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In the Philippines, cashew is called kasoy or balubad in Tagalog or Balogo in Ilokano. It originated from north-eastern Brazil and was brought to the Philippines in the 17th Century. At present, cashew is cultivated in many tropical countries, the main producers are Brazil, India, Mozambique and Tanzania.
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The cashew plant is an evergreen tree that grows up to 12 meters tall, with a dome-shaped crown or canopy bearing its foliage on the outside, where flowers and fruits are found.
The growth of the taproot reaches a depth of 1.5-2 times the height of the plant during the first 4 months. Extensive lateral roots are formed later and reach far beyond the canopy spread of the tree during the first year of growth. In mature trees, the root volume is generally confined within the tree canopy. Very few laterals are formed beyond the 6 meter drip-line of the tree.
The fruit has a kidney-shaped nut, about 3 cm x 1.2 cm attached to a much enlarged and swollen pedicel or receptacle forming the fruit-like cashew apple. The cashew apple is pear-shaped, 10-20 cm x 4-8 cm, shiny, red to yellow, soft, and juicy. The seed is kidney-shaped, with reddish-brown testa, two large white cotyledons, and a small embryo. The kernel remaining after the removal of the testa is the cashew nut of commerce.
Favorable Growing Conditions
It can grow successfully in areas with a very distinct dry season or where the annual rainfall is as low as 50 cm. It can likewise grow well in areas with high levels of rainfall (as much as 350 cm annually) provided the soil is well-drained.
Seed System
1. Nursery Site
The nursery site should be well-drained and exposed to sunlight. It should have a good source of irrigation water for the maintenance of the plant materials. It should be protected against stray animals.
2. Nut Selection
Nuts for planting should be obtained from mother trees of known performance. They should be fully matured and of high density (heavy) grade to ensure good germination and vigorous seedlings. Seeds are water tested; those that sink are chosen since they have higher viability and germinate quickly.
3. Sowing the Seeds
Cashew seeds expire easily. Dry and newly collected seeds must be sown/propagated as soon as possible to prevent loss in viability. They are sown on individual polyethylene bags containing an equal mixture of fine sand and organic matter.
Seeds are sown 5-10 cm deep with stalk end facing upward in slanting position. This prevents the emerging cotyledons at the soil surface from being destroyed by rats, ants, snails, and birds.
4. Care of Seedlings
Seeds will germinate within 1 to 2 weeks after sowing. Excessive watering should be avoided. If seedlings are week and stunted, urea solution at the rate of 10 tbsp per gallon of water should be applied.
The seedlings must be properly taken care of until they are ready for field planting or for use in asexual propagation (grafting). Seedlings are ready for field planting when they have attained a height of 20-50 cm.
5. Propagation
Cashew can be propagated sexually or asexually. Asexual propagation can be done through airlayering, inarching, marcotting or grafting. Grafting is the best method for large-scale asexual propagation of cashew.
With cleft grafting, the seedlings are cut in traverse section (crosswise) and the remaining stem is cut longitudinally (lengthwise). The scion from a selected mother tree cut into the shape of a wedge is put between the two separated parts of the stem of the seedling, and the seedling and the scion are then wrapped with a plastic ribbon.
Up to 100% success has been obtained with 10-week old seedlings. In Palawan, plant propagators can get an average of 95% success in cleft grafting.
The use of young seedlings of about two months old result in more rapid takes, and the plants are ready to be planted at the age of 3 ½ months.
Sexual propagation is done by sowing the seeds directly on individual polyethylene bags. It should be done during the dry season so that the seedlings could be planted in the field at the start of the rainy season.
Land Preparation
For commercial purposes, the land should be thoroughly prepared. Plow the area 2-3 times followed by harrowing until the desired tilth of the soil is attained. It should be done before the start of the rainy season. For backyard or reforestation purposes, just underbrush the area and if possible collect all cut grasses, shrubs, and other rubbishes and burn them. The soil should be cultivated properly in order that the seeds may be sown with the required depth or that holes may be dug deep enough to bury the ball of seedlings. Rows of cashew trees should be properly laid out with the proper distancing by placing markers at the desired distance between hills in a row before digging the holes.
Crop Establishment
1. Distance of planting
Distance of planting varies according to the purpose for which the trees are planted. For reforestation, 3m x 3m is recommended to encourage early shading and to aid in smothering weeds.
For commercial plantings in the Philippines use 6m x 6m which is too close compared to the practice in other countries.
Triangular planting was found to be most productive layout and should be tried. This method, however, is rather difficult for farmers to follow.
High density planting gives more kernel per hectare up to age 7 years. Low density planting gives less per hectare but more per tree.
a. Triangular (12m x 12m x 12m) = 79 plants/ha
An alternative and easier method is the quincunx arrangement and should also be tried.
b. Quincunx (15m x 15m) = 76 plants/ha
c. Square
The simplest recommended planting distances are 9m x 9m at the less fertile lower slopes and 10m x 10m at the more fertile lower slopes.
2. Lining, Stacking and Digging of Holes
Rows of cashew should be properly laid out by placing markers between rows and between hills in a row.
The holes should be dug a month before the planting of seedlings. The holes should have a dimension 20 cm x 20 cm.
3. Planting Time
In places with distinct dry and wet seasons, planting is best done at the start of the rainy season.
4. Planting
There are two methods of establishing cashew that may be employed. These are direct seeding and transplanting of seedlings or sexually propagated materials.
In direct seedlings, 2 to 3 seeds are planted 5-10 cm deep with the stalk end facing upward and in a slanting position. This prevents emerging cotyledons at the soil surface from the ravages of field rats, ants, snails and birds.
Seeds are planted 30 cm apart in a triangular position when 3 seeds are used. The seeds will germinate 1-2 weeks after sowing provided that the soil has sufficient moisture.
Thinning should be done leaving only the most vigorous plant to develop 1-2 months from germination. Thinning is preferably done during the start of the rainy season.
When transplanting seedlings or sexually propagated materials, remove carefully the polyethylene plastic before setting the seedlings in the holes.
Fill the holes with surface soil first and firm the soil at the base of the seedling carefully allowing the roots to remain in as natural as possible.
5. Weeding and Cultivation
The plants should be cultivated and free from weeds at a distance of 1 meter around the trunk. The orchard should be weeded as often as necessary. Cut grasses should be left in the area between the hills to dry and to used later for mulching. Mulching helps conserve moisture around the plant during the summer months, keep down the weeds and increase the amount of humus in the soil when decays.
6. Intercropping and Covercropping
A considerable part of the land is available for intercropping during the early years after the establishment of the cashew orchard.
To provide sufficient protection from the heavy growth of weeds and grass, the spaces between rows may be used for planting cash crops. This would enable the grower to earn additional income.
Annual crops can be interplanted between rows of cashew provided they are not closer than 2 meter from the cashew tree.
