Department of Agriculture - Philippine Coconut Authority

Department of Agriculture 

P HILIPPINE C OCONUT A UTHORITY 

Research & Development, and Extension Branch 

Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City 1101 

Coconut Intercropping Guide No. 4 

October 2005 

1. IMPORTANCE 

Growing of intercrops in coconut lands produces more food and 

agricultural products, ensuring food security of the people in rural and urban 

areas. At the same time, the practice generates jobs and livelihood, enhancing 

farm incomes and the purchasing power of people, thus alleviating poverty in 

farming communities. Moreover, successful farmers serve as inspiration and 

enterprise leaders in their communities, eventually treating coconut farming in an 

agribusiness way to create wealth and more capital resources. 

Vegetable intercropping under coconut palms is one of the popular 

intercropping practices in rural areas for many good reasons. This intercropping 

practice requires short period of planting time, smaller area (vacant spaces 

between coconut trees), provides additional income to coconut farmers and 

nutritious food for the farm communities. Vegetable intercropping such as 

tomato, eggplant, sweet pepper, squash, okra, ginger etc. is highly recommended 

under coconuts aged one to six years old or 26-60 years old. These vegetables 

can be intercropped in plots under the interrows of coconuts as shown in Figures 

1 and 2. 

Figure 1. A farm layout of a coconut-vegetable cropping model under 

square planting system of coconut with spacing of 8-10 meters. 

Coconut-Vegetable Cropping Model 1

Figure 2. A farm layout of a coconut-vegetable cropping model under 

triangular planting system of coconut with spacing of 8-10 meters. 

2. ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS 

Depending on the age or development stage of coconut, a variety of 

vegetable crops are suitable and productive under coconut stands. Under the 

three growth stages (1,II, III) from field planting up to 26-60 years old, the 

proper vegetable intercrops had been identified as shown in Table 1. 

Table 1. Growth duration and productivity periods, levels of sunlight transmission 

and suitable intercrops (Magat, 2004). 

Phase 

(Stage) 

I 

Duration 

Fieldplanting 

6 years 

to 

Level of available sunlight/ highly suitable intercrops 

High to Moderate/Highly Suitable Intercrops: 

Cereals - corn, upland rice 

Legumes - cowpea, peanut, mungbean, sitao, beans 

Root crops - sweet potato, gabi 

Fruit crops - pineapple, citrus, watermelon, papaya, banana 

Vegetables - tomato, cabbage, eggplant, sweet pepper, hot 

pepper, okra 

II 7-25 years 1 Moderate to Low/Highly Suitable Crops: 

Black pepper, cacao, coffee, tomato, vanilla, ginger, lanzones, 

rambutan, durian, mangosteen, gmelina tree (for wood and 

lumber) 


Phase 

(Stage) 

Duration Level of available sunlight/ highly suitable intercrops 

III 26-60 years High/Highly Suitable Crops 2 : 

Cereals - corn, upland rice 

Legumes - peanut, mungbean, cowpea, beans 

Vegetables - tomato, eggplant, cabbage, sweet pepper, hot 

pepper, okra, ginger 

Root crops - sweet potato, gabi, cassava, ubi 

Beverage crops - coffee, cacao 

Fruit crops - lanzones, rambutan, durian, mangosteen, citrus 

(pomelo, calamansi) 

Wood and Lumber tree - gmelina 

Fiber crops - ramie, abaca 

1 

Except tomato, usually the suitable crops indicated requires lower sunlight or moderate shade 

during the pre-bearing stage of the crops, thus field-establishment best done during this stage. 

2 Should more sunlight transmission to intercrops needed for normal growth and high yields, 

coconut leaf pruning (CLP) technique (removal of older lower leaves of the crown, maintaining 

the upper 19-23 leaves); allowing 0.5 meter of cut frond attached to the trunk. 

The different vegetable crops can be grouped into several families (East-West 

Seed Company Technology Manual), as follows: 

1) Solanaceae- tomato, sweet pepper, hot pepper and eggplant 

2) Cucurbitaceae – ampalaya, patola, cucumber, calabaza (squash), 

upo, watermelon, muskmelon 

3) Cruciferae and leafy vegetables – cabbage, cauliflower, pechay, radish, 

mustaza, kangkong, coriander 

4) Alliaceae and other crops – shallot, onion, carrot, sitao, snapbean,bush 

sitao, mungbean,cowpea, okra, sweet corn 

Some of the key benefits of the coconut-vegetable cropping/ecosystem are as 

follow: 

1) Vegetable crops can be intercropped in coconut palms as young as 1-6 years 

old and when these palms reached 25 years (and beyond). Generally, 

vegetables and coconut do not compete for soil resources, provided they are 

supplied with the required fertilizers needed by each crop. 

2) Vegetable crops can be planted anytime of the year. There is a stable and 

continuous demand as it is consumed daily in everyone’s dining table. 

3) Its nutritive value and health benefits are well-known. a) Tomato – a rich 

source of vitamin C; b) watermelon – low in calories, high in Vitamin C and A, 

in the form of disease fighting beta-carotene, high in lycopene(powerful 

oxidant), second to tomatoes,lycopene and beta-carotene work in conjunction 

with other plant chemicals not found in vitamin/ mineral supplements 

(http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ watermelon.html) ; c) Ampalaya – 

rich in iron, used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility, as an antipyretic, 

purgative, one of the best herbal medicines for its ability to help with liver 

problems and HIV(ampalaya.com) ; d) cucumber –is rich in Vitamin A, C, iron, 

Ca, carbohydrates and dietary fiber (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ 

cucumber.html). 

