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24Jun2011 Stocks Update

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:42:59 +0100

Action	Stock Code	Market Price	Ave. Price	TotalShares	EIP Shares	Uncommitted Shares	Gain/Loss	% Gain/Loss	Trade Value
BUY \| SELL	ALI	15.5200	15.5330	300	0	300	-3.90	-0.08%	4,656.00
BUY \| SELL	EDC	6.5700	6.5299	200	0	200	8.02	0.61%	1,314.00
BUY \| SELL	MPI	3.5900	3.4029	1,000	0	1,000	187.10	5.50%	3,590.00
BUY \| SELL	SMPH	11.7600	11.9698	500	0	500	-104.90	-1.75%	5,880.00


TOTAL TRADE VALUE:							15,440.00
GAIN/LOSS VALUE:							86.32	0.56%

Your Total Equity Value is 16,121.27

23Jun2011 Stocks Update

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:39:40 +0100

Action	Stock Code	Market Price	Ave. Price	Total Shares	EIP Shares	Uncommitted Shares	Gain/Loss	% Gain/Loss	Trade Value
BUY \| SELL	ALI	15.3200	15.5330	300	0	300	-63.90	-1.37%	4,596.00
BUY \| SELL	EDC	6.5400	6.5299	200	0	200	2.02	0.15%	1,308.00
BUY \| SELL	MPI	3.6000	3.4029	1,000	0	1,000	197.10	5.79%	3,600.00
BUY \| SELL	SMPH	11.8000	11.9698	500	0	500	-84.90	-1.42%	5,900.00


TOTAL TRADE VALUE:							15,404.00
GAIN/LOSS VALUE:							50.32	0.33%

Your Total Equity Value is 16,085.27

22Jun2011 Stocks Update

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:41:14 +0100

Action	Stock Code	Market Price	Ave. Price	Total Shares	EIP Shares	Uncommitted Shares	Gain/Loss	% Gain/Loss	Trade Value
BUY \| SELL	ALI	15.3200	15.5330	300	0	300	-63.90	-1.37%	4,596.00
BUY \| SELL	EDC	6.5600	6.5299	200	0	200	6.02	0.46%	1,312.00
BUY \| SELL	JFC	85.2000	86.3330	20	0	20	-22.66	-1.31%	1,704.00
BUY \| SELL	MPI	3.6100	3.4029	1,000	0	1,000	207.10	6.09%	3,610.00
BUY \| SELL	SMPH	11.9400	11.9558	400	0	400	-6.32	-0.13%	4,776.00


TOTAL TRADE VALUE:							15,998.00
GAIN/LOSS VALUE:							120.24	0.76%

Your Total Equity Value is 16,114.06

21Jun2011 Stocks Update

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:05:39 +0100

Action	Stock Code	Market Price	Ave. Price	TotalShares	EIP Shares	Uncommitted Shares	Gain/Loss	% Gain/Loss	Trade Value
BUY \| SELL	ALI	15.2200	15.5330	300	0	300	-93.90	-2.02%	4,566.00
BUY \| SELL	EDC	6.5200	6.5299	200	0	200	-1.98	-0.15%	1,304.00
BUY \| SELL	JFC	84.0000	86.3330	20	0	20	-46.66	-2.70%	1,680.00
BUY \| SELL	MPI	3.5300	3.4029	1,000	0	1,000	127.10	3.74%	3,530.00
BUY \| SELL	SMPH	11.7600	11.9558	400	0	400	-78.32	-1.64%	4,704.00


TOTAL TRADE VALUE:							15,784.00
GAIN/LOSS VALUE:							-93.76	-0.59%

Your Total Equity Value is 15,900.06

16Jun2011 Stocks Update

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:13:15 +0100

Action	Stock Code	Market Price	Ave. Price	TotalShares	EIP Shares	Uncommitted Shares	Gain/Loss	% Gain/Loss	Trade Value
BUY \| SELL	ALI	15.2000	15.5330	300	0	300	-99.90	-2.14%	4,560.00
BUY \| SELL	EDC	6.4300	6.5299	200	0	200	-19.98	-1.53%	1,286.00
BUY \| SELL	JFC	83.0000	86.3330	20	0	20	-66.66	-3.86%	1,660.00
BUY \| SELL	MPI	3.4000	3.4029	1,000	0	1,000	-2.90	-0.09%	3,400.00
BUY \| SELL	SMPH	11.9400	11.9558	400	0	400	-6.32	-0.13%	4,776.00


