Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements
Exercise No. 3.18 90
STRATIFICATION OF SNAP BEAN AND GARDEN
PEA SEEDS FOR BETTER ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Stratification is placement of seeds between layers of moist
sand, soil, or sawdust at high and low temperatures so that
action of water and high and low temperature will soften
seed coat 91 . For some vegetable seeds, stratification can
be accomplished by filing and rearranging seeds packed
in plastic bags in the vegetable section of a refrigerator for
a pre-determined period. This practice was reported to
increase seed viability as well as yield in snap beans and garden peas.
In FFSs, very few farmers had shared their experiences about stratification despite known benefits
that can be derived from this practice. This exercise was designed to allow farmers and facilitators
to share their more innovative experiences in stratification as a strategy to improve productivity in
organic snap beans and garden peas production.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes for field walks, farmer interviews, and observations of fields planted to stratified
and non-stratified organic snap bean and garden pea seeds; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour hands-on and brainstorming session in processing area.
learning objectives
• To make participants aware of and understand some organic vegetable seeds that can be
stratified to improve their productivity; and
• To learn and do improved techniques shared by farmers and facilitators in stratifying organic
snap bean and garden pea seeds.
90 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp109-111.
91 Bautista, O.K. (ed). 1994. Introduction to Tropical Horticulture. 2 nd Edition, SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture
and University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines. pp155-182.
121
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, before sowing
snap bean or garden pea
seeds in learning field;
and
ɶ When farmers want
to learn improved
stratification techniques
for snap bean and garden
pea seeds from other
farmers and facilitators