CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO PLANT AND LIVESTOCK MICROCLIMATE

ACITIVITY 1

MEMBERS:

ANTOLIN ASTILLERO
ANA MAE CHIANG
Ma. ELIZA LORIA
LOWELA ZYRAH MONREAL
CHELANIE RENGALOTA

AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PAPER IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT FOR THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBJECT ABE 33: PLANT AND LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS
AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ENGINEERING TO BE SUBMITTED TO ENGR.
CINDY MENECES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS
ENGINEERING, BICOL UNIVERSITY

 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

SEPTEMBER 2022
 INTRODUCTION

In the late century’s humans have relied their food on hunting but later

developed to farming and planting which we all benefit from, now. Planting has been a

way to generate food since then, that’s what we called as crops in today’s time. It was a

change that would not only take thousands of years to prove worthy, but also may have

set us back on the evolutionary path at the time. Along the path to this point, we have

been constantly changing and finding new ways to produce and maximize the yield of

the crops we sow. Have these changes been successful or detrimental to us? 

Farmers' main objective has always been to improve crop production. The

simplest steps in this direction were crop rotation and fertilization. Even these basic

actions took thousands of years to develop. Perhaps the first phase that truly happened

was domestication. There is abundant evidence for this all around the world, dating

back as far as 11,000 years. The method for detecting this was analyzing the product's

wild and cultivated kinds. The most frequent distinctions, particularly across different

varieties of grain, are variations in size. However, the selection process was mostly

responsible for this domestication. These larger examples of the species would continue

because humans naturally preferred the larger, more robust vegetables or grains.

Though this may seem primitive, it has led to the varieties we see and eat today.

(www.cropproduction.com)

Without a doubt, the agricultural sector has benefited the most from and had

the greatest influence throughout the last two centuries. Although fertilization has been

practiced for a long time, we have only just realized its full potential. The Philippines

currently ranks eighth globally in agricultural output. More than 60% of people in the

agrarian region of the Philippines depend on agriculture for a living. Many Filipinos who

live in city areas might not realize how essential agriculture is, but it is well-known that
agriculture provides the primary source of income for a large portion of the people of the

nation. Numerous crops, from food to medicine, are grown throughout the country.

These goods are utilized for a variety of things, including human consumption, industrial

use, and animal consumption. (www.fao.org)

Considering the Philippines as an agrarian country, there are different types of

crops that are being planted every year, but the process of how they are being

produced is being neglected, thus making people not aware of how to properly take

care of these crops. This research aims to focus on five different crops of the

Philippines: how they are produced and what the required temperature, air, water, and

soil are for them to grow.

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to research different crops of the Philippines. It

specifically aims to:

1.      Test the different parameters of the care guide or growth guide of crops in terms

of:

a.   Temperature

b.  Water

c.   Soil

d.  Air

2. To be able to learn the right way of planting different crops

3. To be able to adopt it in the future to come

 DISCUSSION

The study aims to determine the proper growth guide of the crops, naming: cabbage

(repolyo), eggplant (talong), garlic (bawang), onion (sibuyas), and tomato (kamatis).

These are considered as vegetable crops.

5 crops in the Philippines

Cabbage

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) locally known as repolyo is

probably the most popular green leafy vegetable on the market and enjoys a year-round

demand. Basically, a temperate vegetable that belongs to the cruciferae or mustard

family. Some heat tolerant varieties can be produced under warm or tropical conditions.

Cabbage production is a lucrative business. It is one vegetable that you will often find in

many dishes. It is reasonably easy to produce. Cabbage can be eaten fresh, cooked or

combined with other foods.

Cabbage is an important cash crop and livelihood of about one-third of the

people in Benguet. It can be grown the whole year in any place in Benguet, and some

areas of Mountain Province, particularly Mt. Data, Bauko.

In the soil requirements of a cabage Cabbage requires deep, well-drained

loamy soil rich in humus (organic matter). Loamy sand is also good, provided that there

is adequate irrigation. Cabbage does not do very well in a highly acidic soil. A pH range

of 5.6 to 7.3 gives a good yield. It also requires boron and molybdenum and a moisture

level of not less than 25 cm deficit in the root zone.

