Assessing the productivity of Jatropha curcas plantations in lahar-laden areas in Central Luzon [Philippines]
2009
Anon.
Unlike most crops that require tending, Jatropha curcas, locally known as 'tubang bakod', can be grown in marginal areas or even as abandoned crops across the country. Results revealed that the plantation areas had very low N, 0.68% OM [organic matter], 27.09 ppm available P2O5, 280.30 ppm exchangeable K20, pH of 5.43, 60-75% sand, low water holding capacity, and very high infiltration rate. A year after transplanting, the Jatropha plants showed 100% survival in all the treatments evaluated, which could be attributed to the weather condition with intermittent rain showers during the 1-year period. This also indicated that Jatropha was tolerant to lahar soil. The level of fertilizer and distance of planting significantly affected the Jatropha plants propagated through seeds and cuttings. Generally, the plants responded positively to fertilizer application of 30-30-30 kg NPK/ha planted at a 3.5 m x 3.5 m distance having produced taller plants, higher number of developed branches, bigger stem diameter, and higher yields over the control. The same trend was also observed on Jatropha yield during the second year of planting as both planting methods produced the highest yield with the same amount of fertilizer and distance of planting. On the other hand, both cuttings and seedlings planted at a distance of 3.5 m x 3.5 m and fertilized at a rate of 15-15-15 kg NPK/ha had higher number of leaf miners. Likewise, more mealy bugs were noted in both cuttings and seedlings fertilized with the highest rate and widest distance of planting. Both insect pests were observed during the months of September to January moreover leaf spots and leaf blight were the prevalent diseases on the same months.
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