Visayas State University

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte

AY: 2018-2019

Lester Jun Z. Adolfo BSAB-2 Date Sumbmitted: _____________

TH 7:00-10:00 Rating: ______________________

HORTICULTURE 22
Laboratory Exercise No: 5a-1
Land Preparation and Field Outing

Introduction:
Land preparation is to provide the necessary soil conditions which will enhance the
successful establishment of the young offshoots or the tissue culture plants received from the
nursery. A well-prepared field controls weeds, recycles plant nutrients, and provides a soft soil
mass for transplanting and a suitable soil surface for direct seeding. Land preparation covers a
wide range of practices from zero-tillage or minimum tillage which minimizes soil disturbance
through to a totally 'puddled' soil which destroys soil structure. It typically involves (1) plowing to
"till" or dig-up, mix, and overturn the soil; (2) harrowing to break the soil clods into smaller mass
and incorporate plant residue, and (3) leveling the field.

Objectives:
 To acquire skill if not feel the art of land preparation
 To learn and appreciate the techniques of laying out flat and hilly lands.

Methodology:
The students listened carefully to the discussion to learn about Land preparation and field
outing. Various techniques of field lay outing were demonstrated by the instructor. Each group of
the students performed field lay outing using their assign planting system and the instructor
explained on the things they performed during the laboratory exercise.
Results:
Table: 1 Description of the different planting systems.

PLANTING
Formula Feature Illustration
SYSTEM

Spaced 6” on center
1. Square
(O, C), X=6 and Simplest and most
planting
Y=6, Therefore, common for planting
system
6x6=36 in2.

Like square lay

obtained by dividing
2. Rectangular outing but different in
the total area 'by the
Planting the spacing between
area occupied by
system the rows and plant
each tree (l x b)
row.

The plants are

3. Triangular
planted at the corner
Planting 10 m x 10 m
of the equilateral
System
triangle

Like square planting

10 m x 10 m
4. Quincunx except that an
spacing, the
Planting additional plant is
maincrop population
system parallel in the center
is 100 per hectare
of each square

Is adopted in hilly
areas for planting
fruit plants where
5. Contour
land is undulated and
soil erosion is a great
threat.
Discussion:
The systems of planting are also called systems of layout and none system is ideal
for planting of fruit plants in all conditions. There are following systems of planting commonly
used for planting of fruit trees

Different planting system has been used in farming. The square planting system is the
simplest and most commonly used in planting. The rectangular planting system Like square lay
outing but different in the spacing between the rows and plant row. Triangular planting system the
plants are planted at the corner of the equilateral triangle. Quincunx planting system like square
planting except that an additional plant is parallel in the center of each square. Contour Is adopted
in hilly areas for planting fruit plants where land is undulated and soil erosion is a great threat.

Conclusion:
Both farmers and home gardeners employ a wide variety of planting systems to
optimize plant health and increase crop production. The selection of a planting system is
dependent on the type of crops being grown, existing soil conditions and needs, as well as the
amount of gardening space available for cultivation.

After the exercise, the student can acquire skill if not feel the art of land preparation and to
learn and appreciate the techniques of laying out flat and hilly lands.
 Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte
AY: 2018-2019

Name: Lester Jun Z. Adolfo BSAB-2 Date Submitted: __________________

Lab. Schedule: TH 7:00-10:00________ Rating: ___________

HORTICULTURE 22
Laboratory Exercise No. 5a-2
Cultural Management Practices of Horticultural Crops
Land Preparation and Field Planting

Introduction:
Cultural methods are agriculture practices used to enhance crop and livestock health and
prevent weed, pest or disease problems without the use of chemical substances.
Land preparation is a very important practice to enhance good yield from crop grown. It is
one of the measures used to control crop diseases and pest invasion. Land preparation is also
known as tillage practice, tillage practice is the mechanical pulverization or manipulation of the
soil to bring about favorable conditions for the growth of crops.

Methodology:
The students listened carefully to discussion, to learn about land preparation and field
planting.

Results:
Table 1. Yield of Pechay as influenced by method of soil preparation.

Yield
Percent
Treatment
Survival Non- Non-
Marketable Marketable Total
marketable marketable

UREA 100% 73 16 8.1 kg 2.9 kg 11 kg

COMPLETE 100% 73 16 8.1 kg 2.9 kg 11 kg

Discussion:
As shown in the above table, the treatments that were used in Pechay were urea and
complete which helped a lot to sustain the good quality and higher yield. The percent yield of
survival is 100% but due to unfavorable condition like the occurrence of pest and insects at the
area, some Pechay were considered as non-marketable because of the damaged.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, after having experienced the first-hand growing and harvesting of Pechay.
The students are able to know the importance of cultural management practices of horticultural
crops. The land preparation and field Planting.

