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A.3 Yield Response of Corn Using Free Growand Commercial Inorganic Fertilizer

This study aimed to determine theeffectiveness of Free Grow Foliar fertilizer withinorganic fertilizer on the yield of corn. This wasconducted at Pagkain ng Bayan, Bayugan City for 2croppings with an area of 1 hectare.

Based on the result, July-December, 2009cropping gave a better yield performance (Table 25).The production in JanuaryJune, 2009 cropping waslower due to the long dry periods that occurred. Also,corn plants manifested stunted growth with smallcobs.

The result further revealed that irrigation isimportant to better yield performance of mangosteen.

The project site of the study at thePagkain ng Bayan, Bayugan City.

Table 24. Production per Treatment

Age Number Number Production in (kilos)

(Years) of Hills of Hills T-1 W/out T-2 With

of Trees T1 T2 Irrigation Irrigation

4 5 5 110 130.5

12 5 5 175.5 193.5

Table 25. Yield Response of Corn for Cropping Season July-Dec, 2009 and

January–June, 2009

July-Dec. 2008 Jan-June 2009

Plot 1 Free Grow 3.77mt/ha 2.0mt/ha

Plot II Free Grow + 1/2 recommended 4.62mt/ha 4.5mt/ha

rate of fertilizer ( inorganic)

Plot III Recommended rate of fertilizer 5.25mt/ha 4.87mt/ha.

( inor5ganic)

A.4 Yield Response of Corn Using Grow Plus+ Commercial Inorganic Fertilizer

The study aimed to test the yield response ofcorn to Grow Plus granules fertilizer combined withcommercial inorganic fertilizer. Grow Plus Fertilizer isa specialized formulation which contains importantcomposition of complete well balance NPK andessential microelements necessarily required by thenewly grown crops. The study was conducted at LosArcos, Prosperidad with an area of 1 hectare.

A.5 Identification of Quality Durian Parent Treeson Selected Sites Along Maharlika Highwayof Agusan del Sur

The result of the study revealed thatapplication of Grow Plus granules fertilizer combinedwith inorganic fertilizer resulted to higher yield of corn(Table 26).

Corn plants under study.

Table 26. Production and Income of Corn using Grow Plus

+ Corn Inorganic Fertilizer

Name of Yield Price/ Cost per Gross Net

Cooperator mt/ha. kilo ha. Income Income

Victoriano Eroila 4.8 8 23,080.00 38,400.00 15,320.00

5.3 8 24,230.00 42,400.00 18,170.00

This study aimed to identify native durian treesfor selection and certification as parent trees. Nativedurian trees grown along Maharlika Highway ofAgusan del Sur section were identified. In 2007, tengrowers from Rosario, Bunawan and Trento wereconsidered. In 2008, observation on these identifiednative durian trees continued.

Established criteria for evaluation and fruittesting based on Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)

M a n u a lStandardsf o r F r u i tS e l e c t i o na n dRecommendation werestill appliedus ing thescore sheet.T a b l e 7s h o w sresult of thetesting andevaluat ionconducted.

Table 27. Native Durian Fruit Testing and Evaluation Results, 2009

Municipality Barangay Name of Farmer Average Percentage

CY 2007 CY 2008 CY 2009

Rosario Mahayahay Merlita Mesiona

DT1 49 67.33

DT2 47.34 75.33

DT3 55.3

DT4 49

Ester Provo 56.57

Marilyn Digito 54.6

Bayugan 3 Benigno Gravillo Sr.

DT1 56.7 71.66 72.5

DT2 68.7 68 70

Padigusan Milagros Gabaylo

Wasian DT1 67.64

DT2 62.18

DT3 56.7

DT4 63.84

Bunawan Bunawan Brook Vicente Moday 57.83

Victorina Numancia 68.27

Sumilao Mercedita Ayala

DT1 53.9 57.5

DT2 60.3

San Andres Ernesto Duran

DT1 55.1 57.3

DT2 62.3

DT3 69.24

DT4 56.1

DT5 58.5

DT6 60.98

Trento Poblacion CARIARC

DT1 62.5 72.66

DT2 65.7 67.66

Legend: DT = Durian Tree

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A.6 Corn Tipid Abono Techno Demo

This study aimed to promote the use ofcombined organic and inorganic fertilizers, reducefertilizer cost and determine cost and return analysisin corn production.

This was approved by PAO ReviewCommittee for funding by PGAS in 2010.

Twenty four native durian trees were observedat the onset of flowering stage. Of the 24 trees understudy, only five bore fruits in 2009 because the ownersdid not apply any fertilizer for the last four years whichresulted to low production. To solve this, soils werecollected and submitted for analysis at ProvincialAgriculture Office Soil Laboratory. Result was thebasis for the amount of fertilizers distributed andapplied by the growers.

