Chayote or Sayote in Filipino (Sechium edule), is also known as christophene, vegetable pear, mirliton, choko (in Australia and New Zealand), starprecianté, citrayota, citrayote (Ecuador and Colombia), chuchu (Brazil), chow chow (India), cho cho (Jamaica), is an edible plant that belongs to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It is a relative of the melons, cucumbers and squash. Chayote is a plant that can climb as high as 12 meters. Its leaves are heart-shaped, 10-25 cm wide and with tendrils on the stem. The flowers are cream-colored or greenish that comes out beneath a leaf or branch. Male flowers of chayote are in clusters; when female, the flowers come singly.
The young leaves and tips are eaten as vegetable salad, the roots grow like yam (ubi) and are also edible when cooked as sweets or fried like sweet potato (camote que). When abundant, it is cheaper to use it as food for pigs as alternative to commercial feeds. Chayote prefers a cool climate with rains that are even during the year. It grows well in loose soil with fertilizer and likes rich volcanic soil.
Planting
1. Plant the matured fruit. This is allowed to germinate, first in a nursery. Upon reaching about 30 cm, it can now be transferred to the field.
2. Make holes about 30 cm wide and 3-5 meters apart from one another. Mix the soil with compost and put it back into the hole.
3. One to three seedlings can be planted in each hole. Cover with soil. Always clear the surroundings of weeds – until about 2 meters away from the plants. When the plant spreads and fill the trellises, the growth of weeds will be controlled.
4. Put trellises on every plant when these are about 30 cm high. Compost is the best fertilizer, but at 7-8 weeks, apply complete fertilizer before and after every rain.
Harvesting
If the chayote plant is planted for its fruits, do not prune the plant to get shoots; allow the big vine to spread so as to get the most sunshine and dew. But if the purpose is for shoots only, the plant gets pruned while the young leaves are gathered.
1. Manually pick the fruits when the desired size is reached.
2. Place the container of the harvested chayote in shade to keep them fresh for a longer time.
Pests and Diseases
Chayote is not beset with enemies of diseases like other plants. All it needs is care from weeds and adequate watering.
The main ingredient in a detergent product is a surfactant, a material containing in a single molecule, a hydrophobic (water-repelling) group on one end and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) group on the other end.
Surfactants are compounds that affect (usually reduce) surface tension when dissolved in water or water solutions. The HYDROPHOBIC group is a hydrocarbon containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms in a straight or slightly branched chain. The HYDROPHOLIC functional group may vary widely as a) an ANIONIC, b) CATIONIC and c) NON-IONIC. In general, the hydrophilic nature of those functional groups decreases from ionic to non-ionic groups. Soaps and detergents are ANIONIC while fabric conditioners are CATIONIC.
While soaps and detergents can be produced as bar, liquid or powder, the trend is in the use of liquid products due to economy in production and ease of application. A variety of organic molecules as a base material for detergents, either from mineral oil, crude oil resources or from natural products are used in practice.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
1. Weighing scale (top-loading, ordinary or digital), 10-kg capacity, 50 grams graduation 2. Plastic pail, 20-L capacity (2 pcs); 4-L capacity (3 pcs) 3. Electric hand mixer (portable), 1 unit 4. pH paper, 0-14 (Merck), 1 pack 5. Plastic bottle with cover, 250-mL capacity; 500-mL capacity 1-L capacity 1-gal capacity 6. Plastic water dispenser, 20-L capacity PROCESSING PROCEDURES
Liquid Dishwashing Detergent
Raw Materials:
851 g Deionized water (51+800) 11.7 g Caustic soda (flakes) 93.7 g LABSA* 27 g CDEA* 4 drops Colorant (McCormick) 1 g Essence (green apple) 15.6 g Sodium chloride (technical grade)
