proposed research trial designs year...

SMCN/2008/008 Increasing vegetable production in Central Province, Papua New Guinea to supply Port Moresby Markets

Proposed Research Trial Designs Year 1

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•To determine which varieties for each of the selected crops perform well under local low and intermediate altitude conditions. Varieties will be evaluated on yield, quality and synchronicity

•Low Altitude Sites

Sea level to 600 m, 32–30 °C to 23–19 °C.

NARIPAU

• Medium Altitude Sites

600–1200 m, 30–27 °C to 19–16 °C.

Kokoda HotelTapini

•Crop TomatoesFrench BeansCapsicumBroccoliBall CabbagePotato

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•Compare the benefits of three different production systems.

•1. Typical low input system. Based on the production practices described in the Mapping Agricultural Systems project (MASP).

•2. Best practice (BP) low input system. Based on MASP and modified to incorporate low cost practices that provide a high return on investment. This system should require minimal capital expenditure with most change related to new knowledge and access to existing resources.

•3. High Input / Output system. Loosely based on MASP data and geared towards maximum yield with a lower return on total inputs. This system requires a significant investment in fertiliser, irrigation, pesticides and related infrastructure.

OPTION I: Multiple trials per site

Design SummaryVariety Trials

Randomized complete block for each crop; 3 trials of 18 plots at each location

Crop species = 1Varieties = 6Blocks = 3

Min plot size by crop ( and trial area)Carrot C = 2m (36 m2)Tomatoes T, Beans BS =3m (54m2)Capsicum CP, Potato P =7m (126m2)Broccoli BR, Cabbage CB = 6m (108m2)

Min Trial size by locationNARI / PAU (CP,BS,T) = 234 m2

Kokoda Hotel (BR,T,C) = 198m2

Tapini (BR, CB, P) = 342m2

To adjust the trial sizes for periodic sampling (5 plants), add one quarter of the area for each sampling event.

Source DF

Blocks r-1=2

Variety t-1=5

Main plot residual (r-1)(t-1)=10

Main plot total (N-1)=17

AnalysisVariety (RCB ANOVA)

Design SummaryCropping System Trials

Randomized complete block for each crop

Cropping Systems = 3One trial at each location

Crop species = 3Varieties = 1Blocks = 3

Min plot size by crop ( and trial area)Carrot C = 2m (324 m2)Tomatoes T, Beans BS =3m (486 m2)Capsicum CP, Potato P =7m (1134 m2)Broccoli BR, Cabbage CB = 6m (972 m2)

Min Trial size by locationNARI / PAU (CP,BS,T) = 2,106 m2

Kokoda Hotel (BR,T,C) = 1, 782 m2

Tapini (BR, CB, P) = 3,078 m2

LayoutRandomized Complete Block

Block 1

Crop VarietiesV rnd (1-6)

Block 2


Block 3


Source DF

Blocks r-1=2

Cropping System t-1=2

Main plot residual (r-1)(t-1)=4

Main plot total (N-1)=8

AnalysisSystem (RCB ANOVA)

LayoutRandomized Complete Block

Block 1

System 1Crop rand (1-3)



Block 2




Block 3




Design Summary

Cropping Systems = 3Crop species = 3Varieties = 6Blocks = 3

# of plots per trial =162

Min plot size by crop ( and trial area)Carrot C = 2m (324 m2)Tomatoes T, Beans BS =3m (486 m2)Capsicum CP, Potato P =7m (1134 m2)Broccoli BR, Cabbage CB = 6m (972 m2)

Min Trial size by locationNARI / PAU (CP,BS,T) = 2,106 m2

Kokoda Hotel (BR,T,C) = 1, 782 m2

Tapini (BR, CB, P) = 3,078 m2

To adjust the trial size for periodic sampling (5 plants), add one quarter of the area for each sampling event.

