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

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Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements<br />

Exercise No. 3.20 95<br />

BREAkING DORMANCY OF POTATO SEED TUBERS<br />

AS A CULTURAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR<br />

IMPROVING ORGANIC POTATO PRODUCTIVITY<br />

BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE<br />

The scarcity <strong>of</strong> quality potato seed pieces in Benguet and<br />

Mountain Province limits farmers’ ability to expand potato<br />

production in their respective areas. In addition, diseasefree<br />

potato seed pieces cannot be guaranteed if these<br />

intended-planting materials would come from unregistered<br />

farmer-seed growers. To ensure that a relatively high<br />

quality planting materials is immediately available, farmers<br />

may use disease-free seed pieces from his latest harvest. In this case, breaking potato seed tuber<br />

dormancy will be necessary to meet the requirements <strong>for</strong> succeeding planting operations.<br />

The most practical technique used by farmers to break seed tuber dormancy is with the use <strong>of</strong><br />

calcium carbide, a procedure that allows rapid potato eye emergence 96 . Farmers have their own<br />

innovations to ensure rapid production <strong>of</strong> quality seed tubers. In FFSs, these experiences must<br />

be shared among farmers to improve their current best practices in breaking potato seed tuber<br />

dormancy. This particular exercise is intended <strong>for</strong> this purpose.<br />

How long will this exercise take?<br />

• Thirty minutes to one hour <strong>for</strong> field walks and observations <strong>of</strong> potato crops two weeks be<strong>for</strong>e<br />

harvesting in learning and adjoining fields; and<br />

• Thirty minutes to one hour hands-on and brainstorming session.<br />

learning objectives<br />

• To make participants aware <strong>of</strong> and understand the process <strong>of</strong> breaking seed tuber dormancy in<br />

potato; and<br />

• To learn from other farmers and do hands-on <strong>of</strong> innovative practices <strong>of</strong> breaking potato seed<br />

tuber dormancy.<br />

95 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Te<strong>of</strong>ilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. <strong>Field</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Discovery</strong>-<strong>based</strong> <strong>Exercises</strong> <strong>for</strong> Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO<br />

Regional Center <strong>for</strong> Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp115-117.<br />

96 Kudan, S.L. 1998. As cited in: Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Te<strong>of</strong>ilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. <strong>Field</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Discovery</strong>-<strong>based</strong> <strong>Exercises</strong> <strong>for</strong> Vegetable IPM,<br />

Volume II. SEAMEO Regional Center <strong>for</strong> Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 366p.<br />

127<br />

when is this exercise most<br />

appropriate?<br />

ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST<br />

sessions, be<strong>for</strong>e harvesting<br />

potato and when there<br />

is scarcity <strong>of</strong> planting<br />

materials <strong>for</strong> succeeding<br />

planting operations; and<br />

ɶ When farmers want to<br />

learn innovative practices<br />

<strong>of</strong> breaking seed tuber<br />

dormancy from other<br />

farmers.

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