4) Intercropping coconut with different kinds of suitable vegetables intensifies 

land use which increases returns on cash inputs and provides better labor-use 

pattern and income distribution. 


5) From the coconut trees, obtained are many basic food products from nuts 

(like kernel/meat, coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut water/juice) and coconut 

sap (fresh sap, vinegar, coconut nectar/honey and natural sap sugar); nonfood 

raw materials for various high value products (husked- based, shellbased). 

Many more products are derived from other parts of the coconut 

trees. 

2. MARKET DEMAND AND PRACTICES 

2.1. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) is a seasonal fruit vegetable grown 

in almost all parts of the country. Although it ranks second to eggplant in terms 

of total production area, seasonality of production limits the domestic supply and 

remains a common problem of the industry (http://www.hortinet.pcarrd.dost. 

gov.ph/tomato industry_situationer.html). A rich source of Vitamin C, tomato is 

popular cash crop for small farmer-growers and home gardeners. Recognizing its 

vital contribution to the local economy, the DA and the DOST have identified 

tomato, among others, as a priority crop in their respective R&D programs. 

Major tomato producing regions are Northern Mindanao and Southern 

Tagalog. These regions collectively contributed about 60% of the total tomato 

production. On the other hand, the highest producing provinces in 2002 were 

Pangasinan, Bukidnon, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Nueva Ecija and Laguna. 

Local tomato production fluctuated from 1990 to 2002 with the highest 

production volume of 183,962 MT in 1990 (http://www.hortinet.pcarrd.dost. 

gov.ph/tomato industry_situationer.html). The low production volumes were 

obtained during 1993 at 138,486 MT and 1998 at 132,984 MT. the decline in 

production is mainly attributed to general reduction in yield and in area planted. 

Furthermore, strong typhoons hit the top producing areas in Luzon in the early 

and mid-90’s causing considerable damage to vegetable plantations including 

tomato. 

Just like the production volume, area and yield, the country’s annual per 

capita consumption of tomato also had a fluctuating the 1990-2001. The highest 

per capita consumption obtained in 1990 at 2.33/yr while the lowest were 1.42 

kg/yr and in 2001 at 1.46kg/yr. On the average, around 78% of the gross supply 

of tomato are utilized as fresh, about 15% as processed and 7% as feed. Less 

than one percent is used as seeds and for export. Utilization of the various 

tomato products (fresh, processed, feeds)- same trend –fluctuating with a 

decrease in the years 1993 and 1998. 

The regular-client relationship known as the ‘suki’ system. The type of 

middlemen involved are assembler-wholesalers, contract-buyers, wholesalers 

wholesaler-retailers and retailers. 

2.2 Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) – ranked the country’s 7 th among the 

world’s top eggplant producers in 1999(PCARRD Eggplant Industry Situationer, 

2000). Eggplant is the country’s top ranking vegetable in terms of production 

value, about 179,000 tons per year valued at almost P2M and some 20,000 has, 

almost 1/3 of them in Ilocos Region (http://www.bar.gov.ph). Although it is 

grown in almost all parts of the country, its production is primarily for domestic 

market. Recognizing its vital contribution to the local economy, the Dept. of 

Agriculture and Science (DA) & Technology (DOST) identified eggplant, among 

others, as a priority crop in their respective R & D program. 


From 1990-99, area planted to eggplant increased from16,425 to 17,797 

ha, production increased from 112,000 t (1990) to 182,000 t (1999); yield also 

increased from 6.8 t/ha (1990) to 10.2 t/ha (1999). Of the total production 

volume in 1998, 38 t was used for seed production and 14,412t for feeds and 

waste. Per capita consumption in 1998 was 2.27 kg/yr, down by 9.6% from that 

of the previous year. 

Market assistance is provided by local government units. Credit assistance 

is availed thru the Land Bank of the Philippines. 

2.3 Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) – is a vegetable grown throughout the 

Philippines. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. Known in the west 

as Chinese bitter melon, ampalaya became popular in the news recently because 

of its putative medicinal value especially HIV/AID-Compound Q 

(http:/www.tribo.org/vegetable/ampalaya.html) 

2.4 Watermelon – After years of recording production cutbacks, watermelon 

growers posted a 35.4 % expansion in production in 2002. This was followed by 

another 17.1 % increase in 2003 (http://bas.gov.ph/downloads_view). Of the 

total watermelon production in 2003, about 77% was contributed by the top 5 

producing provinces in Luzon wherein Pangasinan contributed the biggest share 

of 36%. 

3. GROWING CONDITIONS AND THE TECHNOLOGY 

3.2 Environmental Requirements 

To optimize the achievable yield of vegetables under the coconutvegetable 

cropping system, it is essential to provide the suitable conditions 

(climate and soils) for the two crops. Moreover, the competition for light, soil and 

water resources usually results in marginal economic returns from one of the 

component crops or in both. 

A. Coconut 

Climatic Needs: 

Factor 

Altitude (m above sea level Less than 600 

Temperature ( o C) 24- 29 

Light 

Total annual rainfall (mm) 

Typhoon frequency (%) < 20 

Coconut 

>2000 sunshine hours/year 

1500- 2500 (well distributed) 

Soil Requirements: 

Soil Condition 


Soil Depth (cm) >75 

Drainage 

Moderate to well-drained 

Soil Acidity (pH) 5.5-7.5 

Soil Texture 

Sandy, loamy, clayey (with good structure) 

Organic matter content 

Medium to High 

Major nutrients 

N, K, Cl, S, P, Ca, Mg, B 


B. Vegetables 

B.1 Tomato – requires a relatively cool, dry climate fro high yield and premium 

quality and is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions 

(http://www.hortinet. pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/tomatoindustry_situationer.html. 

