Panax Ginseng (also commonly referred to as Asian or Korean Ginseng) is considered to be an adaptogen, a therapeutic and restorative tonic generally considered to produce a balancing effect on the body, and is believed to have anti-stress and endurance-enhancing effects. Panax Ginseng plant has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The plant part used is the root and the active constituents are ginsenosides. Ginseng is any one of eleven species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae. Ginseng is found only in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America and in eastern Asia (mostly Korea, northern China (Manchuria), and eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates. Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng known. This article focuses on the Series Panax ginsengs, which are the adaptogenic herbs, principally Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius. Ginseng is characterized by the presence of ginsenosides. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is in the same family, but not genus, as true Ginseng. Like Ginseng, it is considered to be an adaptogenic herb. The active compounds in Siberian Ginseng are eleutherosides, not ginsenosides. Instead of a fleshy root, Siberian Ginseng has a woody root. Etymology The English word ginseng derives from the Chinese term rénsh?n . Rén means "man" and sh?n means a kind of herb; this refers to the root's characteristic forked shape, which resembles the legs of a man. The English pronunciation derives from a southern Chinese reading, similar to Cantonese yun sum and the Hokkien pronunciation "jîn-sim". The botanical/genus name Panax means "all-heal" in Greek, sharing the same origin as "panacea", and was applied to this genus because Linnaeus was aware of its wide use in Chinese medicine as a muscle relaxant. Besides Panax ginseng, there are many other plants which are also known as or mistaken for the ginseng root. The most commonly known examples are Xiyangshen, also known as American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), Japanese ginseng (Panax japonicus), crown prince ginseng (Pseudostellaria heterophylla), and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Although all have the name ginseng, each plant has distinctively different functions. However, true ginseng plants belong to the Panax genus. How to Plant and Cultivated Panax Ginseng Ginseng root is commonly used in herbal remedies. Ginseng is a slow growing plant. It takes at least five years for the roots to reach maturity. The process to prepare Ginseng seeds for planting is difficult. Many gardeners choose to purchase stratified seeds from cultivators for planting. This cultivated Ginseng seed is easier to plant than starting the process from an uncultivated seed. Ginseng should be planted in the fall prior to the ground freezing for the winter. The planting site should be in deep shade, such as underneath a tree. Instructions 1.Dig a half-inch deep hole for each Ginseng seed you are planting. The holes should be 6 inches apart from one another. 2.Place one seed in each hole. 3.Cover the holes back up with dirt. 4.Cover the entire area with 1 inch of mulch. Tips & Warnings Ginseng is low maintenance after it is planted. It can grow completely unattended once planted. The only difficult part is the stratification process, which is not needed when using cultivated Ginseng seeds. How to Care for a Ginseng Plant Known for its many medicinal properties, the ginseng plant has been cultivated and used for centuries--as far back as prehistoric times in China." Ginseng's supposed benefits--decreasing stress, ability to increase bodily endurance, and ability to protect cells against damage, among others--are still desirable today, and because of that, ginseng plants are grown all over the world. Ginseng can be difficult to cultivate, but more than anything else, a ginseng plant needs time to become fully mature and harvestable. Instructions 1. Choose a proper location. For a ginseng plant, this is critical to its success, whether planting it in the ground or keeping it in a pot. Ginseng thrives in dappled sunlight---its native habitat is the forest floor. Too much sun or shade will be prohibitive to the plant's success. Ginseng "requires 80 percent shade to thrive." 2. Make sure the soil is right for the plant. A soil pH of 5 to 6.5 is ideal. The precise composition of the soil is not as important, however, as the soil possessing two important properties: the ability to drain well and maintain moisture. Although these properties seem to be contradictory, they exist commonly beneath the detritus on the forest floor. If your plant is potted, it shouldn't be allowed to dry out--water it as regularly as necessary to keep it moist, but never soggy, because the root is susceptible to several types of root rot. 3.The needs of a ginseng plant are few if it has a good location (right light and soil). Given time--five to 10 years, to be precise--the plant's root should be large enough to harvest. If the plant is not in a woodland habitat, cover the top soil in late fall, adding a mulch to imitate the process in the forest. Keep weeds away from the plant to lessen chances for transference of fungal diseases. Tips & Warnings There are many threats to ginseng plants, including pests, diseases, small animals that dig them up, droughts or floods, and human ginseng hunters. It is recommended that ginseng be cultivated on private property, and not near places known to be frequented by ginseng hunters. Also, higher-altitude regions are more successful ginseng-growing areas, simply because they are not as warm as lower-altitude regions. Traditional uses Ginseng is a versatile medicinal plant, it help alleviate symptoms of insomnia and stress. The Chinese made ginseng famous, it has been used in Chinese medicines for years. Just recently it has become familiar in the United States. The ginseng plant is not easy to grow, the ginseng takes six years to grow. This is why it is an exceptional valuable plant. The plant can grow up to three feet tall, and is known for its odor and spicy taste. The ginseng originated in Korea and China. In ancient times it could be found growing in the wild. It is now grown for commercial industry in China. Both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, as well as for sexual dysfunction in men. The root is most often available in dried form, either whole or sliced. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used; as with the root, it is most often available in dried form. This ingredient may also be found in some energy drinks, often the "tea" varieties; in these products, ginseng is usually present in subclinical doses and does not have measurable medicinal effects. It can be found in cosmetic preparations as well, but has not been shown to have clinically effective results. Modern science and ginseng Ginsenosides are the active compounds that distinguish the Panax species, and the beneficial ginsenosides are contained in the fleshy portions of the plant. There are many manufacturers of ginseng products who, knowingly or unknowingly, actually use counterfeit products or ginseng leaves instead of roots. Herbal companies who follow Good Manufacturing Practices regularly test for the quality, potency, and species authentication of herbs using cross-sectional microscopic examination, thin layer chromatography, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). One study found HPLC is especially useful in the differentiation and authentication of Panax ginseng from Panax quinquefolius due to the unambiguous distinction of slightly varying isotypes of ginsenoside compounds. Ginseng is noted for being an adaptogen, one which can, to a certain extent, be supported with reference to its anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. Some studies have found no adaptogen responses in animal studies (Survival test on mice swimming). Many studies have been done with varying results using only ginseng extracts. However, when ginseng is used in combination with other traditional Chinese herbs, the synergistic effects had many more definitive and positive results. For example, Si Jun Zi Tang, a traditional Chinese formula, the main ingredient of which is ginseng, has been shown in multiple studies to have radioprotective effects, preventing a decrease in the hematocrit during radiotherapy. In research, it has been difficult to either verify or quantify the exact medicinal benefits of ginseng using science, as there are contradictory results from different studies, possibly due to the wide variety and quality of ginseng used in the tests. High-quality studies of the effects of ginseng in the United States are rare. However, many high-quality, double blind, randomized controlled trials have been done in Asian countries, such as China, South Korea and Japan. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), similar to Panax ginseng in that they both contain the active component ginsenoside, is distinguished in traditional Chinese medicine theory by having a cold property while the property of ginseng is warm. Japanese ginseng, though the same species as ginseng, is thought to have cooling properties similar to American ginseng due to the difference in cultivation environment. American ginseng has been shown in various studies to have a beneficial effect for diabetes in the regulation of blood sugar levels. A comparative, randomized and double-blind study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico indicated it may be "a promising dietary supplement" when assessed for an increase in quality of life. A randomized, double-blind study showed that an extract of American ginseng reduced influenza cases in the elderly when compared to placebo. A recent study at the University of Hong Kong has identified ginseng to have anti-inflammatory effects. The study found of the nine ginsenosides they identified, seven could selectively inhibit expression of the inflammatory gene CXCL-10. P. ginseng appear to inhibit some characteristics associated with cancer in animal models; nevertheless, this effect is unclear in humans. A randomized, double-blind pilot study noted Ginseng appeared to reduce fatigue in cancer patients. There are references in literature, including authoritative compendia, that show interactions with ginseng. Herbalist Jonathan Treasure of the British National Institute of Medical Herbalists traces the growth of misinformation on an alleged adverse herb-drug interaction between the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng C.A. Meyer). This originally was mentioned in a 1985 editorial by Shader and Greenblatt in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Shader and Greenblatt devoted a couple of lines to the case of a 64-year-old woman who took an undisclosed dose for an undisclosed time of a dietary supplement product called "Natrol High" while concurrently taking phenelzine 60 mg qd. She experienced symptoms of "insomnia, headache, and tremulousness". Treasure contacted Natrol by e-mail and discovered within ten minutes that there was no P. ginseng in the formula, but instead Eleutherococcus senticosus which was then called by the popular name "Siberian ginseng", and it was given in a subclinical dosage mixed with a variety of other herbs. The purported interaction effects are well-known side effects of phenelzine alone, which had been given in a high dosage and are not at all suggestive of Eleutherococcus. However, this misinformed article with a misidentified herb has been picked up in literature searches and megastudies, and is now documented by conventional medical authorities, such as Stockley's, and is repeated in several botanical monographs, e.g. World Health Organization . Ginseng and reproductive activity A 2002 study by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (published in the annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) found that in laboratory animals, both Asian and American forms of ginseng enhance libido and copulatory performance. These effects of ginseng may not be due to changes in hormone secretion, but to direct effects of ginseng or its ginsenoside components on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues. In males, ginsenosides can facilitate penile erection. This is consistent with traditional Chinese medicine and Korean medicine medicinal uses of ginseng. Ginseng is known to contain phytoestrogens. In some studies, ginseng has been demonstrated to have a stimulating effect on the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of gonadotropins. Another study found that in young mice, it speeds up the development of reproductive organs, while in adult male mice, it stimulates the production of sperm, and lengthens the estrus period in female mice. Side effects According to a Sports Nutrition FAQ published by UMass Amherst, one of P. ginseng's most common side effects is the inability to sleep. However, other sources state ginseng causes no sleep difficulties. Other side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, nose bleeds, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and breast pain. Ginseng may also lead to induction of mania in depressed patients who mix it with antidepressants. Ginseng has been shown to have adverse drug reactions with phenelzine and warfarin, but has been shown to decrease blood alcohol levels. Overdose The common adaptogen ginsengs (P. ginseng and P. quinquefolia) are generally considered to be relatively safe even in large amounts. One of the most common and characteristic symptoms of acute overdose of Panax ginseng is bleeding. Symptoms of mild overdose with Panax ginseng may include dry mouth and lips, excitation, fidgeting, irritability, tremor, palpitations, blurred vision, headache, insomnia, increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, edema, decreased appetite, increased sexual desire, dizziness, itching, eczema, early morning diarrhea, bleeding, and fatigue. Symptoms of gross overdose with Panax ginseng may include nausea, vomiting, irritability, restlessness, urinary and bowel incontinence, fever, increased blood pressure, increased respiration, decreased sensitivity and reaction to light, decreased heart rate, cyanotic (blue) facial complexion, red facial complexion, seizures, convulsions, and delirium. Patients experiencing any of the above symptoms are advised to discontinue the herbs and seek any necessary symptomatic treatment. Common classification P. quinquefolius American ginseng (root) According to traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng promotes yin energy, cleans excess yang and calms the body. The reason it has been claimed that American ginseng promotes yin (shadow, cold, negative, female) while Asian ginseng promotes yang (sunshine, hot, positive, male) is because, according to traditional Chinese medicine, things living in cold places or northern side of mountains or southern side of rivers are strong in yang and vice versa, so that the two are balanced. Chinese/Korean ginseng grows in Manchuria and Korea, the coldest area known to many Koreans in ancient times. Thus, ginseng from there is supposed to be very yang. Originally, American ginseng was imported into China via subtropical Guangzhou, the seaport next to Hong Kong, so Chinese doctors believed American ginseng must be good for yin, because it came from a hot area. They did not know, however, that American ginseng can only grow in temperate regions. Nonetheless, the root is legitimately classified as more yin because it generates fluids. The two main components of ginseng are claimed to be in different proportions in the Asian and American varieties, and are speculated to be the cause of the excitatory versus tonic natures. The ginseng is traditionally hewn and a few slices are simmered in hot water to make a decoction. Most North American ginseng is produced in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia and the American state of Wisconsin, according to Agri-food Canada. P. quinquefolius is now also grown in northern China. The aromatic root resembles a small parsnip that forks as it matures. The plant grows 6 to 18 inches tall, usually bearing three leaves, each with three to five leaflets two to five inches long. Panax ginseng Asian ginseng (root) Panax ginseng is available in four forms: The form called fresh ginseng is the raw product. The form called white ginseng (WG) is fresh ginseng which has been dried. It is grown for four to six years, and then peeled and dried to reduce the water content to 12% or less. White ginseng is air dried in the sun and may contain less of the therapeutic constituents. It is thought by some that enzymes contained in the root break down these constituents in the process of drying. Drying in the sun bleaches the root to a yellowish-white color. The form called red ginseng (RG) is harvested after six years, is not peeled and is steam-cured at standard boiling temperatures of 100 °C (212 °F), thereby giving it a glossy reddish-brown color. Steaming the root is thought to change its biochemical composition and also to prevent the breakdown of the active ingredients. The roots are then dried. RG is more common as herbal medicine than WG, and there is increasing research on the pharmacological activities of RG specific ginsenoside. The form called sun ginseng (SG) is created from a heat processing method which increases ginsenoside components such as ginsenoside-[Rg.sub.3], -[Rk.sub.1] and -[Rg.sub.5] by steaming white ginseng at a higher temperature than red ginseng. The herb is steamed for three hours at 120 °C (248 °F). Research has shown that SG has increased nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite scavenging activities compared with conventionally processed RG or WG. The increased steaming temperature produces an optimal amount of biological activity due to its ability to amplify specific ginsenosides. Japanese researchers set out to investigate the antioxidant effect of SG on oxidative stress. Red ginseng Red ginseng (Hangul; Hanja; RR: hong-sam, simplified Chinese; traditional Chinese; pinyin: hóng s?n), is Panax ginseng that has been heated, either through steaming or sun-drying. It is frequently marinated in an herbal brew which results in the root becoming extremely brittle. This version of ginseng is traditionally associated with stimulating sexual function and increasing energy. Red ginseng is always produced from cultivated roots, generally from Korea. In 2002, a preliminary double-blind, crossover study of Korean red ginseng's effects on impotence reported that it can be an effective alternative for treating male erectile dysfunction, during which 60% of study participants noted an improvement in ability to produce an erection. Another study reported red ginseng reduced the relapse of gastric cancer versus control. A study of ginseng's effects on rats found that while both white ginseng and red ginseng appear to reduce the incidence of cancer, the effects appear to be greater with red ginseng. A study by Sung H, Jung YS, Cho YK. showed potentially beneficial effects of a combination of Korean red ginseng and highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients. Falcarinol, a seventeen-carbon diyne fatty alcohol was isolated from carrot and red ginseng, and was thought to have potent anticancer properties on primary mammary epithelial (breast cancer) cells. Other acetylenic fatty alcohols in ginseng (panaxacol, panaxydol and panaxytriol) have antibiotic properties. Wild ginseng Wild ginseng is that which grows naturally and is harvested from wherever it is found to be growing. Wild ginseng is relatively rare, and even increasingly endangered, due in large part to high demand for the product in recent years, which has led to the wild plants being sought out and harvested faster than new ones can grow (it requires years for a root to reach maturity). Wild ginseng can be either Asian or American, and can be processed to be red ginseng. There are woods-grown American ginseng programs in Maine, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Kentucky, and United Plant Savers has been encouraging the woods planting of ginseng both to restore natural habitats and to remove pressure from any remaining wild ginseng, and they offer both advice and sources of rootlets. Woods-grown plants have a value comparable to wild-grown ginseng of similar age. Ginseng alternatives These mostly "adaptogenic" plants are sometimes referred to as ginsengs, but they are either from a different family or genus. Only jiaogulan actually contains compounds closely related to ginsenosides, although ginsenosides alone do not determine the effectiveness of ginseng. Since each of these plants has different uses, one should research their properties before using. Schisandra chinensis (five flavoured berry) Gynostemma pentaphyllum (southern ginseng, jiaogulan) Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) Pseudostellaria heterophylla (prince ginseng) Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng, ashwagandha) Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng, suma) Lepidium meyenii (Peruvian ginseng, maca) {Note: Maca has absolutely nothing to do with ginseng.} Oplopanax horridus (Alaskan ginseng) Other plants which are referred to as ginsengs may not be adaptogens (although notoginseng is in the genus Panax): Angelica sinensis (female ginseng, dong quai) Panax notoginseng (known as san qi, tian qi or tien chi, hemostatic ingredient in Yunnan Bai Yao) Medicinal Uses of Ginseng Ginseng has been used in herbal remedies for centuries . Uses of Ginseng Asian ginseng is used as a general tonic by modern Western herbalists as well as by traditional Chinese practitioners. It is thought to gently stimulate and strengthen the central nervous system in cases of fatigue, physical exertion, weakness from disease and injury, and prolonged emotional stress. Ginseng's most widespread use is among the elderly. It is reported to help control diabetes, improve blood pressure and heart action, reduce cholesterol levels, and reduce mental confusion, headaches, and weakness among the elderly. Asian ginseng's affinity for the nervous system and its ability to promote relaxation makes it useful for stress-related conditions such as insomnia and anxiety. Serious athletes may benefit from the use of Asian ginseng with improved stamina and endurance. The Asian species also is reported to be a sexual tonic and aphrodisiac, useful in maintaining the reproductive organs and sexual desire into old age and to help prevent or reverse erectile dysfunction associated with prostate diseases or stress. Animal and human studies have shown Asian ginseng possibly reduces the occurrence of cancer: Ginseng preparations increase production of immune cells, which may boost immune function. Ginseng contains many complex saponins, referred to as ginsenosides and panaxosides. Ginsenosides have been extensively studied and found to have numerous complex actions, including the following: They stimulate bone marrow production, stimulate the immune system, inhibit tumor growth, balance blood sugar, stabilize blood pressure, and detoxify the liver, among many other tonic effects. Ginseng also contains numerous other constituents, yet no one constituent has been identified as the most active. In fact, many of the individual constituents have been shown to have opposite actions. Like all plant medicine, the activity is due to the sum total of all the substances. Ginseng Preparations and Dosage Due to the widespread and age-old use of ginseng, ways to prepare, ingest, and dose it abound, thus no single recommendation can be made. Ginseng is dried for teas, powdered and encapsulated, candied, tinctured, and made into concentrates and syrups. Many herbalists recommend using ginseng in an on-and-off pattern of several weeks on and then a week or two off. Not only does ginseng seem more effective this way, but this regimen reduces the likelihood of overstimulation and side effects. Ginseng Precautions and Warnings Ginseng is one of the better-researched plants, and no serious toxicity has ever been reported. Many of the symptoms of toxicity associated with taking large doses of ginseng products (such as sleeplessness and irritability) can be traced to adulteration of the ginseng with the toxic herb aconite. Due to its purported hormonal activity, ginseng should be avoided during pregnancy. Some cases of hypertension are aggravated by ginseng, while others are improved; consult an herbalist, naturopathic physician, or other practitioner trained in the use of herbal medicine for the use of ginseng in hypertension. Side Effects of Ginseng The Chinese consider the Asian species Panax ginseng a yang tonic, so it is not used in those who have what traditional Chinese medicine refers to as yang excess, or excess heat. This means that people who are warm or red in the face (such as menopausal women) or those who have high blood pressure or rapid heartbeat should not use Asian ginseng. American ginseng is much better suited to this type of person. But conversely, American ginseng should not be used in those who are cold or pale or in those with a slow heartbeat. Possible side effects of Asian ginseng use include, curiously, some of the symptoms it is prescribed for: hypertension, insomnia, nervousness, and irritability. Acne and diarrhea are also occasionally reported. Seek advice from an herbalist or naturopathic physician who can determine if ginseng is appropriate for you and, if so, can recommend an appropriate dose. Due to potential hormonal activity, Asian ginseng can promote menstrual changes and breast tenderness on occasion. The side effects caused by ginseng resolve quickly once the herb is discontinued. Jennifer Brett, N.D. is director of the Acupuncture Institute for the University of Bridgeport, where she also serves on the faculty for the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Use of these remedies in connection with over the counter or prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