TOTAL TRADE VALUE:							15,682.00
GAIN/LOSS VALUE:							-195.76	-1.23%

Your Total Equity Value is 15,798.06

Eggplant Production Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:42:40 +0100

Introduction

Eggplant ( Solanum mengena) L.)is also known as aubergine ang brinjal ( English ), talong ( Tagalog), tarong (Ilocano), or bringhinas (Bisaya). It is also cultivated for the immature fruits which are either roasted,fried, stuffed, pickled, or processed. Young fruits are also eaten raw.

Eggplant is grown in 20,907 ha ( Bureau of Agricultural and Statistics 2006) all over the country. Top producers are Ilocos, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

Nutritional Value

Per 100 edible portion, the fruits contain:

Properties Amount

        Water (g)                                                                                                  92.0
        Protein (g)                                                                                                1.6
        Fat (g)                                                                                                      0.2
        Fiber (g)                                                                                                   1.0
        Carbohydrates (g)                                                                                     4.0
        Calcuim (mg)                                                                                            22.0
        Iron (mg)                                                                                                   0.9
        Vitamin B1 (mg)                                                                                        0.08
        Vitamin B2 (mg)                                                                                        0.07
        Niacin (mg)                                                                                               0.7
        Vitamin C (mg)                                                                                          6.0
         Energy Value (kj)                                                                                     100.00

Source: Siemonsma, J.S and Piluek, K. ( Editors). 1994. PROSEA Handbook No. 8. Vegetables. Pudoc, Wageningen. 1993/ Prosea, Bogor.

Production Management

Commercial Varieties

Black Ninja                                             Mara
Casino 901                                             Mistisa
Dumaquete                                             Long Purple
Jackpot                                                  Spitdire

Soil and Climate Requirements

Eggplant can be grown from low-to mid- elevation areas throughout the year. Highest production could be achieve during the cool, dry months. It thrives best in sandy loam soil with pH 5.5 6.5

Seedling Production

Prepare five seedbed measuring 1 x 10 m each. Incorporate 1 kg fully decomposed chicken manure and 300 g carbonized rice hull/m². Wet the seedbed and make shallow line 5 in a part. Sow thinly 200-250 g of seeds and cover lightly with soil. Mulch with rice hull or chopped rice straw. Provide partial shade during the dry season and rain shelter during the wet season. Water regularly. Harden seedlings one week before transplanting by decreasing the frequency of watering and by exposing fully to sunlight to minimize transpalnt shock. Transplant at four weeks after emergence.

Land Preparation

Prepare land by flowing and harrowing twice. Make furrows 1m apart. Spread fully decomposed manure along rows at 1 kg/linear meter or 500g/hill. Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at 10 -5g/hill and cover lightly with soil.

Transplanting and Maintenance

Irrigate area before transplanting. Plant 1 seedling/hill at a distance of 0.5-1.0 m depending on variety. Provide 1 m- long stake to prevent lodging. Irrigate by furrow every 7-14 days depending on the season and the soil type. Sidedress with 46-0-0 at 10g/hill every two weeks during the vegetative stage. Use equal parts 46-0-0 and 0-060 at the start of fruiting. Weed two-three times during growing season, or as necessary. Use plastic mulch to minimize weed growth and maintain uniform soil moisture

Pest and Desease Management

Major pests include tip borer, aphids, thrips and green leafhopper. To minimized pest incedence, avoid monocropping. Intercrop with other vegetables, cereal and legumes. Plant aromatic crops such as marigold, ginger, basil, lemon grass,, and aluims to repel insects. Grow flowering plant like sunflower, cosmos and zinnia as border rows to attract beneficial insects.

Remove and burn fruits and shoots damage by borer. Gather and destroy eggmasses of fruit and shoot borers found on the underside of the leaves. To control green leafhoppers, grow sacrificial plants like okra around the area or used recommended pesticides. To control Phomopsis rot, mulch and prune infected leaves and fruits.

Harvesting

Harvest mature fruits which are shiny and still soft. More frequent harvest can reduce damage from fruit borers. harvest all fruits including deformed and damaged one to prevent spreads of pest and deseases. harvesting can last for 3-6 months. Several varieties can be grown for 1-2 years.

Postharvest Handling

Grade according to market standards. Pack in crates line with banana leaves. Do not expose to high temperature. Severely damage fruits can either be inckude in compost pile or used as permented plant juice. Prepare plant juice by mixing chopped active growing plants part with equal amount of molasses or brown sugar. Allow mixture to perment for 1 week. Extract the nuice and apply as foliar fertilizer at 1 tbsp/3.785 L water. Apply weekly during the fruit stage.

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare

                     ITEM                                                                                 AMOUNT

VARIABLE COST
A.   Labor (@P22o/MD; P440/MAD)
       Plowing (5 MAD)                                                                               2,200.00
       Harrowing (3MAD)                                                                             1,320.00
       Furrowing (5MAD)                                                                            2,200.00
       Manure application 6(MD)                                                                  1,320.00
       Seedling production (15 MD)                                                              3,300.00
       Mulching with rice straw  (10MD)                                                        2,200.00
       Transplanting (10 MD)                                                                       2,200.00
       Fertilization:basal (2MD); sidedress (10 MD)                                       2,640.00
       Irrigation (30MD)                                                                               6,600.00
       Spraying (30MD)                                                                               6,600.00
       Weeding (20MD)                                                                               4,400.00
       Pruning (24MD)                                                                                5,280.00
       Harvesting (50 MD)                                                                          11,000.00
       Miscellaneous activities                                                                    4,400.00
       Subtotal                                                                                         55,660.00

B.   Materials
      Seeds (f1 Hybrid) 250g/ha                                                                  2,550.00
      Animal manure (10t)                                                                          10,000.00
      Fertilizer:14-14-14 (7bags)                                                                  6,650.00
                    46-0-0 (12 bags)                                                                  12,600.00
                    0-0-60 ( 4 bags)                                                                    3,800.00
      Pesticides                                                                                        10,000.00
      Fuel and oil                                                                                       10,000.00
      Miscellaneous                                                                                   10,000.00
      Subtotal  (A + B)                                                                              65,600.00

C.   Contingencies (15%)                                                                         18,189.00

GRAND TOTAL                                                                                     139,449.00
Gross Income                                                                                        300,000.00
Net Income                                                                                            160.551.00

With marketable yield of P15t/ha at a farmgate of P20/kg

Kutsai Production Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:40:38 +0100

Introduction

Kutsai or Chinese chives ( Alluim tuberasum Rottler ex Sprengle) is a perennial, herbaceous herb grown as condiment.

It is also called ganda (Bisaya), amput di amayyaw (Ifugao) and kuichai (Bangkok). It is believe to have originated in China and grown as early in 200 BC. It is now being cultivated in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, korea, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.

Kutsai forms dense clumps with the prominently spreading rhizomes. The bulbs are indistinct, narrowly ovoid. The leaves are distichous, linear, Flat, slightly kelled below, not folded lenghtwise, sub-erect or curve. It produces scapes which are harvested immature.

Both leaves and young scapes are used to flavor vegetables, meat, and seafoods. It can also be eaten raw, blanced or sauteed. Its medical uses include treatment of wounds, stomach ache, tumors, intestinal disorders, and scabies.

Market Potential

Kutsai is usually sold in Chinese restaurant and supermarkets. The market price of kutsai escapes ranges from P200- 400/kg. There are no available statistics on production. However. there are several growers in Laguna, batangas, Cagayan, Bulacan

Production Management

Climatic and Soul Requirment

Kutsai can be grown from low to high elivation, with temperatures of 10- 37°C. The uptimum growing temperature, however, is 20-30°C. It can tolerate both drought and waterlogged conditions, but grows best with regular irrgation and good drainage. It can grow in any type of soil but the best is well- drained, deep loose soil with a pH of 5.5 - 6.5.

Seedling Preparation

Kutsai is grown from seeds and divisions. The seeds requirement per hectare is 2- 3 kg. To produce seedlings, prepare seedbeds at any convinient size. About 200-3000 m² nursery area is needed per hectare. Mix 2-3 kg/m²manure and 1kg/ m² rice hull charcoal in the nursery area. Water before sowing. It is best to first soak the seeds overnight. Line sow at 5-7 cm dictance between rows and 200-300 seeds per linear meter. Cover with manure. mulch with rice hull, and water again. Provide temporarily shade such as nylon net,both during the wet and dry seasons.