The optimum temperature requirement is 21-24 0 C. It can be grown in 

varied soil types as sandy loam to clay-loam with rich organic matter. It 

should not be planted in areas with long period of flooding. The ideal pH is 

6.0-6.5. It can be harvest in 90-100 days after transplanting during the cool 

season and 60-90 days after transplanting during hot season. 

B.2 Eggplant – requires a relatively cool, dry climate for optimum yield and 

quality, grown year-round ((PCARRD Eggplant Industry Situationer, 2000). 

In the lowlands of Batangas, eggplant is planted in November and harvested 

from Feb. to March, in Cebu planting season starts in April, while harvesting 

season starts from June to August. 

B.3 Ampalaya grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows well in 

all types of soil provided it is well drained. The best type of soil texture is a 

sandy loam, rich in organic matter. The optimum soil temperature for 

germination is 30-35 0 C (Ampalaya pamphlet, Allied Botanical Corp.). 

B.4 Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) requires cool weather for best 

quality, in low elevations, however, planting is best from October to 

December (http://www.da.gov.ph/tips/sweet pepper.html) It mid and high 

elevations it can be grown throughout the year. It grows well in any type of 

soil with pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Production is best in deep loam soil with good 

fertility, easy irrigation, adequate drainage and plenty of sunshine. It 

germinates well at temperature of 

20-30 0 C and grows best at around 25 0 C. It should not be grown on the 

same soil year after year because of disease problems. It is best to rotate 

the crop with rice, legume, sugarcane and corn. 

B.5 Cucumber – is a tender, warm season vegetable that produces well when 

given proper care and protection. Having shallow roots, it requires ample 

soil moisture at all stages of growth. 

B.6 Watermelon – requires warm, relatively dry climate and plenty of sunshine 

fro rapid growth and development. It performs well when grown in well 

drained and sandy loam soil preferably rich in organic matter, although yield 

on clay soils can be increased significantly by mulching raised planting rows 

with black plastic film. Ideal soil should have ph of 6-7 (Watermelon 

Pamphlet, Allied Botanical Corporation). 

4.2 Technology 

It is very important to apply the best package of technologies (POT) or 

better still, the site-specific technologies to achieve the maximum economic yield 

(MEY), highly desirable to obtain the least production cost per unit product or per 

ha, and the maximum returns to investment under the coconut-vegetable 

cropping production system. 

4.2.1 Vegetables 

1) Land preparation – Clear/underbrush interspaces under coconut trees and 

remove all stumps, plow and harrow twice or thrice to remove weeds. 


4.2.1.1 Solanaceous crops (Tomato, Eggplant, Sweet Pepper) 

1) Nursery preparation– prepare seedbeds measuring 1 m x 5 m, sterilized soil 

by any of the following methods: a)burn straw over the seedbed b) pour 

boiling water into the seedbed c) bake soil and place in seed boxes d) drill the 

seeds and cover lightly with soil d) water daily during dry period until ready 

for transplanting (PCA Intercropping Guide). 

2) Plot preparation – prepare furrows 75 cm apart, 2.0 meters from the coconut 

trees 

3) Transplanting – water the seedbed thoroughly to loosen the soil, pull carefully 

the seedlings to avoid injury, transplant seedlings in prepared furrows, 

preferably in the afternoon. 

4) Distance of planting – tomato -0.75 m between hills, straight planting 

eggplant – 0.50 m between hills, zigzag planting 

sweet pepper – 0.75 m between hills, straight planting 

5) Select any of the following recommended varieties: (see East-West Seed Co. 

Inc. Technology Manual for description of each variety and technical 

information of different vegetable crops (Annex A) 

a) Tomato – Diamante F1, Marimar F1, Maxima F, Improved Pope, Cardinal 

b) Eggplant – Domino F1, Casino F1, jackpot F1, Bulakena, Batangas Long 

Purple 

c) Sweet pepper – Majesty F1, Bless F1, All Season, Trinity F1 

d) Hot pepper – Django F1, Sinigang, Hotshot 

6) Maintenance – Off-bar two weeks after transplanting, apply fertilizer at 

different growth stages (see Annex B), hill-up after fertilization, remove 

weeds. 

7) Harvesting 

a) Tomato – harvest as 1) mature green fruit starts to show cream streaks at 

the bottom end; 2) breaker-blossom end turns pinkish or reddish; 3) red 

ripe – full red skin color is attained. 

b) Eggplant – harvest when fruit reaches 2/3 of its maximum size for the 

variety before fruit hardens or shows streaks of unusual color 

c) Pepper – harvest as 1) mature green(fruit waxy and shiny); 2) breaker 

(fruit turns yellow or reddish); 3) red ripe (fruit skin is red) 

4.2.1.2 Cucurbitae Crops (Ampalaya, patola, cucumber, calabaza, upo, 

watermelon, muskmelon) 