 In terms of climatic requirements Cabbage has a high-water requirement. A

well distributed rainfall of at least 500mm throughout the growing period is required.

Cabbage grows better in cooler temperatures. An optimal cool night and warm day

temperature of 14 to 24 degrees centigrade is optimal. Temperatures up to 28 degrees

centigrade can still give good head. A soil temperature of 18 to 35 degrees centigrade is

needed for seed germination. Flower initiation in cabbage is largely affected by

temperature but not sensitive to day length. And when it comes to sunlight, the cabbage

requires ample light, full sunlight (open field) and diffused sunlight (plastic house).

In land preparation of a cabbage, plots (ridges) or furrows (flat surfaces) are

made using animal or machine-drawn plows or digging hoes Where plots (ridges)(1 m

wide, 30 cm high) are used, double row holes are made on top of the plot, spaced at 30

to 35 cm x 30 to 35 cm between hills and rows following square or triangular plant

arrangements. On a flat surface, furrows (using a machine/animal-drawn plow or hand

hoe) are made at 50 cm between rows, and at transplanting time, seedlings may be set

at 30 to 35 cm within the row.

In Seedling production. Seedlings can be propagated using soil beds,

individual plastic pots, seed box or plastic seedling tray.  Soil bed/growing media should

have a proportion of 1/3 loamy soil, 1/3 sand and 1/3 compost supplemented by

complete fertilizer.  Insecticide solution to control insect pests and fungicide for diseases

can also be used.

Land Preparation. In making an Inter Tillage, Cultivate the soil in between

rows or hills of crops to loosen the top of the soil to reduce evaporation, control weeds,

and destroy breeding places of insect pests. Done before side dressing (fertilizer

application). There is a process called Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). The first

is base dressing, which requires the application of one of the following fertilizers prior to

transplanting. Complete fertilizer, which has a requirement of 236 kg/ha, 14-14-14,

potassium with 245 kg/ha, 0-0-60, chicken manure with 3 t/ha. To prevent "burning," mix
the fertilizer very well into the soil where the seedlings are to be set before

transplanting. The other one is side dressing. It is when fertilizer is applied after

weeding and inter tillage. The nitrogen requirement is 102 kg/ha of 46-0-0 (urea). The

boron requirement is 1 kg/ha of borax if a deficiency is shown. Molybdenum must be

250 g/ha sodium molybdate, Fertilizers can be applied as band, ring, liquid feed, or

foliar. Hilling up is done after fertilizer application. Delays in the application of side-

dressed fertilizers (a month or more after transplanting) tend to enhance the production

of medium cabbage heads.

In water management, there are 3 things that need to be considered: the

appropriate time to water, the frequency, and the irrigation. The critical periods of

irrigation are before transplanting, during transplanting, and at the start of heading.

Maintain field capacity (using light irrigation) throughout the growth duration of the crop.

Water stress during its vegetative stage up to the last two weeks before harvest can

significantly reduce yield and affect head quality. In frequency, after transplanting to

seedling establishment, provide frequent (daily) but light irrigation. After seedling

establishment, reduce the frequency (once every two days) but maintain light irrigation

because cabbage has a dense but shallow root system. Irrigate either by bucket

sprinkling, flooding (flat production areas), rain burst sprinkler, drip irrigation, or rain-fed.

For plant protection, there are three things you need to consider. Insect pests,

diseases, and weed control. Insect pests like Diamond-back moth (DBM), cut worm,

loopers, etc., are controlled by the following, either singly or in combination: biological

use of other organisms like diadegma and growth regulators; chemical control with

green and yellow-labeled chemicals following the recommended rate; and cultural

control with thorough land preparation, clean culture, and cropping systems.

When it comes to diseases, they are classified and controlled based on causal

organisms. Head rot (fungus) is Infected plants decay at the base of non-wrapper

leaves, which later wilt and become pallid. Soon, plants turn brown, then black, and
then decay. Plants are attacked before early head formation and maturity. Clubroot

(fungus) can cause the formation of an enlarged ginger-like root system. Plants show

spots that appear as small, circular, yellow areas that later produce concentric ridges of

black sooty color. Spots on old leaves turn brown and reach 20 to 30 mm in diameter.

