Endemic organic vegetables and indigenous knowledge of preserving organic vegetables in the Cordillera [Philippines]

Results showed that there were 20 organically grown and 15 wild vegetables in the study sites. For the organically grown vegetables, 19 or 95% were cultivated in the low mountain zone with elevation ranging from 1001 m to 1500 m above sea level (masl), 70% were cultivated in the high hills zone with elevation of 1501-2000 masl, and 75% were cultivated in the high hills zone with elevation of 501-1000 masl. Eight crops are common in all zones. These crops were onion leek, snap beans, taro, 'camote' [sweet potato]leaves, pechay, squash, hyacinth beans, and cowpea. Horse radish was uniquely found in the lower elevations of the high hills zone. Eighty percent of the 15 wild vegetables profiled were in the high hills zone while 73% were found in both the low and mid-mountain zones. Six wild vegetables were commonly found in every agroecological zone. These vegetables were edible fern, black nightshade, pickerelweed, Indian field cress, lawn water pennyworth, and Spanish needles. Talinum and amaranth were found in the low and high hills zone. 'Soria' was found only in the mid-mountain zone. Nutritional value analysis showed that among the wild vegetables, Indian field cress contained the highest Fe content of 1300 ppm/100 g air-dried samples. Indian field cress also has the highest Ca content of 1.05%/100 g air-dried samples, followed by 'pansit-pansitan' and amaranth, with 1.03% Ca/100 g and 1.01% Ca/100 g, respectively. Pansit-pansitan contained highest nutritional value for Zn, Cu, and Mn, with 440 ppm/100 g, 22 ppm/100 g, and 698 ppm/100 g, respectively. Talinum ranked first in terms of K and Mg content, with 10.38%/100 g and 1.75%/100 g, respectively. Results of key informant interviews revealed that for seed production and multiplication, farmers selected healthy looking seed and dried under the sun for 3-4 days or place above the fireplace for slow drying. For seed storage and preservation, a common practice was to store seeds in tightly covered bottles and cans. Farmers also used seed preservatives such as charcoal, mothballs, and pine wood chips. For legume seeds, one farmer's practice was to sun dry, bundle, and place the bundled dried pods above the fireplace. Organic farmers in the project sites were aware of the beneficial creatures in the farm. All of the 62 respondents expressed that they preserve the friendly insects and other organisms by not spraying and not burning agricultural wastes. The organic farmers employed various ways of managing and enhancing soil fertility without chemical fertilizer application. All of the 62 respondents practiced crop rotation, compost or ash application, and fallowing. Sixty percent practiced green manuring, and 56% applied animal manure. To prevent runoff, 56% installed canals as drainage for excess water during rainy seasons. Less than 50% of the respondents practiced terracing, edge bordering, contouring, and hedgerow planting. Only five respondents reported mulching as a soil conservation technique. Results showed the diversity of organic vegetables in the various agroecosystems of the Cordillera. The existing practices of the farmers suggested that vegetable biodiversity can be sustained.