When the growing of intercrops is no longer feasible, the field should be planted to leguminous covercrops. The planting of covercrops will prevent further soil erosion, conserve moisture, and add organic matter to the soil. The area within 1 to 1 1/2 meters from the trunk should be kept free from weeds and covercrops should not be allowed to cling to the tree.
7. Pruning
Little pruning is practiced in cashew. However, it may be necessary to prune regularly to get the desirable shape of the tree and to facilitate cultural operations.
It is also necessary to remove the diseased and infected branches and unnecessary water sprouts.
It is also necessary to remove the diseased and infected branches and unnecessary water sprouts.
8. Cut wounds should be properly treated with chemicals (coaltar) to facilitate healing and avoid infections.
Nutrient Management
It is advisable to apply fertilizers especially when soil analysis dictates specific soil nutrient deficiencies.
The general recommendations are the following:
Seedlings - At planting time apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) before the seedlings are set in the holes at the rate of 200-300 gm/plant.
Young Trees - Apply complete fertilizer at the rate of 300-500 gm/tree plus Urea (45-0-0) at the rate of 200-300 gm/tree.
Bearing Trees - Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at the rate of 1.5 to 3.0 kg/tree.
Recommended rate of fertilizer application is applied two times a year. One half of the total requirement per tree should be applied at the start of the rainy season and the remaining half should be applied toward the end of the rainy season.
On established trees, fertilizer should be dug with a depth of 1-10 cm. The fertilizer is then distributed equally. Cover the holes/canal properly with soil to prevent the fertilizer from evaporating or from being washed out by heavy rains.
Water Management
Irrigation is needed during the first dry season. Unlike in the subsequent years, when the root system has already been established and have reached the layer with sufficient moisture. For better yield, it is advisable to irrigate the field regularly especially during summer.
Pest Management
Major Pests
Twig Borer (Niphonoclea albata N. /N. capito P.)
This insect pest are common during the dry season. The adult beetle girdles the small branches causing them to dry up or break and drop to the ground. Its creamish larvae bore into the pith of the branches. As they feed, they move downward until they pupate. All affected twigs and small branches may eventually die.
Control Measure: Remove or collect all affected twig as well as dried twigs on the ground. Dispose them properly by burning before applying chemical sprays. In using spray chemicals, mix 3-5 tbsp of Malathion, Carbaryl and/or Methyl Parathion per 5 gallons of water. Repeat application at 7-10 days interval when necessary.
Mealybugs (Gray Mealybugs - F. vigata) and Thrips (Red-banded thrips - Selen othrips rubrocintus Glard)
These pests sucks the sap of young leaves and shoots. When severe infestation occurs, the tree is weakened and the leaves and fruit may fall prematurely.
Control Measures: Spray trees with any insecticide commonly available at manufacturer's recommended dosage when there are signs of early infestation.
Leaf Miner (Acrocercops syngramma M.) - Young plants in the nursery and in the orchard are more affected by these pests. Caterpillars of this silvery gray moth mine through the tender leaves, thus, severely damaging them.
Control Measures: Spray 0.05% Phosphamidon at manufacturer's recommended dosage as soon as infestation is detected on new leaves.
Tea Mosquito (Helopeltis Antonil S.) - A reddish-brown mirid bug which normally appears at the time of emergence of new growth and panicles. Nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender nuts.
Control Measures: Spray Malathion, Phosphamidon and/or Endosulfan at emergence of new growth and inflorescence. A third spray may be done at the time of fruit setting to reduce immature fruit drops.
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle (Cryzaephillus surinamensis L.) - This pest is known to attack the nuts during storage.
Control Measures: Nuts should be thoroughly dried and placed in air tight containers. Surface treatment is recommended. For finished products, fumigation is recommended.
Slug Caterpillar (Lamantridae spp.) - The caterpillar feeds on the leaves causing semi-defoliation.
Termite - Termites attack the roots and the trunk of cashew trees. They burrow on the bark of roots and branches especially of old trees. They build their soil mounds or nest on dead parts of the tree.
Control Measures: Soil mounds must be destroyed to locate the queen termite. The queen should be killed either mechanically or by spraying with 2% Chlordane. Chlordane should not be applied on living parts of the tree because of its long residual effect. Cistin powder could be applied to any part of the tree infested with termites at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.
Major Diseases
Dieback or Pink Disease - This disease is caused by fungus Corticium salmonicolor B. that usually occurs during the rainy season. Affected shoots initially show white patches on the bark; a film of silky thread or mycelium develops. Later, the fungus develops a pinkish growth which are the spores that make the bark split and peel off. Affected shoots start drying up from the tip.
Control Measures: All possible sources of innoculum should be removed. Affected shoots are pruned and burned. Cut surfaces must be protected by applying Bordeaux moisture paste. The tree should also be sprayed with fungicide at manufacturer's recommended dosage.
Anthracnose - This disease is cause by fungus Collectorichum gloeospoides that usually infect tender leaves, shoots, inflourescences, young fruits (apples) and young nuts. This disease is most prevalent when there is excessive rainfall coinciding with the appearance of new growth and flowering. Infected parts in its early stage show shiny, watersoaked lesions which later turn reddish-brown. At the lesion site, resinous exudation can be seen. As the disease progresses, the lesions enlarge in size, all affected tender leaves wrinkle, and the young apples and nuts become shrivelled. Inflorescences become black.
Control Measures: Remove all infected parts (source of innoculum) before spraying the tree with fungicide at manufacturer's recommended dosage of application.
Damping-off - This disease is caused by fungus Fusarium. This disease normally occurs in the nursery and effects cashew seedlings especially when the soil medium gets too wet.
Control Measures: Seeds for planting should be treated with Arasan 75 at the rate of ¼ tsp per ganta of seeds before sowing. Soil media for potting should be treated with soil fumingants.
Harvest Management
In the Philippines, cashew trees flower from November to March, while the harvest season is from February to May and may extend up to early June. The quality of nuts and yield is dependent on weather conditions during the fruiting stage. If it rains during the reproductive phase, poor quality nuts are produced. Fruits are usually harvested manually, although a number of farmers wait for the fruits to drop as the main concern of farmers is the nut. Nuts are picked from the ground, separated from the cashew apple, cleaned and dried.
In places where cashew apples are processed into juice, wine and other delicacies, fruits are harvested using a pole with a wire hook attached to its end. The pole is provided with a shallow net or cloth bag to catch the detached fruits.
Processing and Utilization
Nuts are roasted and eaten. At present, the only commercial scale use for the cashew apple is for livestock feed. However, the cashew apple is now being processed into juice, candy, wine, jam, etc. but only to a certain extent since the market for these end products is still in the development stage.
Sources of Cashew Planting materials
Palawan Seed Farm
Puerto Princesa City
Bureau of Plant Industry Nursery
Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
Guimaras Seed Farm
Jordan, Guimaras, Iloilo
Source: bar.gov.ph
Photo by angela n. 
[/caption]
Priced at P120-150 a kilo, this fruit is fast becoming a hot new item in the market. A sure profit giver, scientists from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) are encouraging farmers to plant dragonfruit in their backyards.
