ISSN 0tL8-0371
VOL. VIII NO.l
Decemtrer 2007
Jatrophn $eed extraeft enyironment ftiendlyfuel
By: Finney Dalocdoc & Janice Espinosa
Soon, our vehicles will be powered by safe and
environment-friendly diesel produced from our own
'
rnds. Also, we will no longer imporl oil from the Middle
\East
for our fuel needs. This forecast is not far in the
offing because of the discovery that the Jatrophtt curcas
plant could be a good source of diesel.
The plant
Jatropha cltrcas, a member of the Euphorbiacea
family, is the latest craze to hit the agri-business in the
Philippines primarily for its seed that produces biodiesel.
The plant is known by several names: tubang-bakod (rn
Tagalog), physic nut (in Fnglish), tagumbaw or tuba-tuba
(in Ilocano), or simply jatropha. Generally found in the
tropics and subtropics, it can grow almost anywhere-even
on gravelly, sandy and saline soils and likes heat. Jatropha
. _ .s a small tree or shrub with smooth gray bark and large
e
green to pale green, three- to five-lobed leaves.T
flowers of the plant are formed terminally and individually
with petiole length ranging from 6-23 mm. Female flowers
are usually slightly larger and comes out during hot seasons.
h
The jatropha bears fruits starting at barely six
months old and be fully fruit bearing between one to two
years. It can produce fruits up to 30 to 50 years. The fruit is
said to me mature when the it changes from green to yellow.
The seeds are blackish, thin-shelled and oblong resembling
. til
't'ir:,i
castor seeds. It is also drought-resistant an can last for two
years without rainfall.
Its
uses
For so long, the jatrophahas been ignored, planted
and used only as hedge, to protect plants from animals
because the leaves are so bitter that no ruminant wants to
eat it. In other parts, of the world however, jatropha is
considered as a medicinal plant. The latex of the plant
contains an alkaloid known as .iatrophine, which is
believed to have anti-cancerous propefties. The leaves,
flowers and stem are used for poultice to cure either
wounds, skin diseases, rheumatism or skin sores on
domestic livestock. The roots have also been repofted to
be used as antidote for snake-bites. Other medicinal values
of the plant are
as a
laxative, antiseptic, malaria preventive.
Jatropha roots are used in producing yellow dye
while the bark for dark blue dye used for coloring cloth,
fishing nets and lines. Pounded seeds on the other hand
are used in tanning.
The leaves could be used for fumigating houses
against bed-bugs and the seeds are excellent for making
high-quality soap, varnishes and illuminants.
The plant is a source of natural fertilizer for
improving soil fertility, acts as a windbreak and reduces
soil erosion by wind and water.
...to page 3
w
@
-
ffi
is
a publication
of the BSU Extetrsion Services. lt aims to bridge the Benguet
Stat-e University with its clientele through technology and information exchange.
The Extension Office hopes that research breakthroughs of the Universiiy be made
available on time for the use of farmers, students, extension workers, researcherS,
December 2007
Vol. Vlll No.
1
and other stakeholders in the field of agriculture. This is our humble contribution for
the advancement of agriculture in our communities.
Pttg.,
is distributed free of charge to farmers, individuals, and agencies interested
in promoting agricultural and resource development.
Readers are invited to share their views, articles, and photos through this publication.
Editors/Lay-out
Editorial Consullants
Wilma L. Marquez and Marife D. Carpio
Julia A. Solimen, Sonwright B. Maddul,
Sup'port Staff
Rogelio D. Colting
Bryan T. LidualGerry Anne W. Calabis
Opinions and views expressed in the articles and letters do not necessarily reflect
Extension Services
or the BSU
the vi
Entered as Second Class Mail at the La Trinidad
Municipal Post Office.
Mailing Address:
Office of the Director for Extension Services
Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet
2601
Telefax: (074)4226504
mass propagation, soil and water management,
identification and management of diseases, pest
Jatroph3....from p.l
As an alternative fuel.
Scientific studies have
shown that the Jatropha creates
a positive reciprocity between
energy production and
environmental preservation. Not
only does the plant improves the
soil and reduces soil erosion, it is also a
viable source of biodiesel that can run
ilJo**l"*l
engines without
management, cropping systesm, postharvest, and socio-
,I*-"
ffi"' '#
The seeds could yield 31 to 31Va oi1. About 1
liter of oil could be extracted for every 3 kilos of seeds.
