Phil Veg Growing

8/6/2019 Phil Veg Growing

1/86

PHILIPPINES VEGETABLEGROWING GUIDE

ASPARAGUS

A native to temperate Europe and Western Asia, asparagus hasperennial roots, which sends up each year an erect branching stemseveral feet in height. One of the most delicate, wholesome andappetizing products of the garden, its new shoots are juicy and succulentboth for use as table vegetable and canning purpose.

Varieties:

There are few varieties of asparagus in the country. GREEN SEEDS

COMPANY LTD offer four varieties: Mary Washington and F1 UC157 which are of green type, and Argenteuil and F1 Larac which are of white type.

Adaptation:

Asparagus grows best in cold places like Baguio and the Mt.Province,and high-elevated areas in Mindanao, like Bukidnon.

Planting and spacing

Propagation is done through the use of crowns raised from seeds inseedbeds. In small scale planting, crown are raised by hand-drilling seedsin rich, well-prepared seed beds 18 to 30 cm. Apart for commercialproduction, crowns are produced by drilling seeds with mechanicaldrillers preferably those that drop one seed in a hill at about 8 cmintervals. The rows may be spaced 120 to 180 cm. apart depending onthe tools to be used for cultivation. Asparagus crowns are allowed to


2/86

grow for one full growing season before being planted in a permanentfield or bed.

The crown are dug and lifted out with a short-handed fork, care beingtaken so as not to injure them. Plant the newly dug crowns as soon aspossible since desiccation or drying slows growth.

The depth of planting varies from 15 to 33 cm depending on the physicalcharacteristics of the soil and the products desired. Regardless of thedepth of the furrows, the crowns must be placed with the buds up, 5 to 7cm. deep in the furrows at planting time. Distance of planting variesconsiderably but the usual practice is planting 60 to 90 cm. apartbetween plants in the row and 120 to 180 cm. apart between rows.

In deep planting, hilling-up and wider spacing between hills and furrowsare given to asparagus raised for bunched stalks.

Cultivation:

In the seedling stage, the plants must be kept free from weeds by shallow

cultivation. Deep cultivation by hoe is recommended with care beingtaken not to destroy the roots.

In the permanent field or bed, the general care given is much differentfrom that applied to other vegetable crops. The plants stay in the samearea for many years.

After the first and succeeding years, it is best to pass the disc and harrow

in between the rows before growth begins. The field is kept free fromvolunteer plant and weeds by proper cultivation.

Irrigation:

Moisture is an important factor in the production of shoots; thus irrigationhas to be applied liberally during the dry season.

Inter-cropping:


3/86

This farm practice is a laudable operation in the management of anasparagus garden for it reduces the cost of cultivation and weeding and itutilizes the wide spaces between the rows of asparagus plants. The inter-crops recommended are the bushy legumes such as snap beans, peas,and soybeans; leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, Pak Choi(petchay) and root crops, such as carrots, radish and sugar beets. Thelegumes and the leafy vegetables require frequent hoeing and fertilization,which are advantageous to the culture of green asparagus shoots. Thepractice will produce more robust shoots.

Fertilization:

The productive life of asparagus plant depends on greatly on thetreatment it receives. An established bed, which receives good cultivationand liberal application each year, may yield profitable from 15 to 20years. The best amount of fertilizer to use is about 35 tons of compostmixed with 400 kilos of complete fertilizer per hectare. It is suggestedthat 2/3 of the amount be applied every year before the start of growthor before rainfalls and the remaining 1/3 at the start of the dry season.Care has to be taken to avoid injury to the crown and other shoots. The

knife is inserted outward to cut off the stalk. One thrust with knife issufficient. The shoots are then washed, bundled and packed beforemarketing.

Pests and their control:

So far the only known pest of asparagus in the Philippines is the mealybug, Ferrisia Virgata Ckll. The bugs feed on the foliage and green

portions of the plants, thus rendering them sickly with retarded growth.The control measures are the following :(1) cutting and burning theinfested portion, and (2) spraying the plants every two weeks with Sevinat the rate of one or two tablespoonfuls per gallon of water.

Diseases and their control:

1. Asparagus rust - The diseases is caused by Puccinia asparagi. Thetypical symptom is the presence of small reddish-yellow spots on the


4/86

main stem and on branches. As the diseases develops, the spots enlargeinto patches until the whole plant becomes reddish-brown or orange andlater becomes darker.

Control is by spraying the plants, while still moist with dew, with limesulfur at the manufactures recommended dosage every two weeks.

Tropical varieties that are tolerant to asparagus rust are: MaryWashington and Argenteuil.

2. Fusarium wilt - Spears affected with this disease show a browndiscoloration of the surface and become stunted and wilted. So far, noeffective control has been developed except to avoid planting in infestedareas and to use crowns raised on disease-free beds.

Harvesting, cutting and storing:

The first harvest of asparagus is made at the start of the third season orafter the plants have had two full growing seasons in a permanent bed.

Asparagus is harvested everyday during the regular cutting season, whichlasts from 8 to 14 weeks. If the weather is too hot, the growth of asparagus is accelerated, thus visiting the field twice is advisable.In cutting asparagus, one hand takes hold of the shoot while the otherinserts the knife to the desired depth usually two to five cm. bellow thesoil surface.

Reference : Cultural Directions for Phil. Agricultural Crops


5/86

BEAN

The production of bean in our country is now becoming more popularbecause the plant does not only produce food for man and animals bitalso improves the fertility and physical condition of the soil.

Planting of beans serves as a catch crop to fill in the time after the maincrop is harvested.

Varieties:

GREEN SEEDS COMPANY LTD have a wide range of varietieswhich includes:Phenomene, Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder (white/brown seeded) whichare of the pole type. Of the bush type are: Contender, Coca, Vadenel,Maxidor, Coco, and Monel. The pods vary in shape but they havekidney-shaped seeds.

Adaptation:

This is a warm season plant and it requires an optimum temperature of 65-degree F to 75 degree F. It thrives at low medium elevations. Hightemperature interferes with seed setting while low temperature isunfavorable to growth. It requires fertile, loose, loamy and well-drainedsoil rich in organic matter with pH 5.5 to 6.7. The best time to plant thiscrop is at the end of the rainy season, from October to December. Forgreen pods, the plant may also be planted early at the beginning of therainy season, preferably during the first week of May.

Cultural requirements:

Bean is propagated by seeds. The field should be plowed and harrowedtwo to three times to insure good filth before planting. Seeds should beinoculated before sowing them to field. Inoculated seeds will produce

bacteria that enable the legumes to secure nitrogen from the air. The mostpractical way is by taking soil from a field previously planted to bean,


6/86

preferable of the same variety, melted with enough water and mixedthoroughly with the seeds to be planted.

Plant the seeds in straight furrows laid 40 to 45 cm. apart, dropping twoto three seeds in hills 20 to 30 cm apart. One cultivation between therows and weeding along the rows are sufficient for the crop. After hilling-up, irrigation water is allowed to play in between the rows at saturationpoint. The frequency of irrigation depends upon the weather conditionand type of soil. Irrigation water is applied as soon as the plant showssigns of wilting. Legumes are soil-improving crops like other short-season vegetables. These crops need the various nutrients in the morereadily available forms for their growth and development. Bean as aleguminous crop possesses the ability of fixing free nitrogen-fixingbacteria. But the relatively long period of fixation during the phenomenonknown as modulation may cause undue delay that may ultimately result inthe nitrogen hunger. Therefore, nitrogen application in combination withphosphorous and potassium is necessary. The application of completefertilizer (12-12-12) at the rate of 400 to 700 kg. per ha. gives goodyield.

Harvesting, curing and storing :

The proper time of harvesting must be considered in order to combinethe desirable factors of good yield and quality. This crop producesflowers 28 to 30 days after sowing. For green pod production, the plantis ready for harvest 40 days after sowing, or when the pods havereached satisfactory size and before they get fully-grown with prominentseeds and fibrous. For green shell bean: 45 days after sowing when the

pods become large but before the pods and seeds become dry. For dryshell bean, 60 to 65 days after sowing when the majority of the pods areyellow and beginning to dry up. By this time, the pods are usually wellfilled with mature beans.

The moisture content of the seed should also be considered especiallywhen they are to be utilized to seed purposes. Bean seeds that are toodry become hard seeds at or below seven per cent moisture content andwill not germinate well. Picking of dry pods should be done every two tofour-day intervals depending on the weather conditions. Since the


7/86

vegetable is usually consumed as green pods and green-shelled beans, itis immediately marketed. For dry beans, considerable attention isimportant. They are perishable vegetables and are susceptible to damageat high temperatures. Any treatment that will maintain quality duringmarketing is essential. When packing for local consumption or when theperiod from packing to retailing is short, a relatively small and well-ventilated package is used. For distant shipment, the preferred method isto pack them in properly-line crates with a liberal amount of crushed ice.Covering the containers with crushed ice while in transit assures deliveryat markets undue deterioration in eating quality and appearance.

Control of pests and diseases:

Pests:

1. Bean Aphid, Aphid craccivora Koch. Growing plants tend to beattacked first and crippled by the insects sucking the sap, the aphidsgradually move downward and may eventually cover the leaves, stems,flowers, and pods. Heavily infested plants develop abnormal growth,become dwarfed and are unproductive.

Control : this is usually controlled by chemicals such as Malathion,Lindane, Derris and Nicotine preferable applied as spray to all infestedparts of the plants including the undersides of leaves.