I learned that the dragonfruit is a climbing cactus whose fragrant white flowers bloom at night. In fact, it is popular as an ornamental in Hawaii and is called Queen of the Night, Moonflower or Lady of the Night because of its magnificent bell-shaped flowers.
Like other fruits, the dragonfruit or strawberry pear is very nutritious. It contains minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. It lessens cholesterol and is good for people with diabetes.
The ripe strawberry pear is found delicious, especially if chilled and cut in half so that the flesh can be eaten with a spoon. The juice is enjoyed as a cool drink. A syrup made from the whole fruit is used to color pastries and candy. The unopened flowerbud can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Dragonfruit is also medicinal- the sap of its stems can be used as a vermifuge or dewormer but it is said to be caustic and hazardous. The air-dried, powdered stems contain B-sitosterol which is 30 times more effective than choline in breaking down cholesterol.
The dragonfruit plants can be cultivated using seeds, cuttings and pieces. They are easy to grow and maintain provided they are not overwatered. Like other cacti, they thrive best in well-drained soils such as sand and perlite and bloom best under full sunshine.
To cultivate the plant, stem cuttings can be prepared from plants that are 1/2 to 1 1/2 meter long. Then, these cuttings are stored in a dark area for a week before they are planted in plastic bags filled with a mixture of soil, manure and burnt rice hulls.
When the seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted to a 30-cm thick plot with a wooden trellis for the them to climb on. They can also be allowed to climb a tree or a wall like other vines or scrambling plants.
Other pointers that are useful are:
1. Plant them in areas that are not infested with ants,
2. Make sure that the plants get enough sunlight
3. Let the branches hang to enhance flowering and
4. Avoid overwatering and letting the soil dry in between waterings, and,
5. Indoors-place them in full sunshine, outdoors- place them in a partially shaded area. And if the leaves develop "burned" spots, give them more shade.
Recently, the dragonfruit has already made its way into the European market and latest figures show cacti fruit sales are soaring across the world. Although consumers are sometimes skeptical, there is a market for new exotic fruits. Farmers can augment their income by planting special crops like these in their backyard or in their farms.
--------------------
Source:
Pagtatanim ng Dragon Fruit by Drs. Rodel Maghirang, Gloria Rodulfo and Eufemio Rasco Jr., Special Crops Project-Vegetable Division, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, UP Los Baños at Telephone No. 049-536-3304 loc 217 and E-mail: rgm2000@yahoo.com
by Junelyn S. de la Rosa, BAR Chronicle, July 2002 Issue (Vol. 3 No. 13)
Image: cocoalembrance.wix.com/[/caption]
According to statistics, the country's supply reached a deficit of 44,349 metric tons a year (2005) against local consumption. Production was then nearly 5000 metric tons in 2005. Local consumption then reached nearly 50,000 metric tons. There is indeed a large demand for local production of cocoa beans. With the present civil war happening in Ivory Coast which produces about 40% of the world's cacao, major buyers (mostly from the US and Europe) are seeking alternate supply elsewhere. Cacao is considered an equatorial crop (crops that thrives well on regions occupying the equator), the Philippines has a great potential growing cacao.
Selection of Varieties
There are many varieties of cacao but the National Seed Industry Council has registered and approved only 9 varieties/clones of cacao. NSIC approved clones are the following:
Some of the nine varieties are as follows:
Image: richfarmerpoorfarmer.blogspot.com[/caption]
In the case that shade crops (both temporary and permanent) do not create enough shade for cocoa seedlings growth, temporary structures can be made from other, easily available materials such as palm fronds, sugar cane leaf, and etc.
Image: doscst.edu.ph[/caption]
Pest and Disease Management
Most common cacao pests in the Philippines are: Cacao Pod Borer, Vascular Streak Dieback, Helopeltis and Cacao Stem Borer. Whereas, the most common cacao disease is Black Pod.
Plant breeding experts at the Philippines’ premiere plant breeding agency, Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), have asserted the global position of highly-respected institutions like WHO on the safety of GM foods.
“Several esteemed international organizations such as WHO concluded that consuming foods with ingredients derived from GM crops is ‘no riskier’ than consuming the same foods with ingredients from crops modified conventionally,” according to Dr. Ruben L. Villareal, National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) agricultural sciences chairman.
The GM technology, considered to be under biotechnology, is in fact a major tool that can make Philippine agriculture competitive, he said. Villareal was one of the founders of IPB, University of the Philippines-Los Banos’s (UPLB) plant breeding arm.
“Through biotechnology, new varieties that would be advantageous to farmers, consumers, and the environment could be developed,” said Villareal.
Review of CA decision urged
The Court of Appeals (CA) just issued a decision last month stopping field trials of the GM Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant.
But Villareal urged the CA to review its decision stopping the Bt eggplant trial.
“With the numerous global evidences already known, I cannot understand the basis of the decision. I hope that our legal experts and the court could revisit and look deeply at the scientific evidences and the long experience of around 30 countries planting 170.3 million hectares of biotech crops including the Philippines,” he said.
Bt eggplant benefits
Bt eggplant (talong in Filipino) will significantly benefit farmers through less exposure to chemical pesticides. That has been proven scientifically contrary to accusations raised by anti-GM advocates.
Studies have shown numerous potential benefits of Bt talong to Filipino farmers and consumers. This includes reduction in farm labor costs by 10 to 25 percent and reducing pesticide applications by 60 percent, according to IPB. With less pesticide spray, consumers will also benefit from eggplant that has not been excessively sprayed with pesticide.
Bt eggplant enables up to 64 percent increase in yield and income for farmers.
Compared to conventional varieties, they can enjoy up to an additional income of P50,000 per hectare.
Bt eggplant will alter the practice, and its harmful health effects, of farmers in Pangasinan who extensively use insecticide on their eggplant. Some farmers are found to even dip eggplants on a bucketful of insecticide just to ensure the eggplants are not destroyed by the pest fruit and shoot borer.
“Bt eggplant aims to provide an effective alternative to eggplant farmers who are plagued by needing incessant pesticide spraying that directly cause environmental and health hazards,” said Villareal.
WHO position
WHO declared that different GM foods go through the global food safety process called Codex Alimentarius Risk Analysis of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology under which these foods are not found to be risky to human health.
“GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health, “ according to a WHO statement.
“No effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.”
Legal sanction
Villareal asserted consumers should support IPB in the development of crops that raise farmers’ yield and income and reduce the exposure to pesticide of farmers, consumers, and the environment.
IPB was specifically created to develop crops beneficial for Filipino consumers and farmers. Its creation is sanctioned by the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992.
“UPLB is mandated by law to use biotechnology in (crops’) variety improvement. It is thus UPLB’s duty to develop these new helpful varieties,” said Villareal. “IPB’s existence will be rendered irrelevant if it cannot pursue its legal mandate which is academic research within the bounds of sound and science-based regulatory system.”
UN FAO
Dr. Ernelea Cao, a UP Diliman (UPD) Professor of the Institute of Biology and former Director of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI) of UPD, also stated that biotech crops and its food products are safe.