Resin from Agathis philippinensis (Almaciga or Dayungon) is a good material for varnish according to researchers at the Forest Products Research and Development Institute in Los Baños. Several formulas were studied to find the best varnish from almaciga resin. The tree in soft and usually used for Christmas tree. It grows abundantly in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10. Six formulas were tried using powdered resin melted in 95% ethyl alcohol or lacquer thinner with lumbang oil. This type of varnish is hot and cold resistant. It is not significantly affected with hot coffee or cold softdrinks poured on it. It is hoped that this resin will become popular because of its simple and cheap preparation. Almaciga Resin Almaciga resin is one of our major forest products exported to other countries. It is widely known as Manila Copal. Some of its industrial uses include paint glass, varnish, plastic, linoleum, printing ink, and fuel for torch. Almaciga tree grows in almost all mountainous forests, but most particularly in Quezon, Zambales, Palawan, Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, Samar, Zamboanga and Davao. High export quality products are those that come from Palawan and Quezon. Procedures: 1. Almaciga tree with 35.5 cm. diameter can be tapped for resin. 2. The total length of the cut is about 1/3 of the total tree circumference. Each cut is 30 cm long and 1-12 cm wide with a 30 cm space between each cut. 3. More cuts could be made out of a big trees compared to small ones. A tree with 115-155 cm diameter may be cut 5-6 times while only one for smaller trees. 4. The quality of resin taken during summer is higher than those taken during season. 5. Resin has a higher quality if it is clean. Cut hardened resin into small pieces, soak in water for a week, then air dry. Grind firmly and place in 95% ethyl alcohol to melt. First class quality resin melts in 97% ethyl alcohol. 6. Almaciga trees grown in lowland produce more resin than those grown in the highlands. The bark from the lower part of the tree is soft and thick and produce more resin.