For vigorous seedlings, apply foliar fertilizer or tea manure in water for two weeks. Tea manure is prepared by soaking manure in water for two days. The resulting mixture is then applied to the seddlings as fertilizer. The seedling are rady for transpalnting after 3 months after sowing.

Land Preparation

Prepare the land thoroughly. Make 1.0-m wide beds at convinient lenght. Incorporate 10-20 t/ha animal manure and rice hull, if available. Use complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at the rate of 5-7 bags/ha

Transplanting

Make row perpendicular to row lenght at a distance of 20-30 cm. Uproot the seedlings and cut the leaves in half lenghtwise. cut long root as well. Transplant at a distance of 10-15 cm between seedlings. Mulch with riece straw, cogon grass with any available material. irrigate after transplanting.

Maintenance

After transplanting, maintan plants by regular irrigation, hand weeding , and application of manure or urea (46-0-0). The rate of fertilazation depends on the growth of the plants and size of the escapes. After three years, dig out the plants and replant in another area. There would be 5-10 times more palnting materials available by then.

Harvesting

Kutsai flowers 3-4 months after sowing. The best stage to harvest is when buds are not yet full and manure scapes are easyly to twist and detach. Harvest the escapes by twisting at the base. Scapes that are difficult to detach, with white, full buds are over mature.Harvest regularly every 2-3 days to promote plant growth.

Postharvest

After harvesting, sort the state according to size. Discard overmature scapes. Pack in 100 g bundles and let stand in water. Bundles may also be wrapped in the cellphone or plastic wrap.

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS AMOUNT

Year 1

I. VARIABLE COST 179,480

A. Labor
   Land preparation                                          3,500
    Seddling Production                                     9,630
   Maintenance @ 4 laborers/ha,
   @    P 150/day                                            129,600
          Sub-total                                              142,730
B. Materials
   Seeds                                                         18,750
    Gasoline and oil                                            5,000
    Miscellaneous                                               3,000
           Sub-total                                              36,750

II.     FIXED COST                                                                                   18,063
             Land Rental                                                  5,000
             Depreciation
                     5 pcs scythe (2 yrs)                                   63
                     5 pcs. hoe (3 yrs)                                     125
                     3 pcs. shovel (3 yrs)                                   75
                     2 knapsack sprayer (5 yrs)                        800
              Interest on loans at 20% int. p.a                   12,000
TOTAL COSTS                                                                                        197,543
GROSS INCOME                                                                        250,000-800,000
NET INCOME                                                                               52,457-602,457

Year 2 onwards

I. VARIABLE COSTS 147,600

         A. Labor
             Maintenance @ 4 laborers/ha                       129,600
             @ P150/day
         B. Materials
             Animal manure                                            10,000
             Gasoline and oil                                            5,000
             Miscellaneous                                               3,000
                       Sub-total                                          18,000

II FIXED COST 18,063

         Land Rental                                                      5,000
         Depreciation
             5 pcs. scythe (2 yrs)                                         63
             5 pcs. hoe (3 yrs)                                            125
             3 pcs. shovel ( 3 yrs)                                         75
             2 knapsack sprayers ( 5 yrs)                            800
         Interest on loans at 20% int p.a                        12,000

TOTAL COST                                                                                         165,663
GROSS INCOME                                                                        250,000-800,000
NET INCOME                                                                               84,337-634,337
_________________________________________
With marketable yield of 5-8 t/ha at P50- 100/kg

Sweet Pepper Production Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:38:52 +0100

Introduction

Sweet pepper (Capsium annuum L.) also known as capsium, kampana or lara is the most widely used condiment all over the world. It is consumed fresh, dried or processed. There are several types: green, yellow, orange, violet, and brown. Popular varieties are California Wonder (short bell) and Lanuyo (long bell).

Market and trade

Production area covers 1,141 ha including other sweet pepper types. Market prices range from P10/kg during the regular season, to P150/kg during the off-season. Pizza parlors, which require regular supply in big volume, are lucrative markets for the vegetable. There are also processors requiring bigger volumes at a lower price.