Black rot (bacterium) shows affected tissues turning yellow (chlorosis) and the yellow

progressing towards the center of the leaf, usually in a V-shape. Later on, abscission

layers at the base of the affected leaves may develop early and cause premature fall-off

of the leaves.

Weed management. Free-field weed control must be completed within the first 30 to 45

days after transplanting. Control is done by hand weeding or using selective herbicides.

Weeds are classified as grasses, broad leaves, and sedges. There are 3 things to

consider for weed control: Liming is done if the soil becomes acidic, below a soil pH of

6.6. Ashes from burned rice hulls, straws, or grass can be substituted (burning these

materials should be avoided if at all possible to prevent environmental pollution). The

seedling that is allowed to stay for more than 40 days in the seedbed before

transplanting tends to produce medium-to-small-sized heads. Delayed fertilization or

delayed application of side-dress fertilizers tends to enhance the production of medium

or small heads.

Eggplant

Eggplant is extensively grown in eastern and southern Asia and in the

Philippines, where it is one of the most important vegetables. Its young fruits may be

roasted, fried, stuffed, cooked as curry, pickled, or prepared with other vegetables such

as the popular Ilocano dishes, pinakbet, and dinengdeng. This vegetable is a good

source of potassium, iron, protein, and vitamins A and B. It is naturally low in calories

and has no fat. Eggplant production accounts for 28 percent of the total volume of top

vegetables grown in the country. The area devoted to eggplant production is more than

20,000 hectares, with small farms ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 hectares in size. The average
yield of eggplant per hectare in the Philippines is 9.95 tons, which is about half of the

average yield in Asia and the world.

In terms of soil and climatic requirements, the crop thrives best in sandy

loam and clay loam textured soils with pH values ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. The water

requirement of the crop is 35 to 40 millimeters per week. It is moderately sensitive to

flooding and moisture during flowering and fruit enlarging. Eggplant requires a

temperature of 20o to 30oC during seed germination, 24o to 32oC soil temperature, and

21o to 30oC during its growth duration.

In terms of cultural management practices, they vary depending on the

variety selected, land preparation, seedlings raised, and seedbed method. In inland

preparation, prepare the field as early as possible to give enough time for the weeds

and stubbles of previous crops to decompose. Plow and harrow 2 to 3 times alternately

at one-week intervals. In Raising Seedlings, a hectare of the farm requires 100 g of

seeds. In the seedbed method, choose a level area fully exposed to sunlight, with

access to a water source, with good drainage, and provided with windbreaks. Then,

prepare the area by plowing and harrowing alternately until the soil is reduced to a fine

tilth. Pulverize the soil and level the bed with the use of hand tools, removing weeds and

stubble. Before sowing the seeds, sterilize the seedbed to kill weed seeds and

pathogens present in the soil. Water the prepared seedbed first for better heat

penetration. To avoid the toxic effects of burned materials, do not sow seeds

immediately after sterilization. Water the seedbeds before sowing. The night before

sowing, soak the required number of seeds in clean water. Drill the seed evenly in the

furrows and lightly cover it with fine soil.

For proper care of seedlings, Protect the seedlings from excessive sunlight

and rain by providing a temporary shade using available indigenous materials such as

plastic, cogon, talahib, or coconut leaves. Water the seedlings, preferably in the

morning to minimize damping off. Overwatering favors damping-off and the production
of weak seedlings. Drench the seedlings with a starter solution of one tbsp of urea (45-

0-0) or one tbsp of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) dissolved in four (4) liters of water 10

days after emergence. Water the seedlings immediately after applying fertilizer to

prevent leaf injury. One week before transplanting, harden the seedlings by gradually

exposing them to sunlight and withholding water. However, make sure that the

seedlings do not wilt severely. Gradually reduce the amount of water and frequency of

watering to enhance the hardening of seedlings. Hardening is done to prepare the

seedlings for field conditions.

