Many uses of Kakawate

The adaptability of Gliricidia sepium to any type of soil makes it an ideal tree for any farmer who wants to cultivate a plantation of it. It’s perhaps one of the easiest growing plants one could find.

In Central America it’s called Madriado, Cacao de nance, Mata raton or Madre de cacao. Here in the Philippines, it’s locally known as Kakawate, a leguminous tropical tree that grows mostly in forests and could grow from five to ten meters tall. Although native of Central America, it has been naturalized everywhere because of its adaptability to any type of condition.

Kakawate defoliates during dry season and flowers at the same time. So you could just imagine how odd-looking but beautiful Kakawate is during the dry season-leafless tree with nothing but branches and flowers. The flowers are pea-like with petals that are usually lavender, pink or white. It also bears fruits that look like a leathery pod and seeded.

Kakawate is very easy to propagate and inexpensive. The tree could re-sprout very quickly after pruning. Many farmers plant them mainly to shade other perennial crops like cacao, coffee and tea. Aside from this, kakawate could provide a lot of uses to the farmers from its roots to its leaves. Its multipurpose use makes it a good plant crop in agroforestry.

Since kakawate is a legume, it is useful for fixing nitrogen in the soil, thus improving soil quality and increasing crop yields. Kakawate has strong roots. It stabilizes sloping lands and reduces soil erosion. Its wood could be used as firewood, hedges, and fencing field. The leaves are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients suitable for green manure and fodder to farm animals.

Kakawate used as live fence (Photo from http://www.css.cornell.edu)

But the innovative uses of Kakawate are not limited to fodder and firewood. Farmers have often overlooked the other important uses of Kakawate-as rodenticide and insecticide.

The bark of Kakawate is stripped and cooked with grains like corn or rice and used as poisonous bait for rodents. The advantage of Kakawate as bait is that the rats do not develop bait shyness that is common in using synthetic rodenticide. The Kakawate has distinctive aroma that could attract the rodents that eventually, with the right amount could terminate them.

The active substance in Kakawate is not a rapidly acting substance and needs repeated doses for it to be effective. But unlike commercially prepared rat killers, it is less lethal in case of accidents. Farmers who used Kakawate observed that when rats eat it, their hands stiffen and they get bloated and die of hemorrhagic poison. After the bait was consumed it would take one to two days before the farmers could find them dead on the fields.

Aside from its ability to kill rats, Kakawate is also a good insect repellant. It has same active substance that could wipe out the insects alighting on farm animals. To do this, farmers would collect the silky, young leaves of Kakawate, ground them and mixed them with water. The farm animal is then applied with the resulting pasty cream.

Although kakawate proved to be an effective insect repellant and rat killer as many farmers proved it, further research has not ensued to develop it. One huge reason is the immediate availability of commercially manufactured insecticide and rodenticide in the market which would be likely more preferred particularly in first world countries. But in third world country like the Philippines, such knowledge is important and valuable. Imagine, farmers could now obtain rat poison and insect repellant at no cost.

Written by Rita T. dela Cruz

Reference: www.bar.gov.ph

Sources:
1. “The multipurpose mouse killer”
2. “Uses and efficacy of Gliricidia sepium”

Organic matter waht does it makes to soil

With the application of organic matter, soils have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Indeed, it is probably unheard of that organic materials, even at high doses, ever harm soils. However, very few people are convinced of the benefits from organic matter. Why?

Maybe, one of the reasons is that many effects of organic matter are not immediate and easily discernible. The effects, particularly on crop yield, gradually builds up over the years and may not even show during the first cropping. Organic matter increases nutrient supply of soils and improves their retention and availability through dissolution of minerals and complex compounds, thus preventing their reaction with other soil elements. In acid soils, organic matter reduces the toxicity of aluminum ions. Likewise, organic matter triggers a frenzy of activity of beneficial soil organisms because organic matter is their source of energy and carbon. The benefits from all these chemical and biological effects are primarily made in the soil itself and takes a while before being reflected in crop yields.

