Here is a complete guide and detailed direction of planting and producing hot pepper, eggplant, and tomatoes.
Usually, smart farmers obtain information from books and agriculture magazine to start their project or farming activities, they believed that the stories and details they can obtain from those reading materials will help and guide them to have better and more harvest. The real fact is, the author is just relating the information he/she has obtain or what is related by the successful farmer in a very short period of time, and sometimes not all techniques used by the farmer will be related.
I have tried reading books written by different authors, and have found out that the procedures they have written doesn't work well. I also tried subscribing magazine, but some procedures they have shared are hard to follow or is not suited to my place. Their benefits are inspiring and motivating us to become successful farmer.So much about that, I am here to make you better, if not the best farmer in town.
Land Preparation
- Start with a weed-free and well-pulverized soil by harrowing and rotavating the field 2-3 times.
- Make a field layout using stakes and strings. Take into accounts the drainage and irrigation direction.
It is recommended that during rainy season tomato, pepper and eggplant should be planted on raised beds with or without plastic mulch. Plastic mulch can protect the raise bed from heavy rainfall. But as you continue farming you'll learn the advantage and disadvantage of using it.
- Measure the desired length in between furrows depending on the crops to be planted.
- Dig the furrows using shovel or spade. This can be done alternatively through a cow or carabao-drawn plow.
- Dig up a canal of .3 to 0.5 mater high.
- Pulverize the soil and level the beds carefully to obtain smooth surface.
Next is the installing of plastic mulch.
Here is your planting distance and seed requirements.
Crop
|
Between furrows
|
Between hills
|
No. Of rows/bed
|
Planting distance
|
Pop’n/ hectare ha
|
Seed req’t. Gram.
|
Tomato
|
1.50
|
0.50
|
2
|
0.75 x 0.5
|
26,666
|
150
|
Hot Pepper
|
1.50
|
0.50
|
2
|
0.75 x 0.5
|
26,666
|
150
|
Eggplant
|
1.50
|
0.75
|
2
|
0.75 x 0.75
|
17,778
|
100
|
Seedlings are sown first in seedling trays. Seedling trays produces good & healthy seedlings. transplanting is done preferably late in the afternoon or anytime during cool & cloudy weather.
- Water the seedlings in trays prior to transplanting to loosen up soil from the trays.
- Press the holes at the bottom of the tray and push out the seedlings lightly.
- Transfer the seedlings into the holes of the beds and press soil lightly.
- Fill up the holes with soil, coco fiber or rice hulls after transplanting. This is important, because the air around the seedlings can become very hot and may kill newly transplanted seedlings.
- Drench probiotic or fungicide to reduce incidence of early onset of fungal diseases.
- Water the newly transplanted seedlings. As much as possible daily until around 4 days.
Fertilizer recommendation are supposed to be based on a soil analysis but since most farmers are not having their fields analyzed, general recommendations are given.
The used of Calcium Nitrate (CaNO3) is not very common in the Philippines but it is recommended as a growth booster and for faster plant recovery after being stressed from typhoon. CaNO3 is usually applied during seedling stage, after transplanting, typhoon and any stressful conditions. When CaNO3 is not available, 16-20-0 can be used instead of any other foliar fertilizer available.
Fertilizer are applied as basal and side dressings. Basal is the initial amount given before transplanting. The recommendation is to incorporate all basal fertilizers in the bed before installing the plastic mulch. When fertilizer are applied as side dress, holes are made 10-15 cm. away from the base of the plants.
Day of Plant
|
Kind of Fertilizer
|
Amount of Fertilizer
|
Day 1
|
3K Fertilizer |
100ml
per 16 liter sprayer
|
Day 3
|
Chelated Calcium nitrate, then irrigate
|
60grams per 16 li water
|
Day 6
|
16-16-16 or Winner
|
30grams
per plant
|
Day 10
|
Chelated Calcium nitrate
|
60grams per 16 li water
|
Day 14
|
Urea
Viking, Calcium nitrate and Winner (15-9-20)
|
Mixture
of three 30grams per plant
|
Day 15
|
3K Fertilizer
|
100ml per 16 liter sprayer
|
Day 17
|
Anaa 400% or GIBBERELLIC Acid (GA3)
|
10 ml or One fourth tablet per 16 liters of water spray.
|
Day 28
|
Power Grower Combo and Heavy Weight Tandem
|
4 scoop PGC and 3 scoop HWT per 16 liter sprayer.
|
Day 35
|
Chelated Calcium
nitrate and Winner (15-9-20)
|
Mixture
of two components 40 grams per plant
|
Day 45
|
3K Fertilizer
|
100ml per 16 liter sprayer
|
* Irrigate immediately after fertilizer application.
* Spray foliar fertilizer after irrigation.
Tomato really needs it. However, stronger branches of eggplant and pepper are still prone to damages brought about by strong wind and heavy rainfall during off season planting.
Crop Protection
The application of 3K fertilizer eliminates fungi in the crops, however, in the absence of 3k fertilizer, you may use tawas to control fungi, it will serve as your fungicide.
To control the wrinkled leaves of pepper during cold and rainy season, use Pegasus or Agri Mek weekly or alternate it with Scorpio or Lannate.
Do not mix insecticide for better result, use it separately.
To control the fruit and shoot borer of eggplant, spray scorpio or lannate and prevaton.
Spray after every harvest if needed.
*Best time to spray is at sunset or evening.
Harvesting
For tomato, harvesting is done after two months or earlier, and every other day after the first harvest.
For eggplant, harvesting starts after 45 days depending on variety and frequency of fertilizer application.
* Best time to harvest is early in the morning.
Some inputs to be prepared for 2500 square meters area of siling labuyo are the following;