Crop Descriptio n

CRSC 2 [AB-5L]
Leafy vegetable -Pechay Fruit vegetable -Sweet corn Root vegetable -Radish Leguminous vegetable -Mungbean

Pechay English name: Chinese cabbage Scientific name: Brassica rapa Description: General characteristics -erect, biennial herb, cultivated as an annual about 15-30 cm tall in vegetative stage -seeds are 1 mm in diameter and are reddish to blackish brown in color. Climatic and Soil Requirements Pechay can be grown from low to mid elevations throughout the year. Production is best, however, during the dry season in sandy to clay loam soil, with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Planting A1-ha production area requires kg seeds. Pechay can either be sown directly in soil or transplanted. Direct seeding is carried out by broadcasting or by sowing in rows. Cover seeds to a depth of about 1 cm by raking or spreading additional topsoil. Water immediately after sowing. Plant spacing should be 10 cm between plants and 20 cm between rows. If transplanted, sow seeds initially in seedbeds. Transplant seedlings 2-3 weeks after sowing at a distance of 10 cm between plants and 20 cm between rows. Transplant preferably in the afternoon and water immediately. Mulch with grass clippings or rice straw. Fertilization Apply seedlings with starter solution using urea (46-0-0) at the rate of 2 tbsp/gal of water. Side-dress along the rows at the rate of 1 tbsp/plant one week after transplanting. Pest and Disease Management Damping-off, soft rot and clubroot are the most important diseases of pechay, while diamondback moth and aphids are the major insect pests. Spraying hot pepper extract can control these pests. When seedlings begin to wilt, reduce watering immediately. Uproot and burn disease-infected plants to prevent spread of diseases. Cultivation is also necessary to minimize weeds. Harvesting Harvest as early as three weeks after planting or between 30-40 days after sowing. Harvest preferably in the afternoon to minimize postharvest losses. Upon harvesting, wash the plants, trim old leaves and remove roots. Grade according to size and quality, and pack in strong rigid containers with holes at the sides to allow aeration. Pack with the base of the plant to the sides of the baskets. Maintain turgidity by lining the basket with paper. Resource:

http://www.darfu4b.da.gov.ph/pechay.html Sweet corn Local Name: maize Scientific name: Zea mays Description: General characteristics Corn ranks second to rice, not only in terms of area devoted to its production but it has been a staple food of about 20% of the total population of the Filipinos. Aside from this, the green corn, boiled or roasted, is a popular snack food & may also be cooked as vegetable or soup. Other by-products of corn include corn flour and syrup, sugar and oil. In terms of nutritive value corn is a richer source of vitamin A than polished rice. It contains high amounts of mineral such as calcium and phosphorous. Moreover, it is also a source of starch derivatives for oil, fibers and other industrial uses. Corn has also been used as an important ingredient in animal feeds. Corn may be planted anytime of the year provided there is adequate soil moisture., However, it is best to plant from May to June during the wet season and from October to November during the dry season. Planting To attain an optimum plant population density of 50,000-60,000, about 16-18 kg of hybrid seeds or 18-20 kg Open Pollinated Variety seeds per hectare are needed. Space the furrows with 75 cm interval. Plant seeds about 3-5 cm deep when the soil moisture is just right for planting, then cover the seeds with soil. Thin seedlings to one plant per hill about 7 10 days after emergence. Water Management Insufficient or excessive soil moisture is a limiting factor in corn production. Excess in the root zone within 36 hours injures the plants. Insufficient soil moisture during the reproductive stage decreases yield from 20-30 per cent. When there is no adequate moisture during tasseling stage, irrigate the cornfield by flush irrigation if available. Overhead or sprinkler irrigation may also be used in elevated or sandy loam soil. In flat rolling furrow irrigation is advisable. Weed Management To optimize yield during the critical period- at 28-35 days after planting, weeds should be removed. After this period, weeds may no longer reduce crop yield significantly. Harvesting Corn is ready to be picked as soon as the ears have completely filled out. This goes for sweet corn and roasting ears. You can tell when this happens by feeling the end of

an ear. If it's rounded or blunt rather than pointed, the ears are ready. The silks also dry up when the ears are almost ready to be picked. Rescources: http://www.darfu4b.da.gov.ph/pdffilesdata/cultural%20mgt_corn.pdf http://www.garden.org/foodguide/browse/veggie/corn_harvesting/794 Mungbean Local Name: mungo Scientific Name: Vigna radiata Description: General Characteristics Mungo is mainly used as human food. It is one of the cheapest sources of plant protein which contains protein ranging from 22-27%. It is also a good source of minerals such as calcium and sodium. Dried mungbean seeds are high in vitamins A & B while the sprouted mungbean are rich in vitamins B & C. It is a raw material in th major processes namely: mungbean sprout production; sotanghon manufacturing; hopia processing; dishes like soups, porridge, snacks, bread, noodles and ice cream; Mungbean starch is extensively used for starch noodles; Mungbean protein is used to fortify cereal flour Crop residues are used for fodder It is also grown for hay, green manure or cover crop Climatic Requirement Mungbean is drought-tolerant and requires a warm climate during its growing period. The temperature and humidity prevailing in the region is suited for optimum yields. Planting Just after harvesting rice: Flush irrigate the area and drain excess water Broadcast evenly the mungo seeds at the rate of: 30 kgs seeds/ha (90-95% germination) 35 kgs seeds/ha (80-85% germination) 37-40 seeds/ha (75-80% germination) If rice stubbles is 10-15 cm high, lightly puddle with mini tractor-drawn the area to help seeds in the stubbles get in contact with the soil Pest Management

3-5 days after seed emergence, spray the plants with appropriate insecticides to control beanfly (wilting and presence of pin-holes in leaves at seedling stage are common symptoms) If high population of weeds (particularly grass) are outgrowing the plants, spray selective post-emergence herbicide like ONECIDE.

Harvest Management

Handpicking (or priming) mature (black) pods in the early morning or late afternoon to minimize shattering Priming is done up to five times depending on the maturity of the pods. In some part of Pampanga, the farmers cut the plants at one time when most of the pods have matured. Attain three primings and harvest at 1-week interval

Resource: http://www.bar.gov.ph/agfishtech/crops/mungbean.asp

Radish Local Name: Labanos Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus Description: General Characteristics Labanos is a coarse, annual crop plant. Roots are fleshy, pungent and variable in size and form. Leaves are roughly hairy, the lower ones lyrate. Flowers are variable, about 1.5 centimeters long, usually white or lilac, with purple veins, sepals erect, lateral ones saccate at the base. Pod is inhehiscent, lanceolate, cylindrical, and 2 to 2.6 centimeters in length, and terminates in a long beak. Seeds are separated by pith. Soil Preferences Radishes prefer light, sandy loams with pH 6.5 - 7.0, but will tolerate a wide range of soil types. Soils with pH below 6.5 may require liming. Optimum Growing Conditions Radishes are a cool season crop, preferring temperatures between 40-70F. Optimum temperature range is 60-65F. Establishment Methods Planting Direct seeded Method : Optimum Time Spring - soil temperature above 40F : Fall - soil temperature below 95F Seeding rate: 10-20 lbs/acre Approx 2,000-3,000 seed/oz: Seeding depth: 0.25 - 0.5" Seedling 2 row band aprroximately 8" apart on 38spacing: 40" beds Water/Irrigation Very low requirement: 5-6". Peak demand is during rapid growth and development stage. Harvest Days after planting: Normal method: 20-35 days Hand pulled and bunched

Rescources: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Labanos.html http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/vegetable-crops/radish.html