed scraped out along with the fruit pulp surrounding the seed, and then fermented.
These types of fruits have a gel surrounding the seed that contains germination inhibitors.
In Fermentation the microorganisms, principally yeast, break down the gel thus releasing the seed while killing bacteria and fungi that cause most seed-borne diseases.
No water added
Washing seed
After fermentation is complete, the seeds are washed to remove pulp, pieces of fruit and debris, and low quality seed.
First scoop out pieces of pulp floating on top of the mash.
As a general rule, good seeds are heavy and sink to the bottom, whereas poor quality seeds are light and tend to float off with the wash.
The washing process is repeated until the wash water becomes clear.
Drying seed
Seeds should be dried fairly quickly after washing.
Slow drying may result in mold growth or premature sprouting of the seed.
Wet seeds can be spin dried in ordinary washing machine
A combination of ceiling fans and air conditioning dries seed safely and very quickly.
Seed should be spread out in thin layers (no thicker than ¼” for small seeds) and then stirred several times a day until dry.
Curing is the final stage in the drying process. As the seed moisture content declines it comes into equilibrium with the relative humidity.
When drying seeds, choose plywood, window screen, or any hard, non-stick surface.
Artificial seed drying/ Fast Dry procedure
Drying conditions: 10 – 30% RH & 35 – 40 ๐C
Drying time: 24 – 72 hr.
Initial & Final %SMC, such as the final %SMC
6 – 8% for most vegetable seeds
10 – 10.5% for beans & corn
Seed Sample taken for quality tests after drying
4.18 Principles of drying
Low seed moisture content is a pre-requisite for long-term storage, and is the most important factor affecting longevity.
Seeds lose viability and vigor during processing and storage mainly because of high seed moisture content
Moisture increases the respiration rate of seeds, which in turn raises seed temperature.
Mold growth will be encouraged by moisture, damaging the seeds either slowly or quickly, depending on the moisture content of the seeds.
Unless seed moisture is at least eight percent or below, insects such as weevils can breed causing rapid destruction of seeds in a short period of time.
4.19 Grow-out Tests
Varieties being grown for seed production should periodically be tested for genetic purity by grow-out tests to make sure that they are being maintained in their true form
4.20 Germination Test
Follow ISTA rules & regulations and Handbook
Test Media: Top of paper, Between papers, Pleat & Sand
Sample Size: 100 seeds x 4 reps. or 50 seeds x 4 reps.
Temperature: Constant (25 or 30 ๐C) or Alternate (20/30 ๐C)
Germination period: First, Interim & Final count
Category: Normal, Abnormal, Dormant/ Fresh and Dead
Light requirement: depending on crops
4.21 Seed Lot Reference Numbers
The primary information required in a lot number is:
1) Year of Production
2) Seed Production Area (i.e.geographical zone or area).
3) Registered number of farmer (or seed producer) in the area.
4) Location of packaging plant or operation.
Each of the above items can be allocated in a serial number, or code, for example the seed lot allocated the code:
05 A 211 2 1 would indicate:
05 = code for year of production.
A = Geographical area or zone in country where produced.
211 = Registered number of farmer (or producer) in the zone.
2 = Designated code number of the conditioning plant.
1 = Designated code number of packaging site.
4.22 Storing seeds
Moisture content- utmost 10%
Container- plastic bags, cans or bottles for as long as the seeds will not reabsorb moisture
Humidity- utmost 65% which is difficult in the hot humid tropics. Moisture-proof containers
Temperature- around 15C is ideal or as low as possible. Store in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator/freezer.
Light- exposure to sunlight shortens storage life of seeds. Store in dark colored containers
Treatments- for properly selected and dried seeds no further treatment is necessary. Mix with dry wood ash to be sure.
Storage life- properly stored seeds can last for 3-5 years
4.23 Seed treatments
Compost and Vermi-Compost Teas- applied as soil drench to the seed bed to introduce beneficial microorganism that will compete and control soil pathogens
Biodynamic Treatments – used also to enhance the biological activity of the soil. The preparations consist of mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts, usually fermented and applied in small proportions to compost, manures, the soil, or directly onto seedlings, after dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations.
Herbal Treatments – several herbs are used as seed and seed bed treatments such as horse tail and malunggay. Plant oil such as lemon grass, oregano and garlic used as seed treatments against damping off organisms.
Hot Water Bath - Hot water treatments control many seed-borne diseases by using temperatures hot enough to kill the organism but not quite hot enough to kill the seed. This is usually 40-50 C for 10-25 minutes depending on crop species. Seeds are dipped in cold water after hot water treatment to stop the heating action
Disinfectants – Chlorox may be used to control seed borne bacterial diseases in pepper, tomato and cucurbits.The commercial chlorox bleach can be used at 20% concentration. Seeds are soaked in the solution for up to 40 minutes then rinsed with water and air-dried.
The chemical disinfectants sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide,
hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid are restricted for use on organic farms
Indigenous Methods- soaking seeds in salt water or sea water.
Biological seed treatments
Biological seed treatments, alone or in conjunction with priming and pelleting processes, may have potential in some situations for improving seedling health. In studies evaluating the efficacy of these microorganisms as seed treatments or drenches, results have been inconsistent.
Products that are commercially available include Kodiak (Bacillus subtilis, Bayer CropSciences), Subtilex (Bacillus subtilis, Becker Underwood), Mycostop (Streptomyces grieseoviridis, Verdera), SoilGard (Gliocladium virens, Certis), T-22 Planter Box (Trichoderma harzianum, BioWorks), Actinovate (Streptomyces lydicus, Natural Industries).
(Reference: Colley, M. 2008. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings. OSU. http://seed.hort.oregonstate.edu/content/organic-seed-treatments-and-coatings)
4.24 Seed Packaging and Storage
Label each container carefully. Note the names of the variety the year, and any other information.
Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Small quantities can be kept in an air-tight container inside a refrigerator.
For larger quantities, a special room with controlled humidity and temperature should be used. The temperatures should not exceed 20°C and relative humidity (RH) in the storage area should not exceed 30%.
4.25 Vegetable seed yield
Crop Isolation Distance (m)# Seed yield (kg/ha) Contract Seed Price (P/kg)* Gross Income (P/ha)
Ampalaya 400-800 75-100 500-750 37-75,000
Cucumber 400-800 100-150 300-500 30-75,000
Squash 400-800 75-100 300-500 22-50,000
Eggplant 100-200 50-100
Pepper 200-400 50-100 5,470
Tomato 25-50 100-150 4,250
Okra 200-400 500-800 800
Pole Sitao 25-50 700-1000 100-150 70-150,000
Snap Beans 25-50 1000-2000 50-100 50-200,000
# Isolation: Certified seed. Foundation seeds
* Estimate only
Vegetable seed prices (conventional)
Crop Seed Yield OPV (P/kg) F1 Hybrid (P/kg)
Ampalaya 75-100 3872 8220
Cucumber 100-150 1520 11500
Squash 75-100 1100 7700
Melon 100-150 2350 100,000
Watermelon 75-100 1250 10200
Eggplant 50-100 5280 12200
Pepper: Bell 50-100 3750 12/seed
Pepper: Chinese 100-150 5470 13840
Tomato: Table 100-150 4250 60000
Tomato: Salad 100-150 4360 4.50/seed
Okra 500-800 800
Pole Sitao 700-1000 570
Snap Beans 1000-2000 425
Chapter 5 Crop Examples
5.1 Cucurbits
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)- Sta Rita, Sta Isabelle, Makiling
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) - Wls, Bituin, Pilmaria
Squash (Cucurbita moschata)- Rizalina, San Leonardo, Sorsogon, Batac
Melon (Cucumis melo)
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai) Sugar baby, Charlston Gray
Patola, sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula and Luffa aegyptiaca (Luffa cylindrica), -
Upo, bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) tambuli
Chayote (Sechium edule)-
Ampalaya
Cross pollinated, needs isolation distance of 800-1000 meters between varieties to ensure varietal purity.
Or bagging and controlled pollination to prevent pollen contamination.
Start with oen pollinated varieties (OPV) such as Sta Rita or Makiling.
Can also seed produce from F1 hybrids but there will be segregation.
Maintaining purity
In the case of OPV (or inbred lines) maintain purity by maintaining isolation distance from other varieties or types of ampalaya
Isolation distance is at least 800 m
Or isolation by time (difficult)
Or barriers such as corn plants or trees
Rouge out off types as early as possible.
Controlled pollination
Select plants: Male, Female
Bag both male and female flowers in the selected plants before opening
Pollination
Figure 1. Pollination in Ampalaya
Seed processing
Harvest fruits when mature
Allow further maturation under shade
Extract seeds and ferment overnight
Wash seeds the next day
Air dry
Sundry up to around 10% MC
Cucumber
Cross pollinated
Isolation distance: FS- 800m, CS- 400m
Bag male and female flowers from the selected plants a day before flower opening.
Use glassine bag or a piece of aluminium foil
Pollination
Selfing- get the bagged male flowers from the same plant that will be pollinated.
Sibbing- if there are no available males from the same plant opt for males from plants almost similar to the plant with the female to be pollinated
Tag/label flower accordingly
Seed extraction and processing
Harvest fruits when mature (turning yellow or brown)
Stand fruits in a cool corner for further ripening
Seed processing and yield
Cut fruits in half and scoop out seeds
Ferment for 10-12 hours
Wash seeds and air dry
Sundry to around 10% mc
Seed yield: 100- 150 kg/ha
Squash
Cross pollinated
Large variation in squash
Select based on external and internal traits
Bagging
Select plants or do blind selfing
Bag both male and female flowers in the selected plants before opening
Pollinate using male from the same plant (selfing) or from selected plant with very similar traits (sibbing)
2-3 females/male flower
Clip pollinated flowers
Tag/label pollinated flower
Inspect after 20 days and mark pollinated fruits
Fruit selection
Harvest when mature (yellow fruits, dry peduncle)
Select based in external and internal traits from the selfed/sibbed
Store for 3-4 weeks
Separate the unselected fruits.