A.7 Varietal Preference and Cultural Practicesof Hybrid Corn Farmers

This study aimed to determine the varietalpreference of corn farmers on cluster areas andevaluate their existing cultural management practicesas basis of intervention.

This was approved by PAO ReviewCommittee for funding by PGAS in 2010.

A.8 Techno Demo on Tomato Using NaturalFarming Technology System (NFTS)

The techno demo on tomato using NFTS wasconducted in three (3) municipalities of the province,namely, Beawan, Esperanza, Demo Farm atBayugan and Sibagat. The project was conductedduring the first (January-June) and second (July-December) cropping of 2009 in a 1,000 sq.m. per site.Tomato was applied with NFTS products: IndigenousMicroorganisms (IMO), Fermented Plant Juice)FPG), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fish Amino Acid(FAA), Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) and CalciumPhosphate (CAPHOS). IMO was applied from theseedling stage to vegetative stage while OHN, FFJand FFA were applied from seedling stage toharvesting. Calcium Phosphate was applied fromflowering to harvesting. The same application ofNFTS products was done in the second croppingseason.

MA Mondia led the planting of tomato

1st Cropping 2009

Initial data was collected on the averagefruit/plant and average weight/plant/site. It wasobserved that in Esperanza, average fruit/plant was34 pieces with an average weight per plant of 1.0 kilos.Bayugan has an average fruit/plant of 27 pieces withan average weight of 1.30 kilos while in Sibagat,average fruit/plant was 25 pieces with an averageweight/plant of 1,200 kilos.

The average height per plant was alsocollected: Esperanza, 102 cms; Bayugan, 101cms; and Sibagat, 100 cms.

The growth performance of tomato showed noinfestation except on the slight infestation by fruit borerbut was controlled by the application of OHN thus, theyield was not affected.

2nd Cropping 2009

Data was collected during the 2nd cropping of2009. Out of the three sites, Esperanza obtained thehighest number of fruit/plant of 5 pieces with anaverage weight per plant of 200 grams. Bayugan hasan average number of fruit/plant of 4 pieces with anaverage weight per plant of 150 grams while Sibagatobtained the lowest number of fruit/plant of 3 pieceswith an average weight of 130 grams.

This very low yield was due to the heavy rainsthat occurred from the flowering stage until harvesting.Also, the high incidence of bacterial wilt and fruit borerwas one of the causes.

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Table 25. Average Number of Fruit (pcs.), Weight and Height per plant

Municipality Ave. # of Fruit Ave. Weight Height

per Plant (pcs.) (kls) (m)

1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd

Esperanza 34 5 1.5 200g 102 1

Bayugan 27 4 1.3 130g 101 1

Sibagat 25 3 1.2 130g 100 1

B. Fishery Sector

B.1 Techno Demo On Bangus (Chanos Chanos)Cultured In Freshwater Ponds In AgusanDel Sur Condition

In an effort to promote freshwater aquaculturein the province, bangus culture in freshwater pondswas initiated to determine the growth, survival and itseconomic viability. The techno demo also aimed toshowcase the appropriate technology to fish farmersand entrepreneurs.

A total of 390 pcs. bangus fingerlings were stocked inthree (3) experimental ponds onAugust 14, 2009 with an averageweight and length of 2.6 gramsand 7.5 cm, respectively with astocking density of 2 pieces per sq.meter. Basal application of organicfertilizer (chicken manure) at the

Based from the result of the study(Table 25), production of tomato usingNFTS is recommended because of itsgrowth performance, high yield and pestand disease resistance. Also, based oncost and return analysis, farmer attainedhigh net income per hectare per cropping.

Table 28. Weight and Length of Bangus Cultured in Freshwater Ponds in 4-month period

Date of Pond No. of Initial Final Ave. Growth Initial Final Stocking

Stocking Number stocks/pond Weight Weigth Increment Length Length Rate

(grams) (grams) (grams) (cm) (cm) (number)

Aug.14, 1 132 2.6 240 237.4 7.5 29.5 2

2009 2 132 2.6 220 217.4 7.5 27.7 2

3 132 2.6 170 167.4 7.5 25.3 2

rate of 2 tons per hectare was done. The stocks werefed with commercial bangus pellets three times a dayat the rate of 3-5 % of the body weight of fish.

Observation showed that during the 4-monthof culture, bangus stock had experienced mortalities.It could be aggravated to lower temperature due tocontinuous rain which lowered the dissolved oxygenlevel.

Table 28 shows that for the 4-month period,total average weight of 207.5 grams and average finalbody length of 27.4 cm.