Oil is easily extracted from the seed by the use of a
\resser-expeller. The oil is then refined to produce
biodiesel which has desirable physicochemical and
performance characteristics comparable to diesel.
economic research); Program 2 is Cellulosic Ethanol
Production from Agricultural Materials (which involves
three projects).
Dr. Belinda Tad-awan from the Department of
Agronomy and chairman of the TWG is doing
Germplasm Collection of jatropha strains. Presently,
Dr. Tad-awan has collected three strains from Sadanga
and Bontoc, Mt. Province and Sablan, Benguet.
In a few years time, we will be reaping the
benefits of this plant and get used to the idea that the
fuel powerins of our cars came from our own soil.
The bandwagon
Developed countries have already adopted
solutions to the dependency on foreign oil. Some of the
developing countries have also started to come up with
less costly schemes to provide the necessary diesel
supply and the jatropha has made it easier for these
countries.
The Philippines has joined the bandwagon and
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has mandated the
rlanting of jatropha in military camps. She urged local
\overnment units, other govemment and private agencies
to plant more jatropha trees in their unused lands.
Realizing that jatropha is the best alternative fuel,
the Benguet State University has also made an initiative
to develop a five-year plan for bio-energy production. As
a first step, a meeting of BSU researchers andAsia Pacific
Bio-fuels (ABS) representatives was conducted on June
5,2006. During this meeting, the composition of the
TechnicalWorking Group (TWG) was identified, andthe
memorandum of agreement (MOA) between BSU and
ABC on the research program "Developmentof Jatropha
curcas Planting Stock Production System" was discussed.
After this, a seminar-workshop on research proposal
preparation for bio-energy program was held on
September 19,2006 at the Chrysanthemum Hall.
The research proposal is composed of two
programs: Program 1 is Integrated Rand D on Bio-fuel
Crops (which has eight projects on germplasm collection,
Mitigating Global Warning.... from
pase 2
Practice organic farming or natural farming. Organic
farming can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Through a
process called carbon sequestration, plants act as storage for
atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon sequestered in vegetation
and soil is not readily released as carbon dioxide, thereby
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Long term studies at the
Rodale Institute showed an average increase in soil carbon of
about 1,000 pounds per acre-foot of soil using existing low
input organic farming methods. Furthermore, fatm becomes
more perrnanent due to maintenance of soil fertility and
eradication of pests and diseases through age-old fatming
practices. Employing these practices reduces the slash and
burn "kaingin" system and the use of fossil fuel use is
minimized or totally rejected.
Organic or natural farming is more than just agiculture
and better than money. It makes the soil healthy, thus producing
healthy plants and thereby makes people healthy.
Minimize cutting trees, plant them instead. We all
know the importance of trees in cleaning the air of
harmful gases especially CO2 and carbon monoxide
coming from car exhaust.
....continued on
Organie farmin$ eun rg,sgareh
showeasgs salad erops and hgrbs
Going organic is obviously the trend. Some farmers are
slowly integrating organic production practices in their farms. A
number of individuals are becoming more conscious of the food
they eat thus, they lean toward buying organically produced
The
five
greenhouses are
plcLntecl vvith salad
crop,s,
strawberries, and
snap beans
Insicle cLnd outsicle of'
the greenhoLtses, are
lots o.l'medicinal and
herbul planls such as
bttsil, tarrogon,
o re
gan o, tcLkip -kuhol,
logwtdi, scmtbong,
g rl:i :i,
vegetables. A lot of markets are endorsing the sale of organically
grown crops.
The Benguet State University, being a premier institution of
education has integrated the practice and campaign of organic
agriculture in its mandates. One evidence of this is the university's
Organic Farming Cum Research managed by Prof. Jose Balaoing.
Located at the Depaftment of Soil Science Experimental
Area, in Balili, La Trinidad, the farm showcases five units of loucost plastic houses planted with strawberies, beans and several salad
crops such as lettuce, potato, calrot, cabbage, broccoli and onions.
There are also herbal plants such as basil, oregano, lagundi, sambong,
katuray, tarragon, and lemon grass. It also has an area for poultry
production and an area for composting.