Garlic
Garlic, scientifically known as Allium sativum L., is one of the most important

food seasonings in the world. The crop is widely cultivated in the Ilocos, Southern

Tagalog, and Central Luzon regions. Garlic is a dry season crop because it is harvested

during the hot summer months.

Soil Requirement. The best soil types for its cultivation are clay alluvial and

sandy loam. Cool weather is needed by the crop during its early stage of growth. During

ripening stage, a comparative dry soil, dry atmosphere and moderately high

temperature are important. Areas with an elevation of 8,000 to 1,500 meters above the

sea level are good places for cultivation.

Land preparation. Plow and harrow the land three times to kill the weeds and

to obtain a fine, firm, smooth and level surface. Prepare furrows 5 inches deep, 15 to 30

inches apart. Spread rice hulls 5 cm deep evenly throughout the planting area. Irrigate

the area to saturate the soil. In 2 to 3 days, the field is ready for planting. When applying

fertilizer, Apply a 12-24-12 fertilizer mixture of either urea and 14-14-14 or ammonium

sulphate and 14-14-14 to the field before the leveling process.

The best planting time is from October to November. The weather at this time is

more suitable for the early growth of the garlic. Mark rows using string 20 cm apart from

each other. Cloves should be 20 cm apart from each other. In terms of cultivation,
weeding, and irrigation. Regular weeding should be done. Irrigate the field only when

the soil really dries up.

Control of pests and diseases. The two common pests that infest garlic are

mites and cutworms. Cut-worm is controlled by spraying the plants with EPN-300 at 3

tablespoons per gallon of water plus sticker. Another pesticide which can be used is

Imidan 50 Wettable Powder(WP) at 3 tablespoons per gallon of water plus sticker.

Onion

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.

In climatic and soil requirements. Bulb onions grow well in friable and well-

drained loam soil with good water holding capacity and pH between 6 and 7. For best

growth and bulb quality, onions require cooler weather during the early stages of growth

and a dry atmosphere with a moderately high temperature for bulb development and

maturation. Planting can be done as early as October (yellow onions) or as late as

January (red onions).

Seedling production. A 1-ha production area requires 5 kg of seeds. A 300-

500 m2 seedbed produces enough transplants for one hectare. Prepare beds 1 m wide

and incorporate animal manure and rice hull. Line sows 3-5 kg. of 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 a nylon net or removable plastic tunnel. Reduce watering and expose seedlings to

full sunlight one week before trans-planting.

Land Preparation. One month prior to land preparation, apply about a 30 cm

layer of rice hull over the entire field and burn for about two weeks. Incorporate burnt

rice hulls during land preparation. Burnt rice hulls reduce the occurrence of weeds and

diseases and improve soil texture. Land preparation is done one month prior to

transplanting. The use of tractor-driven implements requires 1-2 plowing and harrowing

operations. Apply animal manure at 10-15 t/ha prior to bed preparation. Beds 1 m wide

are recommended.

Transplantation. Transplant seedlings 4-6 weeks after sowing. To prevent

root damage, gently uproot the seedlings. Planting at a distance of 15 cm between rows

and 3-5 cm between transplants can also be done. Use markers for proper spacing and

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 of super phosphate (0–18–

0), and 2-4 bags of muriate of potash (0-0-60). Apply all of 0-18-0 and half of 21-0-0 and

0-0-60 as basal fertilizer. At 30, 45, and 60 days after transplanting, side-dress with 21-

0-0 and 0-0-60. High nitrogen rates tend to shorten the 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 and 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. Remove debris

from the 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 the

infected leaves. Practice crop rotation. Pink root (Pyrenochaeta terrestris). Practice soil

solarization. Use resistant varieties. Practice crop rotation. Use furrow irrigation. Thrips

(Thrips tabaci), army worm (Spodoptera exigua), cutworm (Argotis spp.), and leafminer

(Liriomyza spp.) are some of the pests that can be found. Use overhead irrigation and a

high-pressure spray of water and insecticidal soap solution. Remove badly infested

leaves. Spray hot pepper extract or spread wood ash to control army worms and

cutworms. To control leafminer, spray chlorox solution (1:10 commercial chlorox and

water) and rinse one hour later with water. Manage weeds properly to maintain a

sufficient population of natural enemies.