Ampalaya and Cucumber 

1) Distance of planting 

a) Ampalaya – 1 m between hills x 2 rows distance at 3 m apart in between 2 

rows of coconut trees, straight planting 

b) Cucumber – 0.50 m between hills x 3 rows at 1 m apart in between 2 rows 

of coconut trees 


2) Recommended varieties 

a) Ampalaya – Galaxy F1, Jade Star L F1, Jade Star XL F1, Sta. Rita EW 

Select, 

b) Cucumber - Ambassador F1, Governor F1, Champ F1, Green Beret F1, 

Jackson 

27 F1, Poinsett 

c) Patola – Hercules F1, Esmeralda 

d) Upo – Dalisay F1, Tambuli, Maxi 

3) Method of planting – direct seeding is recommended for these vegetable crops 

(plant 1 seed per hill at 1-2 cm deep and thin the seedling to one plant) 

4) Irrigation – irrigate the plants whenever necessary. Furrow irrigation or hand 

water up to field capacity at 7-10 days interval. Be careful not to water-log 

the soil since ampalaya is sensitive to poor drainage. 

5) Trellising – ampalaya is always trellised especially during wet months. Vertical 

trellises are constructed using ipil-ipil or bamboo poles (6 ft ht) and tied with 

wire, abaca or twines. Overhead trellis is also needed. Trellises must be done 

as soon as possible, but not later than the “one meter vine” length stage. As 

vine develops, train them to cling to the trellis. 

6) Weeding – is necessary especially around the base of the plants within the 

rows. Hilling up is also necessary as the vines start to climb the trellis. 

Remove the weeds in between rows and whenever they start to grow. 

Harvesting – 

a) Ampalaya –usually takes 15-20 days after fruit set to reach a 

marketable stage. Fruits are best harvested by cutting fruit peduncle 

with scissors or sharp knife. 

b) Cucumber –pick cucumbers at any stage of development before seeds 

become hard. Cucumbers usually are eaten when immature. The best 

size depends upon the use and variety. They maybe when they have 

no more than 2 inches long for pickles, 4-6 inches long for dills and 6-8 

inches long for slicing varieties (http://www.urbsnext.uiuc.edu/ 

veggies/cucumber1.html). 

Watermelon 

1. Planting distance - 1 m between hills x 3 m between rows 

2. Recommended varieties: Sweet Senorita F1, Sweet Ruby F1, Sweet Sixteen 

F1, Sugar baby, Sakata Goody ball F1, Sakata Sugar Baby OP, Condor Sugar 

baby OP, Thunderball F1, TK Hunter F1, Unicorn F1, KSU-003 F1 

3. Method of planting – plant one seed at 2 cm depth, use plastic mulch to 

promote earliness in flowering by warming the soil beneath the plastic. 

Planting of watermelon is recommended under open field (not under 

coconut trees) due to its high light requirement. However, it can still 

be planted in coconut plantation in single row planting with in-row 

spacing of 5m and between row spacing of 10 m (Magat, 2003). This 

kind of coconut planting provides 100% more palms (100 palms) than square 

10m x 10 m planting system and direct sunlight transmission to coconut 

interrows due to wider planting distance. 

4. Irrigation and drainage – watermelon is a thirsty plant. Provide adequate 

water throughout the early growing season for good plant growth. When the 


female flowers appear regulate water supply to improve fruit setting. Then 

add more water when the fruit starts to develop. However, during ripening 

stage, it is important to reduce or withhold water for better tasting and 

sweeter fruits (Watermelon pamphlet, Allied Botanical Corp.). 

5. First fruiting – usually the first flowers produce poorly developed ovaries 

which results in deformed fruits. Removal of the first fruits is usually 

recommended (Watermelon pamphlet, Allied Botanical Corp.). Leave only 2-3 

healthy fruits per plant. Most of the flowers appears 30-50 days after 

emergence. 

6. Weed control – is essential especially during early stage. However, 

watermelon is sensitive to some herbicide and should be applied with care. It 

is advisable to practice mulching (plastic or rice straw). 

7. Harvesting – at 30-50 days after pollination. Use a combination of the 

harvesting indicators: 1) light green, curly tendrils on the stem near the point 

of attachment of the melon usually turn brown and dry; 2) the surface color 

of the fruit turns dull; 3) the skin becomes resistant to penetration by the 

thumbnail and is rough to the tough; 4) the bottom of the melon (where it lies 

on the soil) turns from light green to a yellowish color 

(http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/watermelon1.html).These indicators 

for choosing a ripe watermelon are much reliable than “thumping” the melon 

with a knuckle. Many watermelon do not emit the proverbial “dull” thud when 

ripe. For these, the dull thud may indicate an over-ripe, mushy melon. 

The growing vegetable industry is enhanced with the promotion of R & D 

works of government, non-government agencies and private seed companies 

that have developed several modern vegetable technologies to increase 

vegetable productivity. These are the vegetable farming practices using: 

a) Plastic mulch – to secure vegetable production during rainy season and 

reduce time and labor cost for weeding, plastic mulch is being used by 

vegetable planters today (EWSC leaflet). The plastic mulch can be used in 

planting solanaceous vegetables and fruit vegetable i.e. watermelon 

planting (Fig.1a). To clip the plastic mulch firmly on the soil, cutted 

coconut leaf fronds about 6 inches in length with pointed tip was used 

instead of bamboo sticks (commonly used). Placing holes in the plastic 

mulch was done by pre-heating an appropriate size of tin can and pressing 

it into designated planting hole (Fig.1b). The benefits of plastic mulch are 

the following (ESWC New Technologies Info Package): 

a. Reduces evaporation –soil water loss is reduced under plastic mulch. 