GM crops undergo assessments that abide by internationally accepted scientific standards of the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization and WHO CODEX Alimentarius, said CAO.
The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines also recently released Advisory No. 2013-014 reiterating the safety of GM foods because these have passed the international standards for food safety assessment.
According to Dr. Cao, the accumulated body of knowledge and experimental data and the experience on scientific monitoring on the use of biotech crops and products worldwide in more than one billion hectares over the past 17 years are the most compelling evidences of the safety of this kind of technology.
Villareal also cited the statements of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the US National Academy of Sciences, and the British Royal Society that consuming foods with ingredients derived from GM crops is as safe as those of other plants developed through conventional means.
A decade of biotechnology use
Biotechnology is identified by NAST as a tool to boost agricultural productivity; to be used as feed and to improve the lives of the increasing population; and address environmental degradation, hunger and poverty.
The Philippines actually pioneered the establishment of biosafety regulations in Asia when then President Corazon C. Aquino created the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines in 1990 to ensure the responsible use of modern biotechnology for national development.
It continues to be the leading country in Asia in biosafety regulation and commercial use of GM crops. The adoption of GM corn for the past 10 years had been primarily responsible for the country finally attaining the goal of self-sufficiency in feed supply for the first time in 2012. According to ISAAA, the area of biotech corn production in the Philippines reached around 750,000 hectares in 2012.
Field trials
The UPLB-IPB had been conducting field trials of Bt talong from 2010 to 2012 in compliance with the biosafety requirements and guidelines approved by national regulatory bodies, specifically the Bureau of Plant Industry of the agriculture/" title="View all articles about Department of Agriculture here">Department of Agriculture. All trials have been completed as of August 2012.
The Bt technology have been used widely, successfully and safely worldwide in other crops such as Bt corn and Bt cotton. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) already affirmed the scientific consensus and declared the safety of Bt technology and the transgenic/GM crops derived using Bt insecticidal proteins.
###
For interview requests, please call Ms. Analiza C. Mendoza, 0906-239-2362. For updates on biotechnology, visit SEARCA BIC’s website: www.bic.searca.org
Photo by Sterling College[/caption]
In a study conducted by Dr. Lun G. Mateo and his group at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), they found that grafting is an effective strategy to produce varieties of tomato that can withstand off-season production constraints. Two tomato hybrids, Apollo and CLN5915, were grafted to two different rootstocks, EG 203 (an eggplant) and H7996 (a tomato variety). Both rootstocks are known to be resistant to bacterial wilt, a highly devastating disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum.
The researchers placed the grafted Apollo and CLN5915 seedlings in a compartment with a relative humidity (amount of water vapor in the air) approximately at 85-90% for a week. The newly grafted seedlings were then transferred into another chamber prior to transplanting. The planting beds were raised to 30 cm high and provided with rainshelter using 32-mesh plastic net. This was done to protect the seedlings from heavy rainfall and damage caused by waterlogged soil. Significant results from the two-year experiment revealed that the two grafted tomato seedlings showed higher percentage of survival compared to non-grafted plant. Grafted Apollo and H7996 had 97.2 and 77.8 survival percentage, respectively. On the other hand, non-grafted Apollo plant had zero percent survival. As to the ability to resist bacterial wilt, grafted varieties showed high percentage of survival (97.2%), while non-grafted plants had 70.8 survival percentage.
In terms of yield performance, grafted Apollo to EG 203 yielded an approximate of 13.1 tons/hectare, while Apollo seedlings grafted to H7996 yielded 11.7 tons/hectare, and the non-grafted plants yielded only 1.3 tons/hectare.
In an effort to integrate advances in grafting technology, a similar study was conducted by James R. Burleign at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center in Taiwan and Christian Ulrichs at the Technical University of Munich in Germany. The results of their studies can be very useful to determine the limitations and advantages of grafting technology when used under different environmental conditions.
The cashew plant is an evergreen tree that grows up to 12 meters tall, with a dome-shaped crown or canopy bearing its foliage on the outside, where flowers and fruits are found.
The growth of the taproot reaches a depth of 1.5-2 times the height of the plant during the first 4 months. Extensive lateral roots are formed later and reach far beyond the canopy spread of the tree during the first year of growth. In mature trees, the root volume is generally confined within the tree canopy. Very few laterals are formed beyond the 6 meter drip-line of the tree.
The fruit has a kidney-shaped nut, about 3 cm x 1.2 cm attached to a much enlarged and swollen pedicel or receptacle forming the fruit-like cashew apple. The cashew apple is pear-shaped, 10-20 cm x 4-8 cm, shiny, red to yellow, soft, and juicy. The seed is kidney-shaped, with reddish-brown testa, two large white cotyledons, and a small embryo. The kernel remaining after the removal of the testa is the cashew nut of commerce.
Favorable Growing Conditions
It can grow successfully in areas with a very distinct dry season or where the annual rainfall is as low as 50 cm. It can likewise grow well in areas with high levels of rainfall (as much as 350 cm annually) provided the soil is well-drained.
Seed System
1. Nursery Site
The nursery site should be well-drained and exposed to sunlight. It should have a good source of irrigation water for the maintenance of the plant materials. It should be protected against stray animals.
2. Nut Selection
Nuts for planting should be obtained from mother trees of known performance. They should be fully matured and of high density (heavy) grade to ensure good germination and vigorous seedlings. Seeds are water tested; those that sink are chosen since they have higher viability and germinate quickly.
3. Sowing the Seeds
Cashew seeds expire easily. Dry and newly collected seeds must be sown/propagated as soon as possible to prevent loss in viability. They are sown on individual polyethylene bags containing an equal mixture of fine sand and organic matter.
Seeds are sown 5-10 cm deep with stalk end facing upward in slanting position. This prevents the emerging cotyledons at the soil surface from being destroyed by rats, ants, snails, and birds.
4. Care of Seedlings
Seeds will germinate within 1 to 2 weeks after sowing. Excessive watering should be avoided. If seedlings are week and stunted, urea solution at the rate of 10 tbsp per gallon of water should be applied.
The seedlings must be properly taken care of until they are ready for field planting or for use in asexual propagation (grafting). Seedlings are ready for field planting when they have attained a height of 20-50 cm.
5. Propagation
Cashew can be propagated sexually or asexually. Asexual propagation can be done through airlayering, inarching, marcotting or grafting. Grafting is the best method for large-scale asexual propagation of cashew.
With cleft grafting, the seedlings are cut in traverse section (crosswise) and the remaining stem is cut longitudinally (lengthwise). The scion from a selected mother tree cut into the shape of a wedge is put between the two separated parts of the stem of the seedling, and the seedling and the scion are then wrapped with a plastic ribbon.
Up to 100% success has been obtained with 10-week old seedlings. In Palawan, plant propagators can get an average of 95% success in cleft grafting.
The use of young seedlings of about two months old result in more rapid takes, and the plants are ready to be planted at the age of 3 ½ months.