1. Dissolve the caustic soda flakes in water (1).
2. Slowly add to the LABSA with slow agitation for 10-15 minutes. 3. Incorporate CDEA and water (2) and continue mixing until homogenous. 4. Check pH and adjust with 10% caustic soda solution if necessary to get pH = 9 to 10. 5. Add the ingredients with slow mixing. 6. Set aside to allow clearing of solution (bubbles to subside). 7. Pack into clear PET bottles or containers.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Raw Materials:
774.7 g Deionized water (74.7+700) 15.4 g Caustic soda flakes 122.8 g LABSA* 48.9 g CFAS powder/needle 5 g Na4 EDTA* (Trilon B) 10 g Aquasol 10 g Essence (Ariel-like) 13.2 g Sodium chloride (technical grade)
* EDTA – Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid
Procedure
1. Dissolve the caustic soda flakes in water (1). 2. Slowly add to the LABSA with slow agitation for 10-15 minutes. 3. Dissolve CFAS and EDTA in water (2) in separate containers. 4. Incorporate CFAS and EDTA solutions with mixing after each addition then add “Aquasol” until clear. 5. Add essence until uniform. 6. Thickener may be added as desired. 7. Set aside to allow clearing of solution (bubbles to subside). 8. Pack into bottles or containers.
Fabric Conditioner
Raw Materials:
863.2 g Deionized water (800+63.2) 100.0 g Fabric softener beads 5 g Na4 EDTA (Trilon B) 2 drops Colorant (H2O-Soluble); McCormick 12 g Essence (Downy-like) 19.8 g Sodium chloride (technical grade)
Procedure
1. Fabric softener beads (or flakes) is slowly dissolved in water (1). (If you use flakes, dissolve in hot water at 80°C.) 2. Dissolve EDTA in water (2) and add to the dissolved Fabric Softener solution. 3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until uniform. 4. Set aside and allow clearing of solution. 5. Pack into PET (plastic) bottles or containers.
In view of the rising cost of cement, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute made an attempt to form building blocks out of soil and water alone or in combination with one or two other agri-forestry waste materials, such as rice hull, coconut coir dust and wood ash. Lime is used as a binder. Lime is found in large quantities in Rizal, Negros Occidental and Davao Oriental. Coconut coir and other materials are available almost nationwide.
Procedure:
1. Pulverize the soil and remove larger pieces with the use of a 1/4 inch wire mesh screen.
2. Mix together soil and any one or two of the agri-forestry wastes. Suggested combinations (in parts by volume) are:
a. 3 soil + 1 coconut coir
b. 3 soil + 1 rice hull
c. 5 soil + 1 lime
d. 5 soil + 1/2 lime + 1/2 rice hull ash
e. 5 soil + 1/2 lime + 1/2 wood ash
f. 4 soil + 1 rice hull + 1 lime
g. 21/2 soil + 21/2 sand + 1/2 lime + 1/2 wood ash
3. Form a hill out of the dry mixture (or of soil alone if a pure soil block is to be made) with a crater on top and add water.
4. Pour water slowly and with a shovel, mix the materials until a paste is formed. The paste should neither be too dry nor too wet so that during the molding process. The ingredients are wet enough to stay packed but not too wet to produce slump when the product is removed from the mold. The right mixture can be learned easily by experience.
5. Fill the mold with the mixture. Tamp very well and level off. Apply pressure using a manually-operated molding machine or a similar device.
6. Dry the block in the shade for a few days and then sun dry for another few days.
Source: Forest Products Research and Development, Institute (DOST) College Laguna
LIME-CLAY-SAND BLOCKS
With the materials that are available all over the country, Industrial Technology and Development Institute fabricated blocks which need no firing. The block has a square face and grooved sides which allow adequate surface for bonding. It measures 8"x8"x6". The provinces of La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Bohol and Negros Occidental have reserves of all the 4 non-metallic ores herein used. Clay and limestone may be found in almost all the regions while sufficient amount of sand and gravel occur in Regions III, IV, VI and X.
Procedure:
1. Crush the lumps of clay into smaller pieces with a pickaxe. With the use of a wire mesh screen, remove impurities, such as stones, roots, twigs, etc.