As a result, a more uniform soil moisture is maintained and irrigation 

frequency can be reduced. 

b. Fewer weed problems – black & silver-on-black mulches reduce light 

penetration to the soil. Weeds cannot generally survive under such a 

condition. 

c. Reduces fertilizer leaching – excess water run-off the impervious 

mulch, fertilizer beneath the mulch is not lost by leaching so that 

fertilizers are optimally used and not wasted. 

d. Reduces soil compaction –soil under plastic mulch remain loose, friable 

and well-aerated. 

e. Root pruning eliminated – cultivation is eliminated except in the area 

between the mulched strips. 


f. Cleaner vegetable produce – edible product from mulched crop is 

cleaner and less subjected to rot, since no soil is splashed onto the 

plants or fruit. 

g. Reduce drowning of crops – water is shed from the row area by the 

raised tapered bed so that excess runs off the field, thus reducing 

drowning and other excess soil water stress. 

b) Trellis/Trellising net – is most commonly used in growing cucurbits like 

ampalaya, upo, patola, melon and cucumber. It is also being used in 

legumes and some other solanaceous crops. This was used in ampalaya, 

tomato and cucumber production at PCA-DRC (Fig .2). The advantages of 

trellis/trellising nets are: 

a. Helps you save on space 

b. Plants are easier to care for 

c. Plants will not be easily destroyed by heavy rains or winds 

d. Fruits are not easily attacked by ground crawling pests 

e. Fruits are healthier and cleaner 

f. Fruits are less subjected to rot than when lying on the soggy soil 

c) Seedling tray (Fig. 3a) - for tomato and eggplant seedlings for good and 

vigorous seedling is important, even critical because the health or quality 

of seedlings will largely contribute and determine the success of the crop. 

In the absence of plastic trays, seedlings can be temporary transplanted in 

native seedling container - rolled banana leaves (Fig. 3b) about one week 

before field planting. 

d) Yellow sticky (with grease) billboard in vegetable plots as insect repellant 

– to minimize insect infestation and use of synthetic insecticides, these 

materials are being installed in the vegetable demo plots at PCA-DRC, 

Bago Oshiro, Davao City as illustrated in Figure 4. 

e) Foliar fertilization – if the supply of one or more of major (N, P, K) 

secondary (Ca, Mg, S) and trace nutrients (Fe, Mn, Mo, B, Cu, Zn, Cl and 

Ni) is deficient, plant’s growth and development will be adversely affecting 

its yields (Yara Fertilizer Phil. Leaflet). To get high yield, these plant food 

nutrients must be present in the soil in available forms and in sufficient 

and balanced amounts. This is an ideal situation and hardly achievable. 

Soil application of fertilizers is still major method to feed effectively. 

However, there are some instances where nutrients from the soil becomes 

hardly available to plants. 

Thus, the need for foliar fertilization offers a simple solution to 

tackle nutrient deficiency problems. It is a good and practical to 

supplement the soil-applied fertilizer (Yara Fertilizer Phil. Leaflet). Some of 

the benefits of foliar fertilization are as follows: 

1) Quick plant response to treating physiological disorders in plant caused 

by nutrient deficiency/depletion in the soil; 

2) Effective in alleviating temporary nutrient deficiencies due to the 

absence of non-conducive soil environment; and 

3) Two to twenty (2-20) times more efficient in food translocation than 

soil-applied fertilizers. 

Some of the important nutrients for vegetables that can be applied in 

liquid form are: (based on Liquid Natural Organic Micronutrient Chelates 

Leaflets and Liquid Systemic Nutrient ([P] Delivery Leaflet, Sagrex Corp) 


Nutrient Function Deficiency Symptoms 

Rate/Mode 

of Application 

1) Boron- B (10%) 

– highly needed 

by ampalaya, 

watermelon 

Protein synthesis, 

formation of plant 

hormones, promotes 

maturity, increases 

set of flowers by 

enhancing 

femaleness and 

inhibiting maleness, 

affects nitrogen & 

carbohydrates, 

water relation in 

plants 

Death of apical 

growing point, lateral 

shoots then develop & 

their growing points 

die so that plant 

becomes stunted & 

composed 

of 

numerous small 

shoots, stems & 

leaves may become 

thickened, distorted, 

brittle, flowering & 

fruiting greatly 

reduced. 

Deficiency Rate 

Crop Maint. 1 li/ha 

Mod. Def. 2-3li/ha 

Sev.Def 3-4 li/ha 

Frequency of appln- 

Spray every 15 days, 

applied after heavy 

rain or irrigation, 

early morning or late 

afternoon 

2) Zinc - Zn (10%) 

Micronutrient 

chelates 

Growth hormone, 

seed & grain 

formation, maturity 

date, height of 

plant, protein 

synthesis 

Death of apical 

growing point, uneven 

maturity of seeds 

Crop Maint. 1-2 li/ha 

Med.Def. 2-3 li/ha 

Sev. Def. 3-4li/ha 

3) Copper – Cu 

(5%) 

Enzyme activator, 

major function in 

photosynthesis & in 

reproductive stages, 

respiration, 

increases sugar 

content, improves 

flavor, intensifies 

color and greatly 

improves the 

keeping qualities in 

fruits &vegetables in 

shipment & storage. 

Inhibit conversion of 

ammonia to glutamic 

acid (protein) and a 

tip burn and marginal 

scorch seen on the 

leaves, leaves may 

appear twisted & 

curled. 