Started in 2003, the farm was able to acquire a shredder
used for shredding agricultural wastes for composting. The farm
produces its own compost which is used for rejuvenating the soil
and maintaining soil fertility. Farmers and gardenel's can also buy
this compost by the sack. To further improve the farm's setvices, a
facility for compost sterilization activities was constructed in 2005.
Bit by bit, equipment and facilities were acquired and established
for sustainin-e the essential operations in the farm.
All these and more are the features of this farm which ha.1r,
actually become a favorite spot for local, regional, national and
international visitors. And just like what we do with our visitors, let
us take you to a tour of the f-arm and leam some tips and ways on
how you can also make your farm an organic farm.
kcttutru\, lemon
et('.
Biotlegradable materials are collec'ted ond
shredded Jbr composting. Comltost prodttced are
mttrketed ancl used
for
re.itnenation activities itt
Fbrmers' information.......from page
1
0
which is the regional consortium serving the
P
ure organic .farming entai
pe
sticide
fre e
production
artd mttre reliattce ott
organic insect control, whi
can be provided by plantin
tobacco, chili plants,
lontano, marigolcls
(as boundarl' /Jence) and
other medicinal p lants.
Poultry us an integral Part
oJ
the organic farm: lurke-r- and
sasso chickens.
CordilleraAdministrative Region has 13 FITS center
and aims to open more FITS centers in the five
provinces and one city of the region. The FITS Center
promotes the utilization of agri-based technologies,
strengthens marketing linkages and reinforces
linkages between agriculture, industry, and service
sectors in the region. lt intends to: fast-track the
delivery of technologies to the clientele; FITS centers
in the provinces assist clients access technologies
and information on agriculture and other related
fields; promote cooperation among memberagencies in planning and implementing collaborative
development projects; improve a two-way feedback
mechanism from the technology users to the RDE
workers and communication, and; institutionalize the
FITS concept as a technology promotion strategy.
To attain these objectives, the FITS Centers
promotes the conduct of pest, production, and postproduction clinic, exhibits, fairs; conduct trainings,
fora, Lakbay Aral; and, facilitates availability of
quality planting materials/animal stocks.
The FITS Center is manned by a FITS
Visitors to the farm (students, famters, extension workers,
researchers) are briefed and leclured on ntanaging an
organic.farnt.
A portion'of the.farm is allocated to students .for research,
production, demonstration and laboratory activities. This
areawas designed by students to showcase a simple
garden wsing recyc Leable materials.
Manager, the MunicipalAgricultural Officer (MAO) for
LGU-based FITS Center and the Extension/Research
Director for SUC- based FITS Center; an lnformation
Service Specialist (lSS); and a Technology Service
Specialist (TSS). Dr. Julia Solimen is the Manager of
the BSU FITS Center; while the core of various subject
matter specialists at BSU will be tapped.
Dr. Sonwright B. Maddul, the Consortium
Director and BSU's Vice President for Research and
Extension said in his message that BSU has satisfied
the requirements for a FITS Center, and that the FITS
Center will strengthen BSU's extension services in
the dessimination and utilization of the generated
technologies. ln his closing remarks, BSU's Director
for Research Services Dr. Carlito P. Laurean said
that the establishment of a FITS Center at BSU is a
dream come true. Other SUCs in CAR like ASIST
in Lagangilang, Abra;ASC in Conner, Apayao; ISCAF
... continued on page 6
- 10 Reasons to Go Organic
Top
Organic has become thebuzzword of researchers, agriculturists,
doctors, and health buffs. However, not all farmers have immediately
embraced the practice. A lot of farmers are hesitant of going organic
primarily because it is labor-intensive, organic produce is more expensive
than non-organic, organic farming yields on average around 207o less
produce than does conventional farming. However, we should look at the
long term benefits, which far outweigh the disadvantages. Here are the top
ten of those benefits:
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
8.
9.
10. Organic abundance - Foods and non-foods alikel - Now every food category has an organic alternative. And
non-food agricultural products are being grown organically - even cotton. which most experts lelt could not be
grown this way.
S
ourc
e
:
O
rganic Trade Association,
t.,lluw.ota. cotn
General Standard for Food Additives Database Available Online
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has launched an online,
searchable database of all food additives it has reviewed and approved
for use in foods under the General Standards for Food Additives. As
additional food ingredients are reviewed by relevant committees, this
additional information will be added to the databse. Access to the
database is unrestricted and searches may be conducted under various
criteria, including ingredients, food categories, and functionality. See
$bll&l{S:,::::.,:
http ://www.codexalimentarius.net/gsfaonline.
Source: Food Facts Asia, Issue 27, July 2006. www.afic,org
High Iron Biofortified Rice Improves Blood Iron Levels
s/
Breeding rice with higher levels of iron can have an important impact on reducing micronutrient malnutrition,
according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition. Dr. Robert Zeigler, director general of
International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines commented "These results are
especially important for rice-eating regions of the world where more than 3 billion of the
world's poor and undernourished live." Iron deficiency causes more than 60,000 maternal
deaths during pregnancy and childbirth. Recent statistics from the Micronutrients Initiative of
Canada and the United Nations Children's Fund indicate that more than half of the developing
world's children between 6 months and 2 years of age are iron-deficient during the critical
period of their growth when brain development occurs. "It is time to shift the agricultural
research agenda, and the rice research agenda in particular, away from quantity and toward
better-quality food. This may be the start of a nutritional revolution - a very appropriate
follow-on from the Green Revolution and one that is desperately needed by millions of the
world's poor and undernourished," said Dr. Zeigler. For more information see J of Nutrition 135:2832-2830.
Source: Food Facts Asia, Issue 26, March 2006. www,afrc.org
v
lnsect Control Remedies
B
v-
vidattut Bansan
The goal of organic insect control is to help nature establish balance between
beneficial and harmful insects and to minimize costs. Most insecticides are expensive
and they would even give harmful effects to our health and sometimes, if it's not properly
used. could destroy the environment.
For insect control remedies, there are some easy-to-do tips. Aphids provide food
for lacewings, lady bugs and other insects. So if there's an aphid on your vegetable crops,
it is wise to see if they will damage your crop before washing them off with a hose or
killing them with an insecticide. To avoid or minimize cabbage worms on your crop,
interplant hot red peppers with cabbage. Try also planting marigolds around the vicinity
of your garden because marigolds are known to be an efTective insect repellant. Garlic and onions combined with other
vegetables are also known to combat pests. This plant has allyl which is an active insect-repelling ingredient. And for a very
effective home-made insect repelling spray, whiz together in blender; 3 large onions, 1 whole garlic clove, 2 pieces of hot
red pepper, I liter water and 2 tea spoons of powder detergent. Filter the residues and put the filtered liquid in a sprayer as
an instant home-made insect repelling spray. Use this to eliminate harmful insects.
Source: Organic Garden and Farming
&lm t$mxee&&w f,m|fl#&mI{ Le*ffimri!ffierr
insect called Opiws caricivorae, was found to paratisitize
leafminer larvae. And the good news is that this insect is present and widely
/n
distributed in Benguet and Mountain Province. ln a survey by BSU
Entomology researchers (B. Ligat, L. Colting, J.C.Percz, and C. Ligat, 2006)
they found this insect in the areas they surveyed (La Trinidad, Tublay,
Kapangan, Atok, Bokod, Kabayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Buguias, Mankayan,
and Bauko in Mt. Province).
Leafminer is
a
,ffi
:.8
major insect pest of many vegetables and omamental
crops The adult lays eggs on the leaves. The larvae tunnels through the leaves
leaving a crisscrossing white tunnels in the leaves. In severe cases, all of the
green tissues of the leaves are eaten leaving a cellophane-like leaves. This
greatly affects the photosynthetic process thereby reducing crop yield.
O. caricivorae adult lays its egg on the leafminer lalae feeding on
what the leafminer larrrae eats and sharing on its nutrition. Eventually, the
leafminer lalae becomes underdeveloped while the O.caricivorae emerges
healthy. The researchers observed that this insect is effrcient in parasitizing
leafminers upto977o. Thus, it can greatly reduce the population of leafminer
::
:.,"
;!ffi
Adult female O. caricivorae
in the field.
In their trial using potato (var. Granola) as host plant, they found that
with the release of this parasitoid, the population of leafminer was reduced.