Production Management

Varieties

Variety Shape Color Remarks

California Wonder                   short bell                        Green                             OP
Yolo Wonder                          short bell                        Green                             OP
Green 500                              long bell                         Green                              F1
Rain Hardy                             short bell                        Green                              F1
Annabel                                 short bell                        Green                              F1
Blondy                                   short bell                        Yellow                             F1
Islander                                  long bell                         Violet F1
King Arthur                             long bell                         Green                             F1

Climatic and Soil Requirements

Sweet pepper requires cool weather for best fruit quality. In low elevations, October to December planting is best. In mid and high elevations, it can be grown throughout the year.

Sweet pepper grows well in any type of soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Production is best, however, in sandy loam soil.

Seedling Production

One hectare requires 100-200 g of seeds. It is best to produce in nurseries and transplant 3-4 weeks later. Prepare seedbeds by incorporating 2-4 kg of manure and 1-2 kg rice hull charcoal/m2. Prepare 1-m wide beds at any convenient length. Water first, and then make lines across the bed at 7-10 cm apart. Sow thinly if no pricking will be done. Cover lightly with manure and mulch with rice hull. In case of hybrid seeds, prick to nursery trays soon after germination. Provide temporary shade. Harden seedlings one week before transplanting.

Land Preparation

Prepare the area thoroughly. For small areas, make plots 0.75-1m wide for two-row/plot planting. In bigger areas, make furrows 0.5-0.75 m apart for single row planting. Apply basal fertilizer at 5-7 bags/ha 14-14-14 and 5-10 t/ha manure. Transplant at a spacing of 0.3-0.5 m between hills.

Mulching

Use mulch to control weeds and promote better growth. Rice hull, rice straw or plastic may be used. In the case of the latter, make beds 1-m wide and incorporate the required manure and fertilizer. Spread the mulch, covering the sides with soil. Make holes 0.5 m x 0.5 m apart.

Maintenance

Irrigate weekly. Weed 2-3 times during the growing season. It is best to intercrop other vegetables such as kutsai and garlic as well as marigold to help minimize incidence of insect pests.

Side-dress with urea (46-0-0) every two weeks at 5-10 g/hill depending on plant growth. At the onset of fruiting, use 1:1 mixture of 46-0-0 and 0-0-60.

Pests and Disease Management

Insect Pests/Diseases Recommendations

Aphids                                                               Intercropping; hot pepper spray, organophosphate.
Spider mites                                                      Intercropping; spray with miticide.
Cutworm                                                            Hot pepper spray; Bacillus thuringiensis
Fruit fly                                                              Sanitation; fruit fly attractant.
Fruit & shoot borer                                             Sanitation; hot pepper spray; synthetic pyrethroids.
Bacterial wilt                                                     Sanitation; use of resistant variety; avoidance.
Nematodes                                                        Application of chicken manure; intercropping with                                                                           marigold.
Anthracnose                                                     Crop rotation; sanitation, spray with Benlate
Leaf spot diseases                                             Sanitation; spray with Mancozeb, Benlate
Virus diseases                                                  Refrain from smoking in the vicinity; rouging

Harvesting

Start harvesting at 80-100 days from transplanting or 3-6 weeks after flowering. Harvest mature green fruits.

Post Harvest

Sort fruits according to market standard and separate damaged fruits. Fresh fruits can be stored up to 5 weeks at 40C and 95% humidity.

Costs and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS P 74,450
A. Labor (P150/MD)
    Plowing 1,500
    Harrowing 1,000
    Bedding 1,500
    Manure application 2,000
    Seedling production (15 MD) 2,250
    Mulching w/ rice straw
    (15 MD) 2,250
    Transplanting (10 MD) 1,500
    Fertilization; basal (2 MD) & 1,200
    side-dress (6 MD)
    Irrigation (64 MD) 9,600
    Spraying ( 32 MD) 4,800
    Weeding (30 MD) 4,500
    Harvesting (20 MD) 3,000
    Miscellaneous (20 MD) 3,000
    Sub-total 38,100

B. Materials
    Seeds (200 g//ha) 4,500
    Manure (10 t) 10,000
    Fertilizers
      14-14-14 (5 bags) 1,750
      46-0-0 ( 5 bags) 1,900
      0-0-60 (2 bags) 1,200
  Chemical spray 7,000
  Fuel & Oil 5,000
  Miscellaneous 5,000
  Sub-total 36,350