Label selected fruits individually or as a batched
Seed processing and yield
From the selected fruits scoop out the seeds
Place in net bag and wash to remove the slimy film
Air dry then sun dry to around 12% MC
Seed yield: 75-100 kg/ha
Seed cost: P300-500/kg
5.2 Legumes
Pole sitao (Vigna sesquipedalis)-CSL 19, Sandigan
Bush sitao (Vigna sesquipedalis x V. unguiculata)- CBD-2, CBL-3, CBD 3-4-2 and CBD 53.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)- CES 18-6, CES 26-1, CCD-8 and CCD-11.
Snap Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)- B-21, T1, Hab 23
Garden Pea (Pisum sativum)- CGP 14
Winged Bean, Goa bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Pegion pea (Cajanus cajan)
Malunggay (Moringa oliefera)
General…
Self pollinated except for some species with high degree of out crossing such as pigeon pea, lima bean and winged bean
Varieties are purelines except for some hybrids in pigeon pea develop by ICRISAT
Varieties breed true-to-type even without isolation
Rouged off types at different stages of the crop
Pole sitao
If the lot is relatively uniform just rouge out the off-types
Otherwise select the best plants based on vigor, resistance, yield, pod characters
For best seed quality harvest only the pods around the middle portion.
Thresh pods manually or by beating on the pods.
Do further seed drying under the sun at 3-5 hours per day.
Harvesting
Allow the seed to mature as long as possible on the plant without the seed or fruit becoming diseased, or overly ripe.
Optimum time to harvest for seeds depend on crop, variety and season.
Legumes can be left to mature and dry in the field during the dry season., but during the wet season it is best to harvest early and allow the pods to continue maturing and drying under shelter.
Separate organically grown seeds/pods from conventional.
Threshing
Air dry or sundry pods before seed extraction.
Pods are spread thinly on nylon mesh and turned over several times a day.
Do not directly on pavement and GI sheets.
Avoid over drying the pods as this can result to seed loss from split pods and cracked seeds during extraction
Seed storage
Make sure the seeds are sufficiently dry
Place seeds in transparent plastic bag, tie, and place under the sun
If there is condensation, the seeds are not yet sufficiently dry
Or use moisture meter
Remove seeds with weevil (bukbok) or eggs
Mix wood ash or rice hull ash
Use plastic bag, label properly
Store in a cool dry place.
5.3 Fruit vegies (Solanaceous)
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)- DLP, A-300, Senorita
Pepper (Capsicum sp)- Sinagtala, Inokra
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, syn. Lycopersicon lycopersicum & Lycopersicon esculentum )- Pinusyo, Elma
Eggplant
High outcrossing in eggplant
Needs isolation distance for seed production (300-500 m)
Rogue off-types if the lot is relatively pure
Or… just select the best plants as source of stock seeds.
Seed yield- 50-75 kg/ha
Roguing
Rogue off types at vegetative stage
Flowering or early fruiting
Fruit maturity
Bagging
To prevent pollen contamination from unwanted plants
Select plants
Cap flowers to open the following day with aluminum foil
Tag selfed fruits
Remove OP fruits
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits turn yellow or 45-55 days from fruit set
Separate diseased fruits
Spray compost tea to prevent rotting
Store fruits for 2-3 weeks for further maturation under shade
Turn fruits several times
Seed extraction and processing
Figure. Eggplant Seed Processing
Seed processing
Place seeds in cheese cloth and run in tumble drier or spinner
Sun dry (5-6 hrs/day), turn seeds several times
Store in cheese cloth in cool dehumidified room
Seed yield: 100-200 kg/ha
Standard quality: 550-560 g/li (Japan)
Pepper
Start from OPV, Hybrids or even selected fruits from the market.
High outcrossing in pepper
Wide variation in fruit size, shape and pungency.
Seed yield- 50-75 kg/ha
Selection and isolation
If the lot is already relatively uniform rogue out the plants not conforming to the desired variety or type before flowering, at flowering and at fruiting stage.
If there is wide variation just select the best plants based on plant and fruit characters.
Remove the fruits (OP) and opened flowers in the selected plants and enclose with a net bag or small net cage to prevent insects from visiting the flowers that can contaminate the opened flowers with pollen from other pepper plants
Disease control
Several diseases can be transmitted in or on pepper seeds. The most important are
bacterial spot (BS, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis [previously X. campestris] pv.
vesicatoria) and diseases caused by tobamoviruses such as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV), tobacco
mosaic virus (TMV), and tomato mosaic virus
Rogue out the infected plants
Seed extraction
Harvest fully ripe fruits from the selected plants
Cut the fruits and scrape out the seeds.
Use rubber gloves or tape your fingers in case the pepper is hot
Airdry. Do not dry under the sun. Use partial shade.
Seed drying
Pepper should not be dried directly under the sun as this will drastically reduce storage life of the seeds
Dry under partial shade for 3-5 hours per day in elevated trays.
Tomato
Low out crossing (2-5%)
Fruits can be assumed to be self pollinated
Even fruits from the market can be used
Seed yield- 100-150 kg/ha
Rogiung/Selection
Select best plants based on earliness, resistance to BW, TYLCV, late blight
Fruits: firm, red (?), thick flesh, juicy (?), round/pear/squash, long shelf life.
High yield, heat tolerant, long harvest period
Disease management
Late blight (Phytopthora infestans)- compost tea or OHN spray
Leaf mold (Cladosporium)- compost tea or OHN spray
Gray mold (Botrytis)- compost tea or OHN spray
Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia)- crop rotation
TYLCV- roguing
Tomato seed processing
Manual seed extraction
Extraction may be done either manually or mechanically. To extract manually, it's best to harvest the fruit in nylon bags.
Crush the fruits by trampling with feet.
Fermentation
Put the bags of crushed fruits into big plastic containers and ferment to separate the gel mass embedding the seeds. To hasten the fermentation process, put weights over the bags or keep the fruits submerged in the liquid fruit mass.
The time of fermentation depends upon the ambient room temperature. If temperature is above 25ºC, one day of fermentation may be sufficient.
Washing
Put the seeds in an open plastic container. Then, fill up the container with water and stir the seeds to allow the pieces of flesh and skin sticking on the seeds to float.
Incline the container and gently remove the floating refuse, making sure that the seeds remain at the bottom.
Repeat the washing several times, adding fresh water to the container every time until all the flesh and gel are completely removed, leaving clean seeds at the bottom
Mechanical seed extraction
Mechanical seed extraction is used by large-scale operations. Put the ripe fruits into the mechanical seed extractor for crushing and separation of the seeds and gel from the pulp.
Gather the seeds and gel mass in a suitable container such as plastic tub or bucket.
Seed Drying
Placed the washed seeds in fine-mesh bags. Excess water can be removed by hanging the seeds in the shade for a day.
Or spin them in a washing machine. Use the spin-cycle of a clothes washing machine (don't wash the seeds, only spin dry them).
Seed Drying
After the excess water is removed, uniformly spread the partially dried seeds in a flat plastic container or net. Loosen any clumps of seeds. Enclose this container with its seeds into a net nylon bag.
Seed Packaging and Storage
Label each container carefully. Note the names of the hybrid and parents, the year, and any other information necessary.
Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Small quantities can be kept in an air-tight container inside a refrigerator.
Seed quality
10% moisture in sun drying
8% moisture with drier or with dehumidifier
1 kg seeds from 150-220 kg fruits
150-220 gm/liter seeds
5.4 Others: Kangkong
Upland kangkong flowers when the days are shorter (around October)
Harvest the pods or the whole plant when they are drying up.
For large scale production use the rice thresher to extract the seeds
Seed yield: 200-500 kg/ha
Others: Alugbati
Alugbati starts to flower around October
Self pollinated
Harvest seeds when dry or when the fruits turn dark purple
Ferment the fruits to remove the pulp or dry with the pulp on
Seeds are better planting materials than cuttings
Others: Lettuce
Leaf and Romaine types of lettuces flower easily in the low elevation.
Select plants based on heat tolerance
Harvest seeds from the selected plants
References
• Bonina, J. and D. J. Cantliffe. 2004. Seed Production and Seed Sources of Organic Vegetables. Univ Florida.
• Chen, N.C. 2001. Eggplant seed production. AVRDC International Cooperators’ Guide. Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Shanhua, Taiwan
• Colley, M. 2008. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings. OSU. http://seed.hort.oregonstate.edu/content/organic-seed-treatments-and-coatings
• Lawn, C. R. and Eli Rogosa Kaufman. Organic Seed Crop Production: A New Niche for New England Farmers
• MacDougall, N. A. 2005. The Certified Organic Seed Market: Implications of Delayed Development . http://cissc.calpoly.edu/research/49942FinalReport.pdf
• Maghirang R. G. 2004. Improvement of Vegetable Production in Pagadian City. Unpublished Terminal Report. TAPI-DOST Project.
• Maghirang, R. G. 2002. Organic Vegetable Farming. In Local Seed Systems for Genetic Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture Sourcebook. Fernandez, P. G., A. L. Aquino, L. E. P. de Guzman, M. F. O. Mercado (Eds). University of the Philippines Los Baňos- College of Agriculture, Laguna, Philippines. P 146-153.
• Maghirang, R. G. and G. D. Docuyanan. 2009. Organic Vegetable, Trend in Breeding and Selection for Our Asia-Pacific Region. Paper presented during the Organic Asia Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. August 18-21, 2009
• Maghirang, R. G., L. D. Taylo, M. L. D. Guevarra, M L. J. Sison, 2009. Bestseller Vegies for Organic Production in The Philippines. Agrinotes.
• Maghirang, R. g. 2009. Organic Fertilizers from Farm Waste Adopted by Farmers in the Philippines. Development and Adoption of Green Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Enhancement of Rural Entrepreneurship, September 28 - October 02, 2009, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
• McCormack, J. 2004. SEED PROCESSING AND STORAGE. Principles and practices of seed harvesting, processing, and storage: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
• Micheloni, C. (AIAB), G.Plakolm (HBLFA) and H. Schärer (FiBL). 2007. Report on seed born diseases in organic seed and propagation material.http://www.organic revision.org/pub/D_5_1_Seed_diseases_report_FINAL.pdf
• “Success in Producing Good Seed for Farmer“ ARC – AVRDC Training Course, Nov 19th, 2009, Thailand
• Sukprakarn, S., S. Juntakool, R. Huang, and T. Kalb. 2005. Saving your own vegetable seeds—a guide for farmers. AVRDC publication number 05-647. AVRDC—The World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Taiwan. 25 pp.