Guide Questions:
1.Discuss the significance/purpose of land preparation?
The purpose of land preparation is to provide the necessary soil conditions which will
enhance the successful establishment of the young offshoots or the tissue culture plants received
from the nursery. Considering the nature of the date palm, one cannot "save" on this operation and
hope for long term sustainability of the plantation.

2.Differentiate minimum from intensive tillage?

Minimum tillage is the use of cropping systems with minimal tillage is usually desirable,
because intensive tillage tends to break down soil structure. Techniques such as mulching also help
prevent raindrops from injuring the surface structure. Excessive tillage leaves the soil susceptible
to crusting, impedes water.
 Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte
AY: 2018-2019

Name: Lester Jun Z. Adolfo BSAB-2 Date Submitted: __________________

Lab. Schedule: TH 7:00-10:00________ Rating: ___________

HORTICULTURE 22
Laboratory Exercise No: 5c
Weed Control

Introduction:
A weed is a wild plant that grows in gardens or fields of crops and prevents the plants that
you want from growing properly. Weed control is the botanical component of pest control, which
attempts to stop weeds, especially noxious or injurious weeds, from competing with desired flora
and fauna, this includes domesticated plants and livestock, and in natural settings, it includes
stopping non local species competing with native, local, species, especially so in reserves and
heritage areas.

Weed control is vital to agriculture, because weeds decrease yields, increase production
costs, interfere with harvest, and lower product quality. Weeds also impede irrigation water-flow,
interfere with pesticide application, and harbor disease organisms.

Objectives:
 To familiarize the various techniques of controlling weeds.
 To gain some insights in estimating labor requirements and cost of weed control.
 To personally experience the job of ring weeding and develop an appreciation and respect
for labor.

Methodology:
The students listened carefully to discussion, to learn about weed control and the
computation for the cost of weeding per hectare. After the discussion the students went to the
nursery to conduct weeding, the student started to weed around the lemonsito tree and stopped
when finished.
Results and Discussion:
Table 1. Speed of weeding (min/tree)

Sample Tree Number Time Spent in Weeding Most prevalent Weeds

Devil weed, carabao grass

1 15 minutes and 45 seconds
and purple nutsedge

Table 2. Cost of weeding 1-hectare lemonsito plantation.

Average Speed(min/tree) Number of man-days Cost/ hectare

15.45 35.76 5,364

The table shows the speed of weeding and the cost that is required in a specific area. It is
also necessary to know the number counted of man that is needed to determine the cost rate per
hectare.
Np= A/S2 = 10,000 m2/9 m2 = 1,111 plants

time man−day 15.45 1 hr man−day

Np x x = 1,111 plants x x x = 35.76 man-days
1 plant time/day 1 plant 60 mins 8 hrs.

Cost of weeding = man-days x rate = 35.76 man-days x 150 = 5,364

Conclusion:
After the exercise, I concluded that the students were able to familiarize the different
techniques in weed control. Gained some insights in estimating labor requirements and cost of
weed control and personally experienced the job of ring weeding and develop an appreciation and
respect for labor.

Answers to Guide Questions:

1. What are the major differences in weed control practices employed between annual
and perennial crops?

Annual plants are those that complete their entire life cycle in less than a full year.
The plants grow from seed, develop into a mature plant, set flowers and seeds, and
finally die after the seeds are shed. On the other hand, perennial plants are able to
live for two years or more. Each year they are able to flower and set seed. In
addition, some perennial plants are reproduced and persisted by vegetative
structures such as bulbs, tubers, budding roots, rhizomes and stolons.
 Annual weeds are well adopted to survive and reproduce in annual crops. Summer-
annual weeds are typically a problem in spring-seeded crops, and winter-annual
weeds are typically a problem in fall-seeded crops. Furthermore, an annual weed
with a short life cycle (seed to seed) may be able to complete its life cycle between
weed control operations in annual crop.

Perennial weeds in established forage stands are best controlled by maintaining a

healthy, dense, well-managed stand of the desired crop. This makes it very
competitive against weed invasion. As a pasture or forage crop stand ages, it tends
to naturally thin out, which provide seeds with an opportunity to encroach into the
sand. When a thinning stand is the primary cause of weed invasion, the grower must
make decision whether to establish an entirely new stand, rotate to another crop, or
simply renovate the existing stand.