II. FIXED COSTS 18,063
    Land rental 5,000
   Depreciation
     5 pcs. Scythe (2 yrs) 63
     5 pcs. Hoe ( 2 yrs) 125
     3 pcs. Shovel (3 yrs) 75
     2 knapsack sprayers (5 yrs) 800
Interest on Loans at 20% int. p.a. 12,000
TOTAL COSTS 92,513
GROSS INCOME a 140,000-220,000
NET INCOME 47,487-127,487
a With marketable yield of 7-11 t/ha at P20/kg

Bulb Onion Production Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:37:53 +0100

Introduction

Bulb onion (allium cepa L.), locally known as sibuyas, is probably the most indispensable culinary ingredient in the world. It is a favorite seasoning, and its pungent aroma and sharp taste makes it ideal for spicing up meat, salads and vegetable dishes. It is also used to cure a wide array of physiological disorders such as cough, obesity, insomnia, hemorrhoid and constipation.

There are two types of bulb onion grown in the Philippines; the yellow and the red onion. The yellow varieties grown for the traditional market are either the granex (flat) or the grano (round) type, short day onions.

The red varieties, on the other hand, are produced because of their long storage life. Strains of Red Creole and Red Pinoy are among the popular varieties being grown.

Production and Trade

Bulb onions are grown in about 11,998 ha (1997) mainly in Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region. They are grown both for the local and export markets.

In 1997, 7,296 t of fresh onions valued at P109 million were exported to Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, and Thailand.

Production Management

Varieties

Yellow Onions                        Red Onions
Yellow Granex                          Hybrids Red Orient
Superex                                   Red Creole
Cal 120                                    Red Pinoy
Cal 202                                    BGS 95 (F1 hybrid)
Liberty                                     Capri

Climatic and Soil Requirements

Bulb Onions grow well in friable and well-drained loam soil with good water holding capacity and pH between 6 & 7.
For best growth and bulb quality, onion requires cooler weather during the early stages of growth and a dry atmosphere with moderately high temperature for bulb development & maturation. Planting can be done as early as October (yellow onions) to as late as January (red onions).

Seedling Production

A 1-ha production area requires 5 kg seeds. A 300-500 m2 seedbed produces enough transplants for one ha/ Prepare beds 1 m wide & incorporate animal manure and rice hull.. Line sows 3-5 kg. seeds in rows set across the bed 7-10 cm apart. Distribute seeds thinly and evenly to control damping off. Cover the seeds lightly with compost and mulch with rice straw or grass clippings. Maintain adequate soil moisture. Protect the seedbed against direct sunlight and rain with nylon net or removable plastic tunnels. Reduce watering and expose seedlings to full sunlight one week before transplanting.

Land Preparation

One month prior to land preparation, apply about 30 cm layer of rice hull over the entire field & burn for about two weeks. Incorporate burnt rice hull during land preparation. Burnt rice hull reduces occurrence of weeds & diseases & improves soil texture.
Land preparation is done one month prior to transplanting. The use of tractor-driven implement requires 1-2 plowing & harrowing operations. Apply animal manure at 10-15 t/ha prior to bed preparation. Beds 1 m wide are recommended.

Transplanting

Transplant seedlings 4-6 weeks after sowing. Gently uproot the seedlings to prevent root damage. Plant at a distance of 15 cm between rows & 3-5 cm between transplants can also be practiced. Use markers for proper spacing & to facilitate transplanting. After marking, use dibbles to make holes. Plant deep enough but not too deep. Care must be taken so as not to damage the basal portion of the plant. Place the white portion of the plant below the soil surface. Press the soil firmly around the basal portion. Irrigate the field before and after transplanting.

Fertilization

In the absence of soil analysis, a 1-ha production area requires 8.5-11.4 bags of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0), 6.6-26.7 bags super phosphate (0-18-0) and 2-4 bags muriate of potash (0-0-60).
Apply all of 0-18-0 & half of 21-0-0 & 0-0-60 as basal fertilizer. Side-dress remaining 21-0-0 & 0-0-60 at 30, 45 & 60 days after transplanting. High nitrogen rates tend to shorten storage life of onions. Combine herbicide application with hand weeding to produce a good quality crop.