Crop Maint. 1-2li/ha 

Mod. Def. 2-3 li/ha 

Sev.Def. 4-6li/ha 

4) Molybdenum – 

Mo (4%) 

N metabolism & is 

necessary for the 

fixation of nitrogen 

by N-fixing bacteria, 

essential for nitrate 

reduction 

Chlorosis in the form 

of spotting, mottling 

or general yellowing 

Crop Maint. 2li/ha 

Mod. Def. 1-2li/ha 

Sev. Def. 3-4 li/ha 

Applied at early 

growth phase until 

before plts enter their 

max. growth basic to 

legumes, esp. if no 

seed inoculation is 

practiced. 


Nutrient Function Deficiency Symptoms 

Rate/Mode 

of Application 

5. Calcium - Ca 

(chelated) – 

12% 

Strengthens cell 

walls 

and 

membranes, ensures 

vigorous healthy 

growth, disease 

resistance & 

protection from 

toxins, longer shelf 

life, keeps freshness 

of harvested fruit or 

crop to avoid losses 

from wilting/rotting 

during storage or 

transport; Adequate 

Ca and correct Ca- 

Mg ratio contributes 

to good soil 

structure & texture 

hence water 

penetration & 

aeration. 

Poor soil structure, 

hence poor aeration 

resulting to an 

anaerobic decomposition 

process of crop 

residues that produces 

alcohol& formaldehyde 

instead of mild acids 

that forms humus 

complex. Alcohol 

(microbicide) kills 

microbes 

and 

formaldehyde – a 

preservative for 

embalming when 

present in the soil are 

detrimental to the 

crops. 

Incidence of diseases 

e.g.burning of leafy 

vegetables’ tips & 

edges (cabbage & 

lettuce), blossom end 

of tomato, potato soft 

rot, “water drenched’ 

marks in watermelon 




6. Phosphorus 

(Phos Pro) 16% 

P w/ 4% Ca 

Increased fruit set, 

more uniform 

maturity, improved 

yield-solids content 

of fruit & 

vegetables,improves 

handling, storage 

and keeping 

qualities of crops, 

require for normal 

root development of 

plants 

Plants susceptible to 

fungal and bacterial 

plant pathogens, less 

uniform maturity of 

crops, low quality of 

crops in terms of its 

storage ability 




7. Manganese Mn 

(5%) 

Have a direct or 

indirect influence on 

chlorophyll 

formation, enzymes 

that function in 

respiration, & 

protein synthesis, 

activates the 

reduction of nitrate 

& hydroxylamine to 

ammonia. 

Chlorosis as flecking, 

streaking or mottling 

depending on the 

crop affected. Growth 

is stunted, necrotic 

areas may develop on 

the leaves, subnormal 

root development, 

yellowish-green stem 

often hardy & woody 

Crop Maint. 2 li/ha 



Liquid Mn – 

recommended to be 

used during the entire 

growth of plant. 


f. Pest and disease management on vegetables 

Pest and disease incidence on vegetables if not controlled can also affect 

greatly the yield of these crops. Hence, proper and timely application of 

preventive measure should be done. A knowledge of the possible pest and 

disease incidence for different kinds of crops is therefore necessary. 

Some of the most common pests and diseases of some vegetables and 

their control measures are: 

Pest/Disease Description Damage Control Measures 

Plants being 

attacked 

Pest 

1.Fruit worm 

Adult-yellowish 

brown, larva is 

pale with black 

head, usually 

wider than 

segments later 

color turn greenish 

brown 

Larva feeds on 

inflorescence & 

bores into the 

fruit 

Spray S3vin 85 

WP at 3tbsp/5 

gal of water or 

any insecticide at 

7-10 days 

interval until 

controlled, hot 

pepper spray, B. 

thuringensis 

Tomato, 

eggplant, 

beans, 

peas,potato 

2.Flea beetle 

Larva lives in the 

tissue of the 

midrib, petiole & 

stem. Adult is 

minute metallic 

blue 

Feeds on 

leaves & 

flowers of 

vegetable, 

scarred stem & 

fruit surfaces 

- do - 

Eggplant, 

Cucumber, 

squash, 

cabbage 

3.Spider mites 

Nymph-yellowish 

to lateral brown 

spots,adult female 

is light reddish 

brown with dark 

lateral spots male 

adult is yellowish 

Nymph & adult 

suck the plant 

sap which 

causes leaves 

to discolor 

Spray Aramite at 

1kg/200 gal 

water 

Beans, onions, 

garlic, tomato, 

eggplant 

4. Aphids 

Winged & nonwinged 

types, form 

colonies underside 

of leaves 

Sucks the juice 

from plants & 

some transmit 

viral disease to 

plants 

Spray insecticide 

following 

recommended 

dosage, hot 

pepper soln, 

organophosphate 

Almost all 

Vegetables 

5. Fruit & shoot 

borer 

(Leucinodes 

orbonalis 

Guenee) 

A typical moth 

belonging to family 

Pyralidae, adult 

are weak fliers, 

active at night 

Larva bores 

into tender 

shoots & fruits, 

shoot wilt 

reducing plant 

vigor& fruit 

unfit for human 

consumption 

Sanitation, hot 

pepper spray, 

synthetic 

pyrethroids 

Eggplant, 

tomato, string 

beans/peas, 



Plants being 

attacked 

6. Thrips 

Very small (1.3 

mm)long, slender 

insects, with 2 prs 

of wings that are 

fringed with long 

hairs, adult –pale 

yellow light brown 

Feed by 

rasping the 

surface of 

leaves & 

sucking up the 

liberated plant 

fluid 

Biological control 

using predaceous 

mites, bugs, 

lacewings 

feeding the 

thrips 

Onions, garlic 

tomato, 

pea, eggplant, 

Watermelon, 

beans 

Diseases 

1. Bacterial wilt 

Caused by: 

Erwinia 

tracheiphila 

Wilting of 

younger leaves 

& yellowing of 

the oldest leaf 

Remove infected 

plants 

Potato,tomato, 

eggplant,string 

beans,cucumber, 

2. Angular leaf 

spot 

Pseudomonas 

syringae 

Cercospora sp. 