2. Sift the lime and the sand separately to remove the bigger particles.
3. Mix thoroughly five (5) boxes of clay, two (2) of lime and two (2) of sand.
4. Add water slowly until the right consistency is reached. The mixture should neither be too wet nor too dry so that when molded, the block will maintain its shape.
5. Press the mixture into a wooden mold until all spaces are filled up and scrape off the excess.
6. Remove the mold and allow the formed block to stand in the shade for 3 days. Then sun-dry for another 3 days.
Source: Ceramics Research Division ITDI (DOST)
HOLLOW BLOCKS FROM RICE HULLS
Procedure:
1. Carbonize the rice hulls.
2. Pulverize the ash.
3. Mix the following:60 parts cement40 parts carbonized ashwater
4. Pour the mixture into wooden molds
5. Allow to dry.
Source: Forest Products Research and Development , Institute (DOST) Los Baños, Laguna.
HOLLOW BLOCKS FROM WASTE MATERIALS
A new type of hollow blocks can be fabricated out of wood wastes, agricultural wastes and soil mixed with minimum amount of cement. As far as strength and durability are concerned, results of test showed that this type of blocks is comparable to some of the commercial or traditional concrete hollow blocks. However, they are considered as strictly non-loading bearing.
Materials:
1 part cement
3 parts sawdust, ordinary soil, rice hulls, abaca waste, sugarcane bagasse, coconut coir dust and coconut trunk.
Procedure:
1. Pulverized soil is passed through a wire screen, 1/4 inch wire mesh to separate larger pieces. A mixture of 1 part cement to 3 parts agri-waste is formulated.
2. Mix all materials together, add water and pour into molds.
3. Let stand for several hours until dry.
4. After drying, remove from molds and let stand along one side for 10 days while sprinkling water at regular intervals to avoid cracking.
Source: PCARRD Farmnews December 1988,Photo courtesy of www.hindu.com
Remote coastal areas often lack the supply of poultry meat and eggs essential to good nutrition and health. If it is available, the price is more expensive compared to urban centers.
One alternative is duck (itik or bibi) raising. Duck raising does not need much labor and care. This allows mothers, children or other members of the family to engage in a profitable food-based enterprise. Ducks are efficient producers of animal protein for the family and provide extra income.
Ducks require simple shelter, are resistant to common poultry diseases and can thrive on feeds locally available. It is an economical, useful and multipurpose water fowl appropriate to coastal areas.
They grow best along watered areas. The presence of mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs in most coastal areas are rich natural sources of food. Ducks are voracious eaters and efficient scavengers.
In many coastal areas where malarial disease is prevalent (because of the presence of mosquito larvae that thrive in brackishwater), duck raising can minimize-if not control-its incidence by feeding on mosquito larvae (worm-like). However, a few crops in coastal areas can also be destroyed by ducks.
Duck (itik or bibi)
Breeds
The traditional multipurpose breed is white or black; the most commonly raised in most rural areas, it can lay 100-120 eggs per year. The improved Pateros breed can lay 120-200 eggs per year. The egg-type Khaki Campbell breed can lay 200-250 eggs per year. Newly-introduced hybrid-egg types, like CV-2000, can lay 250 eggs and up. The recommended breeds for coastal areas are Muscovy and Pateros (mixed colors).
Different production methods
There are four commonly used production systems in the Philippines.
Scavenging system
This is most widely used in coastal and inland areas. A flock of 3 and below are allowed to range free over the village and return to the homeyard in the evening.
Herding system
Growing or laying ducks is allowed into wet lands, irrigation areas or harvested paddy fields scavenging for food during the day. They are herded into enclosures during the evening and night. If the natural feed supply is exhausted, they are transferred to other feeding sites.
Landing system
This is common in South Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia, where vast tracts of swamplands are available. The ducks arc provided with floating houses with fences on rafts. They feed on aquatic animals and plants given to them or by scavenging.
