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

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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
This exercise facilitates undertaking a simple procedure in preparing and using compost tea to
manage many plant diseases of organically-grown vegetables. In summary, one starts compost tea
preparation by selecting compost source, then water is added to compost, let mixture stand for some
time, and finally get liquid (‘tea’). The tea is then applied or watered to plant or sprayed as a foliar
fungicide. In farmer field schools (FFSs), such innovative experiences can be shared with farmers
to improve their current practices in managing many disease of organically-grown solanaceous
vegetables. This exercise was designed to address this particular concern.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour field walks, farmer interviews, and observations in learning and
adjoining fields with organically-grown vegetables lightly or moderately infected with diseases;
• Thirty minutes to one hour hands-on on compost tea preparation in learning field one week
after planting;
• Thirty minutes hands-on on compost tea application to organically-grown vegetables that are
lightly or moderately infected with diseases in learning field two weeks after planting; and
• Thirty minutes brainstorming session in processing area every week thereafter.
learning objectives
• To make participants be aware of and understand how compost tea can be used to manage many
diseases of organically-grown vegetables; and
• To learn some innovative practices in using compost tea to manage many diseases of organicallygrown
vegetables.
materials
• Learning and adjoining fields with organically-grown vegetables lightly or moderately infected
with plant diseases;
• Office supplies (e.g., Manila papers, notebooks, ball pens, and marking pens); and
• Other supplies (e.g., compost tea from different sources).
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming