Crop culture... Food crops

GOOD Morning to all our readers again. Thank you for your support. Dr Smiley Blanton was a busy New York City Psychiatrist who kept a bible on his desk. A client, surprised to see this, the client asked-“Do you a psychiatrist, read the bible,” He replied,” not only read it, I study it.” Said Dr. Blanton, a devout Christian. He added “If people would absorb its message, many psychiatrist would go out of business,” to clarify his point Dr. Blanton said that if clients who are plaqued by guilt would read the parable of the prodigal son and his forgiving father, they could find the key to healing. Do we look for healing in Gods powerful word? Like medicine, God's word must be taken as directed. Lets pause for a moment: Gods word brings health and healing to every sin-sick soul, but we must take and need it, before we can be whole. The bible contains the vitamins for soul health.

Our topic: Among the vegetarian population of the Philippines , legumes are an important part of the diet providing much of the essential protein. Roughly I think a seventh of the arable land here in the Philippines is planted with pulses, Frequently as a cereal intercrop. The large area of legumes grown is important in maintaining the nitrogen levels of the soils, which are continuously cropped. In the tropics legumes provide not only the major part of a meal but also green vegetables. In addition legumes are important for feeding animals research ha s been concentrated on a few species such as soya beans, and groundnuts, but it is important that the research on other species to overcome major weaknesses. For example many grain legumes are deficient in cystine and methionine. Some contain toxic constituents, some species are difficult to harvest, others shatter easily when ripe, there is a wide variation in temperature tolerance, and tolerance to pests and diseases, both in the field and in storage. Some of these legumes are of great value in areas marginal for cultivation's, where temperatures are high, Or the rains short or unreliable as a legume crop may add the nitrogen equivalent of 200 kg per hectare of ammonium sulfate, fixed by its root nodules, the importance of legume crops in maintaining fertility, without the use of expensive fertilizer is quite considerable.

Apart from the well known tropical fruits, orange and its relatives, pineapple, mango, banana, paw-paw and avocado, there are at least a hundred others grown in tropical asia . Many of the tropical fruits very popular in specific areas have not been studied nor developed. Many of the tropical fruits very popular in specific areas have not been studied nor developed, for example, the durian, with its unique flavor, as is rambutan an mangosteen. Said to be the most delicious of all tropical fruits, all these, thrive in hot humid curates but are rarely found outside the asian region.

Enough research has been done in the tropics to prove that production can be increased by improved crop culture techniques. The following is some ideas on increasing the production. Growing crops or crop varieties suited to the climate and farming system in that area. Also practicing non-exhausting rotations which include a legume crop and using cattle manure or much. An important factor here id preparing the land on time and in a way that conserves moisture. Coupled with planting at the correct time. Sometimes, farmers plant too late, this may be due to the need to ensure food supplies by waiting until the rains have started before sowing the precious seed and not planting cash crops until food crops are established. It is important that the correct spacing and early thinning is practiced and that soil cover is maintained all this year. Bearing in mind that weeds have the same requirements as crops it is important therefore to keep the weed population down, particularly in the early stage's of growth. Harvesting must be carried out at the correct time followed by planting indigenous legumes when the land is rested.

Most of these ideas can be applied without any cash expenditure. Where extra yields have a cash value a farmer can use more advanced techniques such as use of fertilizers for more intensive cropping. Controlling pests and diseases by seed dressing and spraying. Irrigation must also be practiced. All these factors which lead to improved yields are integrated. There is little point in increasing yield if, due to lack of care the extra yield is lost in storage, a loss which with a little care could be reduced if not eliminated. Well friends I hope this has been of value to you.