The effects of organic matter on physical properties of soils are perhaps more easily seen. Being a binding agent, humus is the final product of organic matter decomposition. Humus promotes formulation and stability of soil aggregates, thus improving tilth or ease of cultivation. This correspondingly increases water absorption and storing capacity which can consequently reduce soil runoff and erosion. This ranulating effect is especially important for very sandy and heavy clay soils. Hence, the overall effects on physical qualities of soils are: (1) well granulated structure, (2) good aeration and drainage, (3) improved water absorption, (4) reduced run-off, (5) easier tillage and (6) better crop growth.

How do soils lose their organic matter content? As soon as soils are cultivated, the organic matter starts to decline due to its microbial oxidation. Such decline is accelerated by burning, erosion and leaching. However, high levels can be maintained by incorporating crop residue or through green manuring (plowing under of green plant material, usually legumes), cover cropping, mulching and crop rotation which sustain soil productivity. (I.B. Dimaporo)

Source: http://community.uplb.edu.ph

Date Balvlpini Palm: Voyavoy

The Voyage to Save the Voyavoy

Tracing the existence of an endangered plant becomes a discovery of the heritage and changing lifestyle in the Batanes Islands.

No other plant but the voyavoy, with its degree of influence to the people and exclusivity to the place, can best represent the Batanes Islands. Also known as the Philippine date palm, it grows to about four meters tall. Despite its hard and rough trunk and prickly leaves, it attracts the attention of humans and animals alike.
The older Ivatans, the native dwellers of Batanes Islands, know the better use of the voyavoy. Under the wild, punishing summer sun or the undaunted, harsh rainfall during the typhoon months, it is the ever-reliable leaves of the voyavoy that keep the islands’ farmers and fisher folk warm and protected.

In its full bloom, the voyavoy finds its slim leaves fluttering to the beat of the wind. But cut and dried, the leaves shed their former life as they are transformed into vakul, a headgear, and kanayi, a vest. These are the famed Ivatan all-weather gear, created by the local residents long before the Spaniards came to the place. Both thick and heavy, the vakul is worn by women, and the kanayi by men.

Time was when every household had vakul and kanayi year-round. These protection gears were as essential to the Ivatans’ daily labors as to their sense of identity and pride. Today, however, the tourist expecting to find them is bound to be disappointed, upon setting foot at the heart of Basco.

A little note: Batanes is a mini-archipelago, with three inhabited islands, namely Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat, and a number of islets. Going around Batan—the most populated and considerably the most developed of the three in terms of energy generation and communications—the tourist will mark the growing influence of technology to the community. The provincial government-run Ivatan Lodge in Basco, for example, has cable TV. A few minutes walk from the lodge and one reaches an Internet café. The narrow paved roads famous to motorbikes, tricycles, and few jeepneys are slowly getting used to the hum of cars. It is a place rich in land and marine resources, but faces a declining number of residents who are strongly driven to farm or to fish. With modern developments, what will become of the vakul and kanayi?

According to Dr. Domingo Madulid of the Biology Department, who also holds the rank of Curator I of the Botany Division of the Philippine National Museum, the preservation and propagation of the voyavoy can work wonders to the Ivatans’ way of life. Madulid and his team recently completed their research on the species with support from IUCN-SSC Philippine Plant Specialist Group, Chicago Zoological Society, and DLSU-Manila.

Going around the Batanes Islands, the research team observed that the large population of the Philippine date palm is found only in Sabtang and its neighboring islet, Ivuhos, and in Itbayat. Outside the Philippines, the species is said to occur in Indo-China. At Batan, a handful remain, but the making of vakul and kanayi is no longer as much for the Ivatan folk as for the tourist who wishes to get one for souvenir.

Madulid also notes that people are starting to notice the voyavoy’s decorative value; recently, a Metro Manila-based company that provides landscaping services discovered the plant and decided to have more of it in the company’s future projects.

To see not just where the species thrive, one needs to go to Sabtang. Unlike in many farming areas in other parts of the country, the grazing hills of Batanes welcome regular and controlled burning. The activity helps in the propagation of the voyavoy. Fire eats up the hard, external portion of its trunk, and leaves in its place leafy and inflorescence buds at the crown. These signify a renewed growth of the plant. The cogon grass likewise needs to be razed, to pave the way for fresh grass to grow.