The Philippines needs to put policies needed to bring to the poor genetically modified (GM) crops like the Vitamin A-rich rice to help solve worsening hunger problem globally. Food production needs to be raised by 70 to 100 percent in the next 30 years according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This is as population is seen to rise to nine billion by 2050 from the present seven billion. And GM technology can raise food production and nutrient level in crops, making it possible to meet the increasing food demand, according to Dr. Wayne Parrott of the University of Georgia-Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics. Parrott visited the Philippines last week in the aftermath of the uprooting of Golden Rice plants under field trial in Camarines Sur. While GM crops are a positive development, the government has to make decisions that will determine whether this increase in food production will happen. “We have the technology to meet the need of the future. What we don’t have yet is the will power, the regulatory system to allow use of the technology that we need,” Parrott said. The Philippines is liable to the poor of the world in helping solve hunger and malnutrition problems. The Philippines is host to the field trial of the Vitamin A-enhanced Golden Rice being conducted by the International Rice Research Institute based in Los Banos, Laguna and the state-run Philippine Rice Research Institute. The country is also host to the field trial of the GM Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant by the state-run Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Banos. Rice is the most consumed food in the world. The nutrient content in rice determines whether hunger and malnutrition are reduced as it is a staple of around 50 percent of global population particularly developing countries in Asia. Eggplant is the most consumed vegetable in Asia including developing countries as Philippines, Bangladesh, and India. “The recent destruction (of Golden Rice plants) that took place in the Philippines attracted global attention. The global spotlight is now on the Philippines because Golden Rice gets more positive press in the world,” said Parrott. Golden Rice efficacy The National Institutes of Health in Maryland reported that Golden Rice contains up to 35 micrograms of betacarotene and is“effectively converted to Vitamin A in humans.” Golden Rice is enough to eliminate symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency just by a regular intake of 50 grams per day. [caption id="attachment_6103" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vitamin A-rich Golden Rice Beams in Rich Yellow[/caption] Golden Rice’s bioavailability or its conversion into Vitamin A in the human body has been tested favorable on the target Vitamin A-deficient patients. “If it’s approved, the Helen Keller Foundation for the blind will do monitoring of Golden Rice (efficacy),” Parrott said. “There are 500,000 cases of irreversible blindness each year. It doesn’t stop there. If you’re Vitamin A deficient, you’re predisposed to other diseases. There are two million deaths from complications due to Vitamin A deficiency. And we can do something about it,” he said. Consumers should look at GM crops as a way to help solve food shortage. “GM technology is part of the solution, not part of the problem. We’re better off if we consider it as a way to solve the problem to be solved,” he said. Bt eggplant Filipino scientists developing the Bt eggplant assert the safety to the environment and human of the protocol used to test it. That is amid a “writ of kalikasan” stopping field trials issued by the Court of Appeals. “We have put in place for the last 12 years a protocol. We have had so many field testing with no proof or evidence that that it has harmed the environment or the Filipino people,” Dr. Desiree M. Hautea, Bt eggplant project leader. The protocol is of international standard agreed upon between countries under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Bt eggplant was developed to solve infestation problems of fruit and shoot borer (FSB) causing harvest losses in eggplant. FSB prompts farmers to spray pesticides on eggplant 25 to 80 times spray during a 120 to 170-day growing season. [caption id="attachment_6104" align="alignnone" width="600"] Eggplant on the right infested with pest compelling farmers to spray up to 80X per season, Bt eggplant (left) is clean[/caption] Spraying harms farmers, and eating the eggplant brings bigger harm to consumers. Farmers do not always observe international food safety standard that fruits should be harvested 30 days after the last pesticide spray. Some farmers in Pangasinan were found to even be dipping eggplants in a bucketful of pesticides in order to ensure these are not FSB-infested. Malnutrition The increasing global population poses worsening hunger threats if newer technology is not introduced. It is a specifically a problem in tropical countries like the Philippines. “There were one billion people who were hungry (malnourished) in 1960 when the world had three billion population. One of three people was hungry. Now the world has one billion people who are hungry when the population is seven billion. The percentage of hunger has gone down but total numbers have not,” said Parrott. Ten years in the decade, people are eating more than what is produced globally, thus the worldwide crisis in food. Receding farm land Numerous challenges face policymakers and scientists in solving the problem. There is not much land and much water to feed the world. There was 4.3 hectares per person of arable land in 1960 when there was only three billion population. But arable land has been receding to 2.2 hectares per person in 2000 and lower to 1.8 hectares per person in 2011. It is projected to further reduce to 1.5 hectares per person by 2027 when population will have reached eight billion. Preserving biodiversity is another challenge. GM crops may contribute to preserving biodiversity. GM crops require less land to yield the same amount of production or higher. Bt corn, for instance can yield seven to 10 metric tons (MT) per hectare compared to conventional crops yielding three to five MT per hectare. Another challenge is agriculture uses too many insecticides and pesticides that harm human and the environment. GM papaya The GM ring spot virus-resistant papaya has been one of the earliest GM crops consumed by human and has long been proven safe. In ring spot virus-resistant papaya, the only difference from conventional papaya is just one gene. “In Hawaii, papaya (or pawpaw) is their main agricultural export. This virus is attacking their papaya. It’s GM papaya that saved the industry. It was a collaborative effort between Cornell, University of Hawaii, and USDA (US <a class="StrictlyAutoTagAnchor" href="http://businessdiary.com.ph/tag/department-of-agriculture/" title="View all articles about Department of Agriculture here">agriculture/" title="View all articles about Department of Agriculture here">Department of Agriculture),” said Parrott. Small farmers It’s small farmers that benefit from GM technology. “There are about 17 million farmers around the world that use GM, about 16 million or 90 percent are classified as smallholders (tilling) 2.5 hectares or less,” he said. “Why will they invest in it? It’s profitable, and it makes life easier for them.” A study of PG Economics of London indicated that from 1996 to 2011, GM crops have generated $98.216 million in “value added” economic benefits. Countries that earlier adopted GM crop had higher economic benefits. Among the highest value added earners over the period were US, $43.38 billion; Argentina, $13.97 billion; China, $13.07 billion; India, $12.6 billion; and Canada, $3.98 billion. Philippines had $264 million in value added from Bt corn. Of the value added benefit, 50.5 percent came from higher yield and 49.5 percent from lower costs including omission of labor and pesticide spray. The higher 51 percent of the benefit went to developing countries, 49 percent to industrialized countries. “In China, India, Burma, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Paraguay, these are primarily smallholder farmers,” he said. “Farmers spend $53 per hectare for increased seed costs. But they save $52 per hectare for not having to use more insecticides. That’s only an extra dollar a hectare to switch from conventional to GM corn. They earn $202 per hectare in extra income,” he said. “In Honduras for every dollar smallholder farmers invest in GM technology, it gives them a return of $5.05.” In five major global crops – corn, cotton, soybean, bean, and potatoes-- some 20 to 30 percent is lost every year to pests and diseases. Simply stopping losses will go a huge way towards raising food supply. GM also has a way to reduce post harvest losses. There are non-browning potato and apple. These fruits do not easily get the oxidation effect of turning brown upon harvest compared to conventional fruits. GMOs Genetically modified organism (GMO) in food products are already part of the everyday human diet. There are GMs in “vitamins and supplements, insulin, modern vaccine, most beers and wines made with yeast, cheese, and artificial sweeteners.” “Yeasts are all over the world. And it’s not a cause for concern anymore. It’s only when we get to the GMO crops that people start to worry. But there is no difference in these two categories,” he said. Genetic modification is part of an agricultural system similar to how humans’ forefathers have selected superior crops based on certain characteristics such as nice-looking fruits and desirable taste or bigger yield. “We have been changing DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid-- the molecule that determine genetic traits) for many centuries even though we don’t realize what we’re doing. It’s impossible to change what the crops look without changing the DNA underneath them,” he said. If the disease resistance against the pest corn borer, for instance, is not in a wild relative of the corn plant, the gene may be obtained from another specie. In the particular case of Bt corn, the disease resistant gene Bt was obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis which is a bacteria naturally occurring in the soil. Bt is actually considered an organic pesticide used traditionally by organic farmers to weed pests and is totally safe to human. [caption id="attachment_6105" align="alignnone" width="600"] Clean GM Bt corn-- The clean one on top is GM Bt corn, the borer-infested below is conventional corn.[/caption] Parrott himself had 25 years of research on genetic engineering. “It is sometimes easy for mere consumers to conclude GM crops are harmful. What they don’t know are the problems facing farmers everyday,” he said. These are pests like soybean leaf with aphids, Asian rust in soybean, sooty mold in citrus, powdery mildew in beans, squash or tomatoes. “That’s what farmers face in the field every day—pests. It’s easy to understand why farmers want GM technology.” Farmer health risks Farmers themselves are exposed to health risks by using insecticides and pesticides. Yearly, three to four million farmers poison themselves annually and about 300,000 die from pesticide practices. “It’s not only an environmental concern but a public health concern,” he said. GM crops have been successfully planted on a cumulative 17 billion hectares over the last 17 years with proven safety record. Planting involved more than 17 million farmers in 30 countries. “That means when people ask questions about GMO or express concern, we can answer based on real experience. We don’t need to be guessing. We don’t need to be speculating. We’ve got the answers,” he said. However, there are some 160 countries on earth, “leaving a large number that has no access to GMO and can’t experience it first-hand.” “Half of the population is in cities. They haven’t seen GMO in person and really don’t know what they’re talking about,” said Parrott. Many GM crops Herbicide-tolerant GM crops enable farmers to omit plowing, reducing their labor costs. It also restores the soil and the environment. “No tillage” or conservation tillage is possible with GM. “All farmers do is punch a hole on the ground. The dead weeds are protecting the soil. In Central America where they have torrential rains, this is preventing soil erosion. It prevents soil from washing away,” he said. With herbicide tolerant crops like those in corn, farmers may use herbicide without killing the food crop itself. Only the weeds are killed. Moreover, with Bt corn that kills only the target pests, friendly insects like bees and butterflies proliferate and become part of the healthy biodiversity. Cancer-causing fungi A serious problem linked to the activity of pest earworms on corn is the growth of cancer-causing fungi on corn. But GM technology has solved this fungi problem on crops by preventing pest resistance in seeds. People have to resort to eating infested corn when there is little yield even if it poses health risks. “The wounds that earworms make on corn become infected by a fungi. Depending on the type of fungus, fungus can do a lot of toxins. In areas like China, Africa, Central America where these toxins exist, they have high rate of liver cancer,” he said. And the most affected by this fungus and health risks are smallholder farmers such as those in Honduras. “In South Africa, they get 20 percent increase in yield simply by switching to Bt corn. In Latin America, caterpillars can do a lot of damage. But there is an insect resistant soybean. There’s also a rootworm resistant maize,” he said. Climate change As climate change persists, one of the predictions is it will be dryer in many areas with a smaller amount of rainfall. GM crops can resist drought, heavier rainfall, and other environmental stresses. “Last year, America had one of the (worst) droughts ever. Engineered corn had gotten through the drought.” In Brazil, the government co-developed the GM Brazilean bean that is resistant to golden mosaic virus. “Their staple crop for the countryside is dry beans. What’s impressive is it has higher yield for farmers. They’re investing in this to promote food security,” he said. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the moth-resistant potato. Other GM crops being developed are the pod borer-resistant cowpea in Nigeria, bunchy top virus resistant banana in the Philippines, water efficient maize (corn) for Africa, and the mosaic virus-resistant-cassava in Africa. For request for more photos or interview requests, please text Ms. Analiza C. Mendoza 0921-338-3816, 0916-266-6604

Right Way on Storing Sweet Potato Sweet potatoes or kamote can last up to 2-3 months if harvested and stored properly. Procedure: 1. When harvesting, use a container that can take only what is accommodated to avoid falling off and having bruises. It is in getting hurt that rotting of fruits begin. 2. Avoid using sacks for this reason. 3. The storage should be near the place of harvest or near the place of transport. 4. In places of storage, use bamboo, cogon grass or leaves of coconut as roof or walls. Source: Agricultural & Industrial Life, 1990

Bangladesh sent a mission through its Ministry of Agriculture (MA) to look into tapping into rice seeds in the Philippines through its partnership with SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC) in its aim to export fancy rice. The mission, led by MA Minister Matia Chowdhury, visited last May 23 SLAC’s Research Center in Brgy. Oogong, Sta. Cruz, [&hellip

A module titled "Profitability Analysis: Coconut Sap Sugar Production," published by PCARRD explains the process of producing coconut sap sugar. The module was based on information adopted by PCARRD from the Philippine Coconut Authority. The production process is ideal in the farm level and can produce a high-value product from the sap of the coconut inflorescence. It involves a natural process of heat evaporation to convert liquid sap to solid form of sugar granules. The process consists of six stages: selection of tree and mature inflorescence for tapping; collection of coconut sap; heat evaporation;conversion of sap syrup to coconut sap sugar; sieving and drying; and weighing and packaging. Step 1. Selection of tree and mature inflorescence for tapping 1. Select bearing trees with healthy unopened inflorescence for tapping. 2. Bend the mature unopened inflorescence downwards for one week to allow the flow of the sap for tapping. 3. Tie the inflorescence with plastic twine and slowly pull them downwards. 4. Using a sharp knife, tap the inflorescence by slicing at least 6 mm to cut the tissues and eventually allow the surge of the sap. When the tip of the unopened coconut inflorescence is cut out, the sap slowly flows out. Step 2. Collection of coconut sap 1. After slicing the unopened inflorescence, collect the liquid sap oozing out with the use of a plastic vessel. The collected sugar liquid has about 12–18% sugar content. Coconut sap is known to contain important amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. 2. To avoid the fermentation of the fresh sap, start its collection five hours after tapping. A total of 850 liters of sap ready for processing can produce 100 kilo of sugar. Step 3: Heat evaporation 1. Boil the collected sap up to 115°C using a brick-fabricated oven locally known as "pugon." The oven has improvised chimney where smoke will be emitted to ensure smoke- free smelling sugar. 2. When the liquid is already boiling, the scum will come out and this has to be removed to avoid the formation of dark residues on the final product. 3. The boiling of the sap will take about 3–4 hours to remove water, leaving the sugar content of the coconut sap. Step 4: Conversion of sap syrup to coconut sap sugar 1. Transfer the liquid to food grade stainless wok when it turns into syrup. 2. Stir the syrup continuously to avoid burning and to ensure granulation. At this phase, the liquid will change into solid form, hence, temperature change is critical. Stirring allows air to enter the sticky syrup that will cause the gradual cooling resulting to granulation. 3. Remove wok from the fire and transfer it to a wooden trivet. Stir until the sugar granules are formed. Step 5. Sieving and drying the coconut sap sugar 1. Let the sugar cool off and continue pressing to break the lump. 2. Sieve the sugar to have a uniform particle size to produce quality product. 3. Put the sugar granules in a food grade stainless tray and let dry for one hour to lessen the moisture content. Step 6. Weighing and packaging 1. Collect the sugar in a big container and store overnight. 2. Weigh and pack the sugar using the commercially available transparent polyethylene plastic bag (.03 in x 8 in x 5 in). Compared with refined cane sugar, coco sugar has a lower glycemic index (GI), which makes it suitable for use by health buffs and diabetics. Having a low GI means that people who consume coco sugar will not experience sudden spikes in their blood glucose or blood sugar levels. Packed coco sugar is sold at P200 per kilo. With a production cost of P153.50, including labor, management, and packaging cost, students earn P46.50 per kilo. Source: PCARRD. Profitability analysis: Coconut sap sugar production module. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, DOST, 2010. PCARRD Farmnews, DOST, January–March 2011

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos [/caption] The Philippines is distinguished as the seventh most biologically diverse country in the world. In fact, the country is internationally known to be a source of medicinal plants, functional foods, natural food dyes, tropical fruit flavors, and essential oils. Thus, the country is capable of producing value-added materials from local biodiversity and, eventually, trading of high quality products. Due to its economic potential, research and development (R&D) is a very important tool, not only for producing and marketing high quality and effective products from medicinal plants but also to boost the Philippine’s alternative healthcare industry. Likewise, through R&D, the country can conserve its biodiversity and document promising medicinal plants and other sources of natural ingredients. Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness Program In response to the need for R&D agenda for the industry, the Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness Program was launched by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). The program is also in line with Proclamation No. 1280 issued in 2007 declaring the month of October as the “National Health and Wellness Tourism Month”. The IPHWP looks into the potential of the Philippine biodiversity particularly the plant species and conventional food crops with health-promoting potentials, to properly utilize and conserve these plant resources. Further, the program helps improve the health and wellness of each and every Filipino through natural but effective products. In 2013, BAR supported two IPHW projects under the bureau’s National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) and two others as basic and applied research. Presently, there are eight ongoing projects three of which are funded under NTCP and five are basic/applied researches. Creating Business Opportunities from Various Medicinal Plants Before the advent of technological advances when conventional medicine was born, our elders were already practicing traditional medicine by using available plants and other crops for the treatment of various ailments like fever, cough, colds, diarrhea, skin diseases, etc. Up to the present time, some individuals are still patronizing alternative medicine which they have proven to be efficient and effective without any harmful side effects as compared to synthetic drugs in the market. To support conservation efforts with regard to Philippine biodiversity and to help preserve the indigenous knowledge and traditions through marketable technology, Green Rescue Organic Association Incorporated (GRO), a barangay-based rural enterprise headed by Ms. Lucia D. Dalisay and which is located in Tiaong, Quezon proposed a project to BAR titled, “Technology Utilization and Promotion of Developed Products from Indigenous Plants”. This was approved under the Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness Program through BAR’s National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP). Specifically, the research project aims to: 1) locate popular traditional and alternative health care practitioners (TAHC) in the Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines; 2) extract from the TAHC practitioners important information with regard to medicinal plants; 3) learn the most important medicinal plants they use by plant category; 4) learn the most common ailments treated with medicinal plants; 5) conserve the most important ones identified from the survey in community-based nurseries; 6) develop high quality natural products from the medicinal plants; 7) test the market potential of the developed natural products; and 8) establish community-based nurseries and plantations as sources of raw material for interested parties. Project Milestones The project team located TAHC practitioners in Southern Tagalog Region and conducted a series of surveys. After data collection, they made a count and classified the medicinal plants identified by the TAHC practitioners. The researchers then identified the most common medicinal plants used by the TAHC Practitioners by category (e.g., trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, spices or plantation crops) as well as the diseases reportedly cured by the medicinal plants. In terms of the mode of administering health treatments, TAHC practitioners were found to prefer decoction, poultice and infusion. Based on the surveys, patients who used these were very satisfied (37.70 percent) because they fully recovered within 1-2 days. When asked the reasons why some plants are not used anymore, majority of the TAHC practitioners said that the plants are either not found anymore, seasonal, not common, or are hard to find. Also part of the researchers’ questionnaires delves on the reasons for other patients’ high preference for synthetic drugs over alternative healing methods and noted the comment of most of the TAHC practitioners that synthetic drugs are readily available. As for the reasons for the continued TAHC practice, majority of the practitioners said that synthetic drugs are more expensive and have more side effects. After data gathering, the researchers recognized the efforts of TAHC practitioners in preserving the old traditions of healing with the use of medicinal plants. The research also revealed that some of the practices have scientific basis and, therefore, a select number of these plants qualify for commercialization. Project Accomplishments As the recipient of the technology provided by Dr. Estela Taño of Department of Agriculture-Quezon Agricultural Experiment Station (DA-QAES), the GRO was able to create new lines of natural products in 2011 like native guava soap, turmeric natural healing cream, turmeric multipurpose tea, native ginger body massage cream, native ginger tea, native guava jam, rosemary capsule, and tamarind multipurpose concentrate. Guava soap naturally smoothens the skin which tightens the skin pores and even lightens dark spots while turmeric cream easily dries wounds, removes toxins, and relieves itchy skin due to insect bites. Native ginger cream relieves muscle and nerve pains and is also applicable for swellings, cramps and skin infections due to insect bites. Rosemary capsules alleviate body aches and headaches due to fever, cough and colds. To effectively promote the products, GRO has direct involvement in various commercialization activities by participating in local and international trade fairs and exhibits and in establishing direct dealers. The project team also successfully established two community-based nurseries and organic plantations of native guavas, turmeric, native ginger and coconut in Tiaong, Quezon and in Mt. Banahaw. Also, a simple community-based processing house was established with complete water system specifically for manufacturing coco jam, turmeric and native ginger products. GRO is also recognized with a grant of a License to Operate (LTO) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as one of only two organic product processors established in Tiaong, Quezon for processing eight natural products. In 2012, turmeric natural healing cream and turmeric tea were awarded as among the “Best New Products” during the 8th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition. As a barangay-based rural enterprise, the GRO also generated working opportunities in Tiaong, Quezon. As of now, there are at least seven workers hired by its processing laboratory aside from the on-call workers. In addition, one farmer couple exploring the potentials of the business was trained on field operations and processing. Indeed, the project team has been successful in spreading the Package of Technology (PoT) for processing and producing natural and organic products. As proof, the GRO has established proper market positioning which gives it the edge over other competitors in the mainstream market. ### ----------- References: 1. Taño, Estela. “Identification of Important Medicinal Plants in Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines, Development of Natural Products and Mass Production for Commercialization”, paper presented during the 9th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition and 26th BAR Anniversary, August 8-11, 2013, SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City 2. Arroyo, Ma. Antonia, O.G. et al., Natural Ingredients Study: Mid-Term Report, Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Planning and Implementation Unit, 2008, p. 3 By: Liza Angelica D. Barral, Bar Digest, October-December 2013 Issue (Vol. 15 No. 4)