AnalysisSystem x crop variety (split plot)

Block 1

Sys 3

Crop 2V rnd (1-6)

Crop 1V rnd (1-6)

Crop 3V rnd (1-6)

Sys 1

Crop 1V rnd (1-6)

Crop 3V rnd (1-6)

Crop 2V rnd (1-6)

Sys 2

Crop 2V rnd (1-6)

Crop 3V rnd (1-6)

Crop 1V rnd (1-6)

Block 2 Block 3

LayoutSystem x crop species x crop variety (split-split plot)

Source DF

Blocks r-1=2

System a-1=2

Main plot residual (r-1)(a-1)=4

Main plot total (ar-1)=8

Variety b-1=5

System x Variety (a-1)(b-1)=10

Subplot residual 45-10-5 = 20

Subplot total 53-8 = 45

Grand deg freedom (abr-1) = 53

OPTION II: One trial per site

TomatoesBest Practice Cultural Notes and Variety Assessment

250-300 g seed / ha

Seed Raising• Sterilise soil by heating in a half drum for ?? Hours.• Sow seed in boxes or beds, in rows 5cm apart at a depth of 1-2cm.• Cover lightly with coconut husk and soil mix (2:5:1 (sand, compost, burnt grass)• At 7-10 days (2-3 days after emergence of the first true leaf ; not the seed leaves) prick

out seedlings to a spacing of 2-3 cm, placing pricked seedlings into cell tray• Apply compost 3 days after pricking• Harden seedlings 6-9 days before transplanting by reducing water and exposing to direct

sunlight

Bed preparation• If using beds or long mounds make these 1m wide • Space the rows 400mm apart which will give you 2 rows / bed.

Transplanting• Transplant the seedlings at the 4-5 leaf stage during the late afternoon or any time on a

cloudy day.• Water seedling in tray immediately prior to planting out.• Plant out by digging a hole slightly deeper that the root ball, spacing the seedlings

300mm apart within the row. After placing the seedling in the hole, lightly press the soil down around the stem.

• Stake plants immediately after transplanting, using 1-2 m stakes leaning in towards each other. Fruit will then hang down and be shaded by the foliage.

• Water every day for the first 5 days.• Do not over water after this.

Irrigation• Tomatoes are most sensitive to a shortfall in water at transplanting and flowering. All

drought conditions will reduce the yield, however the plant are hardiest during vegetative growth.

• Root growth is slow after transplanting, frequent light irrigations are essential during this period

• Less frequent deeper irrigation is used as the as root zone develops.

TomatoesEvaluation Data

Variable Measured as:

Days to 50% emergence 50% of plants with cotyledons open above ground

Total emergence % of seed planted that has emerged

Developmental Stage Recorded for each assessment

Growth habit Determinate / Indeterminate

Vegetative adaptation Scale 1-5 (measure at ). Internodaldistance, strong stem etc.

Days to flowering 50% of plants have at least one flower

Cluster evaluation No of clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, fruit per cluster

Fruit set % flowers that set fruit

Days to first harvest Days from transplanting

Partitioning Vegetative and reproductive plant part dry weight

Reproductive adaptation (fruit load)

# of fruit, fruit shape, fruit fresh weight, fruit size

Gross yield / net yield Fresh weight (g)

Viral disease Rating 1-9 of type, symptoms, incidence and yield reduction

Fungal and bacterial disease Rating 1-9 of incidence and severity of each disease

Survival at harvest % of emergence stand still alive at the end of the crop

CapsicumBest Practice Cultural Notes and Variety Assessment

Seed Raising• Sterilise soil by heating in a half drum for ?? hours.• Sow seed in boxes or beds in rows 5cm apart.• Cover lightly with coconut husk and soil mix (2:5:1 (sand, compost, burnt grass).• At 7-10 days (2-3 days after emergence of the first true leaf; not the seed leaves) prick

out seedlings into cell tray .• Apply compost 3 days after pricking.• Harden seedlings 6-9 days before transplanting by reducing water and exposing the

seedlings to direct sunlight.

Bed preparation• If using beds or long mounds make these 1.5 m wide.• Make the row 500mm apart (2 rows / bed) .

Transplanting• Transplant at the 5 true leaf stage during the late afternoon or any time on a cloudy

day. • Water seedling in tray immediately prior to transplanting.• Plant out by digging a hole half the seedling height, spacing the seedlings 500mm

apart within the row. After placing the seedling to half its height in the hole, lightly press the soil down around the stem.

• Keep seedlings well watered for first 5 days.• Do not over water after this.• Stake plants after the first few days.

Irrigation• Tomatoes are most sensitive to a shortfall in water at transplanting and flowering. All

drought conditions will reduce the yield, however the plant are hardiest during vegetative growth.

• Root growth is slow after transplanting, frequent light irrigations are essential during this period

• Less frequent deeper irrigation is used as the as root zone develops.