2. Bean fly, Melanagroymyza phaseoli (Coquillet). The fly is black and is about 1.5 mm long. The eggs are laid in the leaves in punctures.After hatching, the maggots mine the leaves and then go down the stem

and feed chiefly at the bases of the plants.Damage- the larvae or maggots mine the stems of beans; young plants inparticular are susceptible. They feed especially at the bases of the plants.Injured seedlings seldom develop into thrifty plants but rather remainsdwarfed throughout the season or die prematurely.

Control - several recommendations have been effective in avoidingserious damage. Shallow planting in the heavier, wetter soils will facilitatequick germination and thereby enable the plant to become established


8/86

before serious injury occurs. Early and thorough seedbed preparationand planting after the principle egg-laying period will ensure lesslikelihood of infestation. Pullout dying plants promptly and burn them.Avoid late plantings. Plant immune or resistant beans, if possible.

3. Bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say). It is responsible forenormous losses in storage and causes what are popularly called buggybeans. The primary infection occurs in the field when the pods and seedsare still immature. The adult female weevil oviposites in the tender pods,the eggs hatching into tiny, white larvae within the seeds after the later isplaced in storage. The adult weevil is about 1/8 in. long, grayish-brownwith hairy wing.

Damage - A larva hatched from an egg on the surface of the stored beanfirst tunnel its way into the seed and gradually eats out a large chamber asit grows into full size. Under warm storage temperature, severalgenerations may be produced, the larva eating and developing from theegg to the weevil entirely within the seed. At maturity, the weevil pushesoff the seed coat covering the pupae chamber and emerges. Badlyinfested beans exhibit many holes and are worthless either for food or

seed.

Control - Dry-shelled beans should be stored in relatively cool and well-ventilated storage to avoid weevil infestation. Fumigation is most effectiveat a temperature of about 70 degree F. It may be necessary to fumigateseveral times during the storage period at four to six-week intervals.

Diseases and their controls:

1. Anthracnose, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Bri. and Cav. Themost prominent symptoms of the disease are the large, rounded, dark-colored lesions on the pod. When infested seeds are planted, theseedlings may die before they break through the ground. In dry weather,the plants may develop normally until pods are formed. The disease ismore prevalent during the rainy season.

Control - The principal control measure is to use disease resistantvarieties. Seed treatment is also a practical measure. Other means


9/86

include deep plowing under any diseased bean refuse, using a 3-year (orlonger) rotation and weed control. Spraying at weekly intervals witheither Ferban, Ziram or Zineb will safeguard the crop.

2. Rust, Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers) Fr. - The rust spot is mostnoticeable on the leaves although it occurs, always in a smaller numberon the pods, stems and petioles as tiny, almost white dots. They consistof pustules about the size of pinheads and are of a rusty color. Whenmature, they liberate a mass of spores, which easily rub off. The spotoccurs on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The fungusproduces the reddish brown color which will soon becomes very dark-brown or black owing to the development of the disease.

Control - The disease is controlled very effectively by the application of sulfur dust soon after the first sign appears. Sulfur spray such as Kolo100 or Kolo carbamate applied at 7 to 10-day intervals and continuedas long as the plant needs protection is effective. The use of resistantvarieties is also recommended.

3. Root and stem rots of bean, Fusarium solani F. Phaseoli (Burk)

Sund and Hans. It is caused by one of the most destructive of all root rotorganism attacking beans. The first symptom of this disease is a reddishdiscoloration on the top root, which gradually darkens and finally turnsbrown. The discoloration ultimately reaches the soil line and the stem.Diseased plants may appear stunted during the dry weather. Leaves mayturn yellow and droop.

Control - The most successful control measure for this disease is crop

rotation with cereals. Reference : Cultural Directions for Philippine Agricultural Crops.


10/86

CABBAGECabbage is cultivated world- wide, being one of the most important leafyvegetables rich in vitamins (ascorbic acid) and minerals essential to manshealth. Cabbage is eaten fresh, singly as salad or in combination withother vegetables and meat.

Varieties:

GREEN SEEDS COMPANY LTD varieties of cabbage are:

F1 Sahel - Very good tropical hybrid resistant to heat with medium sizehead for heading during warmest and wet season. In very hot and wetseason with small day/night temperature range head weight is 600 gramsto 1 kg with medium maturity 75 to 85 days from transplant. In betterconditions with bigger day/night temperature range, head weight is 1 to1.5 kg with early harvest, 60 to 65 days from transplant. Head is very

compact, very firm and heavy. Good shipper. Tolerant to rot andFusarium yellows.

F1 Bali - Hybrid extra early small headed (500 grams to 1 kg) very firm.Light green color. Ball head. Harvest 45 to 50 days from transplant.

F1 Celina - Strong frame, good cover of dark green leaves. Head:flat/round medium/big sized, firm. Tolerant: black rot and yellows:resistant to heat and humidity.

Other varieties includes : (details on the brochure)

F1 Rustica, F1 Domina, Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market, Brunswick,F1 KK Cross, F1 Baraka.

GREEN Co. has 2 varieties of red cabbage (1) Rubby Ball - early redcabbage. Plant is medium compact, good for close planting. Head isabout 1.5 kg., very dark red color, globe, very solid, very late bursting.Early maturity: 65 days after transplanting. Resistance to cold and high


11/86

tolerance to heat. (2) Red Acre - Head is about 1.2 to 1.8 kg, color isdeep red. Maturity is 70 to 80 days after transplanting.

Adaptation:

Climatic and soil requirements - Cabbage is a cool season crop but theadvent of new lines and hybrids has greatly revolutionized its successfulcommercial culture under varying agro-climatic situations in the country.The F1 hybrids of KK from Japan, for example, could be raisedsuccessfully from sandy to clayey but well-drained soils at sea levelduring the dry summer months of March to May and would do equallywell at high altitudes in Benguet during most parts of the year.

Months of planting - The production of cabbage in Baguio and farmsstretching along Mt. Trail toward Bontoc extends practically throughoutthe year but the main crops are harvested in December and from May toJune. In the lowlands, extensive areas are planted between late Octoberand early November.

Nutritional Requirements - The cabbage plant grows vigorously on soils

rich in organic matter, particularly nitrogen. This is one reason why inBaguio, farms receive heavy manure from crop to crop in addition tosupplemental application of chemical fertilizers. Aside from soilvariations, different commercial varieties vary in their nutritionalrequirements for optimum head production. In Baguio, however, theapplication of 12-12-12 at the rate of 600 kg/ha has resulted in heavyyields ( 30- 35 tons/ha) of good quality heads.

Cultural requirements:Sowing the Seeds - from 1/5 to 1/4 kg. of seeds is required per hectarefor limited scale of gardening, seedlings are raised in seed boxescontaining soil rich in humus and free from diseases and other harmful soilorganisms. In extensive truck gardening like in Benguet Province, farmersgrow seedlings in raised seed beds provided with portable glass orplastic roofing. The beds are watered with a solution of ammoniumsulfate ( 3 to 4 teaspoonfuls ammonium sulfate dissolved in one kerosenecan of water) to serve as starter. The optimum age of seedlings for


12/86

transplanting ranges from 25 to 35 days after sowing. Hardening isessential to reduce high mortality and cost of replanting, especially intruck gardening. This is achieved by suspending irrigation of the beds afew days before transplanting.

Planting and spacing - Raised plots of about 80 to 100 cm wide to anyconvenient length are prepares and seedlings set 40 to 50 cm from eachother along two rows 50 cm. apart. Another method that is morepractical and economical in wide plain areas in the lowlands is the doublerow method of planting. Each double row is distanced half-meter apartand a space of about one meter is provided between double rows.

Transplanting is done preferably during cloudy days or late in theafternoon to avoid excessive wilting and mortality.

Cultivation and irrigation - Daily, light overhead irrigation of the plots withthe use of a sprinkler or a watering can is done for about two weeksafter transplanting. In the case of the double-row method, irrigating thefield by gravity is done at least twice a week.

Cultivation to control weeds and to improve soil aeration is done two tothree weeks after planting or as soon as a thick growth of weedsbecomes visible in and between the plots. Use is made of square-facedhand trowels or grab hoes. When equipment are available, mechanizedweeding and ridging between double-rows of plants are convenient.

Fertilizer application - Aside from the farm manure applied in the soilduring land preparation, chemical fertilizers are also needed. Under

conditions similar to those in the Baguio area, 8 to 10 bags of ammoniumsulfate or 4 to 5 bags urea are side-dressed between the hills of plantsfollowing weeding and cultivation and covered with soil. Fertilizer may bedrilled between furrows in the case of the double-row method of planting.

Control of Insects and Diseases:

Pests and their Control


13/86

1. Diamond-back moth - Plutella xylostella Lin. This is the mostdestructive pest of crucifers in the Philippines. The moth is recognized bythe diamond pattern that is produced when the wings are closed. Themoth lays its eggs singly on the undersides of the leaves and the gray-green caterpillars grow to about 10 mm long, then pupate in web-likecocoons on the leaves. It is known that in temperate countries, 2 to 3generations of the past exist per year but they overlap and, therefore, it isquite possible to find all stages at the same time in an infested crop. Intropical countries like the Philippines, some 10 generations are found inone year.

Infestation starts on the lower surface of the leaves leaving the uppersurface appearing as papery-white. Later, the heads of the plants mayalso be damaged.

