VARIETAL EVALUATION, ON-FARM TRIALS AND ORGANIC VEGETABLE SEED PRODUCTION IN BULACAN

Dinah Marie C. Dayag and Junel B. Soriano

Abstract

The lack of a national variety selection or programs for organically-produced seeds prompted PCARRD-DOST to fund projects which is geared towards the selection and development of best varieties of vegetables for organic farming systems since inappropriate varieties are used for organic farming which leads to low yield and poor quality of produce. Most of the varieties available commercially are conventionally produced. Bulacan Agricultural State College, together with Pampanga College of Agriculture and Central Luzon State University participated in the effort to practice organic agriculture thru the project entitled: Variety Evaluation, On-Farm Trials and Seed Production of Organic Vegetables in Central Luzon and in support to the Project “Vegetable Production: A Way to Attract and Encourage Entrepreneurship among AFNR and SUC Graduates”.

Part of the project was the development of varieties is the selection under low input and under organic condition. Three crops (pole sitao, okra and squash) were subjected to varietal evaluation to select lines for replicated yield trial. From two varietal trials, 11 lines of squash and 7 lines each of pole sitao and okra are already planted for replicated yield trial. During replicated yield trials, checked varieties were used and planted along with the crop selections under organic gardens and imposed organic production systems. Selected lines which showed good agronomic characteristics and fruit quality, vigor, resistance to pests and diseases were chosen for farmer’s on farm trial and eventually seed production and distribution to farmers.

Keywords: organic agriculture, organic vegetable seeds, crop selection