CapsicumEvaluation Data





Vegetative adaptation Scale 1-5 (measure at ). Inter-nodal distance, strong stem etc.

Days to flowering 50% anthesis

Fruit set % flowers that set fruit

Days to 50% maturity Days from transplanting at which 50% of plants have green mature fruit.


Reproductive adaptation (fruit load)

# of fruit, fruit shape, fruit fresh weight, fruit length and width




Survival at harvest % of emergence stand still alive at the end of the crop

French BeanBest Practice Cultural Notes and Variety Assessment

Transplanting• Not needed, plant as seed.

Bed preparation• 1.64 m wide bed if raised with tractor• Remove all weeds just prior to planting.• Consider spraying grasses with Glyphosate 7 days prior to cultivation if planting a large

area.• Mix organic matter such as manure or compost into the soil if available. • Just before planting, apply 12:12:17 fertiliser @ ?? Kg / ha and mix into the soil.

Planting• Sterilise soil by burning cut and dry kunai grass on beds• Plant in two row 600 mm apart to make 2 rows centred on the bed.• Sow seed into moist soil at depth of 4 cm, each seed 20cm apart.• If needed, stake the plants when the fist two trifoliate leaves unfold

Irrigation• Do not irrigate at planting

Top dressing• If the lowest leaves are becoming yellow, top dress with Urea @ ?? Kg/ha

French BeanEvaluation Data


Days to 50% emergence 50% of plants at V1


Developmental Stage V1-V4 (Vegetative)R5-R9 (Reproductive)

Growth habit Determinate / Indeterminate (measured at R5)

Vegetative adaptation Scale 1-5 (measure at R5)

Days to flowering 50% of plants have at least one flower (R6)

Nodulation #number of red or pink nodules (Scale 1-5)

Days to maturity 50% plants have reached seed fill (R8)


Reproductive adaptation (pod load)

# of pods, pod shape, seed # per pod and seed size.




Evaluation criteria base on Standard System for the Evaluation of Bean Germplasm (CIAT)

BroccoliEvaluation Data





% Sibs Sibs are low vigour plants that do not grow well. Percentage of total plant out.

Days to head initiation 50% plants have initiated a head

Wrapping Scale 1-5 indicating how well heads are protected by leaves


Days to 50% harvest Number of days from transplanting that 50% of plants have been harvested


Number of harvests No. of cuts required to harvest all plants.

Reproductive adaptation (fruit load) Head shape, colour, height, width,bead size and compactness.








% Sibs Sibs are low vigour plants that do not grow well. Percentage of total plant out.

Days to head initiation 50% plants have initiated a head


Days to 50% harvest Number of days from transplanting that 50% of plants have been harvested

Number of harvests No. of cuts required to harvest all plants.

Reproductive adaptation (fruit load) Head diameter, colour and inner leaf compactness (coarse / fine), colour intensity, head position (high/low)





CabbageEvaluation Data





Canopy height and density Average canopy height (cm) and visual assessment (1-5) of density.

Days to harvest Days from planting.

Days to canopy closure The number of days until leaves cover the inter row space.

Root shape Based on root shape chart

Tip fill Based on root shape chart

Average root length and diameter Measure in mm

Mishappen carrots Record of forked, bending, and split carrots

Visual appearance Visual score (1-5) of smoothness and skin translucence.





CarrotEvaluation Data





Stems per tuber Number of stems per tuber

Days to harvest Days from planting.

Canopy closure and growth habit Assessment of canopy cover and the habit of the plant (erect, prostrate, etc.)

Flowering Flower frequency, colour and berry number.

Tuber shape Based on tuber shape chart

Average tuber length and diameter Measure in mm

Tuber colour and texture Skin, eye and flesh colour. Rough or smooth skinned.

Defects Secondary growth, hollow heart,growth cracking and greening.





