New Chemical For Corn Seeds
A new chemical is being introduced in the market to protect corn seeds and seedlings in the field from the usual pests that attack them.These include ants that could nibble on the seeds, crickets, white grubs, cutworms and seedling maggots.
The crop protection chemical is a liquid that comes by the name of Sheller FS 350. One bottle containing 250 ml is enough to treat 18 kilos of seeds that will plant one hectare. This is applied on the seeds before planting.
Here’s how to do it. Place the seeds in a big basin that can contain 18 kilos of seeds. Then mix 250 ml of Sheller FS 350 with 100 ml (about 10 tablespoons) of foliar fertilizer. The foliar fertilizer will provide the needed nutrients for the seedlings’ good growth. The solution is then poured into the seeds for planting. Mix the seeds and solution thoroughly until all the seeds are moistened. After that, the seeds are dried under the shade (air-dried). Air-drying only takes about 30 minutes, then the seeds are ready for planting.
The treatment is enough to protect the seedlings from insect damage for about 30 days. By this time, the seedlings would be big enough and vigorously growing, according to Bob Castro of Monarch Agricultural Products which is distributing the chemical in Luzon as well as in other parts of the country.
ZERO TILLAGE. Meanwhile, Rhoderick Gray of Umingan, Pangasinan, has found it economical to plant corn the zero-tillage way. He practices this technique when he plants corn after harvesting rice. This means that he does not have to plow the field before planting.
This is how he does it. If the field is dry after harvesting rice, he floods the area to make the soil moist. This can be done with water from a shallow tube well. In his farm in San Quintin, Pangasinan, however, there is irrigation water to make the soil wet.
Before the seeds are planted, weedicide (Round-Up) is sprayed to keep down the weeds. Then the seeds are planted by means of dibbling. A special dibble is used. It is made of GI pipe that’s three-fourths inch in diameter, made in such a way that it will create a hole 2.5 inches deep in the soil. The hole is then filled with Durabloom bio-organic fertilizer, watered, and one seed is placed in the hole.
The rows are distanced 75 centimeters apart while the hills in the row are 25 cm apart.
Rhoderick’s standing crop of Bt corn (Dekalb 9132) is harvestable two weeks from our visit last March 17 and he is expecting a bumper harvest as the plants were heavy with big maturing ears. He said that he saved at least P3,100 for not having to plow his field.
March 17, 2010, 4:18pm
The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and agribusiness firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) recently signed an agreement to provide credit assistance to vegetable contract growers in the country.
Under the agreement, Landbank will make funds available to qualified conduits for re-lending to farmers engaged in vegetable and fruits production. AgriNurture, meanwhile, will act as the collection agent for the borrowers’ loan with the bank and will provide them with free technical assistance on various agricultural matters, such as farm management, new planting techniques and methods, field validation, and harvesting and postharvest technology.
In addition, the agreement provides a supply and purchase agreement between ANI and the qualified organizations of growers wherein all the produce shall be exclusively delivered to the company.
The agreement aims to address ANI’s need for additional supply for its export market while bridging the gap between farmers and credit financing and is in line with Landbank’s thrust to help improve the livelihood of farmers and prop up the country’s food supply.
“We at Landbank welcome this partnership with ANI as it will benefit the vegetable industry in particular and the agricultural sector at large. Through this partnership, we are optimistic that we could contribute to the efforts of industry players toward ensuring the sustainability of the vegetable industry,” said Landband president and CEO Gilda E. Pico.
By Zac B. Sarian