Organic Vegetable Production

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