Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Organic fertilizers seen to end clubroot
WITH proper knowledge and application, vegetable farmers could address a major disease on crucifer crops.
Dr. Virginia Cuevas, professor of the Institute of Biological Sciences at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Los Banos, said clubroot, which is one of the major diseases of crucifer plants, could be addressed with the use of organic fertilizer.
Cuevas, who developed the trichoderma-biocon, an organic-based fertilizer, said a test on the use of the fertilizer done among vegetable farmers in Buguias proved to be effective in eliminating clubroot.
She spoke before agricultural workers at a seminar on the promotion and development of organic-fertilizers in the city on Tuesday.
Farmers who were involved in the study attested to the effectiveness of the trichoderma-biocon in getting rid of the disease. Around 20 farmers in Loo, Buguias were tapped for the study.
The technology, she said, will be made available to all farmers in the region.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), is leading the information campaign on the use of trichoderma, in support of government's Tipid Abono Program.
Cuevas was tapped by the BAR to lead the information campaign on the use of trichoderma, being the developer of the organic fertilizer.
She said the use of trichoderma reduces the application of chemical fertilizers by 50 percent, while increasing yield by 10 to 30 percent.
Trichoderma-biocon was registered with the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) in 2004. Cuevas said the trichoderma used in biocon has no hazardous effects on health.
"The species used in trichoderma-biocon has no health hazards. It is exempt from the test for health hazard effects," she said.
DA Regional Director Cesar Rodriguez said the use of trichoderma is part of government's campaign on food security.
He said the organic fertilizer is already available for farmers in the region. The DA recently distributed organic fertilizers to seven Benguet towns. (JC)