Sexual propagation is done by sowing the seeds directly on individual polyethylene bags. It should be done during the dry season so that the seedlings could be planted in the field at the start of the rainy season.
Land Preparation
For commercial purposes, the land should be thoroughly prepared. Plow the area 2-3 times followed by harrowing until the desired tilth of the soil is attained. It should be done before the start of the rainy season. For backyard or reforestation purposes, just underbrush the area and if possible collect all cut grasses, shrubs, and other rubbishes and burn them. The soil should be cultivated properly in order that the seeds may be sown with the required depth or that holes may be dug deep enough to bury the ball of seedlings. Rows of cashew trees should be properly laid out with the proper distancing by placing markers at the desired distance between hills in a row before digging the holes.
Crop Establishment
1. Distance of planting
Distance of planting varies according to the purpose for which the trees are planted. For reforestation, 3m x 3m is recommended to encourage early shading and to aid in smothering weeds.
For commercial plantings in the Philippines use 6m x 6m which is too close compared to the practice in other countries.
Triangular planting was found to be most productive layout and should be tried. This method, however, is rather difficult for farmers to follow.
High density planting gives more kernel per hectare up to age 7 years. Low density planting gives less per hectare but more per tree.
a. Triangular (12m x 12m x 12m) = 79 plants/ha
An alternative and easier method is the quincunx arrangement and should also be tried.
b. Quincunx (15m x 15m) = 76 plants/ha
c. Square
The simplest recommended planting distances are 9m x 9m at the less fertile lower slopes and 10m x 10m at the more fertile lower slopes.
2. Lining, Stacking and Digging of Holes
Rows of cashew should be properly laid out by placing markers between rows and between hills in a row.
The holes should be dug a month before the planting of seedlings. The holes should have a dimension 20 cm x 20 cm.
3. Planting Time
In places with distinct dry and wet seasons, planting is best done at the start of the rainy season.
4. Planting
There are two methods of establishing cashew that may be employed. These are direct seeding and transplanting of seedlings or sexually propagated materials.
In direct seedlings, 2 to 3 seeds are planted 5-10 cm deep with the stalk end facing upward and in a slanting position. This prevents emerging cotyledons at the soil surface from the ravages of field rats, ants, snails and birds.
Seeds are planted 30 cm apart in a triangular position when 3 seeds are used. The seeds will germinate 1-2 weeks after sowing provided that the soil has sufficient moisture.
Thinning should be done leaving only the most vigorous plant to develop 1-2 months from germination. Thinning is preferably done during the start of the rainy season.
When transplanting seedlings or sexually propagated materials, remove carefully the polyethylene plastic before setting the seedlings in the holes.
Fill the holes with surface soil first and firm the soil at the base of the seedling carefully allowing the roots to remain in as natural as possible.
5. Weeding and Cultivation
The plants should be cultivated and free from weeds at a distance of 1 meter around the trunk. The orchard should be weeded as often as necessary. Cut grasses should be left in the area between the hills to dry and to used later for mulching. Mulching helps conserve moisture around the plant during the summer months, keep down the weeds and increase the amount of humus in the soil when decays.
6. Intercropping and Covercropping
A considerable part of the land is available for intercropping during the early years after the establishment of the cashew orchard.
To provide sufficient protection from the heavy growth of weeds and grass, the spaces between rows may be used for planting cash crops. This would enable the grower to earn additional income.
Annual crops can be interplanted between rows of cashew provided they are not closer than 2 meter from the cashew tree.
When the growing of intercrops is no longer feasible, the field should be planted to leguminous covercrops. The planting of covercrops will prevent further soil erosion, conserve moisture, and add organic matter to the soil. The area within 1 to 1 1/2 meters from the trunk should be kept free from weeds and covercrops should not be allowed to cling to the tree.
7. Pruning
Little pruning is practiced in cashew. However, it may be necessary to prune regularly to get the desirable shape of the tree and to facilitate cultural operations.
It is also necessary to remove the diseased and infected branches and unnecessary water sprouts.
It is also necessary to remove the diseased and infected branches and unnecessary water sprouts.
8. Cut wounds should be properly treated with chemicals (coaltar) to facilitate healing and avoid infections.
Nutrient Management
It is advisable to apply fertilizers especially when soil analysis dictates specific soil nutrient deficiencies.
The general recommendations are the following:
Seedlings - At planting time apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) before the seedlings are set in the holes at the rate of 200-300 gm/plant.
Young Trees - Apply complete fertilizer at the rate of 300-500 gm/tree plus Urea (45-0-0) at the rate of 200-300 gm/tree.
Bearing Trees - Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at the rate of 1.5 to 3.0 kg/tree.
Recommended rate of fertilizer application is applied two times a year. One half of the total requirement per tree should be applied at the start of the rainy season and the remaining half should be applied toward the end of the rainy season.
On established trees, fertilizer should be dug with a depth of 1-10 cm. The fertilizer is then distributed equally. Cover the holes/canal properly with soil to prevent the fertilizer from evaporating or from being washed out by heavy rains.
Water Management
Irrigation is needed during the first dry season. Unlike in the subsequent years, when the root system has already been established and have reached the layer with sufficient moisture. For better yield, it is advisable to irrigate the field regularly especially during summer.
Pest Management
Major Pests
Twig Borer (Niphonoclea albata N. /N. capito P.)
This insect pest are common during the dry season. The adult beetle girdles the small branches causing them to dry up or break and drop to the ground. Its creamish larvae bore into the pith of the branches. As they feed, they move downward until they pupate. All affected twigs and small branches may eventually die.
Control Measure: Remove or collect all affected twig as well as dried twigs on the ground. Dispose them properly by burning before applying chemical sprays. In using spray chemicals, mix 3-5 tbsp of Malathion, Carbaryl and/or Methyl Parathion per 5 gallons of water. Repeat application at 7-10 days interval when necessary.
Mealybugs (Gray Mealybugs - F. vigata) and Thrips (Red-banded thrips - Selen othrips rubrocintus Glard)
These pests sucks the sap of young leaves and shoots. When severe infestation occurs, the tree is weakened and the leaves and fruit may fall prematurely.
Control Measures: Spray trees with any insecticide commonly available at manufacturer's recommended dosage when there are signs of early infestation.
Leaf Miner (Acrocercops syngramma M.) - Young plants in the nursery and in the orchard are more affected by these pests. Caterpillars of this silvery gray moth mine through the tender leaves, thus, severely damaging them.
Control Measures: Spray 0.05% Phosphamidon at manufacturer's recommended dosage as soon as infestation is detected on new leaves.
Tea Mosquito (Helopeltis Antonil S.) - A reddish-brown mirid bug which normally appears at the time of emergence of new growth and panicles. Nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender nuts.
Control Measures: Spray Malathion, Phosphamidon and/or Endosulfan at emergence of new growth and inflorescence. A third spray may be done at the time of fruit setting to reduce immature fruit drops.
