Cucumber Production Guide

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), is a monoecious annual vegetable belonging to the Cucurbitaceous family with creeping (trailing) vines up to 5 cm long. The leaves are triangular-ovate and 8-14 cm long; flowers are staminate and pistillate, occasionally hermaphrodite, about 2-3 cm across. The fruits are usually cylindrical, 10-30 cm long, more or less rounded in cross-section.

Production Management

Cucumber on trellis

Recommended Varieties

Pilmaria (UPL Cu-6). A highly gynoecious, open-pollinated, pickling variety. Fruits are blocky in shape, dark green in color, stippled with whitespines. It matures in 40 days during the dry season with an average yield of 26.5 t/ha, and 42 days during the wet season with 27.5 t/ha. It is tolerant to watermelon mosaic virus, downy mildew, and fusarium wilt and moderately resistant to leaffolders, aphids, and beetles.

Bituin (UPL Cu-11). A high yielding open-pollinated, slicing variety. It is strongly gynoecious and fruits are medium to long (15-18 cm), uniformly dark green in color with white spines. It has a potential yield ranging from 25-35t/ha. It is moderately tolerant to downy mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, and powdery mildew. The most common insect pests are aphids, leaffolders, and squash beetles.

Soil and Climatic Requirements. Cucumber is a warm season grown year-round locally. The optimum temperature for growth is about 300C, while the optimum night temperature is 18-210C. The soil should be fertile and rich in organic matter with a soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5.

Land Preparation. Prepare the field at least one month before planting. Follow each plowing with harrowing and allow weed seeds to germinate between each plowing. Prepare furrows 0.75cm to 1m apart. For wet season cropping, prepare raised beds instead of furrows. One week before planting, make holes 30 cm apart and apply well-decomposed animal manure at the rate of 200 g/hill. Mix the manure thoroughly with soil.

Planting. Sow 3-4 seeds/hills and cover with a thin layer of soil. About 2-3 kg of seeds are required for one hectare. Irrigate the field right after sowing. Five to seven days after germination, rogue excess seedlings and maintain only two plants/hill.

Fertilization. Apply 10-15 g (1-1.5 tbsp) of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) per hill at planting. Side-dress three weeks later by mixing two parts urea (46-0-0) and one part muriate of potash (0-0-60). Apply 10 g (1 tbsp) of this mixture to each hill in bands. A third side-dressing can be done (optional) using the same rate of mixture depending on the maturity of the variety.

Cucumber in greenhouse

Trellising. Ipil-ipil posts spaced 3-4 m apart are laid out in the field. GI wire # 16 can be used to connect the poles along each furrow. Abaca twine or synthetic straw can be used for vine training.

Water Management. During the dry season, water regularly every 10-14 days depending on the soil type and weather condition. Avoid too much water.

Enhancement of Fruit Set. Enhance fruit set by introducing one to two colonies of honeybees per hectare, as insect pollinators. Spray late in the afternoon. Use pesticides that are safe to insect pollinators.

Pest and Disease Management

Diseases/ Insect Pest

Beetles

Leaf folders
Aphids
Thrips, mites
Powdery mildew
Downy mildew

Use off-baring and hilling-up to suppress weed growth in relatively large plantations. Regular spot weeding is recommended for backyard gardening.

Most recommended varieties are tolerant to common pests and diseases. However, if chemical control is necessary, use the recommended pesticides for specific pests as indicated above. Alternative control measures include: 1) adjustment in planting dates (avoid planting between February and April to minimize thrips and mites population); 2) use of resistant varieties; 3) proper sanitation (includes burning of infected plant parts); 4) crop rotation; 5) use of botanical pesticides; and 6) use of other biological control methods (e.g. Trichogramma).

Harvesting. Harvest slicing varieties at 38-45 days after planting. Harvest gherkins (pickling type) 3-5 days earlier. Harvest every other day or when necessary. Remove all deformed fruits to promote the production of normal fruits.