The study will terminate in February, 2010.

B.2 Observational Study Of Giant Gouramy(Osphronemus Gouramy) Culturted InFreshwater Ponds

The study is purposely conducted todetermine the growth, survival and economic viabilityof rearing giant gouramy in freshwater ponds. It islocated at Provincial Fish Hatchery, GovernmentCenter, Prosperidad.

The study utilized two experimental pondsmeasuring 66 sq, meters each. Basal application withorganic fertilizer was done at the rate of 2 tons per

pond. Each pond were stocked with gouramyfingerlings at 3 pcs per sq. meter with an initial weightand length of 4.2 grams and 7 cm, respectively.

The gouramy fingerlings were sourced fromBFAR Freshwater Fisheries Training Center,FAC/CLSU, Nueva Ecija. The stocks were fed withcommercial tilapia fry mash at 5% of the body weight.Feeding was done three times a day.

Table 27 shows that in two-month culture,gouramy attained an average weight of 36.82 gramsand 29.09 grams for pondAand pond B respectively.

Table 27. Weight and Length of Giant Gouramy in Freshwater Ponds, Nov-Dec. 2009

Date of Pond Total # of Initial Ave. Final Weight Initial body Ave. body

Stocking Number stocked weight Weight Increment length Length

(pcs) (gram) (gram) (gram) (cm) (cm)

Nov. 4 A 198 4.22 36.82 32.62 7 10.1

2009 B 198 4.22 29.09 24.89 7 11.7

PAO staff did the harvesting of Giant Gouramyas well as gathering of data

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B.3 Growth and Survival Of Freshwater EelUtilizing Different Feed Ingredients InConcrete Tanks

The project is purposely conducted to determine the growth and survival of freshwater eel utilizingdifferent ingredients cultured in concrete tanks. The study is located at the Provincial Fish Hatchery, Govt. Center,Prosperidad,Agusan del Sur.

The study consisted of three treatments, where each treatment was replicated three times and arrangedin Completely Randomized Designed (CRD). Each experimental tank was stocked with 8 pieces of elvers or atotal of 72 pieces.

Results showed that Treatment 1 attained the highest growth rate of 300 grams, while Treatment 3 got thelowest growth of only 86 grams average weight (Table 29).

Table 29. Growth and Survival of Freshwater Eel with Different Feed Ingredients

in Concrete Tanks

Date of Initial Final Weight Ave. Monthly Survival # of pcs.

Treatment stocking Weight Weight Increment Growth Rate survival

(gram) (gram) (gram) (gram) (%)

T1 - Trashfish Nov. 3 32.01 300 267.9 22.32 58 14

T2 - Trashfish + Vermi 2008 32.01 284 251.9 20.99 37.5 9

T3 - Commercial Pellets 32.01 86 59.9 49 12.5 3

The study revealed that freshwater eel is really carnivorous and nocturnal feeders, however they can betrained to feed on day time. It was noted that Treatment 3 which used Commercial Feeds appeared to haveretarded growth and high mortalities. Mortalities were attributed to stocks that had not responded to commercialdiets and fungal diseases.

Reaching out the target communities andforging their meaningful participation and supporthave been the challenge in every program/projectimplementation. For this, the section has made use ofvarious media ranging from print, broadcast andaudio-visuals in its massive advocacy efforts.

For the year, it has contributed 19 print andradio releases to the Department of Agriculture (DA13) in its publication, and local outlets. Also, some2,845 reading materials like brochures, leaflets,posters, billboards, tarpaulins and others wereproduced/reproduced and distributed to farmers andfisherfolks, Municipal Agriculture Offices, studentsand researchers. These included technology guideson different commodities and latest agriculturalupdates where some were translated in vernacular tofacilitate easy learning and understanding.

This was more strengthened with the one-hour radio program funded by DA13 through thefacility of DXDA Radyo Agusan every Friday at 5:00-

10 Agricultural Communication

6:00AM which reached to the many households andfarms throughout the province. It started sometimeMarch, 2009 and ended December, 2009. With this,i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e d i f f e r e n tprograms/project/activities of the Office wasdisseminated. Also, agricultural technologies werediscussed and radio plugs were aired. Feedback wasgenerated through text messages sent by listeners.

Likewise, mini-library and information bulletinwere maintained and updated. Video materials onappropriate technologies and best farm practices andother documentaries (photo and written) were e-filed.The establishment of Farmers' Information andTechnology Services (FITS) was still for considerationby the Caraga Consortium for Agriculture, Forestryand Resources Research and Development, Inc.(Caraga CARRD).

Its constant collaboration with the ProvincialInformation Office of the provincial government, localmedia and various stakeholders was an edge to everyendeavor.