Republic of the Philippines

TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Camiling, Tarlac

Department of Research and Development

DETAILED PROPOSAL

A. BASIC INFORMATION

Title of the Project : Enhancing Production of Glutinous Corn, Fruit Vegetables

and Legumes Through Improved Cultural Management
Practices

a. Proponents

2.1. Name and Signature: Cielito A. Beltran, Ph.D

2.2. Designation: Director, Research and Development
2.3. Institution: Tarlac Agricultural University
2.4. Address: Camiling Tarlac
2.5. Telephone Number (s): 0998-979-1954
2.6. Email Address: [email protected]
2.7. Name and Signature: Edmar Franquera, Ph.D
2.8. Designation: Asst. Dean, College of Agriculture and Forestry
2.9. Institution: Tarlac Agricultural University
2.10.Address: Camiling Tarlac
2.11.Telephone Number (s): 0977-144-3393
2.12.Email Address: [email protected]
2.13.: Name and Signature: Agnes C. Perey, Ph.D
2.14.Designation: Chief, Crops Research Division
2.15.Institution: Tarlac Agricultural University
2.16.Address: Camiling Tarlac
2.17.Telephone Number (s): 0928-962-1502
2.18.Email Address: [email protected]

b. Implementing Agency
3.1. Lead Agency: Tarlac Agricultural University
3.2. Collaborating Agency

c. Project Duration: 1Year

d. Project Location: Palayamanan Area, TAU, Camiling, Tarlac
e. Total Budget Requested: P230,000.00

B. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

1. Rationale

Glutinous corn production and fruit vegetable production in the region is not
well taken cared of because much of the research done were concentrated on
grain corn for animal feed. Considering the current market price of milled rice
today, the potential of glutinous corn as supplement to rice if not as substitute
should be explored to lessen the burden of high cost of milled rice for the rural
 folks. To increase production, cultural management practices should be
improved in order to sustain or meet future requirement for legumes and fruit
vegetables production.

2. Objectives

Objectives of the Study

To develop appropriate crop management technologies for glutinous corn,

legumes and fruit vegetables as supplement and/or substitute for milled rice as
staple food.

Specific objectives:

a. determine the potential yield and other agronomic characters of glutinous

corn, legumes and fruit vegetables as affected by varying population
densities applied with vermicompost and vermin tea.
b. To To determine the effect of vermicompost, vermitea and humic product
application on soil physical properties.
c. To assess and compare the economics of applying vermicompost and
vermin tea and humic products on glutinous corn, legumes and fruit
vegetables planted at varying planting densities.
d. To create awareness on organic agriculture among farmers, LGU’s, RDE
personnel and the general public.

3. Review of Literature

The increase in corn yield from higher plant populations are primarily the
result of increased light interception during the grain filling stage by the crop
canopy. Early maturing hybrids require higher plant population than full season
hybrids or late maturing ( Coulter, 2009). Competition can induce resistance to
plant diseases( Chaoui et al, 2002).

Jescke and Curan (2007) found out that in corn, increasing plant
populations help maximize utilization of soil nutrients, solar radiation and water
during the growing season. However, excessive plant densities tend to
decrease stalk diameter.

Research reports have shown that some microorganisms like

Pseudomonas which are present in organic fertilizers such as vermicompost
are antagonistic to plant pathogens and by this mechanism simply microbial
competition can induce resistance to plant diseases( Chaoui et al, 2002).

Wamontree(1983) reported that increasing the plant population from

53,333 to 70,000 plants per hectare resulted in increased ear height, leaf area
index (LAI) and shelling recovery but decreased ear length and diameter.

Humic acid is a natural bio-stimulant that is derived from leonardite and is

among the most concentrated organic material available today. Elemental
analysis of humic acid has shown it to consist largely of carbon and oxygen
(about 50% and 40% respectively). Humic acid also contains hydrogen (about
5%), nitrogen (about 3%), phosphorous and sulfur (both less than 1%). Humic
acid is a complex of closely related macromolecules. These molecules range in
size from less than 1000 to more than 100,000 daltons, with the lower mass
representing the younger material. Humic acid is a principal component of
humic substances, which are the major organic constituents of soil (humus),
peat, coal, many upland streams, dystrophic lakes, and ocean water.

