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

Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements
Exercise No. 3.27 106
TRELLISING 107 FOR QUALITY PRODUCE IN
ORGANICALLY-GROWN LEGUMES, TOMATO, AND
CUCURBITS
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Trellising is an important cultural management practice of
organic vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras. Such practice
improves quality of products and avoids rotting of fruits
associated with soil-borne pathogens. Several types of
trellises are used. Stalks of rono (talahib) are used as poles
for cucurbits and legumes. The usual trellis for vegetable
gardens and small farms is an arbor or overhead type, locally called bangsal (balag), where a
platform is constructed out of interwoven bamboo or hog wire.
A fence-type trellis is also used in small and large organic vegetable farms, made of crisscrossing
stalks or constructed with posts at each end of a row with horizontally strung wires, resembling a
fence. In plastic sheds, indeterminate tomato (that which bear fruits on leaf axis) is trained on string
trellises, where strings are hanged from wires in ceiling.
On the other hand, determinate tomato (that which bears fruit at end of branches) is trained on a
T-trellis with two wires strung horizontally to produce high quality fruits and to avoid rotting of
fruits in contact with soil. For better results, farmers often modify these types of trellises. In FFSs,
these experiences can be shared and learned by other farmers through field walks and brainstorming
session, hence this exercise.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour for field walks and observations in organic vegetable fields with
different types of trellises; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour brainstorming session in processing area.
106 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. pp134-135.
107 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. pp382-385.
147
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, when organic
vegetable crops in
learning field is ready for
trellising; and
ɶ When farmers want to
learn better trellising
techniques from other
farmers.