Variety Development and Seed Production
Rodel G. Maghirang
Chapter 1. Generation of Stable Lines
1.1 Expected Output:
a. Organic vegetable varieties/cultivars ready for release/NCT trials
b. Variety recommendation for organic growers (where variety development is not technically possible in the Philippines)
c. Organically produced seeds of selected varieties
d. Seed production guides
e. Updated organic vegetable production guide
1.2 Starting genetic materials
a. From farmers’ fields
-This can be genetically stable but heterogenous genetic materials. These are land races that farmers had been using for several years. Stable lines can be expected from pole sitao, snap beans, garden pea and tomato.
-Relatively stable lines can be expected from pepper, eggplant and okra.
-Higher levels of genetic variation in cross pollinated crops: ampalaya, cucumber, melon, squash.
- It is best to collect during the off-season and where there are pest and disease problems
-Or segregating populations from the original F1 hybrids bought by the grower: tomato, eggplant, pepper, ampalaya, cucumber, melon, squash,
b. from the market- fruits with mature seeds can be good collections. Generally they can be assumed as F2s, except for obvious landraces as in squash shaped tomatoes etc. It is best to collect during the off-season.
c. From formal breeding programs
- Stable breeding lines with defined pedigree
- Segregating lines with defined pedigree and level of heterozygosity
d. From seed companies
– Open pollinated varieties (OPVs)- can be used as check variety or to come up with variety recommendation If variety development is not possible). In the case of often crossed and open pollinated crops selection from OPVs can also be done to come up with a distinct variety from the original OPV.
- F1 hybrids- can be used to generate segregating materials. Or as check variety
e. Nomenclature
- In naming germplasm collection it is best to use numbers only. Eg. 10-001, 10-002, the 10 to indicate year collected and the next digits as the line number
- Have a germplasm logbook to be used exclusively for collections. Have separate sections per crop. Indicate entry number, description (eg. Variety name if any), date collected, place where collected, remarks (for any outstanding trait or notes on the collection)
1.3 Observational Trial
a. Plot sizes and spacing
- For stable lines and hybrids- 5-10 m2 per line
- For segregating lines- as big as possible of up to 200 plants per line
- Spacing- similar to commercial production but can be made closer:
Table 1. Spacing within and between rows in selected vegetables
Crop Space between hills (cm) Space between rows (cm) Notes
Eggplant 50-75 75-100
Pepper 30-50 50-75
Tomato 50-75 75-100
Ampalaya 30-50 200-300
Cucumber 30-50 75-100
Melon 50-100 200-300
Squash 50-100 300-500
Sitao 30-50 75-100
Snap Beans 30-50 75-100
Garden Pea 20-30 50-75
Lettuce 20-30 30-50
Pechay 15-20 20-30
Carrot 7-10 20-30
Chinese cabbage 20-30 30-50
Onion 10-20 20-30
Okra 10-20 50-75
- Intercropping- different crops may be planted alternately to minimize outcrossing in often-crossed crops such as eggplant, pepper and okra.
b. Selection Environment
- Less than optimum condition
- Less nutrients at just 50-75 % of normal requirement supplied using available organic fertilizers
- Minimal or no active pest management application
- Calibrated stress condition from water and weeds to be able to select desired lines tolerant to various stresses based on breeding objectives
c. Breeding Objectives
- Desired traits of the line/cultivar/variety. Plant characters- earliness, height, branchiness, etc; Fruit characters- size, color, quality, shelf life etc, Resistance- to specific pests, stress,
Table 2. Important pests of selected vegetable crops.
Crop Important Insect Pest Important Disease Notes
Eggplant ESFB, Leaf Hopper BW, Phomopsis
Pepper Mites, Thrips, Fruitfly Cercospora leaf spot, Mottling, BW
Tomato Fruit worm, fruitfly, White fly BW, ToLCV, late Blight
Ampalaya Fruit fly, aphids CLS, Downy Mildew, BW, mosaic
Cucumber Cutworms, fruitfly Mildews
Melon Fruitworm, mites Mildews
Squash Fruitfly, bettles Mildews, Leaf curl, mosaic
Sitao Beanfly, pod borer, aphids Cowpea Rust, mosaic, fusarium
Snap Beans Beanfly, pod borer, aphids Bean Rust
Garden Pea Pod borer, leaf miner, Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt
Lettuce blight
Pechay DBM, Webworm, flea beetle Soft rot, Rhizoctonia blight
Carrot Cutworms Blight, RKN
Chinese cabbage DBM, Flea beetles Leaf spot, soft rot, club root
Onion Leafminer Twister, bulbrot, purple blotch
Okra Leafhopper Mildews, Leafmold
- Breeding objectives should be based on the preferences of the consumers, growers, traders, present and future conditions
d. Selection Criteria
- Selection criteria should be clear to the breeder/staff including the hierarchy of traits
- Use best check variety , OPV and/or hybrid as reference in terms of performance
Table 3. Proposed check varieties for the organic trials
Crop OPV Check F1 Hybrid Check Notes
Eggplant Mistisa, DLP, BLP Casino, Domino
Pepper Smooth Cayenne, Sinagtala, California Wonder Majesty
Tomato Super Apollo Perfect 89, Permata, Diamante
Ampalaya Sta Rita Jade Star, Galaxy
Cucumber Poinsett, Pilmaria, Batangas White General Lee, Governor
Melon Gulfstream
Squash Rizalina, Batac Suprema
Sitao Sandigan, CSL 19 -
Snap Beans Alno, Burik -
Garden Pea Chinese Dark Green -
Lettuce
Pechay Black Behi -
Cabbage Scorpio
Carrot Kuroda -
Chinese cabbage Green Cool
Onion Red Pinoy, Tanduyong -
Okra Smooth Green -
e. Remnant seeds
- Always have reserved seeds for each line in case of crop failures.
- Maintain the remnant seeds for a minimum of 3 generations removed. Example. Remnant seeds of F2 lines should be maintained up to at least there are already F5 lines. In case F5 lines failed (typhoons, no selfed, etc), go back to remnants of F5. If there is failure again go back to remnants of F4. Then remnants of F3, Then remnants of F2. Such failures are common in cross pollinated crops such as squash and ampalaya.
- In the case of self pollinated crops bulk seeds in addition to the remnant seeds can be used.
1.4 Selection
a. Line selection
- For stable lines, that is, plants and fruits are generally similar, line selection can be done.
- Select best lines (as good as or better than the check in terms of vigor and yield)
- Just rouge out off-types if any
b. Individual plant selection
- If there are distinct variation among plants within the entry/line
- Select best plants. Harvest fruits from the selected plants separately. Each plant will be planted as separate line next generation.
- Harvest fruits form the unselected plants as bulk seeds
c. Labels
- For segregating materials the name or label of the line will be different from the last generation. Example; for line 10-001. If two plants were selected in the line, the seeds from better plant will be labelled 10-001-1, the other as 10-001-2. The bulk seeds will be 10-001-0.
- The next season each selection will be planted as separate line or entry, 10-001-1, 10-001-2. The bulk seeds 10-001-0 is just reserved in case of crop failures. Also, part of the seeds of 10-001-1 and 10-001-2 will be set aside as remnant seeds i case of crop failure and there is a need to go back to the previous generation.
- Selections from 10-001-1 will be labelled 10-001-1-1, 10-001-1-2 etc...
- For stable lines the original collection number will just be retained. Example if line 10-005 is already stable then the next planting it is still labelled as 10-005.
1.5 Controlled Pollination
a. Highly Selfed Crops
- Controlled pollination is not needed in highly selfed crops such as tomato, pole sitao, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and garden pea (Pisum sativum)
- There are lines however of pole sitao where outcrossing is significant such that bagging flowers that will open the next day is necessary.
b. Often Crossed Crops
- In crops with complete flowers but outcrossing is significant bagging or caging is necessary so as to maintain the genetic integrity of the selected line or plant.
- This necessary for eggplant, pepper, okra.
- Individual flowers in eggplant and okra that will open the next day are bagged with glassine bag, aluminium foil, plastic soda straw or rolled paper. Fruits are tagged as selfed (X).
- For pepper, selected plants are caged with net after removing fruits and opened flowers to ensure succeeding fruits are selfed. Soda straw and cotton may also be used specially in the low elevation.
Figures 1 . Bagging in Eggplant: Flowers that will open the next day are covered snugly with aluminium foil to prevent cross pollination.
Figure 2a. Selected plants in pepper are enclosed in net bag to prevent cross pollination.
Figure 2b, use of soda straw
c. Cross Pollinated Crops
- Cross pollinated crops- Cucurbits (ampalaya, cucumber, squash, melon), Crucifers (pechay, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower), Allium (onion)
- For cucurbits do blind selfing designated as (x) or sibbing designated as #.
- Blind selfing is termed so because there are still no fruits which can used as basis of selection. This is done in crops like squash, melon and watermelon because selfing at a later stage when fruit characters are already visible . bag or clip unopened female flower that will open the next day, then look for unopened male flower and bag or clip also. Have 2-3 male flowers per female flower to be sure there will be enough pollen the following day. The next day, gather the male flowers (bagged the previous day) and gently rub the anther of the male flower to the stigma of the bagged female flower. Bagged again the female flower to prevent pollen contamination and mark as selfed using a cotton tie or a plastic tag with (x) mark.
- Sibbing is done usually at the later stages of line development (F6 on wards) to have a uniform line. This can also be done during the early stages to save highly female plants (mostly female flowers only). Bagged the female flower and in the absence of male flower in the same plant bag male flowers from plants in the same line (Sibling) . Pollinated the following day and mark as # to indicate the fruit is sib.
- For crucifers and onion- just rouge out off-types and allow remaining plants to inter-cross. Or ball out selected plants, grow them under net and allow to intercross.