Humic substances of the soil provide a source of energy to living

organisms of the soil, as they do not have access to energy produced through
photosynthesis like terrestrial plants. For this reason, the presence of organic
substances is of great importance in ensuring the occurrence of metabolic
reactions in the soil. Soil organisms such as algae, yeast fungi, bacteria,
nematodes, mycorrhizae, etc. perform important functions such as improving
the soil fertility and structure and promoting plant growth and resistance against
various diseases.

In the soil, humic and fulvic acids are important chelators, combining
minerals into organic compounds that are more available to plants. They also
tie up toxins, making them less available to plants.

Humic and fulvic acids actively help the plant take up nutrient ions that are
often locked up in the soil. The extracts, obtained from leonardite,
alsocontain many beneficial trace elements that activate important enzymes in
the plant. (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/humic-acids-role-improving-soil-
quality-plant-growth-syed-arif-sultan)

Reports indicated that the number of days to silking is not affected by

plant population Wamontree, (1983).

As reported (PCARRD 1993), continuous cultivation without fertilizer

application could deplete soil fertility and decrease crop yield. Furthermore, the
harvest of each crop removed nutrients from the soil. Fertilizer application,
therefore, both chemical and organic, is needed to ensure that growing plants
are provided with the required nutrients. On the other hand, the report said that
the use of organic fertilizers and organic farming technique is not new in the
farming sector (Kudan, 1991).

Vermitea is a water extract of vermicompost that is brewed or in other

words, the beneficial organisms are extractedfrom the compost. The bacteria,
fungi, protozoa and nematodes are given a chance to increase in number and
activity using soluble food resources and nutrients present in water. An
enourmous diversity of these microbes should be present depending on the
quality of the compost. Vermin tea does not compose human pathogens unlike
manure tea. Human pathogens are killed either by heat treatment in thermal
compost or by passage through an earthworm digestive system in a
vermicompost. The bacteria may increase in by 100 to 500 times as a result of
brewing process. Fungi may increase 5-10 times. Protozoa and nematodes do
not increase in numbers( Ingham, E. R. 2001).

Vermitea improves the life in the soil and plant surfaces. With time and
continued use, vermicompost and vermin tea of a quality designed to improve
the set of organisms relative to the plant species desired, will increase the
number of individuals and the species diversity of the communities of leaf,
stem, flower, seed- surface and soil microorganism, and will select against
disease causing organisms or pests. Thus, the the use of vermitea is indicated
anytime the set of organism in soil or on plant surfaces is below optimal levels
for plant life desired. In vermitea if well made, only beneficial microorganisms
are present in the compost not diseases or pests ( Ingham, E. R. 2001).

Ingham, (2001) reported that through application of vermicompost and

vermin tea, the following benefits are derived; a) Pathogens cannot infect the
plant tissues because infection sites on the plant surface are occupied by
 beneficial organisms. b) Disease-causing organisms have no food and cannot
grow because the exudates produced by the plant are used by the beneficial
species present on the plant tissues before the disease-causing organisms
arrived. c) Nutrients that plant can take up through their surface tissue. d) Food
resources for beneficial organisms which are in the tea allow only beneficial not
pathogenic organisms to grow. e) Microorganisms are added into soil or onto
leaf surface, resulting in an increase in retention of nutrients, cycling of
nutrients into plant-available forms and decomposition of plant materials and
toxins. f) The produce has a higher quality and nutritional content. g) Reduction
of worker exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. h) Negative impact of
chemical based pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer on beneficial organisms in
the ecosystem is reduced. i) Chemical input and labor cost are reduced. j)
More efficient on- farm waste recycling . h) Plant growth can be improved.