2. Aside from ring weeding, what other practices can be employed to minimize/prevent
the growth of weeds in fruit tree orchards? Describe the procedure as well as the
advantages of such techniques over ring weeding.

Orchardist prefers controlling weeds by ploughing the orchard with tractor

implements. This may be the easiest method to control weeds. but often the
implements or body of the tractor may hit and bruise the tree trunks/scaffolds or
shoots. The trunk injury can become the cause of the death of the fruit tree. The
injured portion is attacked with fungi and gum may ooze out of the wound. The
flow of nutrition through xylem and metabolites through phloem gets
disturbed/hindered, which leads to plant decline.

References:
1https://extension.psu.edu/introduction-to-weeds-what-are-weeds-and-why-do-we-care
2https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed_control
 Visayas State University

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte

AY: 2018-2019

Name: Lester Jun Z. Adolfo BSAB-2 Date Submitted: __________________

Lab. Schedule: TH 7:00-10:00________ Rating: ___________

HORTICULTURE 22
Laboratory Exercise No: 5d
Fertilizer Application

Introduction:
A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that
is applied to soils or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth
of plants.
A fertilizer application is any material or mixture used to supply one or more of the
essential plant nutrient elements. Fertilizer application in ecosystems managed for agricultural
production is a major contributor to soil acidification. Sixteen nutrients are essential for plant
growth and development. Of the major nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are required
in relatively large amounts. Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are also required in relatively large
amounts, but are less likely to be deficient in the soil system. Micro-nutrients (such as iron,
chlorine, manganese, boron, etc.) are essential to plants in relatively small amounts.

Objectives:
 To get acquainted with the various kinds of fertilizer materials and the different
methods of application.
 To be able to compute the amount of a given fertilizer material to apply to a particular
crop.
 To gain experience in the actual application of fertilizer.
Methodology:

The students listened carefully to discussion, to learn about fertilizer application. the
different fertilizer materials, fertilization methods, and computation for fertilization matter has
been given.

Results and Discussion:

Table 1. Physical properties of different fertilizer materials.

Fertilizer material Color Texture Nutrient Analysis

1. Single superphosphate White Crystalline 0-22-0
2. Bone meal 3-1-0
3. Cow manure Black Coarse and bulky 2-4% N, 0.5% P, 2-3% K
4. Chicken dung Brown Bulky 4-2-2
5. Vermicast Black Granular 2.5-2.5-2
6. Potassium nitrate White Crystalline 13-0-44
7. Ammophos Grey Granular 13-62-0
8. Muriate of potash Red/orange Fine 0-0-60
9. Urea White Crystalline 46-0-0
10. Complete fertilizer Brown Granular 14-14-14

The table shows the physical properties of different fertilizer materials with the additional
information about its actual color, the texture and the nutrient analysis. The fertilizer material
shown above are the most common to be used for plants. The fertilizers act as the supplier of soil
nutrient and build soil fertility to meet the demand of crops.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the physical properties of a fertilizer are determined by its chemical

composition and how it is produced. An understanding of product properties is useful for handling,
storage and spreading of fertilizer. After the exercise the students were able to learn about fertilizer
application, the different fertilizer materials, fertilization methods, and computation for
fertilization
Answer to Questions:
1. Enumerate and discuss the other methods of fertilizer application aside from the one
you employed in your assigned crop.

1) Broadcasting
 even and uniform spreading of manure /fertilizers by hand over the entire surface of
field while cultivation or after the seed is sown in standing crop. Depending upon the
time of fertilizer application, there are two types of broadcasting: Broadcasting at
planting and top dressing.
2) Localized Placement
 refers to the application of fertilizer into the soil close to the seed or plant. It is usually
employed when relatively small quantities of fertilizers are to be applied.

3) Bonding/Bond Placement
 refers to placing the fertilizer in a continuous narrow strip running parallel to the crop
and fairly close to it. Bonding is the best suited for closely sown row crops like spinach,
lettuce and drill-planted (one seed per hole) maize. -the placement of fertilizer in bands.

4) Deep soil Application

 organic manure is sometimes placed on the surface of soil and incorporated into the soil
with a plough or not tilled before planting. Fertilizer can also be applied in bands at the
bottom of plough furrows or broadcast or spread on the top of ploughed soil then worked
into the soil with a harrow before planting.
5) Drilling
 the fertilizer is applied at the time of sowing by means of a seed-fertilizer drill. This
places fertilizer and the seed in the same row but at different depths.

