Bending towards farmers success. Other than being a grass, there are other unknown facts about bamboo. For example, not many have heard of its use as embellishments in landscaping. Using bamboo as an ornamental plant is only a secondary consideration among Filipino bamboo farmers unlike in Japan, China, and other Asian countries, until recently when […
No, it’s not about New Year’s Eve bawang firecracker that is the topic of this article but native garlic, the condiment that is so indispensable for many of our dishes as it adds just the right zest and tanginess to them. What is explosive is the quick multiplication of garlic planting materials in big quantities […
Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), locally known as “kamote”, is commonly planted in flat to slightly rolling open areas. The crop is also known to be a cheap but excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, carotene, calcium, and phosphorus. It is also a fair source of thiamine and iron but a poor source of riboflavin, niacin, […
The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) has pressed companies and organized groups to tie up with ERADB on pest management-driven mangrove farming amid unsustainable mangrove planting craze since Yolanda wreaked havoc in the country in 2013. In the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, Filipinos learned an important lesson – the important role mangroves play in […
Preserving a taste, protecting a heritage – this is how the rice growers of Ifugao want the heirloom rice production to be recognized. Tinawon, one of the heirloom rice varieties thriving in the Cordillera region, is creating a niche market in the global world. What makes it special? Aside from being planted in a world […
The deep pink almost bright red skin of the dragon fruit may be a tad bit off-putting for many. From afar, the green parts of its skin may seem like thorns—surely the dragon fruit could easily be misconstrued as poisonous and inedible. However, studies from all around the globe have shown that the dragon fruit […
In natural farming, Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) is becoming popular among farmers. This Indigenous microorganism (IMO) has been successfully tried by government agriculturists, academic researchers, non-profit organizations and farmers alike. They have found that IMO is useful in removing bad odors from animal wastes, hastening composting, and contributing to crops’ general health. Beneficial Indigenous Microorganism (BIM) […
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PNRI) has developed a plant growth promoter (PGP) from radiation-modified natural polymers such as seaweed (carrageenan) and chitosan (shells of shrimps). The effects of these PGPs are tested on rice, mungbean, and peanut. PNRI’s studies proved that PGPs are beneficial when applied to […
Pechay (Brassica rapa L. cv group Pak Choi) is an erect, biennial herb, cultivated as an annual about 15-30 cm tall in vegetative stage. Ovate leaves are arranged spirally and spreading. The petioles are enlarged and grow upright forming a subcylindrical bundle. Inflorescence is a raceme with pale yellow flowers. Seeds are 1 mm in […
Vinegar is part of every household’s kitchen but did you know that this sour-tasting liquid is an effective herbicide for organic farming?This is the major finding of a study conducted by Jay Radhakrishnan, John Teasdale and Ben Coffman, researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the principal scientific research agency of the US Department of […
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is considered one of the most nutritious fruits in the world. In the Philippines, however, it has not attained the popularity enjoyed by other fruits despite its early introduction in 1890. One reason for this is that it lacks that sweetness of such popular fruits as mango, banana and pineapple. To […
