Assessment of microorganisms in transitional organic and conventional vegetable farms in Benguet [Philippines]
2007
Alibuyog, H.C. | Tad-awan, B.S. | Tad-awan, B.A., Benguet State Univ., La Trinidad, Benguet (Philippines). Coll. of Agriculture
The study was conducted to identify and assess the population of beneficial and pathogenic soil microorganisms in five transitional organic and four conventional vegetable farms in Benguet particularly Longlong, La Trinidad; Madaymen, Kibungan; Loo and Sinipsip, Buguias and Englandad, Atok. Four bacterial genera have been isolated and identified from two sampling sites based on their morphological and physiological characteristics. Beneficial bacteria including Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and Streptomyces sp. have higher population in transitional organic farms than in conventional farms. Conversely, the pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia sp., which causes bacterial wilt on potato, has a higher population on conventional farms when compared to organic farms. Seven fungal species have been identified based on colony appearance and morphological characteristics of the conidiphore and conidia. Beneficial fungal such as Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp. have higher population on organic farms than on conventional farms. On the other hand, Fusarium sp., which is a pathogenic fungus, has higher population on conventional farms than on organic farms. Practices such as application of compost and animal manure, effective microorganisms and biological pesticides as well as cover cropping were observed by the transitionally organic farmers that would have favored multiplication of beneficial organisms.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by University of the Philippines at Los Baños