Irrigation

Bulb onions require adequate moisture for steady, continuous & desirable growth. Depending on soil types, irrigation varies between 4 & 7 days. Stop irrigation 2-3 weeks before harvest, or when 20-30% of the tops fold over. The last irrigation should be a light one.

Pest & Disease Management

        Purple blotch (Alternaria porri), leaf blight (Botrytis spp.), white-tip disease (Phytophthora porri), and downy mildew (Peronospora destructor). Regulate humidity within the field through proper irrigation. Eliminate debris from previous crop. Spray compost tea (compost tea is prepared by fermenting rice compost for 10-14 days. The effluent is sprayed to control foliar diseases). Remove infected leaves. Practice crop rotation.Pink root (Pyrenochaeta terrestris). Practice soil solarization. Use resistant varieties.

       Bacterial soft rot (Erwinia carotovora), neck rot (botrytis allii), & onion smut (Uroccystis cepulae). Harvests only mature bulbs. Maintain good air circulation during curing, packing & storage. Practice crop rotation.

       Sour skin (Pseudomonas cepacia) & slippery skin (P. alliicola). Use furrow irrigation. Incorporate copper sulfate at the last fertilization & fungicide application.

       Thrips (Thrips tabaci), army worm (Spodoptera exigua), cutworm (Argotis spp.), & leafminer (Liriomyza spp.) Use overhead irrigation & high pressure spray of water & insecticidal soap solution. Remove badly infested leaves. Spray hot pepper extract, or spread wood ash to control army worm & cutworm. To control leafminer, spray chlorox solution (1:10 commercial chlorox & water) & rinse one hour later with water. Manage weeds properly to maintain sufficient population of natural enemies.

Harvesting

Harvest when the tops begin to fold over. Pull mature plants/bulbs manually from the soil.

Post harvest

Cure harvested bulb for 10-14 days in a sunny, well-ventilated area. Align onions so that the leaves of one onion cover the bulb of another. Clip dried leaves 1.5 inches from the stem and remove all roots. Grade bulbs according to size & quality. Pack in jute or net sacks for storage and/or immediate disposal.

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS                                                            AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS                                      P 115,270
A. Labor (P150/MD)
    Plowing                                                  1,500
    Harrowing (2x)                                         1,000
    Bedding                                                  1,500
    Manure application                                   1,500
    Seedling production (15 MD)                      2,250
    Transplanting (25 MD)                               3,750
    Fertilization (3x) (12MD                            1,800
    Mulching (5 MD)                                         750
    Irrigation (20 MD)                                      3,000
    Spraying ( 20 MD)                                    3,000
    Weeding (3x) (30MD)                                4,500
    Harvesting (20 MD)                                   3,000
    Post harvest operations (35 MD)                5,250
                    Sub-total                               32,800

B. Materials
    Seeds (5 kg//ha) 4,250
    Animal manure (10 t) 10,000
    Fertilizers
        14-14-14 (7 bags) 2,450
        46-0-0 ( 2 bags) 930
        0-0-60 (0.5 bag) 300
        0-18-0 (2 bags) 1,100
    Insecticides 8,000
   Fuel & Oil 5,000
   Miscellaneous 5,000
                  Sub-total                                 37,030

II. FIXED COSTS                                       18,063
    Land rental                                              5,000
    Depreciation
       5 pcs. Scythe (2 yrs)                                63
       5 pcs. Hoe ( 3 yrs)                                  125
       3 pcs. Shovel (3 yrs)                                 75
       2 knapsack sprayers (5 yrs)                    800
Interest on Loans at 20% int. p.a.               12,000
TOTAL COSTS                                         87,893
GROSS INCOME a                                  200,000
NET INCOME                                          112,107
__________________________________________
a With marketable yield of 20 t/ha at P10/kg

Lettuce Production Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:37:02 +0100

Introduction

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the most popular salad vegetable. Its high fiber but low nutrient value makes it an ideal vegetable for those who watch their diet.

There are many types of lettuce. The most popular locally is the crisphead type, which includes grand rapid type varieties. Oakleaf and Lollo Rossa. Other types are Romaine/Cos and the Butterhead/Bostoan and Bibb lettuce.