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle (Cryzaephillus surinamensis L.) - This pest is known to attack the nuts during storage.
Control Measures: Nuts should be thoroughly dried and placed in air tight containers. Surface treatment is recommended. For finished products, fumigation is recommended.
Slug Caterpillar (Lamantridae spp.) - The caterpillar feeds on the leaves causing semi-defoliation.
Termite - Termites attack the roots and the trunk of cashew trees. They burrow on the bark of roots and branches especially of old trees. They build their soil mounds or nest on dead parts of the tree.
Control Measures: Soil mounds must be destroyed to locate the queen termite. The queen should be killed either mechanically or by spraying with 2% Chlordane. Chlordane should not be applied on living parts of the tree because of its long residual effect. Cistin powder could be applied to any part of the tree infested with termites at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.
Major Diseases
Dieback or Pink Disease - This disease is caused by fungus Corticium salmonicolor B. that usually occurs during the rainy season. Affected shoots initially show white patches on the bark; a film of silky thread or mycelium develops. Later, the fungus develops a pinkish growth which are the spores that make the bark split and peel off. Affected shoots start drying up from the tip.
Control Measures: All possible sources of innoculum should be removed. Affected shoots are pruned and burned. Cut surfaces must be protected by applying Bordeaux moisture paste. The tree should also be sprayed with fungicide at manufacturer's recommended dosage.
Anthracnose - This disease is cause by fungus Collectorichum gloeospoides that usually infect tender leaves, shoots, inflourescences, young fruits (apples) and young nuts. This disease is most prevalent when there is excessive rainfall coinciding with the appearance of new growth and flowering. Infected parts in its early stage show shiny, watersoaked lesions which later turn reddish-brown. At the lesion site, resinous exudation can be seen. As the disease progresses, the lesions enlarge in size, all affected tender leaves wrinkle, and the young apples and nuts become shrivelled. Inflorescences become black.
Control Measures: Remove all infected parts (source of innoculum) before spraying the tree with fungicide at manufacturer's recommended dosage of application.
Damping-off - This disease is caused by fungus Fusarium. This disease normally occurs in the nursery and effects cashew seedlings especially when the soil medium gets too wet.
Control Measures: Seeds for planting should be treated with Arasan 75 at the rate of ¼ tsp per ganta of seeds before sowing. Soil media for potting should be treated with soil fumingants.
Harvest Management
In the Philippines, cashew trees flower from November to March, while the harvest season is from February to May and may extend up to early June. The quality of nuts and yield is dependent on weather conditions during the fruiting stage. If it rains during the reproductive phase, poor quality nuts are produced. Fruits are usually harvested manually, although a number of farmers wait for the fruits to drop as the main concern of farmers is the nut. Nuts are picked from the ground, separated from the cashew apple, cleaned and dried.
In places where cashew apples are processed into juice, wine and other delicacies, fruits are harvested using a pole with a wire hook attached to its end. The pole is provided with a shallow net or cloth bag to catch the detached fruits.
Processing and Utilization
Nuts are roasted and eaten. At present, the only commercial scale use for the cashew apple is for livestock feed. However, the cashew apple is now being processed into juice, candy, wine, jam, etc. but only to a certain extent since the market for these end products is still in the development stage.
Sources of Cashew Planting materials
Palawan Seed Farm
Puerto Princesa City
Bureau of Plant Industry Nursery
Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
Guimaras Seed Farm
Jordan, Guimaras, Iloilo
Source: bar.gov.ph
Photo by 
Photo by 
This applies for farmers too. Quality is an important measure in selling vegetable produce. Even if a farmer is selling organically-grown vegetables, if it’s not in good quality, he won’t be able to command a high price leading to more losses.
A major constraint to growing organically-produced salad vegetables is insect pest infestation resulting to major reduction both in yield and quality of the crops.
In organic farming, a widely accepted method to control pest infestation is through botanical spraying. But this was proven to be lacking as well, if not ineffective in some cases. Various approaches and techniques are being tried in combination with the spraying of botanicals and plant concoctions to make it more potent against pests without compromising its effect on the environment.
One technique that is currently being tried by a group of researchers from the Cebu Technological Univeristy (CTU)Barili Campus is the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) to control pest infestation in organically-produced salad vegetables. The project, “Identification of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Effective Biological Control Agent Against Common Insect Pests of Selected Organically-Grown Salad Vegetables in Cebu,” was led by Maria Lima Pascual of CTU-Barili Campus and was funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) through the National Organic Agriculture Program.
What are entomopathogenic nematodes?
According to Dr. Pet Roey Pascual, co-project leader, EPNs are soil-borne microorganisms that feed on their host. They are microscopic and they look like threadlike worms that invade in the host insects through natural body openings (i.e. anus, mouth, etc.). Once inside the host, they release a symbiotic bacterium, which is held in the nematode’s intestine, killing the host within 24-48 hours. These EPNs rapidly feed on the host cadaver disintegrating its tissues until it is totally dispersed and gone. This particular characteristic make them an excellent potential biocontrol agent against vegetable insect pests.
Since EPNs are found in soil, they serve as good indicator that the soil is in good condition. “Naturally, if the soil is in good condition, it is less exposed to inorganic chemicals, then there is a bigger chance that we can get EPN,” Dr. Pascual explained. He added that, EPNs possess a unique combination of attributes such as broad host range, high virulence, long term efficacy, easy application, easy mass production, compatibility with most chemicals, and are environmentally safe which make them ideal components of insect pest management system.
EPN is one technology that has been available for some time. In fact, advance countries like the United States and Europe have already been using it for quite awhile. “Even in Asian countries like Korea and Thailand, they are also using EPN to control insect pests in vegetables. In the Philippines however, this method has not been fully tapped and optimally tried by our farmers. And this is mainly due to lack of awareness of the farmers on the technology. If we can bring this technology to the knowledge of the public, particularly those who are into organic farming, then more people will benefit from it,” Dr. Pascual said.
Results of the project
Essentially, the CTU-BAR project has two components: 1) studying the ecology, biology, and pathogenicity of EPNs; and 2) determining the compatibility of EPN with different organic management practices like wood vinegar under greenhouse condition, use of microbial inoculants, application of organic fertilizer, and mulching.
Since the project specifically studied on EPNs that are indigenous in the area, the group collected samples from various farms in Cebu. Based on the result of morphometrics, from the 17 samples collected, there were four species of nematodes (Heterorhabditis) identified: Heterorhabditis indica, Heterorhabditis taysearae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and Heterorhabditis marelatus. From the four species, H. bacteriophora and H. taysearae are widely distributed in Cebu province. “Having this information, we thought of how we can use this at the farmer’s field,” said Dr. Pascual.
“What we really want is to promote EPN in combination or in complementation with other existing technologies such as the use of IMO, wood vinegar, organic mulching, vermicomposting, etc. Most farmers are already practicing either one or two of these organic pest management systems, but if partnered with EPN, which they can just apply once or twice a month, then it will be less laborious but more effective,” he explained.
