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

Section 6 • Simultaneous Insect Pest and Disease Management
Exercise No. 6.01 218
SOIL SOLARIZATION AS AN INSECT PEST AND DISEASE
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Soil solarization is a cultural management practice where soil
under is exposed to sunlight for some time after cultivation
to kill soil-borne insect pests and plant disease-causing
pathogens in prepared seedbeds, beds, or plots intended
for organic growing of vegetables. Vegetable farmers
in the Cordilleras practice two common methods of soil
solarization: (1) exposing prepared seedbeds, beds or plots
to direct sunlight before planting, and (2) exposing prepared
seedbeds, beds or plots covered with black polyethylene plastic to sunlight to accumulate heat
then removing it before sowing, planting, or transplanting 219 . Farmers for their organic vegetable
production can easily adapt both methods.
In continuous practice of soil solarization, some organic vegetable farmers had evolved more
innovative approaches in their farms that contributed to better pest and disease management in
organic vegetables. These learning experiences must be shared with other farmers in farmer field
schools (FFSs) to further improve their current best soil solarization practices, hence this exercise.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour for field walks, farmers’ interview, and observations of soil
solarization practices in seedbeds, beds or plots before sowing, planting, and transplanting in
adjoining organic vegetable farms of learning field; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour role-playing and brainstorming session in a processing area.
218 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. pp 261-263.
219 Milagrosa, S.P. 1998. As cited in: 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. 366p
321
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, before sowing
in seedbed and before
planting or transplanting
in learning field; and/or
ɶ When farmers want to
learn the best practices
from other farmers on
soil solarization for pest
and disease management
in organic vegetable
production.