Production Management

Varieties

Type Variety Leaf Color Maturity

Iceberg                              Great Lakes 54             green                         45-50
                                          Great Lakes 659           green                         45-50
                                          West Lake green                                           45-50
Romaine/                             Lital                             dark                          50-60
Cos                                                                        green
                                           Noga                           green                         50-60
                                           Parris Island                 green                        50-60
Loose-leaf                            Samantha                    red                            45-60
                                           New Red Fire               red                            45-60

Climatic Requirements

Lettuce is a semi-temperate vegetable requiring cool temperatures of 15-200C. The iceberg varieties will not form heads in hotter areas. It can also be planted in low elevations during November to December. The quality is best in high elevations (1000 m asl).

Seedling Production

About 150-200 g of seeds is required per hectare. The best method of seedling production is by line sowing in seed boxes or nursery beds with a soil mixture of 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts manure and 1 part rice hull charcoal. Water before sowing. Make lines 7-10 cm apart. Sow 200-400 seeds/m. Cover with the same mixture and mulch with rice hull or fine rice straw. Water daily and prick to nursery trays with the same soil mix after germination. Maintain under partial shade and harden by exposure to full sunlight one week before transplanting. The seedlings are ready for transplanting 3-4 weeks from sowing.

Land Preparation

Prepare the land thoroughly. Make beds 0.75-1.0 m wide. Incorporate generous amounts of animal manure at 10-20t/ha. Use rice hull to improve soil texture.

Transplanting

Water the beds properly before transplanting. If the rice straw is available, mulch the beds and transplant at 30-40 cm x 30-40 cm, 2-3 rows/bed to intercrop onion, chives, or garlic in the beds with marigold.

Irrigation

Water the plants regularly. Use furrow irrigation, if available. Mulching helps conserve soil moisture.

Fertilization

Apply sufficient animal manure at transplanting. Use tea manure or legume tea once a week, or as needed. Prepare tea manure by soaking manure in plastic drum. After two days, the resulting mixture, tea manure, is used as fertilizer to boost plant growth. Legume tea is prepared by soaking leaves of ipil-ipil or madre de cacao in water. The mixture is ready after 6-10 days.

At transplanting, use 10 g 14-14-14/hill as basal fertilizer and side-dress with 5-10 g urea (46-0-0)/plant at 2-3 weeks after transplanting

Pest and Disease Management

Lettuce has few significant pests and diseases. In case of cabbage looper and aphids, use botanical pesticides or soap solution. Bacterial rot can be minimized by sanitation.

Harvesting and Post harvest

Harvest iceberg lettuce at 45-60 days from transplanting, when heads are firm. Harvest loose-leaf lettuce as needed, preferably before bolting.

For large-scale planting, sort the heads in the field and pack immediately in perforated carton boxes. If available, vacuum cooling to 10C is best. Transport at 40C.

Cost and Return Analysis per Hectare

ITEMS AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS                                      P 49,560
A. Labor (P150/MD)
    Plowing                                             1,500
    Harrowing                                          1,000
    Bedding                                            1,500
   Manure application                              2,000
   Seedling production (15 MD)                2,250
   Mulching w/ rice straw
   (10 MD)                                             1,500
   Transplanting (10 MD)                         1,500
   Fertilization; basal (2 MD) &                   900
   side-dress (4 MD)
   Irrigation (20 MD)                                3,000
   Spraying ( 10 MD)                              1,500
   Weeding (20 MD)                               3,000
   Harvesting (10 MD)                            1,500
   Miscellaneous (20 MD)                       3,000
                   Sub-total                         24,150
B. Materials
    Seeds (200 g//ha)                             1,000
    Animal Manure (10 t)                       10,000
    Fertilizers
      14-14-14 (5 bags)                           1,750
      46-0-0 ( 5 bags)                             1,900
      0-0-60 (2 bags)                                760
   Pesticides                                         5,000
   Miscellaneous                                   5,000
                   Sub-total                         25,410

II. FIXED COSTS                                18,063
   Land rental                                       5,000
   Depreciation
      5 pcs. Scythe (2 yrs)                          63
      5 pcs. Hoe ( 3 yrs)                            125
      3 pcs. Shovel (3 yrs)                           75
     2 knapsack sprayers (5 yrs)                800
    Interest on Loans at 20% int. p.a.     12,000
   TOTAL COSTS                               67,623
   GROSS INCOME a            120,000-150,000
   NET INCOME                        52,377-82,377
__________________________________
a With marketable yield of 12-15 t/ha at P10/kg