Tomato
The tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is popularly grown in most parts of the

country. It’s a good source of vitamins A and C. It also contains dietary fiber, beta-

carotene, iron, lycopene, magnesium, niacin, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, and

thiamine. It is also rich in antioxidants, good for the heart, helps prevent premature

aging and reduces the risks of chronic diseases.

In terms of climatic and soil requirements, Tomatoes require a cool, dry

climate with temperatures ranging from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius. For colder areas,

plant from September to January and from November to February in lowland areas.

Tomatoes grow well in sandy-loam to clay-loam soils with rich organic matter, good

drainage, and a pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.0. A well-pulverized soil promotes good

aeration and enhances root formation.

 In soil preparation. Prepare a potting medium by mixing 1 part garden soil, 1

part carbonized rice hull, and 1 part compost or organic fertilizer. Use potting medium

measuring 8 inches in diameter and 10 inches in height. The bigger the pot, the better.

Raising seedlings and planting. Before sowing, soak seeds overnight, sow

immediately or air-dry the seeds before sowing. Fill the seed tray with mixed media,

then sow one seed per hole at a depth of 0.5 cm. Cover the seeds with fine soil, then

water. Transplant the seedlings 25 days to one month after emergence.

Every 1-2 days and every time you apply fertilizer, water the plants regularly.

Before transplanting, add a handful of compost, vermicast, or manure to the hole as

basal fertilizer. To boost plant vigor, apply weekly (spray or drench) organic probiotic

preparations like IMO, Vermitea, FAA, OHN, and FPJ during the vegetative stage.

During the reproductive stage, apply FFJ, CalPhos, or OHN to support flower and fruit

development. of water and drench this to the seedlings 1 week before transplanting. of

complete fertilizer (14-14-14) in the hole, then cover it with a handful of compost prior to

planting. Two weeks after planting, apply 1 tbsp.Pruning. Pruning is done to attain better

plant growth. It can be done 10 to 20 DAT or when the side shoot or suckers start to

elongate. Pinch or cut suckers using pruners while these are small. Prune in the

morning to hasten healing of plant wounds.

Pest Management. Whiteflies, thrips, and fruit borer are the common insect

pests of tomatoes, while bacterial wilt, blights caused by fungi, and the mosaic virus are

common diseases. For insects, you can use OHN and other botanical pesticide

preparations such as hot pepper and lemon grass extracts, ginger extract, tomato

extract, and others. Aside from spraying botanical pesticides, growing aromatic crops

like basil, allium, ginger, lemongrass, and marigold can help repel insects.
 REFERENCES:

Magsasaka, J. (2021). Cabbage Repolyo Cultivation Guide.

https://www.juanmagsasaka.com/2020/12/cabbage-repolyo-cultivation-guide.html

Business Diary Philippines.(June 2020). Eggplant Production

Guide.https://businessdiary.com.ph/19329/eggplant-production-guide/

#:~:text=The%20crop%20thrives%20best%20in,during%20flowering%20and

%20fruit%20enlarging.

PB. Pinoy Business. (November 2019). Growing Garlic (Allium sativum

L).https://www.pinoybisnes.com/agri-business/growing-garlic-allium-sativum-l/

Business Diary Philippines. (June, 2022). Onion Production Guide.

https://businessdiary.com.ph/6051/onion-production-guide/#:~:text=How%20to

%20Grow%20Onion%3F,-Climatic%20and%20Soil&text=Bulb%20Onions

%20grow%20well%20in,temperature%20for%20bulb%20development

%20%26%20maturation.
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Region. (n.d). Tomato Production.

https://ati.da.gov.ph/ati-car/sites/default/files/TOMATO_PRODUCTION_FLYER.p

df

Jagdish. (May 2021). Agriculture In Philippines -Farming, Major

Crops.https://www.agrifarming.in/agriculture-in-philippines-farming-major-crops