Confinement or intensive system
This is practiced by commercial growers with large flocks of more than 100 birds. They are kept in pen systems with shelters and are fed with available, commercial feeds.
Proposed design of duck shelter in coastal areas.
Management and care
A household may start with 15 birds of 13 female (ducks) and 2 males (drakes), as its source of food and income.
Most houses within tidal fluctuations have their own open porch for drying fish, etc. One can build the ducks' shelter under the porch or under the house. A one-half meter clearance from the highest tide level area should be allowed below the flooring of the ducks' house. A three-feet clearance from the family house floor to the ducks' house floor is enough. This can be done by using bamboo slats that are closely nailed to the flooring. Bamboo fences may also be provided. Place rice straw or other grass materials on the floor as litter. Provide nests for laying or brooding. One can use bamboo, discarded tires or other containers as feeders. Also, provide ladders. Ducks in coastal areas usually perform well because of the presence of aquatic and marine animals, like fish, snails, larvae, etc., and water plants, such as algae and grasses which they can feed on. Supplemental feeding may be done with kitchen leftovers, trash fish, rice bran, corn, cassava and other grains that can be bought for extra feeding, if necessary.
Allow at least two to three ducks to brood their eggs as replacement stocks. The rest of the eggs may be used for family consumption and/or sale. Peak laying of ducks is 18 months after six to seven months. Dispose or sell all the flock after the 1 8-month period, if there is a replacement available.
If the village has a history of recurring common fowl, diseases like Avian Pest, Fowl Pox and Fowl Cholera, request the services of the Municipal Livestock Technician for vaccination of the birds.
Economics of production—duck raising
Raising ducks may be a profitable project, especially in a rice-growing area with sufficient supply of water. Based on the experience of Mr. Antero Villareal of Barangay Plaridel, Llanera, Nueva Ecija, who started with only 200 ducklings in his 500-sq-m backyard and P7,000 as seed capital, a net profit of P17,850 from sales of fresh duck eggs was realized after five months. In 1987, he again bought 2,500 female ducklings at P8.50 each from Pampanga. He earned a net profit of P 150,000 from the eggs laid by 900 ducks in 1989 and used the money to buy the 20,000 sq m ricefield he is cultivating.
Today, he owns a balut factory and his 800 ducks provide most of his freshegg requirements: 600 for sale daily; 2,000 for salted eggs; 12,000 for balut production every three days; and 3,000 for hatching every week. His market extends up to the Munoz-San Jose City area (Greenfields, June 1993).
Source: IIRR
Pamienta or "paminta" or Black Pepper - (Piper Nigrum Linn) is a viny perrenial plant producing berry-like and aromatic pungent fruits which belongs to Family Piperaceae. Leaves are thick, green with ovate shape. Flowers are white and minute which produce fruits borne on short, hanging spikes 4 t0 12 cm. long. Berry-like fruits are green when unripe and become red at maturity.
Dried ripe berries become black and wrinkled constituting black pepper. Black pepper yield both black and white pepper. Black pepper is made by drying ripe or unripe fruits under the sun; white pepper by soaking, treating and removing outer skin of berry before drying.
Peppercorn is marketed whole or ground. Black pepper is used as a seasoning in food preparation to enhance food acceptability. Essential oils cleoresions extracted from black pepper are used in the preparation of piperazine elixir, a drug formulation for removal of round-worms in intestinal tract of human beings.
Varieties of black pepper are classified according to their respective source of origin, most common are Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Davao, Zamboanga or Basilan black pepper.
SOIL AND CLIMATE
Black pepper grows in almost all types of soil. However, it thrives well in loose, well-drained soil. It is best suited under humid climate with rainfall of 100 to 250 cm and in an elevation of 350 meters above sea level.
CULTURE
Seedbedding
Propagation of black pepper cuttings is prepared in seedbeds like vegetable crops. Till soil with garden hoe and reduce soil to very fine tilt. As soil is pulverized, add fine river sand to make bed more porous. Incorporate compost to make it more fertile. Drench seedbed with Captan spray solution at a concentration of 5 level tablespoonfuls Captan per gallon of water. Apply solution at the rate of one petroleum canful per 5 square meters of bed.