Madulid says while grass burning helps maintain the population of the palm at stable levels, the demand for the development of other land uses and changing lifestyles may threaten its existence. At the same time, there are the cattle, oblivious to the fact that they are also a source of endangerment to the species. Madulid explains that when they take their regular cogon diet, they often trample the isolated seedlings.

Madulid’s team continues to work on Task Force Voyavoy, a program that aims to conserve the Philippine date palm, which was listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants in 1997.

The group works in close coordination with the provincial government and local units of Batanes, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-PENRO, Department of Science and Technology, Batanes Development Foundation, Inc., the Office of Congressman Florencio Abad, and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples.

Madulid says the Task Force will be involved with further research on the other aspects of the voyavoy, such as its biology, propagation, medicinal, and nutritive value. At the same time, it aims to promote sustainable utilization and conservation with the help of the local people. Educating the Ivatans will be essential in the process, especially on aspects like the plants’ reintroduction in depleted areas, propagation, and monitoring.

At present, the full potentials of the voyavoy are yet to be discovered. It may prove to be a source of income, but for now, it is not the major concern, says Dr. Maribel Agoo, associate professor and chairperson of the Biology Department. She points out: “It is not an issue of livelihood but more of lifestyle. More than anything else, the voyavoy has helped shape the way of life of the people. It represents them.”

Source: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph

KAKAWATE: Its potential as bio-organic fertilizer

Gliricida sepium is locally known as kakawate. This legume is popular to the rural folks as a ripening agent for their harvested banana. Most farmers are not aware that this plant can be utilized as fertilizer to lessen their farm inputs.

Application of organic materials is a good agricultural practice to maintain soil nutrient level and ameliorate the properties of soil to sustain crop production. Many organic materials contain secondary nutrients and micronutrients in addition to organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

To test the potential of kakawate as bio-organic fertilizer, Nonilon G. Badayos of the Department of Soil Science and Dr. Gina V. Pangga of Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute conducted a study entitled Integrated Nutrient Management for Eggplant Production in Sta. Maria, Laguna. The experiment sought to evaluate the effect of kakawate on the growth performance and yield of eggplants and on the soils physical and chemical properties.

Three treatments were followed in this study, namely: no fertilizer (control), 100% inorganic fertilizer, and 50% inorganic fertilizer + 50% Gliricidia sepium.

Observations revealed that the eggplants fertilized with 50% inorganic fertilizer + 50% Gliricidia sepium were the most vigorous – growth rate was faster and the fruits were heavier than the other treatments.

To get more scientific results on kakawates effect on the crops performance and yield as well as its beneficial effect on the soil physical and chemical properties, further study is strongly recommended. Similarly, the economic benefits of applying organic materials as soil amendment and its potential as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers should also be evaluated. (N.G. Badayos/G.V. Pangga)

Source: http://community.uplb.edu.ph

DENDROBIUM

Introduction

Considering not only its durable and long lasting vase life, but also its economic potentials, dendrobium is ranked among the important species in the Cutflower Industry (Reyes l999). In fact, the PAC Tissue Culture Laboratory mass propagates dendrobium since its establishment on September 8, l999. Although dendrobiums are practically easy to grow, some tips may be considered to reduce mortality, hence, this primer.

MAINTENANCE OF NEWLY TRANSPLANTED

WHAT MATERIALS TO GATHER

*pot #2

*planting media – unused charcoal, finely chopped coconut husks and wood chips

HOW TO TRANSPLANT SEEDLINGS FROM COMMUNITY POTS TO INDIVIDUAL POTS

Wet the community pot and pick the seedlings out. Plant the seedlings singly at the center of the individual pot size # 2, filled with unused charcoal, finely chopped coconut husks, paslak and wood chips.