Method of Control - The use of Gusathion, Phosdrin or Bayrusil hasbeen found effective in controlling infection by spraying at weeklyintervals the underneath surface of the leaves with a fine mist of any of thechemicals .

2. Cutworm - Prodenia litura (Fabr). Dark brown to blackish larvaeof the pest particularly infest young transplants by eating out parts of thestem just above the ground. Plants thus damaged topple down with nochance of recovery because the stem is virtually cut off. In severe cases,the field appears gappy, necessitating early extensive replanting. Thelarvae seek refuge in the soil at daytime.

Methods of control - Drenching the soil with Aldrin or spraying the

solution around the base of the plant for the chemical to drip on the rootzone would provide satisfactory protective control. If no earlierapplication had been made, spraying the plants with a solution of Phosdrin or Methyl Parathion can attain some degree of control.

Diseases and their Control:

1. Soft rot of cabbage - The disease is caused by Erwinia carotovoraF..F.S. The causal organism is a weak parasite that incites infectionthrough wounds, like harvest bruises, freezing injury and insect wounds.


14/86

Method of control - Provision should be made for the healing of woundsand for drying surfaces. When storing, the temperature must be at thelowest level at which the heads of the cabbage can be expected to retaintheir culinary quality.

2. Club rot of crucifers - Club rot is due to Plasmodiophorabrassica Wor. It is favored by poorly-drained conditions of the soil.Infection may progress to a considerable extent before above-groundsigns become noticeable. Affected roots enlarged, assuming a club likeappearance, which is of varied shapes. The first symptoms visible abovethe ground vary with prevailing environmental conditions. Normally,flagging of the leaves in the middle of a sunny day is the early reliablesymptom.

Method of Control - Use resistant varieties mentioned above. Sinceyoung seedlings are the most susceptible hosts of the fungus, it isimportant to use disease-free soil in raising the seedlings. The use of mercuric bichloride in the transplanting liquid (used in watering beforepulling off the seedlings prior to transplanting ) has protective value.

Harvesting and Handling:

Index of Maturity - Most varieties of GREEN Co. can be harvestedfrom 60 to 65 days after transplant. Others are medium late from 80 to90 days while F1 Bali can be harvested very early from 45 to 50 daysfrom transplant.

Age of Harvest - Right age of the head for transplant is importantbecause price is affected by the quality of the produce. Brownishblemishes on the outermost leaves of the head or cracking are normalsigns of over- maturity while soft heads with still young, fresh and looseleaf coverings are still immature. Average production of cabbage is from20 to 25 metric tons per hectare.

Procedure of harvesting - With a convenient long knife, the plant is bentat an angle so that the head is cut leaving one to two of the outer loose


15/86

leaves. The heads are placed in bamboo baskets and hauled to a packingsheds for cleaning and classification.


16/86

CARROTSCarrot is a biennial crop. The leaves are feather like with long petiolesand they are severally divided into sections. The sheath of the petioleopens at the base. The flowers are white, small and borne in compoundterminal umbels. Carrot is propagated by seeds. The thickened fleshyroot is the edible portion. The shape, color and size of the root varyaccording to varieties.

Importance:

Carrot gained importance in the human diet because of its nutritive value.The edible root is an excellent source of Vitamin A. It also containsappreciable amounts of food energy and many other food nutrientsnecessary for the body.

Varieties:

New Kuroda - Root is dark red, tapered with the length of 16 to 20 cm.Strong vigorous plant. Tolerant to Alternaria. Maturity days 80 to 100days.

F1 Japan Cross - Kuroda hybrid type resistant to heat. Maturity fromsowing, 110 to 120 on cool season, 90 to 95 days in hot season.Vigorous plant. roots are along slightly tapered, with uniform dark redcolor, 18 to 20 cm long. Resistant to Alternaria. High yield 30 to 35 tonsper ha.

Other varieties include:

Nantes Improved, Touchon, Chantenay, Colmar, F1 Amazonia.

Adaptation:

Climatic and Soil Requirements - Carrot is known to be a temperate andsemi temperate crop. In the Philippines, it can grown successfully at high


17/86

elevations with a cool environment. It can also be grown in lowland areasbut the growing period should be during the cool months of the year if good stand and yield are desired. The crop is usually planted fromOctober to December.

The optimum pH for carrot is about 5.5 to 7.0. It has little tolerance tohigh salt content, but is moderately tolerant to high boron in the soil. Itrequires a very deep, well drained soil preferably sandy loam. However,careful control of soil moisture by furrow irrigation permits use of heaviersoil than is recommended.

Carrot can also be planted in loam and slit loam soils but it is usuallydifficult to establish good stands in these soil, unless crust formation canbe avoided. Clay soils impair root shape, and harvesting from clay soils isdifficult. Coarse, undecomposed, organic matter in the surface soil tendsto impair root shape.

Nutrients - Little is known in the Philippines as to the nutritionalrequirements of carrot, except that when applied with the correct amountof complete fertilizer, it responds satisfactorily.

Cultural Requirements:

Field Preparation - The land should be plowed and harrowed severaltimes until a fine filth is attained. Thorough field preparation is verynecessary for the plant because it is small- seeded and usually planteddirect in the field. Besides, field preparation seems to have something todo with the development of the roots. Crops planted in a well-prepared

field seem to have better well-shaped, marketable roots than plantsgrown in a poorly prepared soil which tend to have irregularly-shapedroots.

Planting and spacing - Carrot is usually directly seeded. In a smallplantation or backyard garden, it is either broadcast or planted in furrowsspaced 20 cm. between rows and about 5 cm. In the row, on a slightlyelevated plot. In big commercial plantation, seeds are drilled evenly orplanted in hills in shallow furrows, about 1 to 2 cm. deep, covered with a


18/86

thin layer of fine soil. The spacing is about 20 to 30 cm between rowsand about 5 cm. in the row.

The seed requirement per hectare will depend much on the percentage of germination and spacing. The lower the percentage of germination andthe closer the planting, the more seeds are required per hectare. Undernormal conditions, that is, if the germination is from 80 to 90 percent, ahectare usually requires 4 to 6 kg. of seeds.

Cultivation and thinning - Carrot is a slow starter plant both in terms of germination and growth at the seedling stage. It germinates after ,six to21 days from sowing at a temperature of about 20 to 24 degreecentigrade. At seedling stage, the plants are slender and incapable of competing with the weeds. It is therefore, advisable to keep weedscompletely down at the early stages of growth of the plants to have agood uniform stand. Shallow cultivation is started as soon as the first trueleaves appear.

Thinning is done only when the plants are about 15 cm. in height. At thisstage, the plants are already more or less established. It is also

recommended that during the last cultivation, this soils be thrown towardthe base of the plants to avoid the development of green pigments on theshoulder of the roots which may effect their market value.

Irrigation - Carrots need a constant supply of moisture throughout thegrowing season to produce uniform and tender quality roots. In areaswith adequate rainfall or with enough soil moisture during the growingseason, irrigation can be dispensed with. In places with less rainfall or soil

moisture, irrigation is profitable. Frequent, light irrigation is preferable toheavy irrigation. Never allow water to stay too long in the field as thiswould encourage root disease and rotting.

Crop rotation - Planting of crops alternately in a piece of land is a goodagricultural practice not only in the control of pests and diseases but alsoin maintaining the soil productivity. The rotation should be plannedaccording to the purpose of the grower. If the rotation is designed for thecontrol of pest and diseases, the crop to be rotated should not be analternate host of the pest of disease-causing agent; if for the maintenance


19/86

of soil fertility, planting of leguminous crops after carrot is suggested. Insoil heavily infested with root-knot nematodes, it is advisable to rotatewith corn, sorghum and some resistant varieties of cowpea, peanut orbeans.

Fertilizer application - In the absence of soil analysis, it is advisable touse 500 to 600 kg. of the complete fertilizer (14-14-14) or (12-12-12)per hectare. It must be broadcast during the last harrowing and properlyincorporated with the soil before planting.

Control of Pests and Diseases

Pests and their Control:

1. Cutworm, Prodenia litura Fabricius. The larva is a brown wormabout 5 cm long. The adults are blackish gray both have pale marksacross the wings, about 2 cm long. The eggs are laid on the lowersurface of leaves in a mass several hundreds and covered with mootedhair. The worm feeds at night and hides in the soil during the day. Thelarva feeds on leaves and stems of young plants.

Control - Spray with Sevin, Methylparathion or Parathion.

2. Aphids, Aphis sp. Small, greenish insects, winged or wingless.They reproduce rapidly. They feed on the leaves of the plant.

Control - Spray with Sevin, Malathion and other systemic insecticidesfound in the market.

3. Root nematode or gall-worm or eel worm, causes root knot andis scientifically known as Meloidogyne sp. It is worm ordinarily too smallto be seen by the naked eye. It is disseminated by means of infectedsoil, water and diseased root crops.

In root-knot, the tissue is stimulated to abnormal growth so that theinvaded roots become two to three times larger in diameter than normaland finally they decay. The top of the plant, being robbed of the foodwhich goes to the swollen roots and at the same time deprived of water


20/86

absorbing area, is stunted, pale and inclined to wilt. The affected plantsmay linger through the growing season, although most of them dieprematurely.

Control - Long rotation with crops highly resistant to the lest like corn,sorghum and some resistant varieties of cowpea, peanut and beans isrecommended.


