Rattan is a very important non-timber forest product, owing to its versatility. It is an export winner. Raising rattan, despite the lengthy time for plantation development, is necessary because natural stands have been significantly reduced. Rattan plantation development is one of the priority technologies being promoted by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The [&hellip
Of all the bacterial diseases that continuously inflict severe damages to banana plantations worldwide, the Bugtok disease is claimed as the most “stubborn”. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas solanacearum, which is transmitted by sucking insects. Banana farmers in tropical regions said that bugtok is really difficult to deal with. Though several [&hellip
Many of our local plants contain helpful chemicals, particularly alkaloids, that are effective against fungal and bacterial diseases of other plants. Thus, they are mixed with the soil to control the fungus that causes the diseases of seedlings. Allow the leaves to decompose for about one week before transplanting the seedlings. Some of these leaves [&hellip
Compost is well known to be a good organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is a product derived from the decomposition of organic matter or agricultural wastes. In normal circumstances, it takes about four to five months to get compost from the composting process. However, a new technique of composting, which was developed in Korea, [&hellip
For most urban dwellers, there seem to be not enough greenery around. In the city, tall and concrete lampposts and structures instead of big, healthy trees adorn the streets. The surroundings are monochromatic and cold, not a leaf rustling, and not a hint of nature exists except for the occasional skinny and dirty bird that [&hellip
The guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) is one of the distributed fruit tree crop in the tropics (like the Philippines) and subtropics and found to be indigenous to the American tropics. It has a great potential for extensive commercial production because of its ease of culture, high nutritional value and popularity of processed products. Most common [&hellip
Filipino farmers anticipate approval of Bt eggplant cultivation which will spare farmers and consumers from harmful chemical sprays even as Bangladesh already approved Bt brinjal’s commercial release in its market. Bangladesh’s National Committee on Biosafety approved in the last week of October the commercial release of Bt Bacillus thuringiensis brinjal, a genetically modified GM eggplant. [&hellip
Like any other types of melon, honeydew melons (Cucumis melo) are dry-season crops. They require full sun and well-drained soil. Ideally, they should be planted after the danger of excessive rainfall has passed and when the soil temperature has started to rise. Honeydew melons have smooth whitish outer layer and green flesh. In the Philippines, [&hellip
Bush sitao (Vigna sesquipedalis x Vigna unguiculata) belongs to the Fabaceae family. The crop is still minor in the Philippines since being planted only in small scale farming and in the backyards. Bush sitao i often times grow either as an intercrop or in rotation with other upland crops. Based from the production data of [&hellip