Results of the study showed that when tested under greenhouse condition, 2-4 cadavers are effective in controlling insect pests but if combined with wood vinegar, two cadavers will be enough and effective. Meanwhile, when tested in the field, results found that EPN is effective if partnered with kakawate wood vinegar. For organic fertilization, EPN is effective if combined with composted cow manure. It was also found effective in combination with microbial inoculants. However, using mulching in combination with EPN was not found as effective because the population of the nematodes declined due to their immobility in the covered soil.
Impact of the EPN technology
In general, if EPN is used in combination with other existing cultural management practices, results of the leaf damage using VQR (visual quality rating) showed that there will be less 50 percent leaf damage in the plant. This means, it is 50 percent better if farmers use EPN rather than no management practice is applied.
“The leaves are cleaner, with fewer holes so farmers can market their produce at a relatively higher price. At the same time, consumers are assured since the produce are organically-grown therefore free from any harmful chemicals and are safe to eat,” said Dr. Pascual.
Abeth Lawat, one of the project adopters, has attested to the benefit of using EPN. She is already using IMO and kakawate wood vinegar. She tried applying EPN to eggplant as a trial and then went on to other leafy salads like lettuce and kale and found that there was less infestation and the leaves were clean. “Before I don’t know anything about EPN but when I learned about it, I was encouraged to use it because it’s easier and simple to do,” said Lawat.
When asked on what’s next for EPN, Dr. Pascual said that “the technology is relatively new to Filipino farmers so now that the project has been completed, we want to train more farmers on the EPN technology, and at the same time, disseminate this technology through conferences and seminars not only here in Cebu but the whole region. We want more farmers to be aware of this technologyand use it to profit them.” ### by Rita T. dela Cruz http://www.bar.gov.ph
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Contact details: Dr. Pet Roey L. Pascual Director, College of Agriculture CTU-Barili, Cebu phone: (032) 470-9298 mobile: 0915-5245217 email: petroey262301@yahoo.com
“Fruit production is presently one of the major sources of income in the Cordillera and strawberry and citrus are among the high-value fruit crops in the region,” affirmed Maritess A. Alimurung, researcher and project leader from the Bureau of Plant Industry-Baguio National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center (BPIBNCRDPSC).
Strawberries are mostly grown in Benguet and part of Baguio City and some farmers are now starting to grow in other municipalities of Benguet (Atok, Buguias, Kibungan, and Mankayan) and Mountain Province (Bauko and Sagada). Meanwhile, citrus with its wider cultivation, can be seen in the Cordillera and other regions in the country.
“Varieties which are mostly National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-registered are being mass propagated at BPI-BNCRDPSC and different growers are getting planting materials for rehabilitation and establishment of new citrus orchards both under backyard and commercial scale,” Alimurung said.
Farmers are reaping the fruits of good income because of the favorable climate and established good cultural management practices but due to pest infestation coming, quality and volume of produced fruits are being compromised.
“Infestation of different pests like mites, whiteflies, thrips, aphids, fruitflies and fruit bugs is presently a major problem on both strawberries and citrus. High infestation occurs during the dry months which are also the period of flowering and fruit development of both fruit crops,” Alimurung explained.
Thus farmers resort to the use of synthetic pesticides because of high pest infestation especially during the flowering and fruit development stage. “With the present pest problem affecting strawberry and citrus production and the different factors contributing to the continuous or permanent infestation and severe damage of the pests, different strategies are needed for better management of the different pests. At present organic crop production is being promoted and practices to promote organic fruit production must be evaluated,” she added.
With this premise, a team of researchers from BPI- BNCRDPSC conducted a project to identify effective pest management strategies for organic production of strawberry and citrus in the Cordillera. The initiative was funded and supported by the Bureau of Agricultural Research.
Four studies were conducted to manage population and damage of white grubs of snoutbeetle (Metapocyrtus (Trachycyrtus) spp.) attacking both strawberry and citrus, two spotted mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on strawberry and citrus red mites (Panonychus citri). Effect of fungal biological control agents Metarrhizium anisopliae and Beauvaria bassiana, agricultural oil sprays, wood vinegar and botanical extracts were evaluated on mites. Beauveria and Metarrhizium isolates MA-RB and MA-RBB were found more effective among the isolates tested.
It was found that soil application of these fungi, one week before transplanting and followup application one month after transplanting, significantly reduced population and damage of white grubs that were feeding on the roots. Spraying of the fungus late in the afternoon using 300 to 400 g fungus grown in cracked corn mixed in 16 li water also reduced population of mites and application at early pest population are more effective.
Spray oils, wood vinegar and plant extracts evaluated against two spotted mites on strawberry and red mites on citrus significantly reduced population and damage. Mineral oil at 1-1.5 percent rate of application, hot pepper and ginger extract at 30 to 40 ml per li water applied every 1-2 weeks were more effective. Application during late afternoon controlled build-up of mite’s population and resulted to lower degree of damage and higher marketable yield on strawberry and better growth of citrus seedlings.
Evaluated products/practices that were considered compatible with organic production are now being promoted through developed IEC, during trainings on organic production in the region and also to individuals or groups who are availing of fruit planting materials at BPI-BNCRDPSC. Results of the project were also presented in different scientific conferences for wider technology dissemination and promotion. ### by Ma. Eloisa H. Aquino http://www.bar.gov.ph
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Contact details Maritess Alimurung Agriculturist/Project Leader BPI-BNCRDPSC, Guisad, Baguio City phone: (074) 445-9084, 445-9085 or 300-3584 email: tessamoy@yahoo.com
Limitations of organic produce
Just like how pesticide residue or contamination threatens the safety of conventionally-grown produce, microbial contamination is the threat to the safety of organically-grown produce. This is primarily due to the use of animal manure in organic production. More so, microbial contamination cannot just occur during the production stage but in every stage of the handling-distribution chain.
Organic produce has shorter shelf life as opposed to its conventionally-produced counterpart. Reduced shelf life negatively affects its marketability which could mean loss of income for farmers and traders of organic produce.
Therefore, the challenge of the newly developing organic industry in the country is to deliver “organically-grown fruits and vegetables that have same safety, quality and shelf-life as their conventionally-grown counterpart,” said Dr. Dormita R. Del Carmen, university researcher, Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center-University of the Philippines Los Baños (PHTRCUPLB).
Efforts to improve organic produce
Dr. Del Carmen and funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the research project aimed to develop technologies for maintaining the quality and ensuring safety of organically-grown fruits and vegetables during harvesting, postharvest handling, storage and marketing.
To do this, the research team of Dr. Del Carmen gathered baseline information on the supply chain, and on the consumer preferences and buying habits for organically-grown fruits and vegetables. They also identified critical points where quality is lost and microbial contamination occurs in harvest and postharvest handling chain, tested the efficacy of different sanitizers, and optimized other postharvest treatments for organically-grown produce. Using these information, they identified postharvest interventions and treatments to enhance the quality, ensure safety, and extend the shelf life of organic produce. These were then translated to information education and communication (IEC) materials (i.e. technical papers, posters, technical bulletin, extension flyers, and training manual). Training on proper postharvest handling was conducted and IEC materials were disseminated and shared with the organic practitioners, agricultural technicians, other researchers, and industry stakeholders.