Source: Cucumber Production Guide. Info. Bulletin No. 152/1999 PCARRD – http://www.darfu4b.da.gov.ph
Image: growfruitandveg.co.uk\

Reference: Business Diary

Carrot Production Guide

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a biennial crop. The leaves are feather like with long petioles and they are severally divided into sections. The sheath of the petiole opens at the base. The flowers are white, small and borne in compound terminal umbels. Carrot is propagated by seeds. The thickened fleshy root is the edible portion. The shape, color and size of the root vary according to varieties.

Benguet: Natubleng, Mountain-Province

Carrot originated from Central Asia with Afghanistan as the primary center of origin. It is one of the most important vegetables commonly grown in the Philippine highlands. The production areas are in Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Negros Oriental, and Bukidnon.

One of the best sources of beta carotene is commonly grown in high elevation like Mountain Province. But through variety and adaptability trials, some carrot varieties could be grown now in medium elevations and in lowland areas.

Carrot comes in different colors – white, yellow, orange, purple and violet. Several hundred varieties exist, but there are four main types:

Imperator – has long roots (23-25cm), small shoulders and tapered tip;
Nantes – has medium length roots (15cm), uniform diameter and blunt tip;
Danvers – is large, with medium length roots (18cm), a processing type used for dicing and slicing; and
Chantenay – is short (13cm) with large shoulders, and usually a large, distinctly colored core.

Climatic and Soil Requirements

Vegetable farms in Atok, Benguet

Carrot grows best in high elevation areas 1,000 m above sea level. Under such conditions, carrots are more succulent and less fibrous, with smother texture and deeper color. Roots attain optimal color when air temperature is 15-21 °C, but colors deepen rapidly in this temperature range about three weeks before harvest. Temperature below 10 °C and above 30 °C reduce quality and yield of carrots.

Carrot can be planted in low and mid elevation areas, but only during the coolest months. Otherwise, the roots will be fibrous, lighter in color, and deformed.

Carrots grows best in deep sandy loam soil rich in organic matter with pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.8.

Recommended Varieties

Practically, all varieties in the Philippines are of the Chantenay type. Open pollinated (OP) and hybrid varieties are available commercially.

For mid and high elevation areas:

OP Varieties – Kuroda, New Koroda OP, Nikko Kuroda, KS Kuroda, Super Kuroda, New Kuroda Guson, Kuroda Max, Kuroda Improved, Chunlong, Kuroda Selection, Kuroda Gold, Terracota, Kuroda EW 35, Royal Chantenay

F1 Hybrids – Beniyama, S-505, Hybrid Sigma, Winter, All Season Cross, Rain Winner, Terracotta F1

For low elevation areas:

Kuroda strains such as EW 35 and Terracotta.

Land Preparation 

Vegetable farms in Atok, Benguet

The land should be plowed and harrowed several times until a fine filth is attained. Prepare raised beds 20cm high, 0.7-0.8m wide, and 0.3m apart. Pulverize the soil and incorporate fully decomposed chicken at 3-5 t/ha and complete fertilizer at 3-5 bags/ha one week before planting.

Thorough field preparation is very necessary for the plant because it is small- seeded and usually planted direct in the field. Crops planted in a well-prepared field seem to have better well-shaped, marketable roots than plants grown in a poorly prepared soil which tend to have irregularly-shaped roots.

Crop Establishment

One hectare of carrots would require 6 to 8 kg seeds. The seeds are uniformly distributed in furrows and covered with fine soil at about 2 cm thick. It may take about 2 weeks from sowing to complete the emergence of the seedlings.

In low elevation areas, the best time to plant is from the last week of October up to February or during the coolest part of the year. In the highlands, planting can be done through out the year.