1. Bacterial blight (caused by Xanthomonas carotae) the firstsymptoms are yellow spots on the tips of leaf segments. They rapidly turnbrown and get a water soaked appearance. A yellowish circle oftensubtends the black center of the lesion. Entire leaf segments or leafletsare killed. Lower leaves die and dry up as the disease advances. Insevere infections, long dark-brown, water soaked lesions develop on thepetioles and main stem. A gummy, bacterial substance frequently collectson them.

The affected roots may show small, water soaked greasy flecks or

scab-like lesions at any point on the surface. They first appear as brownor maroon spots, which may become raised pustules or sunken craters.The large craters usually crack open and are drilled with soil particlesembedded in the bacterial oose. Often, internal lesions heal over toenclose the scab lesion.

Control - The bacteria persist in the soil and are commonly carried bythe seed. Seed may be disinfected by soaking in hot water at 120 degree

F for 10 minutes. Control also requires adequate crop rotation.2. Bacterial soft rot ( caused by Erwinia carotovora). It is one of the most destructive diseases of carrot and other vegetables in storageand transit. The disease is recognized by a watery, smelly, soft decay onstorage tissue. It normally invades plants through wounds.

Control - Avoid bruising the roots during harvest. Cool, dry storage willhelp in the control of the disease.


21/86

3. Cercospora blight (caused by Cercospora carotae). The diseaseis more severe in young leaves than in old leaves. Lesions are usuallymarginal although any part of the leaf or petiole may be attacked. It ischaracterized by gray to brown, circular or elongated, localized spotsthat are usually whitish or tan at the center.

Control - Crop rotation. Spray weekly with Maneb and Zineb until thecrop is mature.

Harvesting, Curing and Storing:

Harvesting and Handling - Crops planted for early market are harvestedas soon as the roots reach the acceptable size. This is about three to sixmonths after sowing, depending upon the variety. Yellowing of leavesmay indicate maturity but it is not a sure index. The surest and mostpractical way to determine the size of the roots is to scratch the base of the plants and to see the actual size of the roots by pulling some samplesin the population.

Carrots are pulled when they have the desires root size. The roots are

highly variable in size and maturity. If harvested at one time, considerableloss in total yield may result. Therefore, it is possible, carrot should beharvested one after the other as they mature.

Sorting should be done as they are harvested or gatherer from the field.Split and branched roots should be discarded. If the crop will bemarketed in bunch, only dried leaves should be removed. Bunchingmaybe one right in the field or in the shed. Leaves should be cut to the

minimum to avoid rapid with ring or shrinking of the roots. The tops areremoved by cutting or twisting by hand right after the crop is pulled orharvested.

Top of carrot draw moisture from the roots and hasten shrivelingremoving the tops doubles the shelf life of the roots. Removing tops andpacking them in one pound, moisture-proof film bags further reducemoisture loss and increase shelf life.


22/86

Bunched carrots when displayed six days at 70 degree F with 50 percentrelative humidity lose 48 percent in weight; with tops removed, 29percent; and in a perforated polyethylene bag, 4 per cent. Underrefrigeration, polyethylene packaged carrots have a shelf life of at leasttwo to three weeks and moisture loss is usually less than one per cent.


23/86

CAULIFLOWER

Cauliflower is of European origin. Considered as the aristocrat of thecabbage family, it is grown for its white, tender head formed by theshortened and thickened parts of the flowers called curds. The curds arecommonly utilized as salad, either alone or in combination with othersand in the preparation of pickles. The young leaves are sometimesincluded in the preparation of vegetable stews.

Varieties:

F1 Hoggar - Heat resistant early maturing 55-65 days from transplant.Curd is white, medium round, weighing 8 to 1 kg. Dark green leaves withmedium frame.

F1 Farwa - very rustic hybrid and large scale. Climatic adaptation: forNovember to February. Curd - deep white, round shape - closed cover.

Other Tropical varieties include: Snow Ball Y, F1 Monte Pearle, F1Blanca F1 Palma, and F1 Jana.

Adaptation:

Soil and Climatic Requirements - Cauliflower is sensitive to high acidity.Where soil reaction ranges from pH 5.5 to 6.6 maximum yields could beobtained. It grows best in rich heavy loamy soils, although it thrives fairlywell in light soils. Low and well-drained bottom lands give good results if climatic conditions are favorable.

Cauliflower requires a cool, moist growing season. It can not withstandeither low temperatures, or too much heat, dry weather and lowhumidity. It succeeds better when the days are short.



24/86

Seed Requirements - About 200 to 300 g of seeds are enough to plantone hectare. The seedling are taken cared of in the same way as incabbage, although greater care must be exercised by providing moderaterich soils and disinfecting the seedbeds or seed boxes. Although prickingis uncommon among growers, it is a must operation in cauliflower-growing to produce uniform and stocky seedlings for field planting.

Land Preparation and Fertilization - The land should be well-preparedbefore the seedlings are set in the field. The field is plowed as many timesas necessary, each followed by harrowing, until a fine filth is obtained.Cauliflower requires greater fertility than cabbage. It obtainable, largeamounts of rotten manure may be use to advantage especially in lightsoils. With about 5 tons of manure per hectare, the application of about100-45-45 kg. of N-P-K fertilizer mixture per hectare may provebeneficial. The application of 150-45-45 of N-P-K fertilizer mixture perhectare would give good results.

Transplanting and care of plants - Seedling, pricked or unpricked, areready to be transplanted 35 to 45 days from sowing. The seedlings areset in double rows at intervals of 50 cm apart. Each double row is 100

cm apart. Newly-set seedlings should be watered and/or irrigated byflash system to prevent the occurrence of too many missing hills. Assoon as the developing plants are about 15 cm. tall, they are toppeddressed with nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of about 20 kg. of the pureelement per hectare, after which the double rows are bedded either withthe use of machines equipped with a ridge or with a plow. Bedding thedouble rows is advantageous in that the plants are provided with a soilmulch which curtails the growth of weeds, completely eliminates

cultivation and facilitates irrigation by merely allowing the irrigation waterto play in-between beds until the desired soil moisture is reached.

A perfect cauliflower head is pure white. This whiteness of curd can beobtained by blanching. While the heads are still small, the outer leavesare brought up over the head and fastened together with a bambootoothpick for a period of two to three days. The outer leaves fastenedtogether should be opened after three days as prolonged blanching mayresult in discoloration of the curd.


25/86


The curds should be harvested as soon as they reach the proper size andbefore discoloration begins. Since the curds mature rather fast andsometimes irregularly, harvesting should be done frequently and regularly.The head or curd should be cut with one or two circles of outer leaves toprotect the curd from bruises and damage. The curds are packed withthe outer leaves untrimmed.

Control of Pests and Diseases:

Pests and their Control:

The most common insect pest of cauliflower are cutworms (Spodopteralitura Fabr.) cauliflower worm (Crocidolomia binotalis Zeller), diamond-back moth (Plutella Xylostella Linnaeus), and root grub (Leucopholisittorata). For the control of cauliflower worms and diamond-back moth,spray the plants with any of the following:

Foliafume 1 tbs. per gallon of water

Sevin 1 tbs. per gallon of waterMalathion 1 tbs. per gallon of water

Root grub can be controlled by treating the soil with Alder 2 at the rateof 1 tbs. in 1 gal. of water.


Cauliflower, like any other vegetable, is subject to the attack of plantdiseases. The most common diseases are club root, soft rot, bacterialleaf spot, downy mildew and root knot of vegetables. The first it can becontrolled by sterilizing the soil with mercuric bichloride or formalin(1:1000) and/or lime application in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot anddowny mildew may be greatly minimized by foliar sprays with copperfungicides at the rate of 3 to 5 tbsp.per 5 gallons of water at 7 to 10 dayintervals.


26/86

Generally, crop rotation, use of well-drained soils, good managementpractices and avoiding heavy seeding in the seedbeds help prevent theoccurrence of plant diseases.

Reference : Cultural Directions for Phil. Agricultural Crops.


27/86

CELERYCelery is native to the Mediterranean and adjacent areas. The plant is astrong-smelling biennial. The thick petioles, curved in cross section, arelong and grooved on the external surface. The stems bearing thecompound leaflets are attached to the apex of the long petiole at a pointoften called the joint. The flowers are very small, white and borne incompound umbels in the leaves of the branched seed stalks which maybe60 to 90 cm. in height.

As a salad crop, celery ranks next to lettuce. Like lettuce, celery hasbeen growing in importance and popularity. Salads have becomeincreasingly common on the menus of most Filipinos, and the supply of this important crop has to keep pace with the ever-growing demand.

There are no statistics on the production of celery in the Philippines. Theonly known areas producing the crop are Baguio, Trinidad in Benguet

and to some extent, Davao.Varieties:

Elne -Foliage are tall, dark and green the while the stalk are thick,smooth and fleshy. Can be harvested 2 to 3 months from transplant.

Tall Utah - Foliage are sturdy, dark green with long, thick, smooth stalk.

Adaptation:

Climatic and Soil Requirements - Celery is distinctly a cool season crop.Large, tender petioles are produced at relatively cool temperature. Amonthly mean temperature of about 15 to 18 degree C up to maximum20 degree C is considered ideal for the production of good quality andquantity celery crops.

Successful production of celery can be had in soils that are either muck or peat. Sandy loam soil well-supplied with organic matter is also


28/86

preferred. Acidic soils are normally avoided. The pH range of soilsconsidered ideal for the production of celery is from 6.0 to 6.8.

Elevation - Stalk celery production is limited to the higher elevation butsoup celery can be grown at close to sea level.