Bitter gourd, which is known in the Philippines as ampalaya, is an annual plant that is native in this country. It is botanically known as Momordica charantia L. It can be grown anytime of the year for its edible shoots and fruits and offers a good supply of vitamins and minerals. The fruit contains the hypo-glycemic principle charantin, which is used to treat diabetes. Bitter gourd is profitable when grown in small or large scale either in lowland or upland rice-based areas. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by whologwhy [/caption] Site Selection Bitter gourd grows in well drained soil. However, the best soil texture for the crop is either sandy loam or clay loam with pH ranging from of 6.0-6.7. Growing Season Although the crop can be grown throughout the year, the most profitable growing seasons are from October to December and from May to July because most of the areas are being planted to rice during these periods. Only the “tumana” or the fertile hilly-upland areas are being planted with bitter gourd, hence, production is limited. Plant the crop once every two years in the same area. Since bitter gourd is a heavy consumer of nutrients, the soil is depleted on the second year and thus needs soil amendments. Recommended Varieties The recommended varieties of bitter gourd are: the Sta Rita Strain with fruit length of 20-35 cm, and Jade Star and the Native with fruit length of 10 to 15 cm. Sta Rita Strain and Jade Star are preferred by Bulakeños and Pampangeños in cooking ginisa and sautéed recipes, while the Ilocanos preferred the native variety in cooking pinakbet because it easily shrinks when cooked as pinakbet, and the bitter taste is neutralized by equal proportion of tomato and fish sauce. Fruits of Sta Rita Strain have thicker flesh and don’t easily shrink when cooked as pinakbet. TECHNOLOGY OPTION 2 Land Preparation  

1. Plow the field 2-3 times, each time followed by harrowing.
2. Make furrows 3m apart.
3. Apply 2-3 tons dried animal manure per hectare while preparing the land to incorporate it well with the soil.

  Planting  

1. 1. For direct seeding:

 

1. Soak the seeds in water overnight. Seeds can also be wrapped in a moist cloth.
2. Plant 2 seeds per hill 30 cm apart in the furrows 3m apart (30cm x 3m).
3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water immediately. Mulch with rice straw.
4. Remove weak seedlings leaving behind the healthy ones 3-4 weeks after sowing.

 

• For transplanting:

 

1. In planting hybrid ampalaya because of the high price of seeds or when the seeds are few, let the seeds turn into seedlings first.
2. Sow 1 seed per hole of the nursery tray with a mixture of 2 parts garden soil, 1 part burned rice hull and 1 part compost.
3. Irrigate and mulch.
4. 1 week after sowing, apply starter solution (1tbsp Urea (46-0-0) dissolved in 1 gal of water).
5. To strengthen the seedlings, reduce watering and gradually expose the seedlings to sunlight 1 week before transplanting.
6. 3 weeks after sowing, transplant 30cm apart in the furrows 3m apart (30cm x 3m)
7. Transplant late in the afternoon so that seedlings will not wilt.

Fertilization

1. Before planting, apply 1 tbsp 14-14-14 per hill as basal application.
2. 30 days after planting or if the seedlings have produced branches, apply 1 tbsp Urea (46-0-0) per hill 10 cm away from the seedlings.
3. Every 3 weeks, apply 1 tbsp of a mixture of 1 part Urea and 1 part Muriate of Potash (0-0-60) per hill.
4. Cover the fertilizer with soil.

Irrigation

1. Irrigate the field every 7 to 10 days for furrow irrigation during dry season. Construct a canal for furrow irrigation.
2. During wet season, irrigate only when necessary. Construct a drainage canal.

Trellising

1. Before the vines creep, construct vertical and overhead trellises.
2. Layout 2.5m long and 2-2.5cm wide ipil-ipil, bamboo, or kakawate poles 2 m apart within the rows
3. Connect the poles horizontally by wire (#16) at the top, middle and bottom portions in every row.
4. Tie the top wire to the stakes at the end of the rows to make the poles stable.
5. Cut abaca twine or synthetic straw, and tie them vertically from top to bottom wires, and criss-crossing overhead.
6. Allow 1 plant to grow around a vertical string.

Vine Training

1. Train the vines by spreading them evenly across the trellis until they reach the top.

Pruning

1. Remove the lower lateral or branches to facilitate vine growth at the top of the trellis.
2. Harvest as fresh vegetable the lower leaves.

Weed Control

1. Remove the weeds around the plants
2. Cut-off the weeds in between the rows by using a scythe.

Mulching

1. Mulch with rice straw or black plastic sheet to control the weeds and conserve soil moisture.
2. Layout the mulch in the soil before planting.

Insect Pest Management

1. 1. Fruitfly is the most destructive insect pest. Controlling it is not easy because the adult fruitfly lays its eggs in the fruits. The hatched egg becomes a larva which destroys the fruit from the inside.

 

1. 1. In order not to multiply the fruitfly:

 

1. • Remove and bury the damaged fruit.
   • Wrap the fruits with paper while they are still small.
   • Use attractant.

Disease Management

1. Remove the diseased leaves immediately.
2. Pull-out and burn or bury plants with virus, nematode or bacterial wilt.
3. Spray the plants with chemicals only when necessary.

Harvesting

1. Harvest the fruits 16-19 days from full bloom of the flower (anthesis) or when the rough skin of the fruit becomes shiny.
2. Cut the fruit together with its stalk using a sharp knife or scissor.

Seed Production

1. 1. Pollination/Isolation

 

1. • Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant.
   • If population of pollinators (bees) is low, employ hand pollination early morning from early flowering to peak flowering to increase seed yield.
   • Female flower opens early in the morning and remains receptive 36 hours from opening, while male flowers opens either 10 am or fall off.
   • Due to the highly cross-pollinated nature of ampalaya, an isolation distance of 500 m radius for certified seeds and 1, 200 m radius for basic seeds is necessary.

Roguing/Field Inspection

1. Remove off-types.
2. Conduct field inspection at early vegetative stage, flowering stage and fruiting stage.
3. At vegetative stage, check the leaf size, shape, color, vigor and vine trailing habit.
4. At flowering and early fruit development, observe for shape and color of the ovaries, shape and color of fruits, and general appearance.
5. Do the final rouging when fruits are maturing for fruit shape and color.

Harvesting Harvest when the fruits have turned yellow-orange in color or when portions of fruit have yellow streaks, which is about 23-25 days from flower opening. Seed Processing

• Cut off the apical portion or peduncle end of the fruit and split open the fruit to scoop out the seeds.
• Mash or rub the seeds unto a sturdy screen under running water to remove the red mucilaginous seed coat.
• Put clean seeds in a pail of water and allow the white, unfilled immature seeds to float. Pour the seeds out together with the water leaving normal seeds at the bottom of the pail. Repeat many times until seeds are free of mucilaginous coating and immature seeds.
• Air dry the seeds for 2-3 days.
• Sun dry the seeds gradually for 4-5 days.

Packaging

1. For home use, pack the seeds in thick plastic or paper envelopes and place them in large aluminum cans or large-mouth jars lined at the bottom with charcoal, lime or silica gel.
2. Seal the package well.
3. Place the seeds in a cool, dry place.
4. For large volume, pack the seeds in thick plastic or aluminum foil and seal well.
5. Keep in a cool and dry place or storage area. The drier the stored seeds and the cooler the storage area is, the longer is the life of the seed.

References Bitter Gourd Production. July 9, 2008. Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture. http://www.openacademy.ph/. Fliers. September 2008. Ampalaya. Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna. Source: bar.gov.ph