Nutrient Management

The general fertilizer recommendation is 126 kg/ha N, 71 kg/ha P2O5, and 175 kg/ha K2O. However, fertilization should be based on soil analysis. Apply organic fertilizers such as well decomposed manure or compost at 3-5 t/ha 1-2 weeks before planting to contribute 60-100 kg NPK and micro-nutrients. The remaining nutrient requirement can be applied at 30 days from sowing, just after weeding and thinning. Cover the fertilizer with soil during hilling up. Tea manure and fermented plant juice (FPJ) may also be used to improve soil fertility.

To prepare tea manure, soak ¾ sack of dried cow or horse manure in ¾ plastic drum (200-L capacity) of water. Soak for 5-7 days with frequent stirring. Dilute tea manure in up to 20 parts water and spray on the leavers at 1-2 weeks interval. To prepare FPJ, mix three parts chopped plant shoots or banana trunk with one part raw sugar or molasses. Ferment mixture for 5-7 days. Dilute 1 part FPJ to 20-40 parts water and drench on the plots or use as foliar fertilizer.

Water Management

Irrigation water

Carrot needs a lot of moisture during the first 30 days of growth. Irregular watering leads to cracking and forking. Water every 5-7 days or as needed.

Put mulch after planting and water the beds. Mulch with rice straws or any other mulching materials to minimize weed growth and moisture loss. After two weeks or after the seeds have germinated, remove the mulch and put mulch between rows.

Thinning and Hilling Up

Thinning is done to provide enough space to the growing roots. Start thinning at 30 days after sowing, at a spacing of 10cm between plants. Hill up immediately after thinning to cover the side dressed fertilizer. Second weeding and hilling up is done 45 days after the first weeding.

Pest Management

Farmers spray chemicals on crops.

Pests

Cutworm

Spray with biological insecticide such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) following the recommended rates. If needed, spray with inseticide like fipronil, fevalerate, permethrin, or other registered chemicals following the recommended rates.

Mole Cricket

Use biological sprays such as Bt and NPV. Spray with pesticides such as diazinon following the recommended rates. Use carbofuran following the recommended rates, as a last resort.

Slugs

Spread rice hull ash or slug pellets around the plots just to cover the soil

Aphids

Spray with hot pepper extract (100g macerated hot pepper / 16L water). If needed, spray carbaryl or malathion following the recommended rates.

Armyworm

Spray with Bt following the recommended rates. Maintain populations of ground beetles and tachinid flies. Spread ash baits along the field borders. If needed, spray recommended pesticide such as carbaryl, fenvalerate, or malathion following the recommended rates.

Diseases

Powdery Mildew

Spray sulfur based fungicides or mancozeb following the recommended rates

Bacterial Soft Rot

Avoid injury to the roots during harvest and remove the infected roots.

Root-knot

Practice crop rotation with non-host crops like corn. Plant marigold by broadcasting the seeds in between seasons. Plow under the marigold plants at land preparation. Marigold may also be intercropped along borders and alleys.

Alternaria blight

Use resistant or tolerant varieties such as Terracotta and S-505. If infection is severe, spray appropriate fungicides such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil following the recommended rates.

Harvest Management

Harvesting

Carrots can be harvested 2-3 months after sowing, depending on the variety used. Harvest the carrots if the leaves turn yellowish and the roots are big enough. Loosen the soil using a spading fork then pull the carrot roots carefully. Remove split roots. Haul the roots to the packing house immediately after harvest. Yields are usually 20-30 t/ha under favorable and good management.

Post-harvest Handling

Cut the leaves 5-8cm from the shoulder. Wash the roots and air-dry. Sort and classify according to size and appearance. Roots that are cracked, deformed, and forked are considered non-marketable, but can still be cooked or processed

Uses, Processing and Utilization

Carrot is used in many preparations. It can be a principal ingredient of a dish like carrot salads. It gives attractive appearance and color to pickles. It is excellent for garnishing and very rich in vitamins (carotene).

Carrots may be prepared in glass jars as follows:

* Select small young and tender carrots. Remove tops and scrub.

* Boil enough water to cover for 5-10 minutes. Plunge in cold water.