Figure 3 and 4. Bagging in cucumber and ampalaya for selfing.
d. Do controlled pollination only up a level when the plants within the line are relatively pure. Generally 2-3 selfing depending on starting material.
1.6 Succeeding Trials
a. Segregating Populations
- Set plant to row or each selected plant or line as separate entry and do another round of selection. F3 will become F4, F4 will be F5, F5 will be F6. F6 line are generally stable. In some cases F5 are also reasonably uniform already.
- When stable already the selected lines can be evaluated in replicated yield trials
b. Stable Lines
- Enter the selected lines in replicated yield trials
- These lines can be grouped into types with separate check varieties if applicable. Example: in eggplant long purple selections can be grouped together separate from the oblong or round and will have appropriate check varieties.
-
Chapter 2. Yield Trials
2.1 Yield Trials
a. Entries
- Stable lines, stable land races, OPVs, F1 Hybrids
- Check varieties can be OPV and/or hybrids
- If there are distinct variety type grouping, the entries should be grouped accordingly. Example: In eggplant round fruited lines should be grouped separately from the long fruited type. In tomato, indeterminate from determinate. Other groupings can be salad, table and cherry type.
2.2 Trial Environment
- Initial trial can be done under less than optimum to adverse conditions specially if there are too many entries. This means less nutrients (50-75%), minimal pest management, minimal watering/irrigation.
- Subsequent trials can be done under optimum organic conditions to determine the potential yield of the selected entries. This means optimum nutrient management, pest management, maintenance and watering but stil following the PNS for OA.
2.3 Plot sizes and replications
- 5-10 m2 per entry per replication for crops grown with close spacing with 2-4 replications
- For crops with wider spacing such as ampalaya and squash 10-25 m2 per entry per replication
- Set aside 1 meter at both ends for seed increase or another replication for seed increase for the next trial.
2.4 Selection
- Selection is generally based on yield performance at this stage.
- Refinements on other selection criteria will also be done such as eating quality, uniformity, shelf life, etc
2.5 Seed Increase
a. Highly Selfed Crops
- Do rouging at seedling, flowering and fruiting stage
- Select best plants if there are apparent differences
- Harvest mature fruits from best plants Bulk seeds as for next trial or as stock for seed production.
- The rest of the seeds as commercial organic seeds
b. Often Crossed Crops
- Do rouging early to prevent pollen contamination
- If the entry or cultivar has some degree of isolation from other entries just select best plants as source of seeds for next planting.
- If the entries are side by side selfing through bagging and caging will be needed. Select best plants then bulk the selfed seeds for the next trial or seed production
- For seed increase of stable lines in often crossed crops have barrier crops/plants around each entry to minimize cross pollination from the other entries.
c. Cross Pollinated Crops
- Isolate entries from each other to minimize contamination. Rouge out off-types at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage. Select best fruits after harvesting as source of stock seeds. The bulk of the seeds as commercial organic seeds.
- If isolation is not possible, do sibbing and selfing. Selfed seeds will be as remnant to reconstitute the variety if needed. Select best plants/fruits after harvesting, bulk the seeds from the selected fruits as stock seeds. The rest of the seeds as commercial organic seeds.
Chapter 3. On-farm Trials
On farm trials is done to make sure that the variety being developed is adapted to a particular growing area and acceptable to the grower and his market. In organic OFT the farm should already an organic farm whenever possible. In the absence of sufficient organic farms, production areas in the process of conversion can also be considered.
Generally only the seeds of the lines to be evaluated are given free to the grower-partners. If available the variety being used by the grower will be used as the check variety. In its absence commercial OPV or hybrid may be used.
The size of the area is not fixed. The target is for the grower to be able to sufficiently evaluate the performance of the test lines/varieties from production to the market. The grower will have to plant the test lines side by side his usual variety using his organic production method with all the entries treated similarly. The organic production method could be enhanced by the researcher but still all the entries should be given similar treatments..
Replication within the farm is optional. Usually the farm is treated as one replication so at least three (3) farms will be used per set of entries. But because of a number of uncertainties it best to have more farms as trial areas.
3.1 Lines for On-Farm Trials
- Only the lines selected from the yield trials will be entered in OFT.
- 2-3 entries per crop is optimum and maximum of 5. The variety being used by the co-operator will be used as the check variety
3.2 Selection of Cooperators/partners
- Organic vegetable grower, used to planting the crops to be evaluated
- Willing to evaluate the entries at his own cost, with only seeds as freebies.
- 2-3 cooperator per crop to be tested. Organic growers will be the replication.
3.3 Responsibilities
- The project will just provide the seeds for trial
- Technical advise will be given as necessary
- The grower will plant the entries following his own procedures unless some improvements are necessary
- The grower will treat all entries in the same crop similarly
- The grower will do the selection himself but will allow visits from the project.
- The fresh harvest and seeds will be owned by the grower and the project has no right to get any share. Samples can be obtained but at prevailing market price.
- The grower however cannot claim ownership of thee line or variety
3.4 Interventions
- The only intervention is the new line/variety. Seeds will be provided by the project at no cost to the grower.
- Other technical interventions can be given in the form off advise on cultural management.
3.5 Data Needed
- Data will be gathered by the gathered except for yield which is not necessarily exact as estimates can be used.
- The grower will provide the project of his preferences and reasons why
- The project will obtain the other necessary data related to on-farm adaptation such as reaction to pest and diseases relative to the check.
Chapter 4. Organic Seed Production
4.1 Organic seed production
Use resistant variety
Isolation distance of 200-300 meters (for eggplant and pepper), 500-800 m for cucurbits, to avoid pollen contamination from unwanted varieties
Plant barrier crops around the area such as corn
Plant also okra (trap crop for hoppers in eggplant)
Grow marigold and cosmos around
Use organic fertilizers and pesticides
4.2 Quality inspection in seed production
4.3 High Quality Seeds
The advantages of high quality seeds are remarkable:
High Germination percentage
High Vigor or Energy Potential.
High Physical and Genetic Purity
High Tolerance to adverse field environmental conditions
Good Storability Potential
High Uniformity or Homogeneity in size, weight, shape & color
Clean or Free from serious seed – borne diseases
4.4 Stock Seeds
Verify pedigree
Stock seed quality: % Germination & % Purity
% True – to – type & % Homogeneity
Lot history & Traceability
4.5 Field History
Volunteer crops from previous season
Weeds: Common & Noxious
Diseases: Common & Seed – borne
Insects: Serious disperse
Irrigation & Water Supply
Rainfall: Total annual amount & Distribution
Social and political issues if any
4.6 Seed production environment
Best season (cold, dry)
Best soil and water availability
Proper soil fertility management
Proper pest and disease management
Rouging of diseased plants (re: seed borne diseases)
Rouging of off-types and mixtures
4.7 Keeping seeds pure
Isolation distance- 800-1000 m for cross pollinated crops, 100-300m for often-crossed (eggplant, pepper), 5-10 m for self pollinated
Bagging- for small amount of seeds bag the flowers in self pollinated crops to prevent out-crossing. Or to control pollination as in squash and ampalaya
Caging- isolate the whole plant with nylon net cage or bag. Remove first fruits that are open pollinated
4.8 Cultural Management
Based on organic standards:
Isolation barrier from conventional farms
Water management: to prevent contamination from non-organic farms
No synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
Intercropping and crop rotation
Mulching
Higher levels of Potassium needed than in fresh vegetable production.
4.9 Roguing of Seed Crop
The existence of off-type plants in the seed crop is a potential source of genetic contamination.
The removal of such plants is termed as roguing.
Off-types, diseased and abnormal plants are also to be removed.
The number of roguing required for the seed crop will vary with the kind of vegetables, purity of the seeds sown, nature of the previous crop etc.
Roguing may be done at the following stages as soon as the off-types are recognizable:
i) Vegetative stage
ii) Flowering stage
iii) Maturity stage
In the seed crop, off-type plants should be rogued out at different times of the day by walking in different directions of the plot.
In general the cross-pollinated vegetable crop for seed production should be thoroughly rogued before flowering.
4.10 Selection for stock seeds
Select superior plants that will serve as stock seeds for the next cycle of seed production
To prevent degradation of the variety
30-50 plants can be selected based on seeds needed
Tag selected plants
Harvest the plants separate from the rest
Label the seed lots accordingly
4.11 Nutrient management
Fertilize the soil not the plant (pag-yamanin ang lupa)
Use organic fertilizer (animal manure, compost, vermi casts, leaves of legumes, wood ash, seaweeds, azolla)
Use Microbials: Rhizobium, and other microbials (IMO, LABS, FPJ, FFJ, FAA, SWE)
Green manuring
In Bayawan City the proportion of the different preparations is 60:30:10 ratios depending on the stage of the plant. During the vegetative stage it is 60% FAA, 30% FPJ and 10% FFJ.
During the change-over it is 60% FPJ, 30% FAA and 10% FFJ.
During the fruiting stage it is 60 % FFJ, 30% FPJ and 10% FAA.
Vegetable Fertilizer requirements
Crop Nitrogen
(Kg/ha) P2O5
(kg/ha) K2O
(kg/ha)
Asparagus 80 - 150 50 - 100 50- 100
Bean 60 - 120 60 - 120 50 - 100
Broccoli 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Cabbage 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Carrot 80 - 150 80 - 150 50 - 100
Cauliflower 100 - 200 80 - 150 50 - 200
Corn, Sweet 120 - 240 60 - 120 50 - 150
Cucumber 80-150 50-100 50-200
Eggplant 125-150 100-250 100-250
Garlic 100 - 200 60 - 150 50 - 200
Lettuce 120 - 180 100 - 200 0 - 200
Muskmelon 100 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Onion 120 - 300 60 - 150 0 - 200
Pepper, Chili 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 100
Pepper, Sweet 120 - 240 100 - 250 0 - 200
Potato, White 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Irish 150 - 300 100 - 200 0 - 200
Potato, Sweet 80 - 120 60 - 120 0 - 100
Squash 80 - 150 60 - 120 0 - 150
Tomato 100 - 200 60 - 150 0 - 200
Watermelon 100 - 160 60 - 120 0 - 200
NOTE: The actual rate of fertilizer for any given vegetable crop should be chosen with consideration to soil type, recent cropping history, yield targets and soil test results.