Farmers in big rice provinces Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan will enjoy a P300 per five-kilo (P1,200 for 20 kilos) hybrid rice seed aid this rainy season which should enable them to help boost Philippines’ 2013 rice production. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by jinkemoole [/caption] Philippines’ pioneer hybrid rice seed producer SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC) is extending the aid in the form of a discount to selected rice-producing provinces. These areas have been identified for the potential to yield substantially more than what these are harvesting in the rainy season (September, October for Luzon) using ordinary seeds. Ilocos provinces, Bulacan, and Tarlac are also included in the SLAC discount program. The potential increase in yield using hybrid rice is at least one metric ton (MT) or 20 cavans per hectare compared to ordinary seeds. “They say hybrid rice is not good for the wet season. But farmers that continue to use SL-8 during the wet season harvest higher than inbred, although of course you don’t expect to yield 200 to 250 cavans. But they will yield 120 to 150, so that’s still better than 60 to 80 cavans,” said SLAC Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong. Farmers have been veering away from the use of hybrid rice seeds in the wet season owing to heavy infestation of bacterial leaf blight (BLB). However, SLAC is recommending a specific protocol for the wet season. This includes better land preparation and removal of weeds to prevent pestilence; transplanting of the seedlings 18 to 21 days from seeding; water draining through clean drainage pipes as flooding prevents simultaneous growth of plants; reduction in nitrogen fertilizer by using only 80 to 115 kilos per hectare as nitrogen causes leaf overgrowth and weak plants; and proper use of bactericide-fungicide. Pangasinan and Ilocos provinces are both ideal sites for hybrid rice rainy season planting since land remains dry or well-drained despite the rains, according to Dr. Frisco M. Malabanan, SLAC hybrid rice specialist. “Wet season planting is good in Pangasinan which is a rainfed lowland area. Rice plants are not always soaked in water. Ilocos is relatively dry even in the wet season,” said Malabanan. SLAC has been proactive in developing the technology to help farmers keep a high yield in the wet season. It is optimistic about obtaining a certification with the National Seed Industry Council for its new BLB-resistant variety, SL-18. It has been receiving outstanding feedback with yield of as much as 235 cavans (11.75 MT) per hectare in Bohol in the wet season of 2012. SL-8H is already BLB-tolerant, but SL-18 has been developed to have stronger control against BLB and is considered a BLB-resistant variety. This variety has been going through National Cooperative Testing (NCT). Having finished two croppings of field test—the wet season of 2012 and the current dry harvest--it expects to receive certification from the NSIC in another year. “The NCT is not finished yet, but that doesn’t stop a company from putting it in the market since the company is confident about its performance. It’s just more concerned about putting internal quality control,” said Malabanan. Several technology demonstration areas in Cagayan Valley, Davao del Sur, and Norala in South Cotabato have shown good performance of SL-18 in the wet season. With generally dry areas like Pangasinan and Ilocos, the Philippines can actually raise its rice hybridization area nearer to 100 percent. This can make the country a rice exporter even of regular rice. There are government prohibitions to export regular rice now. SLAC is exporting only fancy rice (Jasponica, Miponica) under a agriculture/" title="View all articles about Department of Agriculture here">Department of Agriculture (DA) program this year. “In China, their hybrid rice area is just almost 60 percent because they have highlands affected by winter. But (Father of Hybrid Rice) Prof. Yuan Longping said we can attain 100 percent rice planting because our weather is good (dry tropical weather). We can plant hybrid rice year-round,” Lim said. The country’s hybrid rice area is only at five percent at 146,000 hectares in 2012. With hybrid rice, farmers can actually fulfill DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala’s 10-5 dream (10 tons per hectare yield at P5 per kilo cost). Asian countries are compelled to use hybrid rice in order to meet demand for increasing food. One hectare of land should be able to feed 43 people in 2030 from present feeding rate of 27, according to Yuan. One farmer in Nueva Ecija harvested 12.5 MT per hectare at a cost of only P47,000. This translates to a per kilo cost of only P3.76. These are actual documentation of farmers’ yield and cost in Nueva Ecija: Ricardo Buenaventura, 209 cavans (10.45 MT) for 11,000 square meters (sq.m.) at P3.20 per kilo; Rene Valdez, 200 cavans (10 MT) in 12,000 sq.m. at P3.08 per kilo; and Maria Martin, 322 cavans (16.2 MT) over 14,000 sq.m. at P2.35 per kilo. Policies should also be improved to promote food security and export. Lim said the National Food Authority should come up with a bigger palay (unmilled rice) buying program to support the country’s potential export similar to how Thailand pours investments for its rice farmers. “The Thai government is pumping $8 billion to purchase rice, so all their farmers are very happy. Maybe their government loses $2 billion for selling it at a low price, but they get more in multiplier effect from the $8 bilion that went to farmers,” he said. DA-Land Bank’s loan facility should also be increased. “The P500 million (DA) loan program is small. I hope its budget is P3 to P5 billion, so we can really be sufficient. If you still remember, in the last administration, we were importing P65 billion worth of rice. But even if you give just a P5 billion subsidy for rice, the money still goes around within the country rather than given away to rice farms abroad,” he said. Smuggling should be prevented as the non-taxed imports compete heavily with local production. “Smuggled rice is very profitable. It only costs $350 to $400 per ton which is just equivalent to P15 per kilo while our milled rice can cost P20 to P30 per kilo. If the smuggled rice will pay tax, we can compete with them, but smugglers don’t pay tax,” said Lim. ### About Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) Tolerance and Resistance Tolerance to disease means that infection of rice plants from BLB can be reduced using this tolerant variety. But resistance means a higher level of control against BLB, actually inhibiting infection. “Tolerance strategies do not limit infection, but reduce or offset its fitness consequences,” as defined by a Geobotanical Institute of Switzerland study. “Resistance defenses inhibit or limit infection.” BLB, appearing as brown spots in rice plant’s leaves, can wipe out an entire harvest (100 percent loss) particularly pronounced in the rainy season. SL-8H is considered a BLB-tolerant variety, but SL-18 has been developed as a BLB-resistant variety. About Hybrid Rice Hybrid rice is a product of the breeding, or cross pollination, of two genetically different parents that have superior traits-- for instance, one high-yielding and another one with grains that are aromatic (a palatable smell and taste). It is generally superior over inbred varieties that are a result of the mating of two very related parents that cannot offer much trait advantage. Inbreeding also comes naturally in the form of self-pollination that occurs in many plants-- orchids, peas, and legumes like peanut. In these plants, male and female reproductive organs are within the same plant, enabling pollination within itself. Hybrid rice production does not involve genetic modification as in genetically modified organisms, but it is considered a natural way of breeding through selection of plant materials that have the desired trait. Other Leads in this Press Release: 1. A new bacterial leaf blight (BLB)-resistant variety is being released to the market by Philippines' pioneer hybrid rice producer SL Agritech Corp. that can enable farmers to reap an additional one metric ton from their rainy season harvest. 2. The Philippines has the potential to expand hybrid rice on nearly 100 percent of rice area due to its dry tropical climate, but the National Food Authority should budget a bigger palay buying support similar to Thailand's $8 billion rice support program. 3. The government should fight hard against smuggling as non-taxed smuggled rice lands at only $350-$400 per ton or just P15 per kilo which renders the local produce uncompetitive with its P25 to P30 per kilo cost (rice form). For any questions, please call Ms. Joh Dungca, 0917-558-6508; for interview requests, 0923-436-3177

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by StateofIsrael [/caption]

The Philippines is urged to adopt an International Labor Organization’s (ILO) model for skills competency standard in agriculture so as to raise the dwindling number of farmers-- threatening food security as average Filipino farmers age is at 57 years old.

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has proposed for Philippines’s and ASEAN’s local use of the Regional Model for Competency Standards in Agriculture and Aquaculture (RMCS).

As policymakers have been condemning the fact that the average age of farm workers in the Philippines is at 57 years, way too old to form a vibrant sector, SEARCA said countries in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) should adopt the ILO model.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of most Southeast Asian economies, with about 450 million people depending on it for livelihood, food, and trade,” according to SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr.

“This brings into sharp focus the need to develop competencies of agricultural workers in light of their important role in raising farm productivity and contribution to food and nutrition security as well as poverty alleviation in the region,” said Saguiguit.

The RMCS of ILO is concerned that there is often a mismatch between skills offered by employers and the needs of workers.

“This means that some people are learning skills that are not needed in domestic industries, and training organizations are wasting their limited resources by providing training that is not used. This is a serious problem for any country as it holds back development and growth in productivity and employment,” according to ILO.

The presence of such skills in agriculture will become even more important in light of ASEAN integration, Saguiguit said, where labor force migration will become more prevalent.

 “Labor migration is projected particularly for workers in the agriculture sector. Increased labor mobility will require quality assurance for sending countries and skills recognition for receiving ones. It will give agricultural workers equitable access to high quality training and fair opportunities,” he said.

National system of TVET

An earlier report of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) indicated that the country needs to improve TVET (Technical Vocational Education & Training) systems and trainings to “prepare for an increasingly fast changing and unpredictable world.”

The standardization and classification of specific skills will be a key to identifying exact skills needed by industries.  Thus consultation with the private sector (or the civil society in agriculture), the ultimate users of skills, on their need for certain skills is important.

The goal for “inclusive” development in helping the poor and vulnerable will also be addressed by an effective National System of TVET (NSTVET), a program overseen by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“TVET should be accessible to three types of clients—the unemployed, the currently employed who wants to increase his income, and the employed who want to retool.  Access involves availability of financing for those who want to be trained,” according to PIDS.

The poor may be given grant-in-aid and the non-poor loans in order to access TVET training.

“A good NSTVET should be designed to support increases in productivity on the shop floor (private sector). But a common concern is that SMEs (small & medium enterprises) may not have the financial capacities nor the training resources to conduct or finance training that will increase their productivity to make them competitive and grow,” PIDS said.

TVET agriculture training

As of 2015, the agriculture and fishery sector had 299 institutions providing TVET training nationwide.  However, eight other sectors surpassed agriculture in the number of TVET providers, according to this TESDA report.

The sectors with the most TVET programs are tourism, 5,841; ICT (Information, Communication Technology), 4085; construction,1466; automotive, 1,155; metals and engineering,1,126; language, 942; and electronics 813.

Unfortunately, very few enterprises offered agriculture TVET training.  Health and social sector had 31.9% of total TVET trainings, tourism, 26.9%, and construction, 9.4%. However, for agriculture,  enterprises with TVET training only comprised a minuscule 0.1% of total population.

The absence of a standardized competency system for TVET explains the sad state of lack of information on skills availability in the agriculture sector and other sectors in the Philippines, in general.

“Unfortunately there seems to be no commonly accepted estimate of the demand for TVET services.” Said PIDS.

SEARCA proposal

Saguiguit presented SEARCA’s proposal on agriculture TVET enhancement at a high-level meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last May 23-25

It was convened by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the SEAMEO Regional Center for Vocational and Technical Education (VOCTECH).

The RMCS divided agriculture and aquaculture skills into eight function areas.  The areas include 1. land maintenance and preparation (soil testing, managing pests); 2. planting and harvesting (managing crop growth, saving of seeds) 3. installing irrigation and drainage; 4. operating gravity-fed or pressurized irrigation; 5. fruit and vegetable production; and  6. rice growing and processing (maintaining rice paddy).

For poultry and aquaculture, the RMCS raises enhancing skills standards on 7. artificial insemination in poultry, incubating eggs, maintaining free-range poultry; and 8. maintaining aquaculture tanks, collecting broodstock, and controlling aquaculture pests and diseases.

The RMCS delves on testing and standardizing specific skills in agriculture and aquaculture.

For aquaculture manpower competency is tested for specific skills including preparation of natural, formulated, or life feed. For instance, a worker must be able to do the following:

1.       Feed stock by hand or using mechanical devices;

2.      Interpret and follow feeding schedule;

3.      Make and record observations about stock behaviour during feeding.

4.      Maintain an repair basic feeding equipment

5.      Store feed to maintain quality and minimize pest infestationincluding rotation of feed bags, climate control, and pest proofing.

   SEARCA has planned a workshop that will determine status and implementation of competency standards of workers.  End (Growth Publishing for SEARCA).

