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

For Assessing Soil Fertility (Optional):
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
5 Group I to assess soil fertility of rolling forest (e.g., undisturbed forest trees are grown)
5 Group II to assess soil fertility of rolling brush land (e.g., plants grow as tall as 1-2 meters)
5 Group III to assess soil fertility of stiff grassland (e.g., plants grow less than 1 meter tall)
5 Group IV to assess soil fertility of flat crop land (e.g., vegetable crops are grown)
5 Group V to assess soil fertility of plain barren land (e.g., no crop or other plant is grown)
For Proper Soil Sampling:
5 Conduct participatory discussion to develop pointers on how soil samples will be taken
from vegetable fields;
5 Each small group takes samples in newly harvested plowed and newly harvested unplowed
vegetable fields. Request each small group to do hands-on of proper soil sampling
procedures agreed upon; and
5 Let each small group collect soil samples in two (2) field sites: one sampling activity to be
undertaken at learning field and another in a nearby adjoining vegetable field.
Note: Soil sample taken from learning field should be kept by each small group for STK
analysis. Results will be used later as basis for conducting their participatory
technology development (PTD) studies.
For Soil Test Kit (STK) Analysis:
5 Conduct participatory discussion to level-off on objectives and procedures of this exercise;
5 Distribute soil test kit to and request each small group to copy steps for analysis on a
Manila paper; and
5 Guide and assist each small group to do hands-on of STK analysis by carefully following
steps indicated on Manila paper or directly from STK instruction leaflet;
Note: Results of this exercise will be used in determining amount of organic solid,
extract, and microbial-based fertilizers requirements for conducting their
participatory technology development (PTD) studies.
2. Go back to processing area. Brainstorm in small groups to design a suitable matrix to record
observations and do the following activities:
5 Summarize results of exercises;
5 Analyze results and draw conclusions about soil fertility assessment, proper soil sampling
procedures, and STK analysis; and