PotatoEvaluation Data

Systems Trial Information

• System summary (below)• System treatment definition (not complete)

Agricultural Systems defined by MASP

Summary

Location MASP Classification

NARI / PAU 0311 / 0315

Rigo / Kwikila 0317

Kokoda Hotel 0312 / 0313

Tapini 0306 / 0307

NARI / PAUSystem 0311

System Summary

“Located along the Hiritano Highway between the Laloki River and Galley Reach, northwest of Port Moresby. Shortwoody regrowth, estimated to be 5-15 years is cleared and burnt. Banana is the most important crop; sweet potato is animportant crop; other crops are taro, cassava, Chinese taro, Alocasia taro, yam (D. alata and D. esculenta) and sago. The new garden is planted with corn, aibika, sweet potato on small mounds, and banana. Cassava is planted around the edges, and banana is planted throughout the garden at low densities. Small areas of taro and yam are planted in segregated plots. Yams are staked. A second planting of sweet potato occurs following the yam harvest. The density of banana is increased following the harvest of the root crops. The banana garden can be maintained for up to 5 years. Gardens are cleared in July and planted in August every year.” (ref to MASP)

Altitude: 10-30 m Slope Flat (<2 degrees)

Croppingtechniques

Description

Fallows and rotation

Long fallow of short woody re-growth over 5-15 years. Land is cropped for two plantings only.

Maintenance of soil fertility

Not done. Minor replacement by flood silt.

Irrigation No drainage or irrigation

Soil management

Fallow vegetation is burnt. No mulching,mechanization or tillage is used.

Beds Planting is on small mounds 10-40cm high. Crops are occasionally staked.

NARI / PAUSystem 0315

System Summary

“Located within National Capital District, mainly on open hillsides within the city of Port Moresby, similar to those which support System 0317. The system extends along the Sogeri Road to the base of the Hombrom's Bluff and to theLaloki River in the northwest. The long fallow period is not known but is estimated to be 1-4 years. An estimated 6-14 plantings are made before a long fallow. Short grasses are cut, dried and burnt, or are thrown onto stone walls at the edges of gardens. Soil is completely tilled, and drains are dug directly downslope to form long beds. Agricultural activity is confined to the period approximately December to May, depending on when the rainy season begins. Short fallows occur between plantings, from June to November. Sweet potato is the most important crop; cassava is an important crop; other crops are Chinese taro, banana, taro and yam (D. esculenta and D. alata). Peanut and corn areimportant vegetables. Peanuts are planted in rotation with sweet potato. Sweet potato is grown on small mounds. The system also includes the large number of household gardens in informal settlements and suburbs.” (ref to MASP)

Altitude: 20-80m Gentle(2-10 degrees)

Croppingtechniques

Description


Fallows of short grasses for less than 12 months are significant, with longer fallows of 1-4 years after 6-14 plantings. The sequence of species rotation is planned.


Peanuts and beans are commonly grown between food crops and occasionally animal manure or organic fertilisers are applied.

Irrigation Crops are not irrigated.

Soil management

Soil is conventionally tilled and down slope drainage is a prominent feature of this system. Prior to planting, short grasses are cut and either burnt or thrown to the side. Rock walls are incidentally used as erosion barriers.

Beds Small mounds 10-40cm high are used in conjunction with long beds.

Rigo / KwikalaSystem 0317

System Summary

“Located in coastal hills southeast of Port Moresby to Gabagaba village, inland to Kwikila station and immediately inland of the coast east of Hood Lagoon. Short grass fallows, 5-7 years old, are slashed, allowed to dry and burnt. Thesite is completely tilled, often by tractor drawn plough, or by spades. Banana and sweet potato are the most important crops; yam (D. esculenta), coconut and cassava are important crops; other crops are taro, yam (D. alata), Chinese taro, Amorphophallus taro, Queensland arrowroot and sago. Banana continues to produce for up to 5 years, if cared for. Two plantings of yam or sweet potato are made before a long fallow or sweet potato is planted after the first planting of yam has been harvested. Separate gardens are made for banana, yam and sweet potato. Cassava is planted around the edges of all gardens. Sweet potato is planted on small mounds. Bananas are propped. Yams are not staked. Gardens are cleared around September every year. Yam is planted in October, banana in December and sweet potato in March. Purchased rice is an important food.” (ref to MASP)

Altitude: 0-300m Steep (10-25 degrees)

Croppingtechniques

Description


Crops are planted twice with no fallow between. Ground is prepared after a 5-7 year fallow of short grasses by slash and burn. Crops are usually planted in a specific order.


There is no maintenance of soil fertility.

Irrigation No irrigation or drainage is undertaken.

Soil management

Cropping soils are tilled, often mechanically. Mulch is not used.

Beds Small mounds 10-40cm high are commonly used.Crops are often staked and gardens are fenced.

