HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
Action research: results of experiment with tomatoes at Ton Ka farm by Oudom, a K3A student
24/05/2014
The results of an experiment with tomatoes using two different fertilizer formulas:
Formula 1: Buffalo manure
Formula 2: Chicken manure
The area of each formula: 5m2
1.1 Growing and developing processes of tomato plants
Monitoring process of growth and development of tomato plants is shown in Chart 1 below:
Chart one: Average height of tomato plants over three times of measuring
Comment:
This chart shows that the height of the tomatoes at initial time on 30th Dec 2013 was not obviously different, it was hard to show on the chart (on average height: 7.36cm of chicken manure formula and 7.71 cm height of buffalo manure formula). On 23th January 2014 the average height was measured in each formula shows that buffalo manure formula (16.21cm) were higher than on chicken manure formula (12.89cm). On 3rd March 2014 this figure was opposite. The average height on the chicken manure formula was higher than on the buffalo manure formula, specifically: 94.18 cm on the chicken manure formula and 85.75cm on the buffalo manure formula. This was the time when tomatoes grew and developed most powerful. Thus the data, to an extent, show that chicken manure affected the development of the height of plants at growing period and late period.
1.2 Monitoring the disadvantageous condition
In the time between planting from 23th December 2013 until 25th March 2014 tomato plants grew well. Only a few leaves were rotted. To 28th March 2014 a lot of rot occurred on leaves and stems but the cause was unknown. By observing the beds it was seen that tomatoes on the buffalo manure formula were dead before those on the beds of chicken manure formula. During monitoring time, some tomato fruits rotted as shown in the following chart.
Comment:
Chart two shows that the weight of diseased tomatoes on buffalo manure formula was higher than those on chicken manure formula by 0.4 kg. But from 28th March 2014 onward a series of tomato plants died. Thus we could not continuously observe the disease on tomatoes (need to conduct the following research to uncover the causes of disease on tomato plants, whether cause by fungus or by hoarfrost).
1.3 Tomato weights that were harvested before plant die-off
It was observed that of the tomatoes on chicken manure formula the number of the unripe fruits and the size of plants were better than on the other. But before the time of harvesting, the plants died in a series. Therefore only a small fraction of both formulas was harvested, as shown in chart three below:
Comments:
Chart three shows that weight of tomatoes harvested before the plants die-off on the buffalo manure formula was more than those on chicken manure formula, by 0.1 kg. It did not differ much so it is very difficult to compare. On the other hand tomato plants died before the time of harvesting, it means that comparison of the yield between the two formulas has not been completed properly yet.
1.4 Conclusion
- In the pre-mature period of tomatoes, decomposed buffalo manure was suitable for tomatoes.
- In the mature period of tomatoes when they are healthy enough to highly up-take nutrients, chicken manure applying was quite good
- Chicken manure applying has limited disease more than buffalo manure applying
- Temporarily the comparison in yields between the two formulas is unable.
1.5 Recommendation
This experiment was implemented on a small scale, the process had disadvantages due to fungal or hoarfrost that made tomatoes die, so they could not to give appropriate conclusions. This experiment should be continued in the future to find out a clear result in order to apply in future on a large-scale.
The experiment was conducted and reported by Oudom, a K3A student
Supporter: Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu (FFS staff-HEPA)