Months of Planting - Celery is planted the year round but quantity cropsare planted from January through April.

Nutritional Requirements - A crop of celery from a hectare of land wouldbe able to absorb from the soil 313.6 kg. of nitrogen, 80.6 kg. of phosphorous, 711.2 kg. of potassium, 295.7 kg of calcium and 39.2 kgof magnesium. Essentially, in view of the restricted root system of celery,an abundant supply of nutrients must be available in the root zone duringthe last month or before the expected time of harvesting, if a good cropof high quality is desired.


Seed bedding and care of seedlings - To induce quick germination of the

seeds, they should be soaked overnight in water. Sowing may be doneearly the following morning. As the seed is slow to germinate, soilmoisture in the beds should be kept close to field capacity. Pieces of moistened burlap can be spread over the area in which seeds have beensown thinly at a very shallow depth. This aids in preventing washing outof seeds during the watering and also keeps the soil from dying outrapidly.

Since the celery plant grows rather very slowly during its seedling stage,care must be taken to keep the weeds on the beds under control. Theseweeds compete seriously with the seedlings for the uptake of nutrientsavailable in the soil. It takes from two to three months for the seedlings toreach a suitable size for transplanting in the field.

Transplanting and Spacing - When the seedlings have attained the heightof about 15 cm., they are transplanted in the open field. Beds about 1m.wide are prepared in the field. The usual size is 1m wide and 15 m. highin the dry season and 30 cm in the rainy season. It is quite common in


29/86

Trinidad Valley in Benguet Province to make the beds 90 cm. wide witha 30 cm. high furrow between the beds.

Two rows of plants are then set on the bed. The rows are about 40 cm.apart and plants are spaced about 20 cm. on the row. The soil betweenthe rows can be mulched with dried grasses to prevent rapid evaporationof soil moisture and to smother the weeds. It is necessary to prune theseedlings before transplanting them to the field. Recovery from the effectsof transplanting would be more rapid with the plants which receives lesspruning of the tops or roots.

Effort must be exerted to select only those seedlings of good size fortransplanting. Small seedlings would normally produce the light plants atharvest time. It is well, therefore, to discard these seedlings as they areconsidered genetically less vigorous.

Cultivation and Irrigation - With celery, cultivation must be confinedalmost to the surface, scraping the soil in order to avoid injury to theroots which are within the 15 to 30 cm. zone from the base of the plants.Thus, mulching the surface of the beds between the rows with either

well-dried grasses or rice straw helps prevent evaporation of moisturefrom the soil and smothers the weeks. Frequent irrigation is veryimportant. Lack of water can cause serious losses in crop yield andquality.

Fertilizer Application - in Baguio and Trinidad Valley in Benguet, it iscustomary to mix a truckload of chicken manure or compost with 600 to800 kg. of 15-15-15 or other complete fertilizers per hectare of beds

before transplanting. This is followed with side dressing of from 100 to150 kg of ammonium sulfate at 10 to 15 day intervals.

Side-dressing is applied in solution along the rows at the rate of 100 to150 gr. of fertilizer in 5 gal. of water.


Pests and their Control


30/86

Cutworm, Aphids, and Mites are the few insects that attack celery in thePhilippines.

1. Aphids, Aphis sp. These are small greenish insects, which areeither winged or wingless. They reproduce every rapidly. The insectssucks the sap from the leaves causing curling, distortion and stunting of the plant.

Control - Diazinon and Malathion at concentrations recommended by themanufactures are examples of effective insecticides.

2. Cutworms, Prodenia litura Fabricius. The larva of the insect is abrown worm about 5 cm long. the adult is dark pale-brown and its outerwings have transverse light brown bands. It is about 2 cm. long. The eggsare laid on the lower surface of the leaves in a mass of several hundredsand covered with matted hairs. During the day, the worms hide in the soilwhere they pupate. At night they come out to feed on succulent leavesand stems.

Control- The soil surface along the plant row can be treated chlorinated

hydrocarbons such as Aldrin, Dieldrin, etc. at concentrationsrecommended by the manufacture.

3. Mites, Tetranychus truncatus Ebara. These are tiny pests difficultto see with the naked eye. They cause stippling and wattling of leaves.

Control - spray with either Tedion V-8, Diazinon, Kelthane orChlorobezylate at concentrations recommended by the manufactures.


Celery is susceptible to several diseases, which are of real concern to theproducer of this market crop.

Bright. There are three distinct blights infecting celery, but since they areall controlled by the same means, it is well to discuss them together. Lateblight (Septoria apii) is characterized by small, brown, circular lesions onthe leaves and stems. Black fruiting bodies of the fungus later appear in


31/86

these areas. In the case of early blight Ceriopora apii, dead, ashen-grayvelvety areas develop in the foliage. The bacteria ( Bacterium apii)produce lesions that are more reddish brown that those cause by lateblight, in addition to a yellow halo. No black fruiting bodies are to beseen in celery infested by bacterial blight. Plants can affected by thesediseases at any time during their life span.

Control - control by cultural methods and fungicide sprays is similar foreach of the blights mentioned. The organism causing both late and earlyblight can survive on plant refuse in the soil so two to three rotations aredesirable. These fungi can also survive in the seed.

Two to three year old seeds are recommended for planting because atthis stage the fungi are no longer viable. New seeds can be soaked in hotwater at a temperature of 48 degree C for 30 minutes to kill theseedborne fungi. Then the seeds are dried and treated with Thiram dustbefore planting.

Spray application should start in the seedbed and repeated every 7 to 10days until harvested. Dithane, Zineb, and Nabam plus Zinc sulfate are

effective materials. Label directions should be followed religiously.

2. Damping-off of seedlings - The most common soil-borneorganisms causing this disease are: Pythium debaryanum Hesse,Rhizoctonia solani Khun and Scelrotium rolfs Sacc-all fungi. Seedsinfected with the disease may either decay before they germinate; sproutsare killed before they reach the soil surface, or seedlings may developlesions near the soil level and fall over.

Control - Disinfecting of the soil in the seedbed or seedboxes is usuallydesirable. Watering the beds in the day so that the soil surface will be dryat night will help reduce infection.

Seeds can be placed in the cloth sack and soaked until moistened in asolution of 1 oz. of Calomel (mercury chloride) in 1 gal. of water.Another method is to coat the seed thoroughly with either Captan,Chlonil or Thiram dust at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.Such treatment should be used on hot water-treated seed.


32/86

3. Bacterial Rot - is caused by a bacterium, Erwinia carotovoraHolland. Small lesions appear on the fleshy petioles and rapidly enlarge.Finally, a soft, mushy rot develops.There is no specific stage of maturity at which celery must be harvested.If cut too early in the season, the yield would greatly be reduced.However, celery can be cut when a little over-mature, but not too late asto allow the petioles from becoming pithy, in which case, they lose theirhigh quality.

In harvesting celery, the plants are cut below the soil surface with a largeknife before leaving the petioles attached at the base. Tiller or suckers,short and prongy outside the petiole, and diseased or injured leaves arecut off before they are washed and packed in convenient containers.



33/86

CUCUMBER

Varieties:

1. Slicing Type:

F1 Olympic - Slicing type. Early maturity 60 days from transplant. Fruitsare bright dark green color, 19 to 20 cm long. Heat resistant. Tolerant topowdery mildew, downy mildew, CMV, Angular leaf spot.

F1 Tropical - Slicing type. Early, , white spined, easy to harvest. Fruit of nice shape and color, uniform dark green. Length: 25 cm. Diameter: 6cm. Plant: strong, hardy. Disease tolerance: CMV - WMV1 - WMV2 -ZYMV and Mildews.

Others: ( see brochure)

2. Pickling Type:

F1 Antilla - Pickling type. Fruit length: 16 cm., diameter 6.5 cm. Greenwith some yellowish stripes, white spine, and Excellent shape, straight.Plant: vigorous, productive. Good brine quality, suitable for machine andhand harvest. Disease tolerance: Cucumber Mosaic Virus, ScabCucumber, Antrachnose, Angular leaf spot, Downy Mildew, PowderyMildew.

Others (see brochures) chipper, F1 Calypso

3. Hybrid Cucumber Beit Alpha Type

F1 Basma - Outdoor Beit Alpha hybrid grown in the open field. Earlyhybrid with vigorous plant and high yields. Gynoecious hybrid with mainlyfemale flowering. Fruit dark green color, 16 to 18 cm long. Good resultsfor season production. Disease tolerance: Cucumber Mosaic Virus,Watermelon Mosaic Virus, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew.


34/86

Others: (see brochures) Beit Alpha CMR MMR, Beit Alpha CMRMMR PMR DMR, Excel, Lady, Noura.

Adaptation:

Climatic and Soil Requirements - Cucumber grows best at about the endof the rainy season from November to January when the weather israther cool. It has excellent growth on well-drained, sandy, clay loamsoil.

Elevation - Cucumber grows at elevations from sea level to as high as500 m above sea level like in Baguio and La Trinidad Valley.

Months of Planting - The best months to plant cucumber are fromNovember to January.

Nutritional Requirements - To raise good-sized fruits of cucumber forpickles and for slicing, it is very necessary that the field intended for thecrops be manured with decayed organic matters or compost. The use of

commercial fertilizers is advisable.