Younger leaves 

show pale 

green pimples 

on the under 

surface while 

the upper 

surface 

develops 

lesions 

Practice crop 

rotation, spray 

dithane M-45 10- 

12 days when 

fruits are 

formed,sanitation 

Watermelon, 

ampalaya 

Tomato, 

beans,waterme 

lon, cucumber, 

squash 

ampalaya 

3. Downy mildew 

Psuedoperonospora 

cubensis 

fungus 

Upper leaf 

surfaces show 

angular spots & 

becomes 

necrotic as dis. 

progress 

Apply protectant 

and systemic 

fungicides 

Cucurbits, 

tomato, 

ampalaya 

4. Mosaic virus 

Cucumber mosaic 

virus(transmitted 

by aphids vector or 

mechanical 

means) 

Light & dark 

green molting 

of leaves, 

slight curling, 

malformation 

of leaflets 

Remove infected 

plant, 

sanitation,refrain 

from smoking, 

rouging 

Tomato, 

pepper, 

cucumber, 

melons, 

squash, celery 

5. Anthracnose 

Colletotrichum 

lagenarium 

Leaf 

lesions begin 

as water 

soaked, then 

become 

yellowish 

circular spots, 

black & sunken 

cankers appear 

on the fruits 

Practice 

sanitation, crop 

rotation, use 

commercially 

disease-free 

seed 

Cucurbits,bean 



Plants being 

attacked 

6. Phythopthora 

disease or fruit 

rot 

Phythopthora 

Palvimora 

P.capsici-pepper 

Infected fruit 

turns brown & 

rots in few 

days 

Crop rotation, 

avoid poorly 

drained soils, 

spray fungicide 

Cucurbits, 

pepper, 

tomato, 

eggplant 

7. Root knot 

nematode 

Meloidogyne spp. 

Presence of 

swelling or 

knots on the 

roots, 

vegetative 

symptoms 

resemble 

drought injury 

or nutrient def. 

Affected plants 

stunted 

Apply 

manure, 

rotation 

chicken 

crop 

Cabbage, 

tomato, 

Squash, 

eggplant 

8. Early blight 

Alternaria 

fungus 

solani 

Circular brown 

spots appear 

on leaves & 

stems, as 

these enlarge, 

concentric 

rings appear 

giving areas a 

target-like 

appearance, 

defoliation of 

lower leaves & 

death of plant 

Thinning of 

affected plants, 

spray fungicide, 

crop rotation, 

use blight 

resistant variet., 

increase spacing 

between plts., do 

not overmulch as 

this leads to wet 

soils 

Watermelon, 

tomato, 

eggplant, 

pepper, 

potatoes 

8. Late blight 

Phytopthora 

infestans 

Attacks both 

tubers and 

foliage at any 

stage of dev’t., 

soft rot of 

tubers 

-do- 

Potato, 

watermelon, 

tomato, 

eggplant 


COCONUT 

With the coconut trees are already established and already at bearing 

stage, the main farming practices are fertilization, underbrushing-weeding, 

mulching of the main rootzone of coconut (also considered the fertilizing zone at 

trunk base of trees), and harvesting. Post-harvest and primary processing 

practices (seasoning of partially immature nuts for 7–10 days, dehusking and 

copra processing) are common in small to medium scale farms. If sold to coconut 

desiccating plants, dehusked nuts are immediately marketed. Coconut husks 

await decortication/defibering, while coconut shells are converted to charcoal and 

sold to activated carbon processors. 

A separate fertilization for the stands of coconut and the vegetable crop 

(Annex A) is recommended. There are two average inorganic/mineral fertilizer 

recommendations for coconut: 1) using the combination of single fertilizers 

(ammonium sulfate plus common salt (for potassium-rich soils) or potassium 

chloride (0-0-60) for soils deficient in K; and 2) using ready-to-apply 

multinutrient fertilizers as the 14-5-20-0.02 (B), now commercially available like 

COCOGRO (ATLAS Brand) in 25 kg. capacity bags. 

These two fertilizer recommendations are compatible with the application 

of appropriate organic fertilizers (compost, cocopeat, commercial organic 

fertilizers). If capital resources to purchase organic fertilizers is available, any 

of these organic fertilizers ( total N, P and K of at least 5%) may be applied 

together with the mineral fertilizers (options 1 and 2) indicated below at the rate 

of 3-4 times of the periodic rates indicated. Organic fertilizers should be applied 

about a month ahead of the application of the inorganic/mineral fertilizers. 

Organic fertilizers serve best as soil conditioners and fertilizer supplements to the 

coconut-vegetable cropping system. 