Microorganisms from the vermicomposting process produce chitinase,

which is a good insect repellent. Chitinase break down chitin; an organic
substance that is present in the cell walls of fungi and in the exoskeleton of
insects (Subha et al., 2010 as cited by Calilung and Beltran 2016). Members of
Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli represent the culturable diversity of
chitinolytic bacteria in chitin-enriched soils. World Journal of Microbiology and
Biotechnology. 26(10): 1875-1881). Chitinase can also function as an insect
repellent when vermitea is used as a foliar spray. Some of the microbes
contained in vermicompost have also been shown to have disease suppressant
properties that can give some protection to crops from various root and foliar
pathogens. It is important that when making vermitea, only fully
processed/mature vermicomposts are used. (see: http://www.sierra-worm-
compost.com/worm-tea.html)

Furthermore, Beltran, (2010) reported that the following observations on

benefits derived in the application of vermicompost and vermitea in organic
based rice seed production: a) Minimal infestation of pests (e.g. mites, white
flies, and aphids) and diseases, b) Earlier seed germination with healthier
seedlings, c) Heavier and more filled grains,d) Well nourished soil and healthy
plants, e) Improved water retention resulting to well conditioned soil, and f)
lesser incidence of flower abortion.

4. Methodology

This project will be composed of three studies as follows:

a. Organic based fertilizer application and planting distance:Their effects

on the growth and yield performance of glutinous corn
b. Organic based fertilizer application and planting density:Their effects on
the growth and yield performance of mungbean
c. Organic based fertilizer application and frequencies of vermitea
application: Their effects on the growth and yield performance of
ampalaya

Methodology

Time and place of the study

The study shall be conducted in two cropping seasons (wet season and dry
season) from January 2017 to May 2016 for the dry season ( first planting) and June
2017 to December 2016 for the wet season (second planting) of implementation at the
palayamanan area, TAU, Camiling, Tarlac.
First and Second Cropping Season (Mungbean)

Research Design

A two-factor experiment in split plot design will be used in the study. The area shall
be divided into three (3) blocks representing the replications. Each block shall be
divided into five (6) main plots. Each main plot shall be divided into three (3) sub plots
each having a dimension of 4 meters long and 3 meters wide. Each plot shall consist
five rows spaced at 75 cm between rows alley ways of 1 meter in between sub plots
and 1.5 m in between blocks shall be provided . The treatments shall be as follows:

Main plot – (Population Density)

D1 – 20 plants per linear meter (266,000 plants/hectare)

D2 – 25 plants per linear meter (333,333 plants/hectare)
D3 – 30 plants per linear meter (400,000 plants/hectare)

Sub- plot (Fertilizer level)

F1- Control
F2- Vermicompost (25 bags/hectare) + 50% Recommended rate of Inorganic
fertilizer+ Vermitea
F3- Vermicompost (25 bags/hectare) + 50% Recommended rate of Inorganic
fertilizer + Humic product
F4- Vermicompost (25 bags/hectare) + Vermitea
F5- Vermicompost (25 bags/hectare) + humic product
F6- Inorganic Fertilizer (Recommended Rate

Land preparation

A total area of 2,880 sq m shall be plowed and harrowed twice before drilling
mungbean seeds. The area shall be divided according to the experimental design
stated earlier.

Planting and thinning

Mungbean seeds shall be drilled in furrows by hand at the rate required in each
treatment per linear meter row. The rows will be spaced 75 centimeters apart. The
seeds will be covered with 3 cm thick fine soil.

Thinning shall be done 10 days after emergence maintaining the required

number of plants per linear as specified in the treatments.

Soil Characterization and Fertilizer application

Soil sampling shall be done prior to land preparation. Inorganic fertilizer

application shall based on the result of soil analysis. Vermicompost shall be applied
within furrows before planting at the rate of 25 bags per hectare. Vermitea shall be
sprayed at two weeks interval three weeks after germination to maturity.

Cultivation and weeding

Cultivation by off barring shall be done 15 days after germination. Hilling up shall
be done 15 days after off barring to cover the base of the plant.
Hand weeding shall be done as often as necessary to control weed growth that
may compete for plant nutrients, water and sunlight.
Data Gathering

Data shall be gathered from ten randomly selected representative plants within
the inner portion of rows in each plot, from where the following will be gathered.