Orchids Production Guide Introduction The Orchid Family - The Family Orchidaceae consists of about 20,000 to 35,000 species distributed in 800 genera which constitutes 10% of all flowering plants. Approximately more than 1,000 hybrids and cultivated forms are continuously produced per year. Many endemic species are found in the Philippines. There are about 130 genera and 941 species. Around 25 genera and 104 species are of commercial value. Many of the endemic species have contributed significant roles in the orchid hybridization work in various countries. Among them are Vanda sanderana or “waling-waling”, v. merrillii, v. lamellate, v. lyzonica, aerides lawrenceae, a. jarchiana, phalaenopsis amabilis, p. lueddemanniana, p. pulchra, renanthera storei, r. philippinensis, dendrobium taurinum among many others. [caption id="attachment_15119" align="alignnone" width="600"] Purificacion Orchids Philippines[/caption] General Species/Hybrids Dendrobium - the genus Dendrobium contains a very large number of heterogeneous species. They have an erect, cane-type pseudo bulb and have flowers with relatively long vase life. They are naturally distributed in the warm and humid areas with an elevation of 0-500 m above sea level. In the Philippines, the Dendrobium group includes d. taurinum, d. stratioles, d. superbeins, d. phalaenopsis, d. biggibum and others. Some Dendrobium hybrids which are promising for cutflower production in the Philippines classified according to flower color are the following: Purple - D. Jacquelyn Concert, D. Norma Jackson, D. Garnet Beauty and D. Uniwai Prince Pink - D. University of Hawaii Crosses, D. Tomie, D. Sonia, D. Jacquelyn Thomas, D. Cesar, D. Waipaho Beallty. White with Red Hip - D. Bangkok Fancy, D. Youpadeewan, D. Palolo Beauty White - D. Singapore White, D. Walter Oumae, D. Jacquelyn Thomas, D. Multico White, D. University of Hawaii #306, D. Madame Vipar, D. Clomen White. Yellow - D. May Mak, D. Betty Ho "Kamiya", D. Kasem Gold, D. Jiad Gold Vanda - the members of this group are generally sun loving and robust with a wide range of colorful, beautiful shaped flowers which are of heavy substances and long lasting. Vandas are grouped according to leaf types, namely: strap leaf, terete leaf and semi-terete. The strap leaf vandae have flat, broad and channeled leaves like Vanda Sanderana (waling-waling). Terete vandas have cylindrical pencil like leaves like Vanda Miss Joaquin (Singapore Orchid). Semi-terete vandas have midway between terete and strap leaf vandas. Semi-terete vandas are highly floriferous. The following hybrids are found to flower well under local condition. V. Josephine van Brero Crosses V. T. M. A. V. Eman van Deventer Crosses V. Velthius Crosses V. Walter Gumae V. Penang Manila Phalaenopsis - the graceful bearing of the Phalaenopsis whether our native species or more advance hybrids is quite pleasing to the eye. The long, slender flower stalk bears the flowers high and arcs away from the leaves giving it is fragile and pleasing appearance. Some promising species are P. amabilis, P. stuartiana, P. schilleriana, P. equestris, P. lueddemaniana, P. sanderana and others. Arachnis - Renanthera Type - Arachnis and Renanthera type flowers range from fiery red, brilliant orange, yellow brown to white. They are monopodial, terrestrial and the flowers come in long stiff sprays. They are more tolerant to full sunlight. The common hybrids for cutflowers are Arachnis Maggie Oie and Aranethera James storei. Cattleya and its Alies - modern Cattleyas actually consists of a complex group of hybrids created by combining Cattleya species or hybridization with closely allied genera such as Laelia, Brassavola, Broughtonia ans a few others. These orchids known as the "Cattleya Alliance" are natives in Brazil, Columbia, Central America and Mexico. The genus Cattleya presents a very interesting group of orchid with broad spectrum of colors, types and more diversified. Cultural Requirements Basically, the growth requirements of any plant are temperature, water, light, aeration and nutrition. These are the environmental factors to which orchids will have to adapt themselves. A good grower should thus attempt to stimulate the optimum levels of these factors for each type of hybrid orchids. Light - sun loving orchids are the Arachnis, Renanthera, Aranda and terete and semi-terete Vandas. Some Dendrobium hybrids can also tolerate full sun, but their leaves turn yellowish and sometimes lose some of their leaves. Semi-terete vandas flower profusely when exposed to full sunlight. However, they should be protected from intense heat during the hot summer months by temporarily placing one layer of fist net over the plants. Partial shade orchids need lower intensity for healthy growth. Most of the Dendrobiums, Phalaeopsis, Cattleyas and strap leaf Vandas belong to this group. An inexpensive shade house is needed for mature Dendrobium plants to reduce light intensity by about 30% or allow 70% light transmission by installing two layers of fish net, 3-5 m high over the plants. For younger plants which require 50% to 60% sunlight, three layers of net can be used. Orchid plants receiving enough light have short plump stems with yellowish-green leathery leaves. Those receiving too much light are yellowish, stunted and even scorched. Those under too much shade become green, soft and succulent with thin spindly stem. Water - the need and frequency of watering should depend on several factors such as potting media, size of containers, temperature, light intensity, air movement or kind of plant. Orchids grown in large containers dry out slower than those in pots. Plants in baskets, twigs or slabs require more water than those in pots or with coconut husk. During rainy days, plants should not be watered for days depending on the remaining moisture in pots. Because of the presence of pseudobulb in Cattleyas or Dendrobiums, the frequency of watering is much less needed than in Vandasa. Plants grown under high wind velocity, high temperature, low relative humidity and high light intensity require more frequent watering. Plants suffering from lack of water become placid, stem or pseudobulb becomes shriveled. Beginners more often kill the plants by over watering. Aeration - orchids must have free circulating air and high humidity around them. Stagnant air does not allow drying of potting medium and foliage. The occurrence of diseases is very minimal when there is excellent ventilation. Temperature - the cool growing orchids like Cymbidium, Odontoglossums and some Phaphiopedilums prefer night temperature of 10°C to 18.3°C, and 15.5°C to 21°C dry temperature. The intermediate groups such as Cattleyas, some Dendrobius, some Oncidium prefer night temperature of 12.8°C to 15°C, and 18.3°C to 21°C dry temperature. Most of the orchid grown in the Philippines are warm growing plants where night temperature is below 18.3°C and dry temperature ranging from 21°C to 32°C. these temperature rates are ideal for growing Renanthera, Vandas, Phaleonopsis, Aerids, Dendrobiums and many others. Nutrition - the amount and kind of fertilizer required by orchids depend on the growing conditions, potting media, species and stage of development. Some growers prefer the practice of frequent application of fertilizers at low concentrations. Young seedlings are usually given dilute solution of Nitrogenous fertilizer or with complete fertilizers higher in Nitrogen content relative to Phosphorous and Potassium (2-1-1). The Dendrobium seedlings grow faster when fertilized often with weak solution of 12-8-8 or 30-10-10 of NPK plus trace elements. These are applied twice a week as foliar spray at the rate of 0.5 tsp/gallon of water. Some growers apply it at a much lower concentration every other day with frequent washing to avoid build-up of salts in pots. Application of pig manure tea (10%), or fish emulsion (1 tsp/gallon) and Vitamin B, have also shown good results. Older plants are usually supplied with 18-18-18 or 20-30-10 of NPK at the rate of 0.5 tsp/gallon applied twice a week. Growth is much faster in Vanda seedlings when fertilized with ¼ tsp/gallon of 18-18-18 or 30-10-10 NPK, applied three times a week. For flowering plants, use ½ tsp/gallon of 18-18-18 or 30-10-10 NPK. Apply fertilizer after watering plants to prevent burning. Other genera require same rate as in Dendrobium and Vanda. Potting and Repotting - potting of orchids varies according to genera and species. For Dendrobium, potting them in clay pots or mounting them in drift wood is usually practiced. Clay pots with charcoal are ideal for large scale production. For Vandas and Ascocendas, small seedlings are potted with little osmunda fiber and a little charcoal. For older plants, plants are usually mounted in twigs or drift woods, potted with tree fern or charcoal or by hanging in baskets or wires. Use clay pots with charcoal for Cattleyas. Place the bulb close to pot rim with the lead towards the center of the pot. Repotting is needed when the plants have over grown the pots or when potting medium has deteriorated. Mounting on acacia or kakawati wood cuttings, fern slabs is ideally practiced for Phalaenopsis. Some plants like Arachnis and Renanthera are planted directly in a well-drained bed or in pots with soil. Propagation There are two types of propagating orchids: Asexual (vegetative propagation) and Sexual (seed and embryo culture). Vegetative Propagation Division - Cattleya, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium can be multiplied by division. Separate three to four canes or bulb from the mother plant by cutting through the rhizome and pot them individually. Formation of Keikies and Offshoots - occasionally, a bud develop into young plant at the top, side of pseudobulbs or at the nodes of a flowering stem, this is usually called kiekies. Once the young new roots develop, remove the plantlet and pot separately. Top Cutting - Monopodials such as Vandas, Ascocendas, Arachnis, Renanthera, Trichoglottis, Phalaenopsis and Doritis are best propagated by top cutting. When the plant becomes leggy, cut off the top art retaining few roots and pot separately. Tissue Culture - one of the most rapid and massive methods of multiplying plant vegetatively is through tissue culture. This develops new plants in an artificial medium under aseptic conditions using shoot apex, axillary buds or inflorescence buds. Thousands of identical plants can be produced in a relatively short time. Sexual Propagation The sexual propagation is accomplished through seed and embryo culture in an artificial medium and under aseptic conditions. The orchid seed is to minute, devoid of stored food for germination hence, artificial medium is needed. A small amount of seed sown produces hundreds of tiny protocorms and further develop into numerous seedlings. Pest Management Diseases of orchids commonly encountered in the Philippines are caused by fungi, bacteria and virus. Fungal and Bacterial Diseases Black rot or heart rot - caused by the fungus Phytophtora Sclerotium rot - caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Anthracnose - caused by the fungus Gleosporium sp. Bacterial soft rot - caused by the bacterium Erminia carotovora Symptoms: Soft, soggy, translucent, circular patches on the leaves are usually the observed symptoms when the bacterial and fungal diseases are present. Preventive Measures Provide good air circulation Protect the seedlings and soft growing orchids like Phalaenopsis from rain Regular spraying with fungicides (Dithane, Benlate) Curative Measures Increase ventilation Withhold watering and stop spraying organic fertilizer Isolate badly infected plants Apply fungicides Discard infected medium or sterilize Viral Diseases Virus diseases are systemic in nature. These are spread by man through cutting tools, and by insect vectors. The main viral diseases of orchids are: Cymbidium mosaic virus Cymbidium necrotic ringspot virus (Orchid Type) Tobacco mosaic virus (Orchid Type) Odontoglossum ringspot virus Symptoms Triangular and yellow patches on the leaves (Chlorotic mosaic) Pitting, back fleaking, streaking or spotting on the leaves Yellow, brown or black ring patches (Ring spot) Color break in flowers Bud drop Brown necrotic streak on flowers Control Measures Adequate spray program and sanitation around greenhouse/nursery. Disinfestation of all tools that come in contact with infected plants. Insect Pests Among the orchid pests commonly encountered are: Thrips - prefer to destroy colored floral parts producing white and brown streaks. The young flower bud stop developing, turn brown and die. Apply Azodrin and Malathion at the rate of 1 tbsp/gallon water. Spider Mites - are prevalent during hot and dry seasons, usually feed both flowers and leaves by sucking the sap and leaving shiny and silvery marks. Application of mite / Dicarzol for four consecutive weeks can kill both adults and eggs. Orchid Beetles - feed on the young leaves and succulent canes of Dendrobium. Beetles are rather difficult to control because they are mobile and have thick shells which are resistant to ordinary chemical spray. Snails and Slugs - generally feed on the root tips and young shoots. These can be controlled by hand picking and application of bug-geta or slug-it, one pellet per pot or per square meter. Other pests are Aphids, Mealy Bugs, Sowbugs, Scale, Ants, Cockroaches and others. Flowering Like most plants, orchid must attain a certain degree of vegetative growth to produce flowers like in Phalaenopsis, Vanda and Aranda which require a minimum number of 3, 8 and 14 leaves respectively. Vegetative growth can be accelerated if provided with optimum growing conditions such as high temperature, humidity, adequate and continuous light, frequent application of diluted fertilizers. Some genera require low temperature to induce flowering such as Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis schilleriana, Dendrobium nobile and Paphiopedilum. Dendrobiums begin to flower in about eight months to 1 ½ years from community pot stage. Mature plants usually produce one to two flower stalks per plant per year. As the plant grows older, the number of inflorescence may reach 12 to 24 spikes/plant per year. Several Dendrobium hybrids flower all year round in peak months from October to April. Inflorescences are harvested when two to three buds at the top remain unopen. Many semi-terete vandas begin to flower in two and one half to three years from community pot stage. Mature plants start to produce two to three stalks per plant per year and usually flower all year round. Floral stalks are harvested when two or three buds at the top remain unopened. Reference: Bureau of Plant Industry Technoguides

[caption id="attachment_12734" align="alignnone" width="600"] Physically challenged Mario Galvez led many Taguig urban poor persons with disability (PWD) to train under a program of Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau in turning waste from buko juice and water lily into nature-friendly charcoal briquette cooking fuel.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_12735" align="alignnone" width="600"] Orthopedic PWDs (persons with disability) get jobs packaging 24-piece charcoal briquette packs. They find fulfillment earning their living and contributing to solid waste management and carbon emission reduction through the Ecosystems Research and Devt. Bureau technology.[/caption]  

Ridged gourd or angled Luffa gourd (Luffa acutangula) and smooth gourd (Luffa cylindrica) are commonly called patola among the Tagalogs and locally known as kabatiti among the Ilocanos and Ibanags. A tropical member of the Cucurbitaceae, the patola plant is an annual vine with tendrils and large, cylindrical fruits that are edible when young. Most patola varieties are monoecious. Male flowers develop in a cluster, whereas female flowers develop singly or in association with male flowers. The lower nodes of patola usually bear only male flowers, followed by nodes having both male and female flowers, which are followed by solitary female flowers at the uppermost nodes. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="375"] Photo by Starr Environmental [/caption] The mature, dry fruit consists of a hard shell surrounding a stiff, dense network of cellulose fibers. These dense network of cellulose fibers serve as support and dispersal of hundreds of flat, smooth black seeds. They are called luffa or loofah sponge which is commercially manufactured as body scrub. Patola is closely related to cucumber and modified cultural practices for trellised cucumber production can be used. One must keep in mind, however, that luffa is a tropical plant which requires a long growing season and warm temperature. SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS Patola is adapted to humid tropics. In the Philippines,it can be grown throughout the year. However, for optimum production, select soil types with high organic matter. This crop can be profitably grown in rain-field and irrigated farms but not productive in poorly drained soils. Productive months in growing patola is from June to September and from February to May if there is adequate irrigation. CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Selection of Varieties Two types of patola can be planted for production namely, angular or ridged type and smooth type. For better yield, select varieties of patola that are adaptable in your local conditions and market preference. Varieties of patola and their desirable characteristics are shown in the “Guide in Selecting Lowland Vegetable Varieties” included in this kit. Land Preparation Prepare the field as early as possible to give enough time for the weeds and stubbles of previous crops to decompose. Plow and harrow 2 to 3 times alternately at one week interval. Plow at a depth of 15 to 20 cm. Harrow twice to break the clods and level the field. A well-pulverized soil promotes good soil aeration and enhances root formation. Furrows should be set at 2.5 to 3 m distance. Trellising Provide the plants with trellis to produce fruits of good visual quality. Trellising is also essential during the wet season to minimize fruit rotting and malformation. Construct overhead trellises at a distance of 2 to 3 m wide and 2 m high using ipil-ipil or bamboo poles. Provide strong roof trellis by intertwining the wire or nylon twine crosswise and lengthwise on top of the trellis. Provide a ladder-like trellis or vertical pole for each upo plant to facilitate the vines to climb up. Seed Preparation and Sowing Soak the seeds in water overnight before planting to facilitate germination. During dry season, plant 1 to 2seeds per hill at a distance of 2.5 m between hills on the furrows. During wet season, plant 2 to 3 seeds per hill on the ridges of the furrows at a distance of 2.5 m between hills to avoid water logging. Thinning and Replanting Remove weak and diseased seedlings 3 to 4 weeks after emergence. Retain only one healthy plant per hill. Replant vacant hills. Vine Training Train the vines to climb the trellis by tying the stem lightly on the vertical pole or ladder-like trellis until it reaches the overhead trellis. Training should be done weekly. Fertilizer Application The kind and amount of fertilizer to apply depends on soil fertility and soil type. To achieve optimum yield, have your soil analyzed at the Soil Laboratory nearest you to determine the right nutrient requirement of the soil. In the absence of soil analysis, apply the following fertilizers at the time and amount specified: Irrigation Irrigate the crop by flooding the area two weeks after emergence. Repeat irrigating at seven (7) days interval throughout the growing season. Weeding Weed the area at 14 days after emergence. Cut the weeds close tothe ground every 14 days or as needed. Do notuproot the weeds or cultivate in between the rows as this will harm the roots of the plants. Disturbed roots will affect the growth of vines and result to low yield,continue weeding until the crop has attained considerable vegetative size to cover the trellis. When the trellis is completely covered with the vines it shuts out sunlight needed by the newly germinating weeds, suppressing their growth. Crop Protection Crop protection strategy should be based on the population and degree of damage of insect pests and diseases attacking the plants. Patola is very resistant to most insect pests of cucurbits except fruitfly. Most common disease is downy mildew. For prevention and management of of pests and diseases, please refer to the Pests and Diseases Management Guide for Lowland Vegetable included in the kit. Harvesting Five days after fruit setting, harvest immature fruits using a sharp knife to cut the peduncle. Pack harvested fruits in 10 kg capacity polyethylene bags to maintain freshness. To avoid the damaging effect of sunlight on the fruits (drying of the ridge), harvest early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Cost and Return Analysis for Patola Source: e-extension.gov.ph