Soil analysis: available NPK
N- %; (value/100) x 2,000,000 kg/ha x 0.05 (%N in OM) x 0.04 (mineralization rate of OM)= kg N/ha
P- ppm; multiply by 2 to get kg/ha; x2.29 = kg/ha P2O5
K- (cmol/kg soil), multiply by 780 to get kg/ha; x 1.2= kg/ha K2O
4.12 Pest management
Use resistant varieties
Intercrop and rotate crops
Plant Pest repellents around the area
Grow also Sacrificial plants
Encourage natural enemies
Physical control methods
Importance of weeds
Last defense: Botanical pesticides, OHN, sprayable biocons
4.13 Record keeping
Maintenance of Identity and Lot history
Weights
Locations
Quality information
4.14 Harvesting
The basic rule of harvesting is to allow the seed to mature as long as possible on the plant without the seed or fruit becoming diseased, or overly ripe.
Each type of plant has an optimum time for collecting the seed, but factors such as climate, weather, disease, insects, birds, or rats may require that the seed be collected at less than the optimum time.
Legumes can normally be left to mature and dry in the field, but during wet humid weather, it is best to harvest early and allow the beans to continue maturing and drying under cover.
4.15 Quality Inspection in Seed Processing
Receiving and Visual Inspection
All shipping documents & seed packing list
Amount # seed bags & re-weighing
Visual Inspection - physical appearance & color
Mechanical and/or Insect damaged seed
Inert matter, other crops & weed seeds
Sample taken for seed quality tests
4.16 Dry seed processing (pods, capsules, seed heads, etc.)
When seeds are ready to be processed, the entire seedpod, capsule, or seed head will become brown and dry.
During the maturation process, the ripening pods and capsules change color from green, to yellowgreen, to yellow, to light brown, to a darker brown, or dark gray
Seeds of legumes and brassicas often develop a split along one side of the pod. This is the best time to collect the seed, before the pods start to open and scatter their seed.
Threshing
A period of air-drying is important before seeds are threshed.
Plant material should be spread out in thin layers until all plant material is dry; otherwise, mold, decay, and heat from decay will cause damage to the seeds.
As the plant material dries, seed pods may split open or shed seed. Harvested material should be stored in a well ventilated room with low humidity.
During this time you should be aware of insects, especially weevils that feed on the seeds.
Plants that have pods, such as beans and okra, can be threshed by placing the pods in a large feed sack, which is tied shut securely, and then placed on the ground where it is flailed, stepped on, jogged on, or danced on with a twisting motion.
The sack is turned often to redistribute the plant material for further threshing.
When using this method, it is best to use running shoes or other soft-soled shoes because seeds can develop hairline cracks and splits from too much pressure.
4.17 Wet seed processing (crop with fleshy fruits, fermentation)
After harvest ripening necessary
Soft fruits such as tomatoes are cut up, mashed, and then fermented.
Cucumbers, ampalaya and melons are cut in half, the seed scraped out along with the fruit pulp surrounding the seed, and then fermented.
These types of fruits have a gel surrounding the seed that contains germination inhibitors.
In Fermentation the microorganisms, principally yeast, break down the gel thus releasing the seed while killing bacteria and fungi that cause most seed-borne diseases.
No water added
Washing seed
After fermentation is complete, the seeds are washed to remove pulp, pieces of fruit and debris, and low quality seed.
First scoop out pieces of pulp floating on top of the mash.
As a general rule, good seeds are heavy and sink to the bottom, whereas poor quality seeds are light and tend to float off with the wash.
The washing process is repeated until the wash water becomes clear.
Drying seed
Seeds should be dried fairly quickly after washing.
Slow drying may result in mold growth or premature sprouting of the seed.
Wet seeds can be spin dried in ordinary washing machine
A combination of ceiling fans and air conditioning dries seed safely and very quickly.
Seed should be spread out in thin layers (no thicker than ¼” for small seeds) and then stirred several times a day until dry.
Curing is the final stage in the drying process. As the seed moisture content declines it comes into equilibrium with the relative humidity.
When drying seeds, choose plywood, window screen, or any hard, non-stick surface.
Artificial seed drying/ Fast Dry procedure
Drying conditions: 10 – 30% RH & 35 – 40 ๐C
Drying time: 24 – 72 hr.
Initial & Final %SMC, such as the final %SMC
6 – 8% for most vegetable seeds
10 – 10.5% for beans & corn
Seed Sample taken for quality tests after drying
4.18 Principles of drying
Low seed moisture content is a pre-requisite for long-term storage, and is the most important factor affecting longevity.
Seeds lose viability and vigor during processing and storage mainly because of high seed moisture content
Moisture increases the respiration rate of seeds, which in turn raises seed temperature.
Mold growth will be encouraged by moisture, damaging the seeds either slowly or quickly, depending on the moisture content of the seeds.
Unless seed moisture is at least eight percent or below, insects such as weevils can breed causing rapid destruction of seeds in a short period of time.
4.19 Grow-out Tests
Varieties being grown for seed production should periodically be tested for genetic purity by grow-out tests to make sure that they are being maintained in their true form
4.20 Germination Test
Follow ISTA rules & regulations and Handbook
Test Media: Top of paper, Between papers, Pleat & Sand
Sample Size: 100 seeds x 4 reps. or 50 seeds x 4 reps.
Temperature: Constant (25 or 30 ๐C) or Alternate (20/30 ๐C)
Germination period: First, Interim & Final count
Category: Normal, Abnormal, Dormant/ Fresh and Dead
Light requirement: depending on crops
4.21 Seed Lot Reference Numbers
The primary information required in a lot number is:
1) Year of Production
2) Seed Production Area (i.e.geographical zone or area).
3) Registered number of farmer (or seed producer) in the area.
4) Location of packaging plant or operation.
Each of the above items can be allocated in a serial number, or code, for example the seed lot allocated the code:
05 A 211 2 1 would indicate:
05 = code for year of production.
A = Geographical area or zone in country where produced.
211 = Registered number of farmer (or producer) in the zone.
2 = Designated code number of the conditioning plant.
1 = Designated code number of packaging site.
4.22 Storing seeds
Moisture content- utmost 10%
Container- plastic bags, cans or bottles for as long as the seeds will not reabsorb moisture
Humidity- utmost 65% which is difficult in the hot humid tropics. Moisture-proof containers
Temperature- around 15C is ideal or as low as possible. Store in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator/freezer.
Light- exposure to sunlight shortens storage life of seeds. Store in dark colored containers
Treatments- for properly selected and dried seeds no further treatment is necessary. Mix with dry wood ash to be sure.
Storage life- properly stored seeds can last for 3-5 years
4.23 Seed treatments
Compost and Vermi-Compost Teas- applied as soil drench to the seed bed to introduce beneficial microorganism that will compete and control soil pathogens
Biodynamic Treatments – used also to enhance the biological activity of the soil. The preparations consist of mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts, usually fermented and applied in small proportions to compost, manures, the soil, or directly onto seedlings, after dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations.
Herbal Treatments – several herbs are used as seed and seed bed treatments such as horse tail and malunggay. Plant oil such as lemon grass, oregano and garlic used as seed treatments against damping off organisms.
Hot Water Bath - Hot water treatments control many seed-borne diseases by using temperatures hot enough to kill the organism but not quite hot enough to kill the seed. This is usually 40-50 C for 10-25 minutes depending on crop species. Seeds are dipped in cold water after hot water treatment to stop the heating action
Disinfectants – Chlorox may be used to control seed borne bacterial diseases in pepper, tomato and cucurbits.The commercial chlorox bleach can be used at 20% concentration. Seeds are soaked in the solution for up to 40 minutes then rinsed with water and air-dried.
The chemical disinfectants sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide,
hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid are restricted for use on organic farms
Indigenous Methods- soaking seeds in salt water or sea water.
Biological seed treatments
Biological seed treatments, alone or in conjunction with priming and pelleting processes, may have potential in some situations for improving seedling health. In studies evaluating the efficacy of these microorganisms as seed treatments or drenches, results have been inconsistent.
Products that are commercially available include Kodiak (Bacillus subtilis, Bayer CropSciences), Subtilex (Bacillus subtilis, Becker Underwood), Mycostop (Streptomyces grieseoviridis, Verdera), SoilGard (Gliocladium virens, Certis), T-22 Planter Box (Trichoderma harzianum, BioWorks), Actinovate (Streptomyces lydicus, Natural Industries).
(Reference: Colley, M. 2008. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings. OSU. http://seed.hort.oregonstate.edu/content/organic-seed-treatments-and-coatings)
4.24 Seed Packaging and Storage
Label each container carefully. Note the names of the variety the year, and any other information.
Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Small quantities can be kept in an air-tight container inside a refrigerator.
For larger quantities, a special room with controlled humidity and temperature should be used. The temperatures should not exceed 20°C and relative humidity (RH) in the storage area should not exceed 30%.
4.25 Vegetable seed yield
Crop Isolation Distance (m)# Seed yield (kg/ha) Contract Seed Price (P/kg)* Gross Income (P/ha)
Ampalaya 400-800 75-100 500-750 37-75,000
Cucumber 400-800 100-150 300-500 30-75,000
Squash 400-800 75-100 300-500 22-50,000
Eggplant 100-200 50-100
Pepper 200-400 50-100 5,470
Tomato 25-50 100-150 4,250
Okra 200-400 500-800 800
Pole Sitao 25-50 700-1000 100-150 70-150,000
Snap Beans 25-50 1000-2000 50-100 50-200,000
# Isolation: Certified seed. Foundation seeds
* Estimate only
Vegetable seed prices (conventional)
Crop Seed Yield OPV (P/kg) F1 Hybrid (P/kg)
Ampalaya 75-100 3872 8220
Cucumber 100-150 1520 11500
Squash 75-100 1100 7700
Melon 100-150 2350 100,000
Watermelon 75-100 1250 10200
Eggplant 50-100 5280 12200
Pepper: Bell 50-100 3750 12/seed
Pepper: Chinese 100-150 5470 13840
Tomato: Table 100-150 4250 60000
Tomato: Salad 100-150 4360 4.50/seed
Okra 500-800 800
Pole Sitao 700-1000 570
Snap Beans 1000-2000 425
Chapter 5 Crop Examples
5.1 Cucurbits
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)- Sta Rita, Sta Isabelle, Makiling
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) - Wls, Bituin, Pilmaria
Squash (Cucurbita moschata)- Rizalina, San Leonardo, Sorsogon, Batac
Melon (Cucumis melo)
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai) Sugar baby, Charlston Gray
Patola, sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula and Luffa aegyptiaca (Luffa cylindrica), -
Upo, bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) tambuli
Chayote (Sechium edule)-
Ampalaya
Cross pollinated, needs isolation distance of 800-1000 meters between varieties to ensure varietal purity.