Planting and Spacing - The single row method or the double row methodof planting is allowed. The double row method is preferred, becausethere are more plants in a given space for planting than in the single rowmethod. The seeds are planted in hills 30 to 45 cm. apart in the row, 3 to

5 seeds per hill, and later thinned out to only 2 to 3 plants per hill. Thedouble rows are 50 cm apart. Space between the double rows is 150cm. The hill are set in the triangular system.

The plants may crawl or creep on the ground, but the use of bamboopoles or any material as trellis give better quality fruits that are clean andwithout deformities.


35/86

Cultivation - The field should be cultivated when the plants are still youngor small, say, about 30 cm. long, to kill the weeds and loosen the soil forbetter root hold.

Irrigation - Irrigation is also necessary in the production of cucumber fruitfor pickling, especially during the summer months. Too much water,however, is detrimental.

Pruning - The unnecessary or tiny vines should be pruned to eliminatepoor-sized or sickly pickling.

Inter-cropping - Inter-crop cucumber with corn, okra, etc., but in thecommercial production of cucumber, the single cropping system shouldbe adopted. Limited plantings may require inter-cropping of cucumber asfillers for vacant spaces.

Fertilizer application - In the absence of compost, commercial fertilizersshould be applied to cucumber crop.

Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) at the rate of 6 bags or 126 kg., pure

nitrogen or Urea (45-0-0) at the rate of 3 bags or 135 kg. Pure nitrogenare needed per hectare at planting time. Complete fertilizer (12-24-12)at the rate of 150 to 200 kg per ha. should be applied as side dressingbefore the blooming stage.

Other Requirements - A regular spray of insecticides and fungicides forthe control of insects and diseases should be regularly undertakenwhenever they are present.


Squash Bugs or beetles Orthaulaca similes Oliv. attack the plants. Theycan be controlled by spraying with Sevin and Malathion.

The diseases commonly attacking cucumber are the downy mildew andpowdery mildews. Both diseases are easily controlled with the use of Bordeaux mixtures. Zineb and Karathane WP ( 3 to 5 tbs.) in 5 gal. of


36/86

water sprayed on affected vines will likewise provide adequate control of the two diseases.


Index of Maturity - Depending on varieties, GREEN Co. cucumbersare early maturing ( ranges from 55 to 85).

Age of Harvest - The fruits are harvested not on the basis of age but of sizes and for the purpose for which they are to be utilized.

Procedure of Harvesting - For pickling, the fruits should be harvestedwith the use of sharp knife or pruning shears at the length of 10 to 15 cm.or the like and for slicing, at the desired length or before the seedsbecome hard.

Care of harvest (curing) - The harvested pickling fruits should be placedin baskets or any receptacle under the shade or in the bondage wherethey are classified or graded preparatory to pickling or slicing.

Storage of Harvest - Cucumber fruits should not be kept too long toavoid spoilage in storage without refrigeration if they are intended forpickles.



37/86

EGGPLANTAlthough eggplant is most of minor importance in the Western andEuropean countries, it is one of the most popular vegetable crops in thePhilippines.

Varieties:

F1 Kalenda - Early Hybrid F1. Harvest begin 60 to 80 days from

transplant during 3 to 5 weeks. Strong vigor. Fruits are long tapered,bright black purple color, 250 to 350 grams weight.

Plantation rate: 7,000 to 13,000 plants/ha. 1.6 to 2 m between rowsand 0.60 to 0.90 meters between plants. Disease tolerance: Bacterial wilt(Pseudomonas Solanacearum), Anthracnose, Colletotricum, Very goodyield: 40 to 60 tons/ha.

F1 Adama - Early hybrid. Maturity from transplant 70 days fromtransplant. Plant is medium tall 60 to 70 cm. Fruit shape long black purple, fruit is 150-300 grams. Disease tolerance:TMV, Verticillium,CMV, Odium.

Others: (see brochure) Long Purple, Black Beauty, Florida Market, F1Bonita, African Eggplants.

Adaptation:

Soil and Climatic Requirements - Eggplant can be grown in any type of soil. It thrives best, however, in sandy loam and clay loam soils. Fertility,moisture supply and good drainage are essential for more successfulproduction. Eggplant required a long, warm, growing season.

Cultural requirements:

Raising Seedlings - The raising of eggplant seedlings is practically thesame as in raising tomato seedlings. Since eggplant is tenderer than


38/86

tomato, more care should be given to produce strong, stocky and slightlyhardened seedlings for transplanting in the fields. Because of the fact thateggplant requires more heat than tomato, sowing of the seeds should bedelayed until the weather becomes warmer as the seedlings develop. Theseedlings are ready for transplanting in the field 45 to 50 days fromsowing.

Land Preparation - The land should be plowed two to three times, eachplowing followed by harrowing. If clouds occur on heavier soils, it is bestto expose the soil for about a week, followed by flashing irrigation water.When the soil becomes workable, it is harrowed and leveled. Double-furrows drawn by machine, or with the use of a plow with the moldboardremoved. Each double-furrow is spaced one meter apart.

Fertilization - If manure are available, apply about 10 tons to a hectare,supplemented with a fertilizer mixture of 12-24-12 at the rate of 345 to400 kg. per ha. Without manure apply from 450 to 550 kg. per ha. of the fertilizer mixture 12-24-12. The commercial fertilizer is applied intofurrows at transplanting time. Since eggplant occupies the land for a longperiod of time, it is desirable to side dress the plants with nitrogenous

fertilizers once or twice during growth. For each side-dressing, applyfrom 100 to 150 kg. of ammonium sulfate or from 45 to 55 kg. of ureaper hectare. The first side-dress is applied at bedding or banking timeand the second immediately after the second picking of marketable fruits.

Transplanting and Care of Plants - The seedlings should be lifted as thefertilizer is being applied. The seedbox or seedbed should be sufficientlywatered to facilitate lifting and to minimize root damage. The seedlings

are set 60 cm apart in furrows. In setting the soil should be firmly butslightly pressed on the roots. The newly transplanted seedlings should bewatered. Dead hills should be replanted within one week fromtransplanting.

About a month from transplanting, the double-rows of plants are beddedor banked. Like in tomato, bedding or banking minimizes cultivation andweeding and facilitates irrigation. The plants should be irrigated wheneverthey show signs of wilting. The number of irrigation depends upon theweather and type of soil. The irrigation water is allowed to play between


39/86

the bedded or banked double-rows of plants, taking care not to cause anoverflow of water.


Pest and their Control - Flea beetles, Psylloides spp., lady beetles,Epilchna spp., leafhoppers Empoasca biguttula (Ishida), mites and aphidsare the most important pests of eggplant. These insects can be effectivelycontrolled by spraying the plants with either Sevin, Foliafume orMalathion at 3 level tbs. per 5 gal. of water.

Diseases and their Control - The important diseases of eggplant arebacterial wilt, phythopthora, phomopsis and Anthracnose. Thesediseases can be partly controlled by long-range crop rotation. Except forbacterial wilt, the others can be minimized by spraying the plants withsolutions of Dithane Z-78 and Zerlate at concentrations of level tbs. per1 gal. of water.


The fruits are picked as soon as they attain satisfactory size but beforethey lose their bright, glossy appearance. A heavier crop can be obtainedif the fruits are removed before they reach full maturity.

The calyx and a short piece of the stem are left on the fruit. For distantmarkets, the fruits are packed in crates or baskets that are loaded intrucks and transported to different places.



40/86


41/86

organic matter. Where earliness is desired, sandy loam is preferred. If yield is important, silt loam and muck soils are highly preferred. Studiesshow that lettuce seems to grow better in soil with pH value ranging from6.0 to 6.8.

Cultural Requirements :

Seedlings are transplanted as soon as they have formed the first trueleaves (two to three weeks after sowing) at intervals of 20 to 25 cm.both ways for non-heading varieties and 30 * 30 cm. for the headingvarieties. The seedlings are set in two to four rows with a working pathof 20 cm between the rows. Planting is recommended during cloudydays or late in the afternoon to avoid excessive wilting of the transplants.Lathering is advisable right after transplanting.

In large scale transplanting, direct seedling can be done depending on thegrowers desire and on the availability of necessary equipment. In directseedling, shallow multiple rows, two to four rows, provided with aworking path of 50 cm. between multiple rows, are made and the seedssown very thinly in the furrows and covered thinly with fine soil. Water is

sprinkled, particularly when the moisture content of the soil is insufficientfor germination. Thin mulch of straw is necessary to enhance germinationand to suppress weed growth.

Cultivation - Cultivation is done when the soil becomes compact. This isto disturb the weeds and to promote soil aeration.

Irrigation - The greatest amount of root development in lettuce is confide

in the top 20 to 25 cm. of soil texture., evaporation losses and rainfall.Fertilization - Lettuce plants are poor foragers because of their small rootsystem. In this regard, the soil must be well-supplied with nutrients eitherfrom organic or inorganic matter. Preplanting application with 10 tons of stable manure to a hectare, applied during the last field preparation, isrecommended. This must be supplemented with about 250 to 300 kg of 12-24-12 fertilizer mixture. Without manure, a hectare may require about400 kilograms of 12-24-12. Two weeks after planting, side dressingwith about 100 kg of ammonium sulfate can be done.


42/86

Control of Pests and Diseases :

1. Aphids - These are minute, pale green or black insects, mostlywingless, usually harboring themselves under the surface of the leaves.They cause injury by sucking the plant sap. Heavily infested plantsdevelop abnormal growth, become dwarf and unproductive. Sprayingwith Malathion or Sevin at the rate of 1 tbs. per gal. of water givessatisfactorily control of the insects.