1. Agronomic Characters

a. Days to flowering – The days to flowering shall be determined from the date of
seedling emergence up to the time when about 80 % of the plants within the plot
had flowered.

b. Plant height (cm) - Before harvesting, the height of the plant from the ground
level to the tip of the leaves shall be measured

c. Pod length – pod length of sample plants will be taken from the tip to the butt
portion of the pod.

d. Pod Weight –

e. Weight of 1000 seeds -

f. Number of days to harvesting- This shall be recorded from the date of planting
the seeds to first priming and last priming.

g. Yield- number of pod and total seed yield of mungbean in tons per hectare shall
be determined.
Literature Cited

BELTRAN, C. A. 2010. Organic rice seed production using vermicompost and vermin
tea. Dept. Of Crop Science, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Tarlac College
of Agriculture, Camiling, Tarlac. TCA RET Publication.

CALILUNG and BELTRAN 2016. The medtech healing the land with organic
agriculture. Organic Agriculture Technologies and Systems Developed by
Farmers in the Philippines. DA-BAR/UPLB Publication.

CHAOUI, H. C.A. Edwards, A. Brickner, S. Lee and N. Q. Arancon, 2002. Suppression

of the plant parasitic Diseases by vermicompost.

INGHAM, E. R. 2001. The compost tea brewing manual. Soil Food Web Inc. Corvallis,
Oregon.

KUDAN, S. L. 1991. How to grow snap bean. Dept. Of Crop Scie. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Technical Bulletin No. 4.

PCARRD, 1983. Philippine recommends for fertilizer usage. PCARRD Technical Bulletin
Series No.52. Los Banos, Laguna. Pp 63-71

WAMONTREE, U. 1983. Fertilizer and population experiment on Recommended corn

(Zea mays L) varieties (Unpublished MS Thesis, UPLB, College, Laguna)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/humic-acids-role-improving-soil-quality-plant-growth-
syed-arif-sultan)
 LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Project Title: Enhancing Production of Glutinous Corn, Fruit Agency: Tarlac Agricultural university
Vegetables and Legumes Through Improved Cultural
Management Practices
Proponent (s): Dr. Cielito A. Beltran Budget Requested: P230,000.00
Dr. Edmar Franquera
Dr. Agnes c. Perey

Project Targets – Objectively

Narrative Summary Means of Verification Assumptions
Verifiable Indicators
Goal:

1. To develop and improve organic- 1. Production and improvement of organic Soil nutrient analysis
based technologies via production of based technologies (biofertilizers, Resources are available for optimized
glutinous corn, fruit vegetables and biopesticides) Farm trial efficacy tests, comparative utilization of organic inputs for
legumes through improved cultural studies as to the best source of improved glutinous corn, fruit
management practices and assess fertilizer, cost and return analysis vegetables and legumes production
the performance of these crops using and the sustenance and utilization of
these technologies. farm wastes;

2. Increase glutinous corn, fruit2. utilization organic fertilizers, vermitea Number of farmer-adopters
and humic products as biofertilizer and
vegetables and legumes biopesticide in the production of
production with the best source of
glutinous corn, fruit vegetables and
organic and inorganic fertilizer
combination legumes
3. Amelioration of the soil and enrichment
of their fertility

Best source of organic fertilizer

would increase yield of sugarcane

Number of farmer-adopters
 Project Targets – Objectively
Narrative Summary Means of Verification Assumptions
Verifiable Indicators
Purpose:

To increase the productivity of Provide glutinous corn, fruit Conduct of the experiment based on Provided farmers with technical know-
glutinous corn, fruit vegetables and vegetables and legumes farmers fertilizer combination how in organic farming and utilization
legumes and to maximize the income with alternative technologies and of farm wastes.
of farmers, generate additional techniques in increasing farm
employment that may significantly productivity and. enhance the health
contribute to the further expansion of and wellness of the community.
the glutinous corn, fruit vegetables
and legumes production in Tarlac.

