Organic Vegetable Care

and Management

ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL CROPS PRODUCTION NC II

TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER
Surallah National Agricultural School
Surallah, South Cotabato
LEARNING OUTCOME

1. Perform plant 1. Water management is implemented according

care and to plan.
management 2. Effective control measures are determined on
specific pest and diseases as described under
the pest, disease and weed management of
the PNS
3. All missing hills are replanted to maintain the
desired plant population of the area
4. Plant rejuvenation/rationing are maintained
according to PNS.
5. Organic fertilizers are applied in accordance
with fertilization policy of the PNS
Care and Management Practices

Practices required for a vegetable crop growing in the field

include cultivation; irrigation; application of fertilizers; control
of weeds, diseases, and insects; mulching, trellising, pruning
and plant rejuvenation.
Cultivation

Cultivation refers to stirring the soil between rows of vegetable plants. The most
important function of cultivation is weed control and aeration.
Irrigation

Irrigation requirements are determined by both soil and plant

factors. The two types of land irrigation generally suited to
vegetables are surface irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
Watering is done early in the morning.
Fertilizer Application
Basal Fertilizer- application in soil by digging holes or mixing
in bed before planting (vermicompost)
Foliar Fertilizer- applied into the leaves of the plant (vermitea,
FPJ, FFJ, FAA, Calphos)
Improving Soil Fertility
Use of organic fertilizer
Increasing growth of beneficial microorganisms
Practice intercropping, crop rotation and cover cropping
Application of green manure
Practice fallow period
Weed Control

Weed can reduce yield by 40-60% and can be controlled using

cultural, physical, and biological methods. Examples are
Mulching, intercropping, hoeing, pulling, and roguing.
Insect and Disease Control

Introduction of beneficial microorganisms

Increase population of natural enemies
Use parasitoid
Maintain sanitation in the field
Plant sacrificial plant
Advantages of Crop Rotation
Helps disrupt the life cycle, habitat and food supply of many
pests and diseases
Helps in soil conservation
Improve soil fertility
Reduce weeds

Vegetable Rotation Systems

Leaf-root-legume-fruit
Root-leaf-fruit-legume
Legume-fruit-root-leaf
Fruit-legume-leaf-root
Companion Cropping

Chili with okra,

eggplant, radish
Cabbage with onion and
tomato
Tomato with carrot,
cucumber, onion, garlic
Cucumber with radish,
corn, lettuce
Peanut with corn, okra
Radish with cucumber,
tomato, chili
Why Companion Cropping?
Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is the
planting of different crops in proximity for pest control,
pollination, providing habitat for beneficial creatures,
maximizing use of space, and to otherwise increase crop
productivity.
Mulching
Mulch a protective covering, usually of organic matter
such as leaves, straw, placed around plants to prevent
the evaporation of moisture and the growth of weeds.
Trellising
Trellising is a growth training
technique which saves space, help in
managing pests, facilitate harvesting
and reduce harvest losses.
Pruning

Pruning is necessary to remove entire branches or prevent

the plant from growing outside its growing area and taking
over other plants' space. It aims to remove diseased and
damaged plant parts, evenly distribute the nutrients and
improve the productivity.
Vegetable Rejuvenation

The productivity of perennial vegetables decline after some

time. Rejuvenation is necessary to make them as productive as
before.