1. Mosaic. The disease is caused by a virus. Symptoms on theleaves appear as yellow mottles. Plants become stunted and deformed.Severe infections result in a reduced plant size. Foliage is dull, greenish oryellowish control is by rouging or eliminating weed hosts of the aphidsand diseased plants.

2. Bottom Rot this disease is caused by Rhizoctonia solani Khun, afungus. The disease may be distinguished by the presence of sunken

brown spots on the midribs and petioles. In severe cases, the fungusattacks succeeding layers or leaves until the whole plants become slimy.The disease can be controlled through sanitation and crop rotation withnon-susceptible crops.


43/86

OKRA

Okra is a herbaceous annual. Slightly hairy, it belongs to the same familyas cotton. It is believed to have originated from Asia to Africa.

The tall varieties may reach a height of 1.8 to 2.4 m. The leaves arerounded, 25 to 30 cm across, with 3 to 5 ovate to oblong and coarsely-toothed lobes. The plants large yellow flowers have reddish centers.They are borne singly in the axis of the leaves. Okra is primarilycultivated for its soft immature edible pods, which are 5 to 20 cm. long.

The pods, creamy-white to dark green contain a mucilaginous substancethat thickens soups and stews. They are also eaten boiled or fried. Podsmaybe preserved in brine, canned or frozen for future use. The stem andmature pods contain a fiber which maybe used in the manufacture of paper.

Adaptation:

A fertile, sandy loam soil is most ideal for the plants growth anddevelopment. The plant is best adapted to a climate with a long, warmgrowing season. A monthly maximum average temperature of 35 degreeC with a minimum average above 18 degree C provides optimumconditions for good growth and the development of high quality pods.Okra maybe raised at elevations from the sea level up to 30 m. above. Itis grown throughout the year.

Varieties :

Clemson Spineless is an American variety, 1,5 m tall. It produces longthick pods with moderate ridging. The leaves are deeply lobed andspineless. Maturity days after transplant is 60- 70. Pod is short tapered,ridged and spineless, color is medium green. Emerald has pods that arevery dark green, slender, smooth and spineless. The plants are dwarf andvigorous with dark green leaves.

Maturity after transplant is 50 to 60 days. Pod length 17-22 cm.


44/86

Other: Perkins long Pod, Red burgundy, Puso, Mexican


From 8 to 10 kilos of okra seeds plant a hectare. Okra is usually plantedtwice a year, from April to June and October to January. Seeds arebroadcast or drilled in furrows 80 cm apart. Seeding rate is 5 k. perhectare. First thinning is made when seedlings are 5 cm. tall. A week later, the second thinning is performed and when seedlings are about 30cm. tall, another thinning is made, leaving the plants spaced 20 to 30 cmapart in rows.

Hoeing or cultivation to control the weeds should be shallow.Diphenamid has used as pre-emergence herbicide treatment. During thedry season, supplemental irrigation will be of importance in maintaininggrowth of the crop. Forty to 50 k. of nitrogen per ha. should be appliedbefore planting. When pods begin to set, as side dressing of 15 to 20 k.of nitrogen per ha. can contribute to continued plant growth and canimprove yield. Too much nitrogen before pod set can delay the harvest.


1. Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner. The larvae vary incolor from light-green or pink to brown or nearly black. The body hastwo dorsal stripes in the whole length. The larvae bore holes in the pods.The pest is controlled by spraying.

Control - Spray with Malathion. Allow about 5 days after an applicationbefore harvesting pods.

2. Melon Aphids, Aphisgossypii Glover. These are soft body tinyinsects that are green or yellowish-green in color. They suck the plantsap that causes distortion and curling of the leaves and stunting of theplants.

Control - Apply Malathion or Diazinon as a dust or spray at the raterecommended by the manufacturer.


45/86

3. Flea beetle, Nisotra gemella Erich. These flea beetles are small,bluish-black insects, they feed on the undersides of leaves. Feedingresults in the development of holes.

Control - Spray with Sevin insecticides.


1. Podspot of Okra. The disease is caused by the fungusAscochyyta Abelmoschci Harter. It is characterized by the appearanceof dark, water soaked lesions on the young pods. These slowly enlargeand then finally turn brown, making pods unsuitable for marketing.

Control - crop rotation, sanitation and use of resistant varieties are therecommended control measures.

2. Root-knot Nematode. This is disease caused by several speciesof nematodes under the genus Meloidogyne. The symptoms are galling orswelling of the roots, yellowing and stunting. The disease causes serious

reduction in yield.

Control - Treat soil with nematicide art the rate recommended by themanufacturer. Another method is through crop rotation with non-susceptible crops.


Studies showed that pods 4 to 6 days old are highest in table quality. It isat this stage that the greatest increase in pod weight, length and diameteroccur. Harvesting every 3 to 4 days result in a prolonged and continuousfruiting period with a harvest of 3 times as many pods as when the podsare allowed to mature. Under tropical conditions, harvesting daily orevery other day is advisable in commercial production.

Harvested pods must be handled carefully to prevent bruising andsubsequent discoloration.


46/86

ONION

Though onion is largely used as an article of food and a condiment, itspopularity in India is due to its medical uses.

Varieties:

GREEN SEEDS COMPANY LTD has three types of onion categorizedaccording to their skin color:

1. Yellow Skin Type

Early Texas Grano - It has medium early maturity 135 to 145. Bulb islarge, light yellow, top shape, Flesh is mild sweet. Storage is poor.Disease tolerance, PRR.

Yellow Spanish - late maturity. Globe shape, large, color is brownyellow. Flesh is mild, storage is fair.

F1 Goldor - short day hybrid. 2 weeks earlier than Granex. Firm, Longstorage. Slightly pungent. Dark yellow skin.

2. Red Skin Type

Red Creole - Late maturity 190 days, Bulb is flat medium size, color redbuff, flesh is slightly pungent, good storage.

Violet de Galmi - Very early and well adapted in tropical and subtropicalareas. Flat thick bulb. Very purple red colored skin, thin neck mediumlarge size. Very pungent taste. Very good keeper for long storage. Highdry matter content. Harvest 130 to 140 days after direct sowing.

Other varieties :Red Spanish and Rouge de Tana

3. White Skin Type


47/86

Blanc de Galmi - short day variety. Early and well adapted to tropicaland subtropical areas. Flat thick bulb. Pure white color. Medium largesize. Pungent taste. Good keeper for long storage. High dry mattercontent, very good for dehydrator. Harvest 130 to 140 days after directsowing.

Other variety: Crystal White Wax

Adaptation:

Climatic and Soil Requirements - Onion, being a tropical and semi-tropical bulb plant, requires sufficient moisture and cool weather fordevelopment and less amount of moisture and warm weather for bulbformation and subsequent maturity. In most bulb onion-growing areas inthe Philippines, these conditions exist from the later part of September toJanuary for vegetative development and from later part of January toMarch for bulbing and maturity. The plant grows well in soils varyingfrom the clay sandy loam as exemplified by those of Bongabong andLaur in Nueva Ecija and by those of Lemery and Taal in Batangas, to thesilty clay loam of Munoz and Cabanatuan city in Nueva Ecija.

Elevation - The plant thrives from sea level as in Curimao, Ilocos Norte,and Taal and Lemery in Batangas, to around 5,000 ft. above sea level asin Baguio.

Months of planting - The best months for planting onion are fromSeptember to January when moisture and climatic conditions arefavorable for top growth and, subsequently, for initial bulb formation.

Nutritional Requirements - Jacob and Uexkull (1963) showed that theamounts of nutrients removed by 11 metric tons of onion crop from ahectare were 87 kg. of nitrogen, 44 kg of phosphorous and 132 kg of potash, or a proportion of about 2-1-3, respectively.

There are two general cultural methods of planting onion, namely: (1)clean culture and (2) mulched culture.


48/86

Clean Culture - In this method, the soil is deficiently moist. It is preparedby hoeing or by plowing and harrowing to pulverize the soil, freeing itfrom thrushes and weeds and weed seedlings; and reducing it to a finefilth. After leveling, one or double rows in the backyard or field aremarked and the necessary amount of fertilizer is broadcast along themarked rows. In the field, double row bed planting is preferred foreconomy in spacing, weeding, cultivating and irrigating.

The distance between rows in double-row planting varies from 25 to 40cm while that of the double row beds varies from 70 to 100 cm fromeach other. The double row beds are made with the use of a tractorprovided with a ridge or with a native disc plow which hills up the soilinto beds 15 to 20 cm high. In the fertilized rows, the plant materials aredrilled or planted.

Mulch culture - This is the method of growing onion in places where ricestraw is easily available. Onion is the crop that is usually planted afterharvesting rice. Where weeds are abundant, the field is plowed andharrowed. Otherwise, the rice field is fertilized by the broadcast method,the rice stalks are laid neatly to a thickness of about 6 to 8 cm. and then

planted to either onion seedlings or onion sets. If the feet sink in the soil,it is first drained before any other farm operations are done. Draining isusually done in Munoz rice fields, whereas in Curimao, where soilmoisture is usually deficient, the field is first flushed with water followedby draining before fertilizing it. After broadcasting the fertilizer, mulchingand planting follow in that order.