Project Outputs: Key Inputs:

1.
2. Higher yield for glutinous corn, fruit
1. Utilization of organic fertilizers, farm Conduct of the experiment based on Budget available for research
wastes as sources of plant nutrients vegetables and legumes fertilizer combination released on time
thereby sustaining soil productivity.
No weather disturbances during the
Glutinous corn, fruit vegetables Best source of organic fertilizer that Research report conduct of the experiment
and legumes that would yield higher would give higher yield for Glutinous
when applied with organic and corn, fruit vegetables and legumes
inorganic fertilizer combination

3. Best fertilizer combination that would Research report Supplies and materials needed
3. Data to be used in analyzing local
give higher yield to Glutinous corn, needs purchased on time
fruit vegetables and legumes. 4.

4. On- farm and off-farm benefits to farm Willingness of farmers and students to Number of new set-up/production Opportunity for trainings, conferences
households. engage in vegetable production, system installed, increase in number of available
replication of introduced technology in farmers, students and other
their chosen area stakeholders interested for training

Accomplishment reports Farmer adoption of the technology

5. Increase farm productivity, enhanced Developed organic technologies for
health and wellness, empowered glutinous corn, fruit vegetables and
communities legumes production
 Project Targets – Objectively
Narrative Summary Means of Verification Assumptions
Verifiable Indicators
Activities: Inputs:

1. Project Team meeting/briefing Travel expenses, gasoline logbook, Minutes of meeting Budget available released on time
2. Site inspection / identification digital camera, tape recorder, office
3. Production of organic inputs supplies
4.
Comparison of organic and inorganic No weather disturbances during the
5. Conduct of the experiment Established and implemented
farming technologies and project conduct of the experiment
research following the research reports
methodologies in the proposal
Accomplishment reports Varied ideas for organic and
6. Monitoring and data collection Data analyzed and summarized and conventional production systems for
7. Data consolidation translated into on station verification glutinous corn, mungbean and fruit
8. Report writing trial vegetables in the province of Tarlac
 PROJECT SUMMARY

Title of the Project : Enhancing Production of Glutinous Corn, Fruit Vegetables and Legumes Through Improved Cultural Management Practices
Institution : Tarlac Agricultural
Project Leader : Dr. Cielito A. Beltran

Target Date of
Objectives Activities Outputs Budget
Accomplishment
9.
10. Conduct of the experiment
To determine the potential yield and Quality organic 6 months 90,000.00
other agronomic characters 11. Monitoring and data collection
of fertilizer
glutinous corn, legumes and fruit 12. Data consolidation
13. Report writing
vegetables as affected by varying
a. Preparation needed materials and
population densities applied with
vermicompost and vermin tea. procurement of needed farm inputs

To determine the effect of 6 months 70,000.00

vermicompost, vermitea and humic Preparation of vermitea, vermicompost Organic inputs ( foliar
product application on soil physical and humic products. and organic
properties. a. Selection of sites. pesticides)
b. Collection of soil samples for analysis
c. Establish demo farms
d.
To assess and compare e.
the
economics of applying vermicompost f. Data collection, cost and return analysis Higher income 70,000.00
and vermin tea and humic products
on glutinous corn, legumes and fruit
vegetables planted at varying planting
densities.

To create awareness on organic

agriculture among farmers, LGU’s, RDE
personnel and the general public.
 BUDGET SUMMARY

Source of Fund: Tarlac Agricultural University Implementing Agency: Tarlac Agricultural University
Year 1 (2017)
ITEMS
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 TOTAL
A. Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)

1. Supplies and materials for field trial and laboratory activities 30,000.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 10,000.00 100,000.00
2. Other Services (labor, wages of caretaker and other expenses) 40,000.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 130,000.00

TOTAL 70,000.00 60,000.00 60,000.00 40,000.00 230,000.00

Prepared by:

CIELITO A. BELTRAN, Ph.D.

Director, Research and Development