Here’s the good news for coconut growers: the domestic market needs 4 million kg of the highly-priced makapuno meat annually. The sad fact is, less than 3% of that demand is being met. This reality is a gaping hole in a scenario where economic opportunity is elusive. What are we doing to address this problem? A study by the Philippine Coconut (PCA) Authority in Albay puts the problem in proper perspective. Makapuno Growing Makapuno is unlike growing ordinary coconut trees. It’s embryo germinates abnormally, hence the soft endosperm – the main feature of Makapuno – grows almost filling up the whole nut. This abnormality is due to a single recessive gene that controls the Makapuno endosperm. Makapuno is conventionally grown using non-Makapuno nuts. These nuts are borne together in a bunch with the Makapuno, called kabuwig. These nuts are possible carriers of the Makapuno character, therefore a potential Makapuno bearer. This method has proven to be low yielding. Market opportunity lost Coconut farmers in the Southern Tagalog region know a huge market opportunity is passing them by because the product they are constrained to mass produce is priced nearly ten times the ordinary coconut. A nationwide survey in 1996 showed that there are only about 30,000 Makapuno trees in the country. Although farmers in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon have been raising Makapuno for decades, their counterparts in Thailand, through an expert who discovered the market opportunity in Makapuno from Filipino experts, are reaping the promise of the tree more successfully. This reality, the study suggests, makes it imperative for the country to invest more in the development of the Makapuno industry. The breakthrough technology Makapuno palms that could give potentially 100% Makapuno nuts were developed by the late Dr. Emerita de Guzman in the 1960s through coconut embryo culture. The technology has since then been optimized at the Philippine Coconut Authority-Albay Research Center and is now being used to mass propagate the Makapuno coconut in the Philippines as well as in collecting, conserving and transporting coconut germplasm among and between coconut growing countries in the world. Optimizing the technology results into an embryo culture that has been successfully transferred and adopted by various Makapuno embryo culture laboratories in the country for mass production of the makapuno coconut. With the prospects of higher yield of Makapuno now in sight, the development and promotion of Makapuno food products is now being undertaken. The study suggested, with the spearheading of the government, that research should be conducted to study and develop new ways to promote the commercialization of the Makapuno. ------------ Source: The need for a focused and aggressive development of the Makapuno coconut: An important coconut genetic resource of the Philippines, Erlinda P. Rillo, Philippine Coconut Authority – Albay Research Center by Ma. Lizbeth J. Baroña, BAR Chronicle, February 2004 Issue (Vol. 5 No. 2)

Pacol, a wild variety of banana and a close relative of saging na saba, was used to create a disease-free breed of abaca. In a project dubbed “Production of High Yielding and Virus-resistant Abaca Hybrids”, experts were able to do this by using molecular markers in a biotechnology process called genetic engineering. This collaborative project among agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for  Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), and Department of Agriculture-Biotech The project is part of the DOST’s commitment to provide S&T solutions that will address gaps in the major stages of production. According to the project leader, Dr. Antonio Lalusin Jr. of IPB in UPLB, the project worked on the development of molecular markers to assist in the hybridization of bunchy top virus free abaca. Dr. Lalusin said that the pacol variety, endemic in the Bicol region, has been used by breeders for hybrid purposes. Lalusin’s team made use of the resistant gene marker of pacol by cross breeding it with abaca and then breeding it back to pure-bred abaca. “Through the use of gene markers, the selection process for the bunchy-top resistant genes of pakol was significantly reduced,” said Dr. Lalusin. “While the conventional breeding takes 10 years or so, we were able to produce resistant abaca in about five years or less using modern genetic technologies. The bunchy top virus is the most injurious among the three diseases that affect abaca in the country. Aside from lowering the quality of harvested fibers, this virus also hinders the growth of infected abaca, resulting in no harvest at all. The project also aims to increase good quality fiber yield by about 0.2 MT/hectare through the use of hybrid abaca plants. This translates to an additional 14,488MT of good quality harvest or roughly Php 579.5 million in revenues. The team also targets to mass produce 2.5 million hybrid plantlets through tissue culture by 2014. Currently, the project houses about one million tissue cultured plantlets in different stages of growth in their laboratory, greenhouse and field trial station. The top ten abaca producing regions, most of them hit badly by typhoon Yolanda, will be given planting materials to revive the industry. Currently, the local abaca industry holds 85 percent share in the world market, with the Bicol region contributing about 36 percent production. Abaca, commonly known as Manila hemp, the country’s premier fiber, is known worldwide for its incomparable tensile strength. Commonly used as clothing and footwear materials in the past, abaca's application has expanded to sophisticated industries such as production of pulp for specialty papers such as currency notes, stencil papers in addition to textiles, handicrafts. Today, abaca fibers are being used by car manufacturers as automobile composites. However, there is an increasing threat of disease incidence in the country, in addition to losses due to typhoons and other natural calamities. Viruses such abaca bunchy top, abaca mosaic, and abaca bract mosaic are the top three being studied on.  Millions of pesos are lost to said diseases, with as much as 23 million pesos in Bicol alone. Written by Arjay C. Escondo S&T Media Service, DOST-STII

Maybe the majority of us Filipinos have seen this red hairy fruit . Indeed, the fruit’s name is derived from the Malay word “rambut” meaning hairy. It is usually eaten raw and has a distinct taste and texture. Although rambutan is categorized as an underutilized fruit, it is considered as one of the promising commercial crops. Nephelium lappaceum L., commonly known as rambutan in the Philippines, it comes from family Sapindaceae. The fruit is also called ramboutan or ramboutanier in French, ramboetan in Dutch, ramboostan in India, shaotzu in Chinese, and chomchomor vaithieu in Vietnamese. The underutilized fruit is native to Malaysia and it was introduced to many tropical countries including the Philippines during prehistoric times. The tree is medium to large-sized, about 15-25 meters high. Leaves are even pinnate with 2-4 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are 10-20 centimeters long, elliptic to obovate, thin but leathery and dark green. Numerous small, greenish white flowers are in panicles on shoot tips. Rambutan fruits are globose to ovoid, 4-5 centimeters long, yellow or red when ripe and with fleshy spines. Rambutan’s aril is nearly white, translucent, subacid, juicy, and with an oblong or ovoid seed. Rambutan grows well from sea level to medium altitudes in places with a long rainy season. Rambutan can be propagated through seed, (which takes about 10-15 days to germinate) marcotting, inarching, cleft grafting and patch budding. Major pests are fruit borer and oriental fruitfly while the major disease is foot rot. In the Philippines, flowering occurs from late March to early May while the fruiting season is from August to October. Fruits are harvested when fully ripe on the tree. In order to maintain the quality and freshness, rambutan fruits must be transported to local markets within three days of picking. The yield of rambutan may vary from year to year. Individual trees 8 years old or older can produce as much as 440 lbs or 200 kilograms in the first season, and 132 lbs or 60 kilograms on the next season. In the Philippines, the average production per tree of 21 selections was reported to be 264 lbs or 120 kilograms over a four year period, while the general average is only 106 lbs or 48 kilograms . Rambutan fruit has 36% edible portion which contains (per 100 grams) 77.6 grams water, 87 kcal energy, 1.2 grams protein, 0.9 grams fat, 18.6 grams carbohydrates, 1.1 grams dietary fiber, 32 mg calcium, 16 mg phosphorous, 0.4 mg iron, 0.02 mg thiamine, 0.10 mg riboflavin, 0.5 mg niacin and 91 mg ascorbic acid. Rambutan’s different faces Various rambutan cultivars were introduced from our neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, but only a few cultivars were eventually adopted in the Philippines. These are Maharlika, Seematjan and Seenjonja varieties. Mature Seematjan is reddish pink, egg shaped and weighs 35-48 grams. Peels and spines are red, soft and long with yellowish pink tips. The edible portion of the fruit is half the weight of the whole fruit, which is thick, juicy and very sweet. The edible portion easily separates from the seed. However, much of the seed covering adheres to the edible portion. Mature Seejonja on the other hand is bright red and smaller than Seematjan. It weighs 16-20 grams and the regularly arranged spines are short and soft. The edible portion is less than half the whole fruit by weight. The edible portion is relative thinner, juicier, sweeter and adheres tightly to the seed. The most popular variety is Maharlika, is round and weighs 19-28 grams with short and widely spaced spines. The outer portion is reddish pink and the spines are red and yellowish pink tips like Seematjan. Its edible portion is half as thick, juicy, sweet, easily separates from the seed and most of the seeds adheres to the flesh. Special uses and benefits Have you ever thought that every part of the rambutan tree has medicinal uses as well? Rambutan fruit preferably unripe, can be used as astringent and can help relieve diarrhea and dysentery. Rambutan seeds are effective in reducing body fat and making the skin healthier by eating it raw, mashed or mixed with other foods. Rambutan leaves promotes good hair growth by applying its water extracts to the damp scalp while the leaves are also used as bandage on the temples to soothe headaches. The roots can also be used as a decoction to treat fever. The edible part of rambutan has a high amount of phosphorus which helps filter out waste from the kidneys and is also responsible for growth, maintenance and repair of tissues and cells. The functions of calcium and phosphorus work hand in hand to strengthen bones and teeth. The edible portion can also be preserved in syrup or jam. Even the shoots of young rambutan can be utilized as one of the ingredients in dyeing silk. R&D prospects for rambutan There have been continuing efforts in monitoring and improving the production and marketing of rambutan in the Philippines. As early as 1990s, the Agribusiness Systems Assistance Program (ASAP) reviewed the Philippine situation of rambutan. According to the team of experts, more R & D projects should be conducted specifically on its production and marketing aspects in order to tap the local and export markets. In addition, a continuous search of areas that are suitable for the long-term production of rambutan was recommended. Planting of additional trees in areas which can produce rambutan outside of the traditional season should also be explored. In a rambutan plantation in Davao, for instance, growers can produce fruits during February and March. This breakthrough could probably be our country’s opportunity of exporting rambutan during our competitor’s off-season. In order to effectively penetrate the international market, research must also focus on the objective of increasing rambutan’s production and value-adding, and maximizing refrigerated shipment, coupled with aggressive promotion. The value-adding aspect of rambutan was ventured in by Mr. Jaime Goyena from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB Batch 1958) and Associate Member of U.P. Kappa Sigma-Conservation Development Society Alumni Association. As an agriculturist, Mr Goyena was able to breed rambutan (R-5 cultivar) through natural selection and because of this, he garnered the 'Pinakamatamis na Rambutan' award given by the Department of Agriculture in the late 1990s. The R-5 cultivar also proved to be the best raw material for wine making. Another passion of Mr. Goyena’s has moved him to test the potential of rambutan and the result is very encouraging and indeed rewarding. In 2006, the Goyena's Rambutan Wine was a recipient of a special award for one of the best tasting wines given by the Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Funded under the National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) of Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Mr. Jaime Goyena is now implementing a project entitled “Increasing Farm Productivity and Income through Product Diversification: Pilot Scale Commercialization of Wine Products from Indigenous Fruits”. The project specifically aims to (1) test the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a winery system to produce quality tropical fruit wine products on a commercial scale, (2) produce on semi-commercial scale, quality wine products from indigenous, underutilized fruit species namely lipote, abiu, bignay, doromon, Indian mango and rambutan using optimized protocols on wine production and (3) promote cooperative enterprise development and marketing through capability building activities. Technical Consultant and member of the project team, Dr. Edralina Serrano, chooses rambutan as one of the underutilized fruits in producing wine products due to the fruit’s one-week shelf life. “To reduce losses as a result of its perishable nature, the fruit has to be converted (product diversification or value-adding) into a form that adds value to rambutan. Thus, the production of wine from rambutan as a value-adding strategy”, Dra. Serrano added. The project team has purchased and installed the equipment needed for wine making. Capability building activities through training of workers and potential entrepreneurs were also conducted. The project also started to process fruit wines last March 2012. Other fruits in this project, abiu and jackfruit, are under fermentation while pineapple, lipote, bignay and rambutan will be next in line for processing. Hopefully this project will help to increase interest in wine production. Through R & D efforts, rambutan can prove to be exceptional compared to other more famous fruits. Attaining greater familiarity for rambutan and products made from it may still be a few steps away, but there is confidence that, with its vast potential, this fruit can reach greater heights with its red and spiky crowning glory! ----------

Source: 1. Coronel, Roberto E, Important Underutilized Edible Fruits of the Philippines, University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI) and Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), 2011 2. Golla, David VI. 1996. Rambutan: The Versatile Fruit. Marid Agribusiness Digest.6(11): p 8 3. Palacpac-Alu, Anna Marie. 1988.Discover Rambutan: RP’s Lychee. Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Journal. 21(12):p 26 4. www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/rambutan.html 5. http://naturecure.ygoy.com/2011/08/31/health-benefits-of-rambutan-fruit/ 6.http://www.livestrong.com/article/362917-nutritional-content-of-the-rambutan-fruit/