6) Pellet Application
 refers to the placement of nitrogenous fertilizer in the farm of pellets 1.5 to 5 cm depth
between the paddy crop.
7) Injection into the soil
 liquid fertilizer for injection into the soil may be of either pressure on non-pressure
type.
8) Aerial application
 fertilizer solutions are applied by aircraft particularly in hilly areas, in forest lands,
grass lands or in sugarcane fields and etc.
 2. What are some alternatives to commercial/inorganic fertilizer? Discuss their
advantages and disadvantages over the commercial/inorganic fertilizers.
Bone meal, composted manure and leguminous crops (green manure) are some
alternatives to commercial /inorganic fertilizers.

Advantages:
can be used immediately to rescue dying plants
easily available at most gardening stores
precise content of nutrients is guaranteed by law

Disadvantages
the cost is expensive
contains certain compounds and salts that a plant is unable to absorbed and hence are left
behind in the soil.
over usage can be detrimental for plants.

References
http://allianceofrougecommunities.com/PDFs/activities/FertilizerSelection.pdf
 Visayas State University

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte

AY: 2018-2019

Name: Lester Jun Z. Adolfo BSAB-2 Date Submitted: __________________

Lab. Schedule: TH 7:00-10:00________ Rating: ___________

HORTICULTURE 22
Laboratory Exercise No: 6
Post Production Management System of Horticultural Crops

Introduction:
Post-Harvest Management involves all kinds of treatments. Freshly harvested
commodity/horticultural produce are made to undergo these treatments to minimize losses and
increase its shelf-life and add value to the product. Efficient techniques for harvesting,
transportation, handling, storage, processing/preservation, packaging, etc., are the components of
post-harvest management. Value addition to food products has assumed vital importance and
involves, in the present context, processing of fruits and vegetables with a dual purpose: preventing
losses that occur due to lack of appropriate storage facilities and increased income from the
processed commodity.
Post-harvest management comprises the various technologies and practices undergone by
the farmer, farmers' groups or cooperatives and/or agribusiness companies, from the field to the
plate, to handle the crop production immediately following harvest, up to its final destination, such
as storing, transport, cleaning, sorting, processing and packing.

Objectives:
 To be able to know the basic principles, practices and technological innovations in
horticultural crop postproduction management.

Methodology:
A Power Point presentation on postharvest handling and management of perishable crops
will be conducted.
Results:
Table 1: Postharvest handling operations for perishable crops.

Commodity Operation Description

For many commodities,

vegetable below a certain size
are eliminated manually or
mechanically by a resizing
Resizing
belt or chain. Undersize fruit
are diverted to a cull
conveyor or used for
processing.
The sorting process
eliminates cull, overripe,
misshapen, and otherwise
Sorting or Selection
defective fruit and separates
products by color, maturity
and ripeness classes.

A. Vegetables Vegetables are sorted by

quality into two or more
Grading
grades according to U.S
Eggplant, Okra, Peppers, standards.
Lima beans, Snap Beans
Food grade waxes are
commonly applied to a
cucumber, eggplant, sweet
peppers, and tomato. The
Waxing
purpose is to replace some of
the natural waxes removed in
the washing and cleaning
operations.

After sorting for defects, and

color differences, the fruit
vegetables are segregated into
Sizing
several size category. Sizing
is done manually for many of
the fruit or vegetables.
Table 1 continued

Commodity Operations Description

Mature fruits are separated

Harvesting from the plant by cutting it
using cutters, knifes, or
shears.
The fruits undergo several
Washing
processes of washing in
water.
The fruits are exposed to
Degreening
ethylene to remove the green
color.

Removal of fruits with The fruits undergo inspection

defects and those with defect were
remove.
B. Fruits
The fruits are separated
Apple, Banana, Orange, Sorting according to standard of the
Pineapple market either manually or
mechanically.

The fruits are washed again

Sterilization
with disinfectants and in
warm water

Drying Passed through drying

machine

Waxing Wax are applied by using

machine

Weighing Fruits are passed through a

weighing machine
Table 2: Primary processing operations for plantation crops
Commodity Operation Description
Copra is cleaned of metals,
and other foreign matter by
picking or through the use of
Cleaning
revolving screens, magnets
separator and other similar
devices.

Copra is broken into fine

particle sizes of about 1/16 to
Crushing 1/8 by high speed vertical
hammer mills to facilitates oil
extraction.

The crushed copra that has

almost 3-6 percent moisture
is passed through a steam-
Cooking/Conditioning heated cooker. This brings the
Coconut, Abaca temperature of the copra to
104 degree Celsius 220
Fahrenheit.