Propagation
Black pepper is propagated by sowing seed, marcotting and by stem cutting. Of the three methods, stem cutting is generally employed using both terminal stem and lateral branches. Select planting materials from high yielding hermaphrodite mother plant. Divide stem into cuttings each with 3-5 internodes and cuttings are rooted in sandy seedbed under shade. Insert cutting at 45degree angle 15 centimeters apart each way. When cutting has developed 4-7 new leaves, then it is ready for transplanting in the field.
In marcotting method, secure black pepper branches on 1/2 inch wide bamboo pegs and cut each of them at fourth node from top of cacao or mabolo leaf filled with clean garden soil or moist sphagnum moss. If plastic sheet is available, cut into, convenient pieces and use for enclosing soil or moss and tie both ends with string or vegetable tying material. In 3-4 weeks, each marcot can be separated from mother plant and set in the field.
Land Preparation
For backyard planting select well-drained area and divide into equal areas of 2 x 2 square meter lots. To each corner of these lots, dig holes 60 cm sq about 40 cm deep, separate topsoil from subsoil. At center of hole, plant "kakawate" post 4 cm in diameter and 2 meters long for pepper vines to climb on as they grow. Fill up holes with 50-50 mixture of compost and topsoil. For large scale planting whether in cultivated or newly opened land, choose rolling area to have good drainage For newly opened area, other crops may be planted first for at least 3 years to free it from decaying tree stumps which may be sources of diseases. After 3 years, prepare land as backyard planting.
TRANSPLANTING
Transplant black pepper at the start of rainy season, 800 cm apart from the post with seedlings opposite each other. Around 3,200 seedlings are needed per hectare. It starts to bear fruits three years after planting. Open space can be utilized for planting short-lived catch crops such as snapbeans, ginger, hot and sweet pepper at a distance of one meter away from black pepper rows.
MANAGEMENT
Black pepper needs weeding, mulching and pruning. When seedling reaches one or two feet high, nip off the top growing vine to induce more branching. Prune old and unproductive branches and crowding laterals.
Farmers engaged in black pepper farming do not usually use extensive commercial fertilizers, but to ensure abundant harvest, apply the following rates:
Plant -----------------Age--------- Rate
6 months old --------100 grams of 14-14-14
1 year ---------------220 grams of 14-14-14
2 years-------------- 500-700 grams of 14-14-14
*Add compost to each hill every 2 to 3 months.
CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES
Common pests are leafhoppers, root grubs, and African snails. Control leafhoppers by spraying with either Sevin or Malathion at the rate of one level tablespoonful per gallon of water. Drench hill with Aldrin spray at a concentration of on tablespoonful per gallon of water to control grubs. Collect snails and use them as fertilizer or poison with baits obtained at BPI.
Black pepper, when properly planted, is not prone to any seriouse diseases outbreak.
HARVESTING
Peppercorn (berry-like fruit) matures in 5 to 6 months. The whole spike is ready for picking when:
- peppercorn in a spike turns cherry-red
- peppercorn turns from dark green to shiny yellowish green
- peppercorn has brownish cotyledon when pinched.
Harvest during sunny days. Open basket or sack used as container is tied to the waist of harvester. He twirls the spike with one hand while he holds the peduncle with the other hand.
DRYING
There are two ways of drying black pepper to yield two types of black pepper: the black peppercorn and the white pepper. Black peppercorn is black pepper dried under the sun or solar radiation to 12 % moisture content. Spread peppercorn on mat and remove spike, then peppercorn is winnowed, cleaned and stored in sacks. To produce white pepper, remove ripe berries from spikes, place in bags and soak in running water 1 to 2 weeks to soften skin. Remove skin by hands or by treading on berries with the feet. Wash and dry immediately smooth, white kernels.
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph, photo courtesy of www.ucmp.berkeley.edu