Granola plants were able to produce a yield comparable or better than the
insecticide-treated potato plants. The combination of Padan and Trigard
insecticides yielded 21,608 kg/ha, Tiigard only yielded Il,3l4 kglha, Padan
only - 25,933kgftra while the O. c a r i c iv o r a e y relded 25,024k9/ha.
At present, they are studying how to mass produce this insect to make
it cheaper. Accordingly, the 6000 adults they released during the
study costs PhP1,500.00 which affected the ROI compared to the insecticide-
Adult male O. caricivorae
treated plants.
Leafminer outbreak is induced by the loss of natural enemies like the O. cctricivorae d.uLe to widespread use of
insecticides. As in other living things, natural enemies are also susceptible to chemical sprays. It is imperative then to
minimize chemical spra,v.s jo.pJoJe.clt$; lele.n5igl.iqse.ct,. lwJryqrgry4t.
aaaaaaaaaaoaoaaaoaooaaaaaaaa
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Three potato genotypes (two 'still coded-
1P84007.67 and 6760891 and var. Canza were grown
and got selected by an organic vegetable producer. Var'
Ganza, a BSU variety formerly coded IP84004.7 was
approved as a variety in 2004.
From the l0 potato genotypes tested at Mr. Pat
Acosta's Master's Garden, the three above mentioned
potato genotypes were selected. The reason he selected
these are: resistance to late blight, high yield, and the
physicai appearance of the tubers.
A variety with resistance to pest and diseases is
one of the secrets in the success of organic farming, as
it would minimize the use of synthetic fungicides and
lsecticides. IP84007.67, although did not consistently
- produce high yield was chosen because of its resistance
to blight even at 75 days after planting (DAP). It still
had a late blight rating of 3 meaning resistant (in a scale
of l-9, a higher number means more prone to LB
infection). Its tubers have smooth skin and have a high
Eric Tinoy-an's natural farming....
ffi
ffiffiWtr#EKffi[
of 247a. which is a good processing
characteristic. Genotype 616089 has resistance to late
blight and also produced the highest tuber yield among
the 10 genotypes. Var. Ganza has also resistance to late
blight and also a high yielder, next to 67 6089. The plants
were also highly vigorous at 35 days after plantin-e.
Furthermore, these genotypes can be subjected
dr:y matter content
to stem cutting production. Stem cLltting is
a
n-rultiplication technique to rapidly multiply clean planting
material of potatoes. The planting material used in this
study by BSU faculty-researcher Dr. BelindaA. Tad-awan
and her student. F.R. Montes were rooted stem cuttings.
Two rooted stem cuttin-gs were planted in pots measuring
8 by 16 inches. Planting medium used was 2 week-old
composted fresh shredded grasses sprayed with Effective
Microorganisms (EMI). Other" pests and diseases were
controlled by a combination of crop rotation, mixed
cropping, spraying of Bacillus thuringerzsls (Bt), a
biological insecticide . (wlmarquez.)
from page 10
Lactic Acid Bacterial Serum, Microorganisms
also popularly called microbes are microscopic organi-sm
specially applied to bacteria, protozoa, algae, fuqgi, and viruse". They float in the soil sea, and air and that
these live microorganisms ale beneficial
fungus and virus diseases.
against
Def-ense
bacteria.
and help combat the 6ad effect of disease-causing
inextricibly intermingle with man's envirofment. Used as fungicides,
Fermented Plant JuiCe (FPJ), Plant extracts used as food for
the indigenous microorganisms. Tt enhances
plant growth for greener leaves resulting to faster photosynthesis.
from^.herbal plants to be used as
fishes are also used.
marine
from
snails
and
extracted
substances
pesticides.
Nitrogen-fixing
botanical
Other plant extracts and minerals. He also makes use of extracts
Minerals like calcium phosphate and calcium processed naturally without chemical addition also helps
especially in producing healthy flowers. (wlmarcluez)
tape Blayer,'' ta'ps"
on fa:rmihg and,fibhe ries, . refe,re nce,s
and other related reading materials
the BSIJ F|TS Center
at
The FITS Centers also called "Techno Pinoy Center" are
sinle to,faimers t{nnRD,EC
str*$icat{trr, ated natlohwi&
ac