Sogeri / Kokoda HotelSystem 0312

System Summary

“Located on the Sogeri Plateau and the Owen Stanley Mountain foothills, north and northwest of Port Moresby. Tall woody regrowth, 20-25 years old, is cut and burnt. Most gardens are fenced. Banana is the most important crop; yam(D. esculenta) is an important crop; other crops are cassava, sweet potato, taro, Chinese taro, yam (D. alata) and Amorphophallus taro. Two plantings are made before a long fallow. Yams are either replanted or replaced with sweetpotato or cassava. Sweet potato is dibbled into the surface. The density of banana plantings is increased in the second planting. Banana continues production for up to 3 years, or longer if cared for. Gardens are cleared from July every year and planting continues until November. Yam and banana are planted separately within the same garden during the first planting. Yam (D. esculenta) is staked.” (ref to MASP)


Croppingtechniques

Description


2 crops are planted sequentially with no short fallow, in specific rotation. Long fallows of tall woody re-growth occur between crops for15 years or more between plantings.


Not maintained.

Irrigation None.

Soil management

Woody vegetation is cut and burned before planting. The soil is not tilled. Logs laid across the slopes for erosion control have been observed.

Beds Beds and mounds are not used.

Sogeri / Kokoda HotelSystem 0313

System Summary

“Located on the north eastern edge of the Sogeri Plateau in steep hill country, from the now abandoned Itikinumu rubber plantation east to the Musgrave River. Two subsystems were identified on the basis of fallow type and important crops. For the entire system, sweet potato is the most important crop; banana and yam (D. esculenta are important crops; other crops are Chinese taro, cassava, taro and yam (D. alata). This subsystem occupies an estimated 75 per cent of the land use. Fallow vegetation of short woody regrowth, less than 5 years old, comprising pure stands of Piper aduncum, is cleared. The Piper sticks are used to construct barriers across the slope, behind which terraces are constructed, approximately 50 cm high and 150 cm wide. Soil is tilled and mounds are formed from the loose earth. Sweet potato is cultivated on the mounds. In this subsystem, sweet potato is the most important crop; other crops are Chinese taro and banana. Only one planting is made before a long fallow. At least half of the sweet potato produced” (ref to MASP)


Croppingtechniques

Description


Land is only cropped once between 1-4 year fallows of the short, woody stemmed Piper.


Not practiced, with the exception of Tari people who use composted mounds for sweet potato.

Irrigation None.

Soil management

Stems of piper are hammered into the ground on slopes to construct terraces of tilled soil. This is done using hand tools.

Beds Mounds 50cm high and 150cm long are built on the terrace.

Tapini / GoilalaSystem 0306 / 0307

System Summary

“Tall grass and short woody regrowth fallows, 5-15 years old, are cleared, burnt and heavily fenced. Sweet potato is the most important crop; other crops are banana, Chinese taro, potato, taro and yam (D. alata). Sweet potato is planted on small mounds. Two plantings of sweet potato are made before a long fallow. A short fallow occurs between the plantings of sweet potato. Pigs are placed in the gardens between plantings and during the short fallow. Yams are always planted in separate gardens in valley bottoms. Taro is often only planted in yam gardens. Household gardens are important.” (ref to MASP)

Altitude: 1400-2000m (0306) Very Steep (>25 degrees)1900-2200m (0307)

Croppingtechniques

Description


Two plantings of crops with a short grass fallow in-between. After two crops a longer fallow of short grasses and woody shrubs occurs over 5-15 years. Fallow vegetation type is different between systems 0306 and 0307.


None.

Irrigation None. Drainage is occasional.

Soil management

Fallow vegetation is almost always burnt and tillage is sometimes practiced. Pigs are often placed in the garden during the short fallow. Logs are occasionally laid across the slope for soil retention.

Beds Planting is on small mounds 10-40cm high.

Irrigation

Water is lifted to a small tank filled by either a RAM or Treadle pump to feed a drip irrigation system. The use of drip irrigation is economical, means less water has to be pumped up hill, will lower disease pressure and reduce erosion on steep slopes. These systems are already being used in subsistence agriculture in other countries.

Best Practice System

Appendix 1

MASP system data


NARI / PAU Systems 0311 / 0315


Rigo / Kwikila - Systems 0317


Kokoda Hotel - Systems 0312 / 0313


Tapini Systems 3006/3007

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