In the same study, Dr. Del Carmen said that microbial contamination can be prevented by following the Sanitation and Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the Code of Practice for Organic Produce set by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards.
What’s in store for us?
Although organic farming has been institutionalized through the Republic Act No. 10068 (otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010), the industry still faces many challenges (e.g. consumers’ preference for lower priced conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables, uncertainty of the supply and demand, etc.) according to Dr. Del Carmen.
Despite these challenges, organic farming has a lot of potential and benefits. Aside from the health and nutritional benefits of organic produce to the consumers, it also “benefits small and marginal farmers because the processes involved require external inputs,” as said by Senator Loren Legarda in the explanatory note for the then senate bill of Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. She also said that it could also support rural employment because it may be labor-intensive.
More so, she also mentioned that by adopting the then proposed measure, “the government adopts organic agriculture as a sustainable program that will redound to the economic benefits of farmers while ensuring the health of our people and sustainability of natural resources in our country.” ### by Rena S. Hermoso http://www.bar.gov.ph
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Contact details: Dr. Dormita R. del Carmen University Researcher PHTRC-UPLB College, Los Baños, Laguna phone: (049) 536 3138 email: drdcarmen@yahoo.com or drdelcarmen2@up.edu.ph
Cognizant of their capabilities and expertise especially in the field of agriculture and fisheries, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) has established linkages and supported the R&D endeavors of various SUCs in different parts of the country.
Among these SUCs is the Central Mindanao University (CMU), one of the premier universities in the southern part of country and is located in Bukidnon. According to the 2011 list of top performing universities released by the Commission on Higher Education, CMU was in the 8th spot. CMU offers a broad range of academic programs and excels in the fields of veterinary medicine, engineering, forestry, agriculture, nutrition and dietetics, and teacher education.
Re-discovering ferns
With the desire to promote the indigenous ferns in the country as a safe and healthy food, Dr. Victor B. Amoroso and Prof. Annabelle P. Villalobos of CMU proposed a project to BAR titled, “Establishment of pteridogarden and utilization of indigenous Mindanao edible ferns as an alternative food source.” This two-year project aims to mass propagate 10 ferns indigenous to Mindanao and promote their health and wellness properties to the public.
Thinking about it, fern is an unconventional food choice for most Filipinos. The economic value of this plant is usually associated with its use as a softscape in indoor and outdoor garden landscaping.
Fern is a pteridophyte; meaning it is a vascular plant that produces neither flower nor seeds and propagates through spores found in its fronds (leaves). It is said to be the earliest plant in the world as it its population can be traced back to over 300 million years ago. Today, there are an estimated 12, 000 fern species scattered throughout the world.
Aside from its aesthetic value, some fern species are known for their healing properties. One example is the rattlesnake fern used by Indians to treat dysentery. It is applied to snakebites, bruises, cuts and sores in the Himalayas.
The Adiantum capillus veneris is used for cough, and throat and bronchial disorder in India. The male fern root is known as a purgative aid for tapeworms and other parasites.
There are species of fern that help in agricultural productivity like the case of the mosquito fern (Azolla). It was found out that blue-green algae, which has nitrogen-fixing capability, are present in Azolla in pockets in its leaves. .
For food, ferns such as edible fern crosier, ostrich fern, lady fern, etc. can be eaten as a salad, pickled, or even cooked as leafy vegetables. In the Philippines, Diplazium esculentum, commonly known as pako, is a popular ingredient for salads and stews.
Promoting indigenous ferns of Mindanao
The CMU proponents identified 10 indigenous edible ferns of Mindanao that as the focus of the BAR-funded study. These are: Marsilea crenata (apat-apat), Pteris ensiformis (pakong-parang), Acrostichum aureum (lagolo/mangrove fern), Stenochlaena melnei (hagnaya), Diplazium esculentum (pako), Angiopteris palmiformis (pakong kalabaw/giant fern), Pteridium aquilinum (sigpang/bracken fern), Cyathea contaminans (anonotong/tree fern), Aspleniumm nidus (pugad lawin /bird’s nest), and Ceratopteris thalictroides (pakong-sungay). These identified ferns are found abundantly in Mindanao and are still used by the local people as food and medicine, yet no comprehensive data on these plants exists.
The project is composed of four components. The first component is the establishment of pteridogarden in CMU. Pteridogarden comes from two combined words pteridophyte and garden, in essence, it is both an edible and medicinal fern garden. Aside from collecting and propagating the 10 indigenous edible and medicinal species of Mindanao, theCMU researchers will develop protocols for cultivating these edible and medicinal ferns.
The second component is the determination of bioactive components such as anti-oxidants and proteins of the 10 indigenous ferns. The third component is the development of protocols on harvesting, processing and food preparation of indigenous ferns. The last component is the development of an educational program for the public on the health and wellness benefits of eating fern. This includes the production of brochures and other IEC materials for information dissemination and the conduct of seminars and training to create public awareness on utilizing fern as an alternative food source aside from its health and wellness benefits.
The proponents said that they have already built concrete structure for pteridogarden within the CMU. The garden has five rectangular boxes and one circular pond for the two aquatic species. Another pteridogarden was established in the Mt. Musuan Botanical garden for the mass propagation of the 10 indigenous ferns.
All the 10 indigenous ferns have been subjected to laboratory examination. Once results are obtained, the researchers will proceed to mass propagating and developing food processing techniques for eventual distribution to the stakeholders.
A lot more need to be done in selling to the public the goodness of ferns. BAR and CMU both hope that with this project the value of ferns will be recognized, and Filipinos will start appreciating and incorporating these indigenous ferns into their cuisine. ###
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The sap contains 12–18% sugar in its natural form with important vitamins and amino acids. Coco sugar is also rich in nutrients and high in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, and vitamin C.
With its health benefits, the Philippine coconut sap sugar is gaining popularity here and abroad. Consider its glycemic index (GI) at 35. This is much lower than the 54 GI, the level which nutritionists consider as safe for people who have to watch out their glucose level.
A natural sweetener and functional food, coco sugar is a much welcome development for diabetics and hypoglycemics.
The inflorescence of the coconut tree provides the sap that is made into sugar. Each tree in good stand can yield an average of 2 liters of sap daily. At least four coconut trees are needed to produce one kilo of sugar per day. The production and the sugar content of the sap, however, are also determined by the location and the tree variety, as well as other factors such as the season, nutrition provided for the tree, the time and the way tapping is done.
A simple farm-level technology, the production of coco sugar is a natural process of heat evaporation to convert liquid sap to solid form of sugar granules. It requires no complicated and high-cost machineries or equipment nor a huge capital.
Source: Ricardo R. Argana, S&T Media Services- PCARRD Farmnews, DOST, January–March 2011.