* Slip off skins and scrape if necessary. Cut into cubes or slice as desired. Pack in sterile jars.

* Add ½ tsp salt per pint jar. Fill with boiling water. Half seal bottles.

* Sterilize pint jars using pressure cooker at 10 lbs for 20 minutes. Seal completely. Cool.

References

Production guide on Carrot. Department Of Agriculture RFU-10. Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center. Brochure

Package of Technology of Different Vegetable Crops: Technology Generation and Dissemination for the Growth and Development of Vegetable Industry.2005.DA-RFU 4A& Bureau of Agricultural Research, Diliman Quezon City.

Source: bar.gov.ph

Soybean Production Guide

Soybean is an important crop because of its high nutritional qualities. Soybean has a high protein content of 40% by weight, 32% carbohydrate, 20% fat, 5% minerals and 3% fiber, and other trace substances. It is used as sources of protein in human food such as soymilk and tofu or soybean curd (taho and tokwa), soy sauce, animal feed and in industries. It is also used in industries as a source of edibleoil and the by-product of the oil extraction is the soybean cake used as animal feed. Based on the importance of this crop to human nutrition and industrial growth, there is the need to produce it in commercial quantity. 

Why grow soybean?

– It is good for food—soy-milk, soy-cheese, tofu, tokwa,

– It is the source of an excellent vegetable oil,

– It is used in industry,

– It improves soil fertility and controls the parasitic weed,

– Soybean cake is an excellent livestock feed, especially for poultry,

– The haulms provide good feed for sheep and goats.

Soybean Cultural Requirements

Climate and Soil

Areas with productive rice or corn crop are usually suitable to soybean production. The best cropping system is to rotate the wet season cereal crop with soybean.

Plant soybean towards the end of the wet season so that harvesting will coincide with dry weather. High humidity brought by continuous rains when the crop is maturing will severely reduce the quality of the harvested seeds. If planted in the proper time and location, all recommended varieties would mature in less than 100 days.

Soybean thrives well in areas with abundant water supply. For rainfed crop production, choose the locations with Climate Types E, F, and G. In Surigao (Type E), soybean is planted after the monsoon season, sometimes as early as February. In South Cotabato (Type F), soybean is planted as early as August after the wet season. In both locations however, unexpected rain during harvest time may lower the quality of seeds.

In areas with pronounced wet and dry seasons such as Central Luzon, you need supplemental irrigation for successful production. In Cagayan Valley (Type D) though, rainfed production is viable after the wet season crop. Plant as soon as possible to benefit from occasional rains. The dry period usually sets in April.

Choose deep (>1 m) well-drained clay or silt loam soils. The soil pH should be near neutral (5.5 to 6.5) since this is the best condition for the nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in soybean root nodules to develop.

Land Preparation and Planting

Prepare the land well so seeds can germinate uniformly, establish rapidly and compete less from weeds. For uplands, pulverize the soil thoroughly. For post-rice cultures, practice zero or minimum tillage.

Drill the seeds along shallow furrows spaced 50 to 60 cm apart or dibble the seeds in 20 cm x 20 cm hills at the base of the rice stubbles. The best planting depth is 3 to 5 cm.

The seed requirement for one hectare is from 25 to 50 kilos, depending on the daylength and rainfall. In any case, plant 10 to 20 seeds per linear meter of furrow or 2 seeds per hill.

Wet the soil sufficiently so seeds can uniformly germinate. For post rice cultures, flood the paddy 1 to 2 days before planting. For rainfed upland areas, there should be rain within the next 7 days after planting.

Water Management

Healthy soybean plants

Soybean needs ample available water during the entire growing period (at least 500 mm). Residual moisture left over from the previous crop and occasional rains during the growing period are usually adequate. If necessary, irrigate heavily during the critical stages of growth such as at flowering, at pod formation, and at seed filling. We can obtain more than 3 tons of seeds per hectare in well-watered, fertile soils.