WHERE TO PLACE THE NEWLY TRANS- PLANTED SEEDLINGS

Place the newly transplanted seedlings under a light intensity of about 5.38 klx or equivalent to four layers of net. Gradually increase light intensity to about l0.76 klx or its equivalent of three layers of net. Strong light scalds the leaves and stunts growth.

HOW TO FERTILIZE THE NEWLY TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS

For the first two months from transplanting, spray the seedlings with Naphthyl acetic acid (NAA), a rooting hormone at the rate of 50 ml in l liter of water, 2 to 3 times a week. This can be done by spraying it to the leaves and roots.

Fertilizer application will be done by mixing l ml or l g of 30-l0-l0 per 3.8 liters of water. This is a complete fertilizer containing trace elements. The solution will be sprayed to the leaves and roots of the seedlings 2 to 3 times a week.

HOW TO WATER THE NEWLY TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS

To ensure provision of high humidity in the immediate surroundings of the plants, water the plants twice a day.

WHEN TO RE-POT FLOWERING DENDROBIUM

In the case of flowering dendrobium, repotting should be done right after flowering or as soon as new roots are formed in the new pseudobulb (stem).

Clumps can also be divided into smaller clumps, and it is advisable to have at least three (3) bulbs (stems) in every division.

HOW TO FERTILIZE FLOWERING DENDROBIUM

Spray a solution of l/2 tsp of l8-l8-l8 or 20-30-l0 NPK with one gallon of water every other day or 2 to 3 times a week.

Source: www.pac.edu.ph

Katuray

Katuray: Sesbania grandiflora

Botany
A tree, 5 to 12 meters high. Leaves are pinnate, 20-30 cm long with 20 to 40 pairs of leaflets which are 2.5 to 3.5 cm long. Flowers are white, 7-9 cm long. Pods are linear, 20-60 cm long, 7 to 8 mm wide, pendulous and curved, containing many seeds.

Distribution
In settled areas, at low and medium altitudes.

Constituents and characteristics
Bark contains tannin and gum.
Bark is very astringent.
Flowers are emollient and laxative.
Leaves are aperient, diuretic, laxative.

Parts used and preparation
Root, flowers, bark, leaves.

Uses:
Culinary
Often planted for its edible flowers and pods.
The large white or pink flowers are edible, eaten raw or steamed; makes for an excellent salad.
Young pods are eaten like string beans.
Excellent source of calcium, fair source of iron, good source of vitamin B.
Folkloric
Juice of the root, mixed with honey, used as an expectorant.
Decoction of the bark used for hemoptysis.
Infusion of the bark given for smallpox and other eruptive fevers.
Juice of leaves and flowers used for nasal catarrh and headaches.
Others
Produces a clear gum making a good substitute for gum arabic.

Availability
Cultivated and wildcrafted.

Source: www.stuartexchange.org

RU Shredder

WHAT IS RU SHREDDER

RU shredder is a versatile machine designed for a number of purposes. It can be used to accelerate and hasten decomposition of organic wastes, greens, and other biodegradable materials. It is most efficient in the reduction of solid waste. The shredder carries out its task by destroying and reducing waste into fibrous state using a series of powered rotating blades.

Company Profile

RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) is a BOI-registered company that grew from a second hand buy and sell business in 1974 into what it is today. A Foundry and Machine Shop that is a byword when it comes to quality metal. RUFMC caters to the casting, machining, and fabricating requirements of the Sugar Industry, Cement/Mining Factories, and Agro-Industrial Companies as well. It also assist the Sugar Industry in the development of local substitute for high value imported products ably supported by Metal Industry and Research Development Center (MIRDC). RU Stands for Ramon C Uy, the man behind the company’s continuing stability, who firmly believes in the Filipino’s ingenuity and talent and has no doubt that the Filipino has got what it takes to succeed. In 2001 RU Foundry was able to invent and manufacture the “RU Shredder”. A versatile machine designed specifically to accelerate and hasten decomposition of organic wastes, greens and other biodegradable materials. It is efficient in the reduction of solid / bulky biodegradable waste and is being used extensively in various provinces, cities and municipalities all over Philippines.

Website: www.RUshredder.com