Or bagging and controlled pollination to prevent pollen contamination.
Start with oen pollinated varieties (OPV) such as Sta Rita or Makiling.
Can also seed produce from F1 hybrids but there will be segregation.
Maintaining purity
In the case of OPV (or inbred lines) maintain purity by maintaining isolation distance from other varieties or types of ampalaya
Isolation distance is at least 800 m
Or isolation by time (difficult)
Or barriers such as corn plants or trees
Rouge out off types as early as possible.
Controlled pollination
Select plants: Male, Female
Bag both male and female flowers in the selected plants before opening
Pollination
Figure 1. Pollination in Ampalaya
Seed processing
Harvest fruits when mature
Allow further maturation under shade
Extract seeds and ferment overnight
Wash seeds the next day
Air dry
Sundry up to around 10% MC
Cucumber
Cross pollinated
Isolation distance: FS- 800m, CS- 400m
Bag male and female flowers from the selected plants a day before flower opening.
Use glassine bag or a piece of aluminium foil
Pollination
Selfing- get the bagged male flowers from the same plant that will be pollinated.
Sibbing- if there are no available males from the same plant opt for males from plants almost similar to the plant with the female to be pollinated
Tag/label flower accordingly
Seed extraction and processing
Harvest fruits when mature (turning yellow or brown)
Stand fruits in a cool corner for further ripening
Seed processing and yield
Cut fruits in half and scoop out seeds
Ferment for 10-12 hours
Wash seeds and air dry
Sundry to around 10% mc
Seed yield: 100- 150 kg/ha
Squash
Cross pollinated
Large variation in squash
Select based on external and internal traits
Bagging
Select plants or do blind selfing
Bag both male and female flowers in the selected plants before opening
Pollinate using male from the same plant (selfing) or from selected plant with very similar traits (sibbing)
2-3 females/male flower
Clip pollinated flowers
Tag/label pollinated flower
Inspect after 20 days and mark pollinated fruits
Fruit selection
Harvest when mature (yellow fruits, dry peduncle)
Select based in external and internal traits from the selfed/sibbed
Store for 3-4 weeks
Separate the unselected fruits.
Label selected fruits individually or as a batched
Seed processing and yield
From the selected fruits scoop out the seeds
Place in net bag and wash to remove the slimy film
Air dry then sun dry to around 12% MC
Seed yield: 75-100 kg/ha
Seed cost: P300-500/kg
5.2 Legumes
Pole sitao (Vigna sesquipedalis)-CSL 19, Sandigan
Bush sitao (Vigna sesquipedalis x V. unguiculata)- CBD-2, CBL-3, CBD 3-4-2 and CBD 53.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)- CES 18-6, CES 26-1, CCD-8 and CCD-11.
Snap Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)- B-21, T1, Hab 23
Garden Pea (Pisum sativum)- CGP 14
Winged Bean, Goa bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Pegion pea (Cajanus cajan)
Malunggay (Moringa oliefera)
General…
Self pollinated except for some species with high degree of out crossing such as pigeon pea, lima bean and winged bean
Varieties are purelines except for some hybrids in pigeon pea develop by ICRISAT
Varieties breed true-to-type even without isolation
Rouged off types at different stages of the crop
Pole sitao
If the lot is relatively uniform just rouge out the off-types
Otherwise select the best plants based on vigor, resistance, yield, pod characters
For best seed quality harvest only the pods around the middle portion.
Thresh pods manually or by beating on the pods.
Do further seed drying under the sun at 3-5 hours per day.
Harvesting
Allow the seed to mature as long as possible on the plant without the seed or fruit becoming diseased, or overly ripe.
Optimum time to harvest for seeds depend on crop, variety and season.
Legumes can be left to mature and dry in the field during the dry season., but during the wet season it is best to harvest early and allow the pods to continue maturing and drying under shelter.
Separate organically grown seeds/pods from conventional.
Threshing
Air dry or sundry pods before seed extraction.
Pods are spread thinly on nylon mesh and turned over several times a day.
Do not directly on pavement and GI sheets.
Avoid over drying the pods as this can result to seed loss from split pods and cracked seeds during extraction
Seed storage
Make sure the seeds are sufficiently dry
Place seeds in transparent plastic bag, tie, and place under the sun
If there is condensation, the seeds are not yet sufficiently dry
Or use moisture meter
Remove seeds with weevil (bukbok) or eggs
Mix wood ash or rice hull ash
Use plastic bag, label properly
Store in a cool dry place.
5.3 Fruit vegies (Solanaceous)
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)- DLP, A-300, Senorita
Pepper (Capsicum sp)- Sinagtala, Inokra
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, syn. Lycopersicon lycopersicum & Lycopersicon esculentum )- Pinusyo, Elma
Eggplant
High outcrossing in eggplant
Needs isolation distance for seed production (300-500 m)
Rogue off-types if the lot is relatively pure
Or… just select the best plants as source of stock seeds.
Seed yield- 50-75 kg/ha
Roguing
Rogue off types at vegetative stage
Flowering or early fruiting
Fruit maturity
Bagging
To prevent pollen contamination from unwanted plants
Select plants
Cap flowers to open the following day with aluminum foil
Tag selfed fruits
Remove OP fruits
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits turn yellow or 45-55 days from fruit set
Separate diseased fruits
Spray compost tea to prevent rotting
Store fruits for 2-3 weeks for further maturation under shade
Turn fruits several times
Seed extraction and processing
Figure. Eggplant Seed Processing
Seed processing
Place seeds in cheese cloth and run in tumble drier or spinner
Sun dry (5-6 hrs/day), turn seeds several times
Store in cheese cloth in cool dehumidified room
Seed yield: 100-200 kg/ha
Standard quality: 550-560 g/li (Japan)
Pepper
Start from OPV, Hybrids or even selected fruits from the market.
High outcrossing in pepper
Wide variation in fruit size, shape and pungency.
Seed yield- 50-75 kg/ha
Selection and isolation
If the lot is already relatively uniform rogue out the plants not conforming to the desired variety or type before flowering, at flowering and at fruiting stage.
If there is wide variation just select the best plants based on plant and fruit characters.
Remove the fruits (OP) and opened flowers in the selected plants and enclose with a net bag or small net cage to prevent insects from visiting the flowers that can contaminate the opened flowers with pollen from other pepper plants
Disease control
Several diseases can be transmitted in or on pepper seeds. The most important are
bacterial spot (BS, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis [previously X. campestris] pv.
vesicatoria) and diseases caused by tobamoviruses such as pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV), tobacco
mosaic virus (TMV), and tomato mosaic virus
Rogue out the infected plants
Seed extraction
Harvest fully ripe fruits from the selected plants
Cut the fruits and scrape out the seeds.
Use rubber gloves or tape your fingers in case the pepper is hot
Airdry. Do not dry under the sun. Use partial shade.
Seed drying
Pepper should not be dried directly under the sun as this will drastically reduce storage life of the seeds
Dry under partial shade for 3-5 hours per day in elevated trays.
Tomato
Low out crossing (2-5%)
Fruits can be assumed to be self pollinated
Even fruits from the market can be used
Seed yield- 100-150 kg/ha
Rogiung/Selection
Select best plants based on earliness, resistance to BW, TYLCV, late blight
Fruits: firm, red (?), thick flesh, juicy (?), round/pear/squash, long shelf life.
High yield, heat tolerant, long harvest period
Disease management
Late blight (Phytopthora infestans)- compost tea or OHN spray
Leaf mold (Cladosporium)- compost tea or OHN spray
Gray mold (Botrytis)- compost tea or OHN spray
Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia)- crop rotation
TYLCV- roguing
Tomato seed processing
Manual seed extraction
Extraction may be done either manually or mechanically. To extract manually, it's best to harvest the fruit in nylon bags.
Crush the fruits by trampling with feet.
Fermentation
Put the bags of crushed fruits into big plastic containers and ferment to separate the gel mass embedding the seeds. To hasten the fermentation process, put weights over the bags or keep the fruits submerged in the liquid fruit mass.
The time of fermentation depends upon the ambient room temperature. If temperature is above 25ºC, one day of fermentation may be sufficient.
Washing
Put the seeds in an open plastic container. Then, fill up the container with water and stir the seeds to allow the pieces of flesh and skin sticking on the seeds to float.
Incline the container and gently remove the floating refuse, making sure that the seeds remain at the bottom.
Repeat the washing several times, adding fresh water to the container every time until all the flesh and gel are completely removed, leaving clean seeds at the bottom
Mechanical seed extraction
Mechanical seed extraction is used by large-scale operations. Put the ripe fruits into the mechanical seed extractor for crushing and separation of the seeds and gel from the pulp.
Gather the seeds and gel mass in a suitable container such as plastic tub or bucket.
Seed Drying
Placed the washed seeds in fine-mesh bags. Excess water can be removed by hanging the seeds in the shade for a day.
Or spin them in a washing machine. Use the spin-cycle of a clothes washing machine (don't wash the seeds, only spin dry them).
Seed Drying
After the excess water is removed, uniformly spread the partially dried seeds in a flat plastic container or net. Loosen any clumps of seeds. Enclose this container with its seeds into a net nylon bag.
Seed Packaging and Storage
Label each container carefully. Note the names of the hybrid and parents, the year, and any other information necessary.
Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Small quantities can be kept in an air-tight container inside a refrigerator.
Seed quality
10% moisture in sun drying
8% moisture with drier or with dehumidifier
1 kg seeds from 150-220 kg fruits
150-220 gm/liter seeds
5.4 Others: Kangkong
Upland kangkong flowers when the days are shorter (around October)
Harvest the pods or the whole plant when they are drying up.
For large scale production use the rice thresher to extract the seeds
Seed yield: 200-500 kg/ha
Others: Alugbati
Alugbati starts to flower around October
Self pollinated
Harvest seeds when dry or when the fruits turn dark purple
Ferment the fruits to remove the pulp or dry with the pulp on
Seeds are better planting materials than cuttings
Others: Lettuce
Leaf and Romaine types of lettuces flower easily in the low elevation.
Select plants based on heat tolerance
Harvest seeds from the selected plants
References
• Bonina, J. and D. J. Cantliffe. 2004. Seed Production and Seed Sources of Organic Vegetables. Univ Florida.
• Chen, N.C. 2001. Eggplant seed production. AVRDC International Cooperators’ Guide. Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Shanhua, Taiwan
• Colley, M. 2008. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings. OSU. http://seed.hort.oregonstate.edu/content/organic-seed-treatments-and-coatings
• Lawn, C. R. and Eli Rogosa Kaufman. Organic Seed Crop Production: A New Niche for New England Farmers
• MacDougall, N. A. 2005. The Certified Organic Seed Market: Implications of Delayed Development . http://cissc.calpoly.edu/research/49942FinalReport.pdf
• Maghirang R. G. 2004. Improvement of Vegetable Production in Pagadian City. Unpublished Terminal Report. TAPI-DOST Project.
• Maghirang, R. G. 2002. Organic Vegetable Farming. In Local Seed Systems for Genetic Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture Sourcebook. Fernandez, P. G., A. L. Aquino, L. E. P. de Guzman, M. F. O. Mercado (Eds). University of the Philippines Los Baňos- College of Agriculture, Laguna, Philippines. P 146-153.
• Maghirang, R. G. and G. D. Docuyanan. 2009. Organic Vegetable, Trend in Breeding and Selection for Our Asia-Pacific Region. Paper presented during the Organic Asia Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. August 18-21, 2009
• Maghirang, R. G., L. D. Taylo, M. L. D. Guevarra, M L. J. Sison, 2009. Bestseller Vegies for Organic Production in The Philippines. Agrinotes.
• Maghirang, R. g. 2009. Organic Fertilizers from Farm Waste Adopted by Farmers in the Philippines. Development and Adoption of Green Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Enhancement of Rural Entrepreneurship, September 28 - October 02, 2009, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
• McCormack, J. 2004. SEED PROCESSING AND STORAGE. Principles and practices of seed harvesting, processing, and storage: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
• Micheloni, C. (AIAB), G.Plakolm (HBLFA) and H. Schärer (FiBL). 2007. Report on seed born diseases in organic seed and propagation material.http://www.organic revision.org/pub/D_5_1_Seed_diseases_report_FINAL.pdf
• “Success in Producing Good Seed for Farmer“ ARC – AVRDC Training Course, Nov 19th, 2009, Thailand
• Sukprakarn, S., S. Juntakool, R. Huang, and T. Kalb. 2005. Saving your own vegetable seeds—a guide for farmers. AVRDC publication number 05-647. AVRDC—The World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Taiwan. 25 pp.
Natural Farm Inputs
Rodel G. Maghirang
August 6, 2011
Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LABS)
• Made from rice wash (hugas bigas)
• Stand rice wash for about 30 minutes
• Cover with paper and stand for 7 days
• After 7 days mix the rice wash with milk at 1 part rice wash to 10 parts milk
• If powdered milk will be used, use 100 grams powdered milk and dilute to 1 liter to make a 10% milk solution.
• Cover the rice wash: milk solution (1:10) with paper or cloth and stand for 7 days in a cool dry place
• After 7 days there will be white cheesy precipitate on top of the solution
• Filter the solution to get the pure liquid which is now the Lactic acid bacteria serum
• Store the LABS in the refrigerator for future use
• Or add molasses or raw sugar to increase population of LAB
• To use dilute the LABS at 1-2 tablespoon to 1 liter water
• Spray to plants to improve resistance
• Can also be used for poultry and livestock as drink to improve digestion and growth.
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
• Use young shoots and vegetable trimmings, or banana pseudostem
• Chop finely, add one part water if the materials are shoots or leaves
• Mix with ½ part raw sugar or molasses (smile!)
• Place in earthen jar or plastic container.
• Cover with paper or cheese cloth
• Store for 7 days in a cool dry place
• Strain to get the fermented plant juice.
• Maybe allowed to ferment for another week
• Do not close the lid too tightly
• Apply as foliar spray or soil drench. 2 tbs/liter water.
Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ)
• Mix 2 kilos chopped banana or other fruits (except citrus) or peelings
• Mix with 1 kilo raw sugar or molasses.
• Place in an earthen jar or plastic pail.
• Cover with clean Manila paper or cheese cloth and tie
• Allow to ferment for 7 to 14 days and separate the juice in clean container
• Usage: Animal drink nutrient enhancement or foliar spray
• Dosage: Mix 1 liter FFJ to 1 drum (200 liters) of water or 5 ml FFJ to 1 liter of water
FAA – Fermented Fish Amino Acid
• Mix 1 kilo unwashed fresh trash fish with 1 kilo muscovado sugar or molasses.
• Place in earthen jar or plastic pail.
• Cover with clean Manila paper and fasten with rubber strip.
• Allow the materials to ferment for 14 to 30 days
• Squeeze out the juice and place in a clean container and seal.
• Collect the solid fishbone to be used for making calcium nutrient spray formula for plants.
• Juice is used as foliar fertilizer to induce vegetative growth.
• Dosage: 1 liter FAA to 1 drum (200 liters) of water or 5 ml FAA to 1 liter of water.
Water-soluble calcium from eggshells and animal bones
• Burn egg shells and fish bones
• Pulverize then mix with rice vinegar or any natural vinegar at a volume ratio of 1:5-10.
• Mixture will produce bubbles releasing carbon dioxide (CQ2 )
• Cover with paper and leave to degrade for 7-14 days.
• To use: mix 2tbsp CaPhos/liter of water and spray to plants or drench to the soil for Calcium and Phosphorous. Good for flowering and fruiting plants
Seaweed Extract
• Chop 1 kg seaweeds
• Mix with 1 kg molasses
• Cover with cloth or paper
• Stand to ferment for 2-3 weeks
• Stir the mixture occasionally
• Filter and label properly
• This used as foliar fertilizer at 1-3 tablespoon per liter of water
Seaweed Extract (RTR)
• Heat 1 kg seaweed or guso for 15 minutes
• Stir until liquefied
• Add unchlorinated water to make 20 liters
• Add 1 kg kinugay or raw sugar or molasses
• Cover with paper or cholth and store allow to ferment for 1 week
• Use 50-100 ml per 16 liter as foliar fertilizer
Indigenous Micro Organism
• IMO collected through cooked rice in the forest, tree or field
• Leave for 2-10 days
• Rice should be covered with colored mold
• Mix with molasses or brown sugar at 1/3 the volume of the cooked rice and let set for one week.
• After a week the rice/molasses mixture will look like liquid, sticky rice.
• Add an equal part by volume more molasses and store in a cool
• Strain. Mix the strained serum with twenty parts water.
• Spray onto the plants, soil, and compost to inoculate them.
IMO4 (Malaysia)
• Indigenous micro-organisms are naturally inoculated by placing cooked rice under a tree in an undisturbed area.
• Between 3 and 5 days, the rice will turn moldy (IMO1).
• Add brown sugar (1:1 ratio) to the moldy rice and then further ferment for 3-5 days (IMO2).
• Add the fermented mixture (1gm/L) to 10 kg rice bran and further ferment for 3-5 days (IMO3).
• This final fermented mixture of rice bran is mixed with the farm soil in the ratio of 1:1(IMO4).
Fermented Coconut Juice (FCJ)/ Coconut water hormone
• Made from meat and water of mature coconut
• Grate (kayod) mature coconut
• Mixe the grated flesh with its water
• Cover with paper and stand for 3-4 days in a cool dry place
• Filter to collect the milky solution
• This can be used to improve growth and rooting of plants
• Use 1 part FCJ to 18 parts water
OHN – Oriental Herbal Nutrient V3
• Chop and mix:1 kilo clean ginger, 3 garlic cloves , 3 onion bulbs, 100 hot pepper fruits.
• Dilute to 4 liters with clean water.
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 250 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
OHN – Oriental Herbal Nutrient D1
• Chop and mix:1 kilo leaves of Hagonoy, 1 kg leaves of tanglad/citronella,100 hot pepper fruits.
• Mix these with natural vinegar (3 liters).
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 250 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
OHN (Ato Belen)
• Chop and mix:1 kilo yellow ginger/turmeric, 3 garlic cloves , 3 onion bulbs, 100 hot pepper fruits.
• Mix with 1 liter lambanog/tuba
• Add molasses or raw sugar at 2-3 table spoon per liter
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 10 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
•
Egg Oil
• Ingredients: egg yolk, 100ml vegetable oil, unchlorinated water, hot pepper (10 fruits)
• Blend egg yolk and 100 ml vegetable oil. Add hot pepper (optional)
• Dilute to 1 liter with unchlorinated water (stock solution)
• Use 10% or 100 ml/liter of water as spray against white flies
•
Panchakavya
Ingredients
• Biogas slurry or cow dung 5 kg
• Cow’s urine 3 litres
• Cow’s milk 2 litres
• Curd from cow’s milk 2 litres
• Ghee from cow’s butter 1 litres
• Sugarcane juice 3 litres
• Tender coconut water 3 litres
• Banana 12 pieces
• First mix cow dung with ghee and small quantity of cow’s urine.
• Leave this for 3 days. place this in a broad mouthed clay pot and add the remaining ingredients.
• Mix well by hand and without closing with lid keep in shade.
• Daily morning and evening mix well by hand.
• In about 10 days panchakavya will be ready.