In the expeller, the milled

copra is subject to high
Oil extraction
pressure oil extraction, first
by a vertical screen, and
finally by a horizontal screen.

The oil extracted in the

expeller flows into the
Filtration
screening tanks to remove the
entrained foots from the oil.
Discussion:
As shown in the table above, there are several type of post-harvest operation managements
of horticultural crops. These involves cleaning, drying, milling, sorting, packaging.
The instant a crop is harvested, it begins to deteriorate. Postharvest management aims at
slowing this decaying process for the best quality for the consumer, either as fresh or dry produce,
or as ingredients in a processed food product.

Conclusion:
I conclude that the most important goals of post-harvest handling are keeping the product
cool, to avoid moisture loss and slow down undesirable chemical changes (eg grain fats could go
rancid), and avoiding physical damage such as bruising or cutting, to delay spoilage.
Women are often more involved than men in post-harvest operations. A gender sensitive
strategy is needed to drive change in post-harvest practices and invest in new technologies.

Answers to Guide Questions:

1. What are the basic considerations during harvesting of horticultural produce?
The principles dictating at which stage of maturity a fruit or vegetable should be
harvested are crucial to its subsequent storage and marketable life and quality. Post-harvest
physiologists distinguish three stages in the life span of fruits and vegetables: maturation,
ripening, and senescence. Maturation is indicative of the fruit being ready for harvest. At
this point, the edible part of the fruit or vegetable is fully developed in size, although it
may not be ready for immediate consumption. Ripening follows or overlaps maturation,
rendering the produce edible, as indicated by taste. Senescence is the last stage,
characterized by natural degradation of the fruit or vegetable, as in loss of texture, flavor,
etc

2. What are the different indicators/indices of harvest maturity of horticultural crops?

Give one example for each maturity indicator.
Maturity indices are the sign or indication the readiness of the commodity for
harvest. It is the basis for determining harvest date. The types of maturity are the
Physiological maturity, Horticultural/Commercial maturity, and Harvest Maturity.
 Types of maturity indicator and its example

A. Physiological maturity: It refers to the stage in the development of the fruits and
vegetables when maximum growth and maturation has occurred. It is usually
associated with full ripening in the fruits. The Physiological mature stage is
followed by senescence.

Example, A French bean pod of okra is at its physiological maturity when seeds are
fully developed and the pod is which will dehisce with little pressure.

B. Horticultural/Commercial maturity: Horticultural maturity refers to any stage of

development when the commodity has reached a level of development
sufficient for its intended use. It is sometimes referred to as commercial
maturity.

Example, A papaya with green pulp and peel that has attained maximum size in
already commercially mature as a vegetable but a tinge of yellow colour has to develop
when it is used for dessert.

C. Harvest Maturity: It may be defined in terms of Physiological maturity and

horticultural maturity. It is a stage, which will allow fruits/vegetables at its peak
condition when it reaches to the consumers and develop acceptable flavour or
appearance and having adequate shelf life.

Example, for local market and for processing, fully coloured tomato fruits are
harvested. However, for a distant market fruit which have started developing colour are
harvested.

3. Enumerate and discuss the basic physiological processes that govern the post-harvest
life of harvested crops/commodities.

1) Different practices in PHM Physiological Processes that Occur in Harvested

Commodities All fruits and vegetables are living organs. They use oxygen and
produce carbon dioxide during respiration, the process by which carbohydrate and
other substrates, such as organic acids, proteins and fats, are metabolized.

2) Different practices in PHM 1. Respiration is an oxidation process by which organic

materials or products of photosynthesis are broken down to simpler forms
accompanied by the release of energy and heat. C6H12O6 + O2 CO2 + H2O +
energy enzymes
 3) Different practices in PHM Respiration thereby provides the energy necessary for
cells to maintain structure and for ripening processes such as color and flavor
development.

4) Different practices in PHM the substrates cannot be replenished once the fruit or
vegetable has been removed from the plant. Faster respiration rates will result in
loss of food nutritional value, loss of saleable weight, poorer flavor, and thus
reduced product quality.

5) This process is a very good indicator of the potential postharvest life of a

commodity. Faster respiration means faster release of heat which increases the
temperature of the surroundings of the commodity especially if packed tightly.
The energy source is depleted and the built up of compounds necessary for
maintaining the organization of the tissues and cells stops.

References:
 http://cststudy.blogspot.com/2018/06/maturity-maturity-indices-types-of.html
 https://www.slideshare.net/KarlLouisseObispo/lecture-2-biological-aspect-of-
postharvest-handling-of-crops