Planting - For bulb production, three planting materials are used, namely:

(1) seeds, (2) seedlings, and (3) sets.Seeds - When seeds are used as the planting materials, they are drilled inthe fertilized rows, 1 to 2 cm deep, deeper in clay sandy loam than insandy clay loam soils. The spacing between plants is about 7 to 10 cm incommercial planting. The rate of seedling varies from about 5.0 to 6 kgper ha. When the seedlings are about 20 cm. tall, some may be pulled asgreen onions.


49/86

Seedlings - Seedlings are raised in seedbeds, in a greenhouse or in theopen. Seedling rate is 1 kilo per 3.5 sq.m.bed. Seedlings are planted 7 to10 cm. apart in the rows when they are 40 to 55 days old. In mulchedfield, the seedlings are set below the rice straw with only the rootsburied.

Sets - Sets are seedlings grown from seeds sown thick ( 15 grams/onesq.m.bed) on poor land, so as to arrest growth. Like culls from anordinary harvest, they are stored dry in airtight containers and winteredartificially in cold storage. The procedure of planting them is the same asfor seedlings. Onion sets produce green onion or early onion bulbs.

Cultivation - In clean culture fields, the plants are cultivated as soon asthe seedlings are discernible in the rows. This is done by hand, using hoeor trowel. This method of cultivation is laborious and costly, hence, adouble wheeled straddle- cultivator should be used to kill the weeds andpulverize about 3 cm. deep of the surface soil when the young plants areabout 7 cm. high.

Irrigation - Onion fields are irrigated by gravity or by allowing the water

to play between the beds of plants four to eight times during the growingperiod. Drying or oversaturation of the field must be avoided.

Pruning - When the seedlings are transplanted, clipping the leaves is notadvisable, however, it is recommended lifted seedlings be trimmed whentransplanting both by the clean or mulched culture.

Inter-cropping - Onion can be interplanted with fruit trees such as atis,

balimbing, lime, grapes, guyabano, kalamias, papaya and black pepper.When the fruit tree or black pepper starts bearing, inter-cropping indiscontinued.

Fertilizer application - the field or row for onion is fertilized beforemulching or planting. An application with 250 to 350 kg/ha. of 1:1mixture by weight of Urea and 14-14-14 or 12-24-12 or 350 to 400 kg.of 2:1 mixture of ammonium sulfate and 14-14-14 or 12-24-12 is verygood for onions.


50/86

In seedbed of onion seedlings, about 8 tbs. of ammonium sulfatedissolved in one petroleum tank of water are applied when the seedlingsare about two weeks old. About one evaporated milk tank, alsodissolved in the same quantity of water, is applied when seedlings are 31/2 weeks old.


Pest and their Control

1. Thrips ( Thrip tabaci Lind). These are small, winged insectsfeeding on leaves causing drying from tip to base. They are bestcontrolled with a spray of 15 E.C EPN- 300 at the rate of 3 tbs. pergallons. of water. Addition of one teaspoonful of sticker in the spraysolution makes control more effective.

2. Noctuid leaf- eating worms- There are several species of theseinsects and they are as follows:

1. Agrothis ypsilon ( Rett)

2. Calogramma festiva (Denovan)3. Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)4. Spodoptera exigua (Hubner)

The worms are greenish with black, longitudinal bands. They are leaf feeders. Best controlled by spraying the plants with EPN-300 at the rateof 3 tbs. Per 5 gallons of water with Imidan 50 W.P at the rate of 3 leveltablespoonfuls per gallon of water. The addition of a sticker makes the

solution more effective.Diseases and their Control:

1. Onion smut- The disease is caused by Urocystis cepulaee Frost.The symptoms appear as dark, thickened areas at the base of theseedling leaf. As new leaves develop, they become infected, swollen andbent downward, causing the seedlings to die or produce small bulbs. Thedisease is best controlled by dusting the furrows with Sulforon or coating


51/86

the seeds. Arasan at the rate of 4.6 to 5.4 kilos per ha. as dust in thefurrows also provides control for the disease.

2. Purple Blotch - This disease is caused by Alternaria porri (Ell)Cff. The distinguishing feature is the appearance of small sunken, white,circular or irregular spots with purple centers on the leaves. The spotscoalesce and the leaves turn yellow and may dry in three weeks time.Then the fungus attacks the bulbs, causing them to turn yellow, then redto brown and ultimately, black.

Control - Control can be made by spraying the plants with Manzate atthe rate of 1 tbs. per gallon of water. The other methods of control arecrop rotation and sanitation.

3. Onion Pink Rot - Infects roots turn pink, then shrivel and die.Affected plants produce small bulbs that are of no commercial value. Theuse of resistant varieties is recommended in preventing loss from thedisease.

Index of Maturity - Topping over of the vegetative part is the index of

maturity of onion in the field.

Age of Harvest- The age of onion at harvested time varies with thevariety (refer to brochure).

Procedure of Harvesting - Onion bulbs are harvested by pulling the topswith either the bare left or right hand. If the weather is fine, they are left inthe field in windrows for one or three days. If the tops are to be clipped,

they are held with the thumb, fore and middle finger just above thegrowing point and the necks cut-off with a knife or pair of scissors. Thebulbs are placed in baskets or slatted crates and brought to the curingshed or direct to the market.

Care of Harvest (Curing) - The clipped bulbs are cleaned and sorted.Those with bruises or with large necks and undersized are immediatelybrought to the market. Sound bulbs are arranged in one layer on airy,slatted floors. The top of the bulbs brought to the shed are either cut,


52/86

twisted off, or braided in 50 to 100 bulbs before curing. Curing of onionbulbs extends to a period of seven or more days.

Storage - The storage, without losing the quality of onion for anappreciable period, is done by piling them either on fine river sand,sawdust, rice hull or rice straw. Of these three media, rice hull is good forRed Creole, sand for Red Creole and rice straw for Granex. Storage inthis manner has no significant differences between varieties. This is basedon observations made for a period of eight months.

Reference: Cultural Directions for Phil. Agricultural Crops.


53/86

LEEK (Onion Green)

Green onion is one of most important vegetable crops in the Philippines.When grown and properly blanched, it is mild and tender. Generally,green onion is eaten raw, but at times it is used in flavoring soup, stew,rice noodle and salad. Its stems and leaves are also used in thepreparation of pickles.

Varieties:

Large Long Summer - Very early maturity 4 months from transplantfoliage is medium green, shanks length 20 to 25 cm, diameter 2.3 to 3cm. widely adapted, very fast growing.

Others: Carentan, American Flag

Adaptation:

Leek or green onions are generally grown in the highlands like Baguioand the mountain trails, but GREEN Co. s variety is well adapted to thelowlands.

Soil Requirements - Green onions is not exacting in its soil requirements.It grows in sandy loam to heavy clay soils. Better crop is obtainable in asandy loam that is rich in humus and plant nutrients. Soil of mediumacidity is preferable for growing the crop. The field must have adequatedrainage.

Months of planting - While green onions are commonly planted in anyseason the year, the plants thrive best from August to March.


Land Preparation - The land is plowed and harrowed several times until

the soil is brought to a fine tilth. Multiple rows are prepared. Generally,


54/86

two to three rows make up a multiple row. Distance between rows is 30to 40 cm.Propagation - By seed or transplant. A hectare of land requires 2 to 3 k.of seeds. The seeds are sown in seed boxes or seedbeds containingsterilized soil. The seeds are sown thinly down to 2 cm. deep and 8 cm.apart in the rows of a seed box or seedbed. Seedlings are ready fortransplanting 40 to 70 days from sowing.

Planting and Spacing - Direct seedling is done by drilling the seeds thinlyalong the rows. Seeds are covered with the fine soil up to a depth of 1cm. Seedlings are then thinned to have a spacing of about 20 cm.between plants.

Cultivation, Irrigation and Weeding - Cultivation, irrigation and weedingis done in the same manner for all methods of planting. As the plantdevelop, the soil is ridged towards the base. Two or four ridging areconsidered enough to provide the plants with the necessary cultivation,weeding and blanching for the development of long, tender stems of leaf sheaths. The interval of irrigating the plants depends largely upon theweather and soil conditions in the locality. In using mulch, cultivation and

weeding are not very necessary. Irrigate when the soil begins to crack.Under normal conditions only one irrigation is needed.

Fertilizer Application - Liberal applications of fertilizer should bepracticed. Apply about 10 tons of chicken manure per hectare. This issupplemented with the application of nitrogenous fertilizers such asammonium sulfate at the rate of about 100 to 150 kg. per ha. If commercial fertilizers are to be used alone, 250 to 300 kg of fertilizer

12-24-12 mixture per ha. is applied during the preparation of the land.To get maximum yield, about 100 to 150 kg. per ha. of ammoniumsulfate or its equivalent from other nitrogenous fertilizers are side dressedat banking time.


Pests and diseases of green onion are the same as those that attack bulbonion.


55/86

Harvesting and Handling:

Maturity of GREEN Co. varieties are early. It ranges from 4 monthsfrom transplant to medium late depending on the variety.



56/86

CHINESE CABBAGE PAK CHOI

(Pechay)Pechay originated from china. It is a very popular leafy vegetable amongFilipino housewives, being found practically in all markets throughout thecountry almost all the year round.

Varieties:

Pak Choi White

Loose leave type. Early maturity 40-45 days after transplant. Petioles isround thick, pure white. Leaves are smooth round, dark green in color.

Climatic and Soil Requirements:

Pechay can be grown under almost any climate and it be producedthroughou

Date post:	07-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	manny-quibinit
View:	221 times
Download:	0 times

Phil Veg Growing

Documents