Nutrient Management

Since it is a legume, soybean obtains nitrogen through its symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the roots. To take advantage of this natural system, apply the bacteria in the form of inoculant to the seed before planting. This inoculant can be obtained from the BIOTECH, UP Los Baños or the agriculture/” title=”View all articles about Department of Agriculture here”>Department of Agriculture outreach stations. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers. Excessive nitrates from fertilizers will restrict nitrogen fixation.

Unless phosphorus and potassium are deficient in the soil, apply only the amount expected to be removed by the crop. A soybean crop yielding 2-3 t/ha takes up around 40 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O. If solophos or muriate of potash is not available, use the more common formulations such as 14-14-14. But the amount of nitrogen supplied should not exceed 30 kg/ha. Or, apply the fertilizers in the preceding rice or corn crop. The nitrogen will be used up by the cereal crop while the residual phosphates will still be available to the soybean crop.

In the case of micronutrients, apply only when necessary. Whenever possible, apply organic fertilizers.

Crop Protection

Insect pests. In the early vegetative stage, the bean fly is the most destructive insect pest. Once infestation sets in, insecticides cannot effectively control them. Compared to mungbean and cowpea, however, the soybean crop can recover from the initial damage. Provide the optimum cultural management for rapid vegetative growth.

Aphids also damage the young plants. They can also transmit deadly viruses. Insecticides however, can easily control infestation. Spray directly the aphid colonies.

During the vegetative stage, a number of larvae from Lepidopterous insects can defoliate the crop. Nevertheless, allow nature to control them. Soybean can tolerate occasional damage to ts leaves. If intervention is necessary, limit the choice of insecticide to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) formulations or highly specific insecticides. This will also help in controlling the infestation of pod borers during the reproductive stage. Pod borers, if widespread, can be very destructive and difficult to control.

From seed filling up to maturity, the stinkbugs suck the developing seeds. They are most prevalent among the later planted areas. Therefore, avoid late plantings in a given location.

Diseases. Soybean rust is the fungal disease prevalent during the cool, dry season. Severe infections during pod development usually result in considerably smaller seeds. On the other hand, purple seed stain is the fungal disease prevalent during periods of frequent rain. Severe infections during seed formation result in purple blotches of the seed coat. The recommended varieties have partial resistance to these diseases. However, use fungicides under heavy disease pressure.

Weeds. Soybean grows slowly for 2-3 weeks after emergence. Therefore, weed control is critical during this period. Before planting, prepare the land thoroughly. As soon as possible, cultivate the spaces between rows. Practice spot weeding. In areas where any of these methods are impractical, use chemical control. For zero or minimum tillage, apply a broad-spectrum herbicide before planting. In a well-prepared land, apply a pre-emergence herbicide. If necessary afterwards, spray post-emergence herbicides, depending on the type of weeds.

Harvesting and Processing

Ready for harvest

At maturity, soybean pods turn brown and start to lose moisture. Begin harvesting as soon as most of the leaves had shed and the pods are dry. Harvest early in the morning to minimize pod shattering. Harvesting of soybean is similar to rice. Cut the stalk at the base of the plant. Thresh manually or use a rice thresher but regulate the speed to minimize damage to seeds.

Clean and dry the seeds. For seeds intended for planting next season, dry to 9% moisture. While drying, do not expose these seeds to temperatures more than 43°C. Store the dried seeds in airtight containers. Stock these containers in a cool, dry place, protected from rodents. Practice good sanitation to prevent infestation of storage pest.

Costs and Returns of Soybean Production

For more information, please contact:

Institute of Plant Breeding
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Baños College, Laguna

Sources:

Farmers’ Guide to Soybean Production in Northern Nigeria
Soybean Growing commercially in Nigeria
Elmer E. Enicola (elmer_enicola@yahoo.com ),
Institute of Plant Breeding, UP Los Baños, College, Laguna

Reference Source : http://businessdiary.com.ph/