• If you mix it daily with hand or with a wooden ladle it would keep well for a month.
Application:
Apply 2% in water as spray during dawn or dusk on any crop.
The solution should be filtered properly before pouring into the hand sprayer.
For best results, spray at the time of branching, before flowering and fruit setting.
• It provides excellent nutrients to the soil.
• It assists in plant growth and increases chlorophyll.
• improves branching, leafing, flowering and fruiting,
• It is easy to prepare
• Excellent plant growth promoter.
Farmer’s effective microorganism (FEM)
Ingredients Quantity
Pumpkin 3 kg
Banana 1 kg
Papaya 3 kg
Jaggery 3 kg
Egg 5 pieces
Non-chlorinated water 10 liters
Preparation :
• Cut fruits into small pieces the plant ingredients.
• Transfer these pieces into a clean plastic container.
• Mix jaggery in 10 liters of non chlorinated water till it dissolves well and add the eggs to it
• Mix all the contents.
• Close the container with air tight lid.
• Open lid after 10 days to release the air.
• Mix well again. Keep the set up closed for 45 days.
•
Collection of FEM :
• After 45 days there will be three layers in the container.
• The upper thin layer is in white color which indicates successful fermentation.
• The middle layer will be pure brown colored liquid and the lower layer will be the semi solid formed by the dissolved vegetables.
• Open the tap fixed at the bottom of the container to collect the semi solid portion in one container. The upper and middle portions are collected in another container.
Applications of FEM :
• 2% to 5% concentration in water can be used as foliar spray on any crop.
• It also acts as a weedicide if it is used with goat’s urine.
• It may act as a pesticide if used after being fermented with neem and papaya leaves.
Rodel G. Maghirang
August 6, 2011
Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LABS)
• Made from rice wash (hugas bigas)
• Stand rice wash for about 30 minutes
• Cover with paper and stand for 7 days
• After 7 days mix the rice wash with milk at 1 part rice wash to 10 parts milk
• If powdered milk will be used, use 100 grams powdered milk and dilute to 1 liter to make a 10% milk solution.
• Cover the rice wash: milk solution (1:10) with paper or cloth and stand for 7 days in a cool dry place
• After 7 days there will be white cheesy precipitate on top of the solution
• Filter the solution to get the pure liquid which is now the Lactic acid bacteria serum
• Store the LABS in the refrigerator for future use
• Or add molasses or raw sugar to increase population of LAB
• To use dilute the LABS at 1-2 tablespoon to 1 liter water
• Spray to plants to improve resistance
• Can also be used for poultry and livestock as drink to improve digestion and growth.
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
• Use young shoots and vegetable trimmings, or banana pseudostem
• Chop finely, add one part water if the materials are shoots or leaves
• Mix with ½ part raw sugar or molasses (smile!)
• Place in earthen jar or plastic container.
• Cover with paper or cheese cloth
• Store for 7 days in a cool dry place
• Strain to get the fermented plant juice.
• Maybe allowed to ferment for another week
• Do not close the lid too tightly
• Apply as foliar spray or soil drench. 2 tbs/liter water.
Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ)
• Mix 2 kilos chopped banana or other fruits (except citrus) or peelings
• Mix with 1 kilo raw sugar or molasses.
• Place in an earthen jar or plastic pail.
• Cover with clean Manila paper or cheese cloth and tie
• Allow to ferment for 7 to 14 days and separate the juice in clean container
• Usage: Animal drink nutrient enhancement or foliar spray
• Dosage: Mix 1 liter FFJ to 1 drum (200 liters) of water or 5 ml FFJ to 1 liter of water
FAA – Fermented Fish Amino Acid
• Mix 1 kilo unwashed fresh trash fish with 1 kilo muscovado sugar or molasses.
• Place in earthen jar or plastic pail.
• Cover with clean Manila paper and fasten with rubber strip.
• Allow the materials to ferment for 14 to 30 days
• Squeeze out the juice and place in a clean container and seal.
• Collect the solid fishbone to be used for making calcium nutrient spray formula for plants.
• Juice is used as foliar fertilizer to induce vegetative growth.
• Dosage: 1 liter FAA to 1 drum (200 liters) of water or 5 ml FAA to 1 liter of water.
Water-soluble calcium from eggshells and animal bones
• Burn egg shells and fish bones
• Pulverize then mix with rice vinegar or any natural vinegar at a volume ratio of 1:5-10.
• Mixture will produce bubbles releasing carbon dioxide (CQ2 )
• Cover with paper and leave to degrade for 7-14 days.
• To use: mix 2tbsp CaPhos/liter of water and spray to plants or drench to the soil for Calcium and Phosphorous. Good for flowering and fruiting plants
Seaweed Extract
• Chop 1 kg seaweeds
• Mix with 1 kg molasses
• Cover with cloth or paper
• Stand to ferment for 2-3 weeks
• Stir the mixture occasionally
• Filter and label properly
• This used as foliar fertilizer at 1-3 tablespoon per liter of water
Seaweed Extract (RTR)
• Heat 1 kg seaweed or guso for 15 minutes
• Stir until liquefied
• Add unchlorinated water to make 20 liters
• Add 1 kg kinugay or raw sugar or molasses
• Cover with paper or cholth and store allow to ferment for 1 week
• Use 50-100 ml per 16 liter as foliar fertilizer
Indigenous Micro Organism
• IMO collected through cooked rice in the forest, tree or field
• Leave for 2-10 days
• Rice should be covered with colored mold
• Mix with molasses or brown sugar at 1/3 the volume of the cooked rice and let set for one week.
• After a week the rice/molasses mixture will look like liquid, sticky rice.
• Add an equal part by volume more molasses and store in a cool
• Strain. Mix the strained serum with twenty parts water.
• Spray onto the plants, soil, and compost to inoculate them.
IMO4 (Malaysia)
• Indigenous micro-organisms are naturally inoculated by placing cooked rice under a tree in an undisturbed area.
• Between 3 and 5 days, the rice will turn moldy (IMO1).
• Add brown sugar (1:1 ratio) to the moldy rice and then further ferment for 3-5 days (IMO2).
• Add the fermented mixture (1gm/L) to 10 kg rice bran and further ferment for 3-5 days (IMO3).
• This final fermented mixture of rice bran is mixed with the farm soil in the ratio of 1:1(IMO4).
Fermented Coconut Juice (FCJ)/ Coconut water hormone
• Made from meat and water of mature coconut
• Grate (kayod) mature coconut
• Mixe the grated flesh with its water
• Cover with paper and stand for 3-4 days in a cool dry place
• Filter to collect the milky solution
• This can be used to improve growth and rooting of plants
• Use 1 part FCJ to 18 parts water
OHN – Oriental Herbal Nutrient V3
• Chop and mix:1 kilo clean ginger, 3 garlic cloves , 3 onion bulbs, 100 hot pepper fruits.
• Dilute to 4 liters with clean water.
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 250 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
OHN – Oriental Herbal Nutrient D1
• Chop and mix:1 kilo leaves of Hagonoy, 1 kg leaves of tanglad/citronella,100 hot pepper fruits.
• Mix these with natural vinegar (3 liters).
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 250 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
OHN (Ato Belen)
• Chop and mix:1 kilo yellow ginger/turmeric, 3 garlic cloves , 3 onion bulbs, 100 hot pepper fruits.
• Mix with 1 liter lambanog/tuba
• Add molasses or raw sugar at 2-3 table spoon per liter
• Stand over night.
• Strain the next day.
• Use 10 ml/ liter of water for spraying against insects and fungi.
•
Egg Oil
• Ingredients: egg yolk, 100ml vegetable oil, unchlorinated water, hot pepper (10 fruits)
• Blend egg yolk and 100 ml vegetable oil. Add hot pepper (optional)
• Dilute to 1 liter with unchlorinated water (stock solution)
• Use 10% or 100 ml/liter of water as spray against white flies
•
Panchakavya
Ingredients
• Biogas slurry or cow dung 5 kg
• Cow’s urine 3 litres
• Cow’s milk 2 litres
• Curd from cow’s milk 2 litres
• Ghee from cow’s butter 1 litres
• Sugarcane juice 3 litres
• Tender coconut water 3 litres
• Banana 12 pieces
• First mix cow dung with ghee and small quantity of cow’s urine.
• Leave this for 3 days. place this in a broad mouthed clay pot and add the remaining ingredients.
• Mix well by hand and without closing with lid keep in shade.
• Daily morning and evening mix well by hand.
• In about 10 days panchakavya will be ready.
• If you mix it daily with hand or with a wooden ladle it would keep well for a month.
Application:
Apply 2% in water as spray during dawn or dusk on any crop.
The solution should be filtered properly before pouring into the hand sprayer.
For best results, spray at the time of branching, before flowering and fruit setting.
• It provides excellent nutrients to the soil.
• It assists in plant growth and increases chlorophyll.
• improves branching, leafing, flowering and fruiting,
• It is easy to prepare
• Excellent plant growth promoter.
Farmer’s effective microorganism (FEM)
Ingredients Quantity
Pumpkin 3 kg
Banana 1 kg
Papaya 3 kg
Jaggery 3 kg
Egg 5 pieces
Non-chlorinated water 10 liters
Preparation :
• Cut fruits into small pieces the plant ingredients.
• Transfer these pieces into a clean plastic container.
• Mix jaggery in 10 liters of non chlorinated water till it dissolves well and add the eggs to it
• Mix all the contents.
• Close the container with air tight lid.
• Open lid after 10 days to release the air.
• Mix well again. Keep the set up closed for 45 days.
•
Collection of FEM :
• After 45 days there will be three layers in the container.
• The upper thin layer is in white color which indicates successful fermentation.
• The middle layer will be pure brown colored liquid and the lower layer will be the semi solid formed by the dissolved vegetables.
• Open the tap fixed at the bottom of the container to collect the semi solid portion in one container. The upper and middle portions are collected in another container.
Applications of FEM :
• 2% to 5% concentration in water can be used as foliar spray on any crop.
• It also acts as a weedicide if it is used with goat’s urine.
• It may act as a pesticide if used after being fermented with neem and papaya leaves.
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