By: Liza Angelica D. Barral, BAR Digest October-December 2012 Issue (Vol. 14 No. 4)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by kumon [/caption] Watermelon, commonly known as "pakwan" in Tagalog, is probably native to Africa. It is mainly eaten as dessert fruit. The rind is made into preserves and pickles; the seeds are processed into butong pakwan. In 1982-83, the area planted to watermelon was 15,410 hectares with a total production of 75, 650 metric tons of fruits; but area was reduced to 5,370 hectares in 1983-1984 and production went down to 57,000 metric tons of fruits. The demand for watermelon could go up as foreign markets like the USA offered to but all the watermelon the country can produce. VARIETIES Varieties commonly grown in the Philippines are Valencia, Meak, Klondyke, Northern Hybrid, Tender Sweet, Hony Cream and Mallorca. Foreign varieties: Accessions 193490 and 293964 from Africa; Acdcessions 183217 and 164539 from India; Festival Queen, Glory, Charleston Gray and Sugar Bagy. Elevation- Watermelon is grown comercially in lowland areas after rice harvest. These provinces are Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Batangas and Laguna. Months of planting- Planting season is from October to January. In some parts of the country, planting is done as early as August to produce an off-season crop which commands better market price. CULTURE Plow land at least 20 cm deep to increase soil aeration. Plow and harrow 2-3 times for early growth and development. These are done several weeks in advance of planting to condition soil. Though this is quite expensive. Labor cost of weeding will be reduced. Planting and spacing- Watermelon is grown from seeds directly planted in the field. Plant 3-4 seeds to a hill, 2.5 cm deep. Distance of planting ranges from 1.5 x 1.5 to 2.5 x2.5 meters apart, depending on variety. FERTILIZATION Watermelon is generally grown in rotation with other crops; it is necessary to use manure or any soil improving crop to maintain organic matter in the soil. Apply 10 to 15 tons of manure per hectare. Apply complete fertilizer at the rate of 100 to 150 kilograms per hectare at planting time by hand placement 5 to 8 cm below the soil and 5 to 6 cm away to the side where seeds are placed. If plants show signs of yellowing, apply sidedressing of nitrogenous fertilizer. Watermelon has a spreading hairy, tendril-bearing vines reaching 3-5 meter long. Leaves are oblongovate 8-20 cm long with 3-7 lobes. Flowers are monoecious, yellow in color and about 2 cm in diameter. Fruits are large, green-mottled or deep green. Introduced hybrids and varieties produce much bigger fruits, shapes varying from globular to oblong. SOIL AND CLIMATE Watermelon prefers a well-drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter and which has not been previously palnted to watermelon. Watermelon requires more aeration than any other kind of crops, so the field must have good drainage to obtain good yield. In areas where growing season is short, light soil is desirable for early harvest. It grows satisfactorily in heavier soil if properly cared and managed. Watermelon is tolerant to a wide range of oil acidity with soil pH 5.0 to 6.8 to successful growth. A long period of warm, preferably dry weather contributes to growth. A temperature of 25 C is ideal for growth and 25 C is the best temperature for fruit setting. After plants are well-established, thin to one to two plants per hill. Alternate plant is planting in continuous rows and thinning the plant to a distance of 1.5 to 2.0 meters. When plants have 3-4 leaves, thin to one plant per hill. CULTIVATION Cultivate and weed to check weed growth. Any implement may be used for the purpose. Avoid injury to roots while cultivating. IRRIGATION Watermelon may suffer injury when exposed to a long period of drought. Apply irrigation water when necessary. Frequent light irrigation 5-6 times during growing season is beneficial. During early stage of growth, irrigate sparingly since too much water tends to hinder root development. PEST AND DISEASES Cucurbit beetle- Adults are yellow beetle 6 to 8 mm in length. They eat leaves of young and old plants. Aphids - Adult and young are tiny, greenish insects generally wingless and soft-bodied. Insect suck the sap of leaves. Infested plants show curling and distorting of leaves. Mites - Very tiny insects usually found on undersurface of leaves. Adults are reddish in color. Downy Mildew - Caused by Pseudiperonospora cubensis Berk and Curt. Characterized by the presence of yellow spots on upper surface of leaves and purplish powdery material on lower surface. CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES Treat the watermelon seeds with appropriate fungicides to minimize early development of diseases in the field. Dust or spray the young plants regularly with any suitable insecticides as soon as the false leaves have spread. At the seedling stage, watermelon are easily attacked by insect pests. HARVESTING Harvest watermelon fruits when mature enough to be sweet. Generally, it takes a watermelon fruit to mature 35 to 40 days from pollination depending on the variety. The old method of determining maturity of watermelon is by "thumping" with a finger. A dull or hollow sound is an indication of maturity. The most practical index, however, is when the color of the lower part of the fruit that rests on the ground changes from white to creamy yellow. Harvest fruit with a sharp knife. POST HARVEST ACTIVITIES Pile newly harvested fruits in shaded areas. Do not bruise fruits during sorting, packing and shipping Source: da.gov.ph

An abaca integration project is hoped to be replicated in typhoon-damaged Leyte-Samar as Philippine abaca enhances its global competitive edge from its Rainforest Alliance certification. A project that combines farming of abaca with other crops like coconut, “Abakayamanan” is envisioned to help farmers in typhoon-stricken provinces to bounce back through this technology. The Abaca integration project implemented by the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and financed by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is called “Enhancing Productivity of Abaca Farms in Bicol through Integrated Farming System Abakayamanan” “We may be able to duplicate Abakayamanan in Tacloban City. Even prior to the Yolanda, Leyte and Samar are the biggest provinces in abaca production,” said Dr. Editha O. Lomerio, Abakayamanan project head. BAR has funded Abakayamanan by P1.8 million. The program has raised farmers’ income in two pilot areas by P14,400 per 1,000 square meters. The pilot areas are San Roque, Maliliput, Albay and Gubat, Sorsogon. BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar wants Abakayamanan implemented too in other abaca-producing provinces. “We can have a holistic approach in our abaca production through Abakayamanan. Director Eleazar wanted it duplicated in many areas. It’s a food security source, and we may also have it as a zero waste crop,” said Dr. Editha O. Lomerio, Abakayamanan project leader. Abakayamanan’s beneficiaries were Malilipot Abaca Planters Association in Albay and Gubat Abaca Growers Cooperative in Sorsogon. [caption id="attachment_6389" align="alignnone" width="600"] Planted annual crops in new established Abakayamanan model farm San Roque, Malilipot Albay[/caption] Rainforest Alliance The replication of the Abakayaman project in Leyte-Samar will enhance the marketing of quality abaca manufacturing in the Philippines especially in light of a certification for sustainable forest management obtained by manufacturers. Abaca manufacturer Glatfelter (Germany) which has an abaca manufacturing plant in Barrio Maria Cristina, Balo, Lanao Del Norte has obtained a FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) from New York-based Rainforest Alliance. Glatfelter manages Newtech Pulp, a producer and exporter of abaca pulp. Glatfelter has been teaching its constituent farmers to plant trees sustainably. Its systems encourage greening of forest and soil erosion prevention. Glatfelter manufactures composite fibers, specialty papers, and engineered products made from abaca. Typhoon-damaged As Eastern Visayas has been the biggest producer of abaca fiber in the country, planting of abaca will definitely help rehabilitate the typhoon-stricken provinces. Leyte as a whole, Southern Leyte, and Northern Samar are among the country’s 10 biggest abaca producers. The other top provinces are Catanduanes, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Sur, Leyte, Sulu, Davao Oriental, Camarines Sur, and Surigao del Sur. Total area as of 2011 devoted to abaca in the Philippines was 172,528 hectares at a total product of 73,274 metric tons of abaca fiber. “The Bicol Region used to be the biggest in the country. It’s now just second to Eastern Visayas, “ according to an Abakayamanan report authored by Lomerio, Daniel Lachica, and Lea Casim. Abaca has been plagued by destructive viral diseases including abaca mosaic, bunchy top virus, and abaca bract mosaic. Abaca planting has also been adversely affected by destruction of forest ecosystems, non-adoption of production technologies, lack of information on value adding, and low farm gate price of abaca fibers. Because of these factors, farm holdings in the Bicol Region have been reduced to less than three hectares per smallholder. Farmers have shifted to planting short—season crops like vegetables. Environment-friendly The very durable nature of abaca is not the only quality of this natural fiber that makes it in demand in the market. Its environment-friendly, biodegradable nature makes manufacturers, especially those in Europe, to use abaca over synthetic fibers. Coffee cups and tea bags are among the products that make use of abaca. These food containers highlights abaca fiber’s sanitary nature. Many European institutions had already adopted a policy of turning away from non-biodegradables like plastics. Biggest exporter The Philippines is considered the world’s biggest supplier of abaca products with export value of around $100 million. Opportunities abound as Ecuador, the Philippines’ next competitor in abaca supply, is reducing its abaca area, according to Lomerio. The Philippines also has the competitive edge in abaca production due to its quality—durable, clean white, and long fibers. The country exports its abaca pulp, fiber and other products mainly to the United Stated, Europe, and Japan. There is an expanding markets for abaca fiber made into denim in Japan. Composites, an engineered material that uses two or more combined raw materials, are a biodegradable industrial product used as a durable material used in interiors of luxury vehicles and aircrafts. This natural fiber can withstand pressures present in environments like those of aircrafts. Employment The abaca industry is a significant job generator. As of 2011, FIDA noted it employed 111,112 farmers and 506 traders. Employment in groups include 17 licensed traders-exporters; 13 licensed GBEs (grading and baling establishments); six cordage firms; six licensed pulp manufacturers; and 109 licensed fibercraft processors. Abakayamanan The BAR-FIDA project on Abakayamanan is an integration of abaca operations. First, there is intercropping particularly of abaca with coconut farms. For short-gestating crops, among the crops integrated with abaca were okra, pechay, squash, eggplant, upo, mungbean, sweet potato, pole sitao, snap bean, ginger, papaya, and pineapple. Abakayamanan brought a 13 percent increase in abaca area in Bicol Region to 50,212 hectares, employing 21,134 farmers. Bicol’s abaca fiber production contributes 37 percent of the country’s total production. Abakayamanan implemented IFS or integrated farming system, disease management, Integrated Pest Management, and value adding through manufacturing of handicraft and other products. Integrated to abaca planting are animal (like goat) growing, mushroom growing, and composting to produce organic fertilizer. Value adding Among livelihood and value adding activities introduced in Abakayamanan in the two Bicol pilot areas were production of non-woven scrunch, bacbac bag making, and knotting. weaving, twinning, macramé, cordage-making, and handmade paper-making. A mechanical dryer for abaca fiber drying was installed in Sorsogon. It was funded by Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development or Philmec. Value added products from Abakayamanan are mushroom, sinamay, pinukpok, scrunch, macramé bag, wine holder, and crazy box. There are also wedding gown, barong, and casual dress. As a world class product, the abaca bacbac bags commanded an attractive price of P400 to P550 per piece. Product exhibition Through the Japanese 2KR grant, the farmers’ cooperatives were able to join a product exhibition at SM Megamall in October 2010. The abaca products were also exhibited at the International Agriculture and Tourism Expo Trade Fair at the World Trade Center in June-July 2011 and at BAR’s Techno Forum in SM Megamall in August 2011. Production efficiency Through technologies like IPM, germination of abaca seedlings was at a high of 87 percent in Sorsogon and 89 percent in Albay. Germination used to reach only about 50 percent. “IFS are companion crops that provides structural support and protection during the germination period from rotting or attack of soil pathogens during heavy rains,” reported the Abakayamanan team quoting Trenbath. Incidence of virus was also lower at eight to 10 percent compared to other nearby farms from the pilot areas that experienced around 40-50 percent infestation. “Integrated farming encourages biodiversity that limits the virus disease cycle and regulated population buildup of aphid vector in the main crop. The more complex and diverse a community, the more stable it tends to be thus pest incidence is minimal.” For the goat meat production, there were 35 farmer beneficiaries in MAPA. Apart from Sorsogon and Albay, 10 other abaca farmers were trained on Abakayamanan. Other outreach activities were in the local government sof Castilla, Irosin, and Bulusan in Sorsogon. “Abakayamanan upgraded abaca farming as a business. It was a sustainable source of income generation because of continuous marketing agreement. The markets came up as a result of quality and innovative products,” said the team. Abaca varieties The Abakayaman project has used organic fertilizer in order to promote environmental sustainability. Microorganisms were used to hasten decomposition of waste materials like leaves or stalks. FIDA has stocks of different varieties of abaca that are location-specific. These may be used when replicating Abakayamanan in other provinces. The abaca varieties are Laylay and Inusa in Visayas. In Bicol, among these are Tinawagan Pula and Tinawagan Puti. In Davao, Bongolanon and Tangongon is a known abaca variety which used as a durable fiber. In Sulu, there is Bongolanon. DA wants to have a continuous supply of finished products made from abaca. Abaca uses Abaca has many uses. Aside from fiber, it has many food values. Abaca leaves are used as growing material for mushroom. Coconut extract may be used as soap as it can heal psoriasis. “We want to promote it as a zero waste crop,” said Lomerio. Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte of the Bicol Region came up with a book on abaca “Abaca Philippines” showing many products from abaca. its crude extract may be used as a medicinal product to cure psoriasis. Its bark’s core may be used as source of starch. The softest part of its stem may be used for lumpia just like how bamboo shoots are used for lumpiang ubod. “In Apayao, natives have abaca-related cultivars whose stalk core is used use for lumpia,” said Lomerio. The fiber is used for many things including handicraft, high quality bags. “Our sinamay is used as blade for wind mills,” she said. Sinamay is a natural fabric made from abaca. The flower of abaca may be used as hamburger material. Roots may be converted into fertilizer and feeds. The roots of abaca are of primary shallow root compared to hardwood trees which have deep roots. These may be uprooted more easily and may be chopped down to be made into fertilizer and feed. Other products are electrolytic condenser paper, high grade decorative paper, Bible paper, coffee filter, meat and sausage casings, special art paper, cable insulation paper, adhesive tape paper, lens tissue, mimeograph stencil base tissue, carbonizing tissue, currency paper, checks, cigarette paper, vacuum cleaner bag, abrasive base paper, weatherproof bristol, map, chart, diploma paper, nonwovens, and oil blotting paper. For any questions, kindly contact Dr. Editha O. Lomerio (FIDA) 09154435091; for interview requests, Ms Analiza C. Mendoza (Growthmagph) 09213383816, 09162666604. This press release is also available on http://growthmagph.com/?p=108.