Option 1 

Application of Single-Fertilizers (per tree): 

Age/Stage 

Rate of Fertilizer Combination a 

Field-planting (FP) 

150 g AS + 160 g SC or 200g KCl 

6 months from FP 200 g AS + 200 g SC or 200 g KCl 

1 year 500 g AS + 450 g SC or 600 g KCl 

2 years 750 g AS + 750 g SC or 900 g KCl 

3 years 1.0 kg AS + 1.25 kg SC or 1.5 kg KCl 

4 years 1.25 kg AS + 1.35 kg SC or 1.70 kg KCl 

5 years and onwards 1.50 kg AS + 1.70 kg SC or 2.00 kg KCl 

a AS – Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0); 

SC – Sodium chloride (common salt); 

KCl – Potassium chloride (0-0-60) 


Option 2 

Application of ready-to-apply multinutrient 

fertilizer (per tree): 

Age/Stage 

Field-planting (FP) 

Rate of 14-5-20 

multi-nutrient Fertilizer a 

400 g 

6 months from FP 600 g 

1 year 1.25 kg 

2 years 1.50 kg 



5 years and onwards 3.00 kg 

a contains 14% N, 5% P2O5, 20% K2O plus 15% Cl , 4.5%S, 0.02% Boron, Ca. 

5. INVESTMENT NEEDS: COSTS AND RETURNS 

For one hectare of coconut land or in a pure stand of coconut, only about 

25% of the soil mass is actually utilized by the coconut (Magat,1999). The 

remaining 75% of coconut land can be productively utilized by planting suitable 

intercrops e.g. vegetables. Thus, if the effective land use index (ELUI) is 

assumed at: 0.30 ha for eggplant, 0.30 ha for ampalaya, 0.15 ha for cabbage, 

the total land use index adds to 1.75 ha or 75% increase in land use intensity 

(LUI) over 1 ha coconut monocropped. Hence, in the annual cropping cost and 

return analysis of coconut + vegetable cropping model, the ELUI for each 

intercrop planted with the standing coconuts is used. 

Table 5.1 and 5.2 shows an average cost and return analysis of the each 

vegetable intercrop, eggplant, ampalaya and cabbage respectively, covering a 3- 

year production period. For each component intercrop, details of costs involved in 

the production are indicated. Please take note that the cost and return analysis 

varies depending on local farm inputs and prices of farm produce, particularly at 

farm gate price of each component vegetable crop. The same is true with main 

crop, coconut, the economic conditions and local prices of copra as well as 

coconut products, usually dictated by global price trends, serves as important 

basis of profitability in coconut farming. 


Table 5.1 An estimated costs and returns analysis of coconut + eggplant 

+ ampalaya + cabbage intercropping system (3-yr cropping 

period), data for eggplant, ampalaya and cabbage mainly from 

DA-BAS (2001-03). 

Crop/Cost item Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 

Eggplant (0.30 ha) 

Cash Cost: ( seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, P15,069 P14,927 P17,096 

hired labor, other material inputs and 

expenses) 

Non-cash Cost: (hire-labor paid in kind, 

647 582 581 

harvster’s share, lease rental) 

Imputed Cost: (operator/family labor, 

7,514 7,669 8,347 

depreciation, interest on operating 

capital, rental value of owned land) 

Total Costs 23,230 23,178 26,024 

Returns: 

Gross Returns 30,033 27,884 27,414 

Returns over cash costs 15,264 12,957 10,319 

Net Returns 7,103 4,706 1,390 

BCR 0.31 0.20 0.05 

Yield per 0.30 ha (kg) 2,495 2,589 2,529 

Price per kg (farmgate) 12.16 10.77 10.84 

Production cost/kg 9.31 8.95 10.29 

Ampalaya (0.30 ha) 

Cash Cost (seeds/fertilizer/pesticides P13,117 P13,407 P15,331 

hired labor, land tax, fuel. Oil) 

Non-cash Cost (hired labor-paid in kind 447 497 540 

Harvester’s share) 

Imputed cost (operator & family labor, 11,485 11,840 12,812 

exchange labor, depreciation) 

Total Costs 25,049 25,744 28,683 

Returns: 

Gross Returns 23,873 27,927 31,125 

Net Returns over cash costs 10,756 14,519 15,794 

Net Returns (1,176) 2,183 2,442 

BCR -0.04 0.08 0.09 

Yield per 0.30 ha (kg) 1,705 1,729 1,743 


Production cost/kg 14.69 14.89 16.46 

Cabbage (0.15 ha) 

Cash Cost (seeds/fertilizer/pesticides P5,167 P5,307 P5,948 

hired labor, land tax, fuel. Oil) 

Non-cash Cost (hired labor-paid in kind 2.1 2.85 3.0 

Harvester’s share) 

Imputed cost (operator & family labor, 3,145 3,482 3,760 

exchange labor, depreciation) 

Total Costs 8,314 8,792 9,710 

Returns: 

Gross Returns 10,277 14,194 15,301 

Net Returns over cash costs 5,110 8,887 9,353 

Net Returns 1,963 5,402 5,591 

BCR 0.24 0.61 0.58 

Yield per 0.15 ha (kg) 1,742 1,757 1,781 



Crop/Cost item Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 

Coconut (1 ha): 

@ 2 t copra/ha, @P15/kg or 

Nuts=8,000/ha 

Fertilizer application P360 360 360 

Circle-weeding, 4.5 md a , 6x/yr P2,430 2,430 2.430 

Fertilizer cost b P2,000 P2,000 P2,000 

Cost of harvesting, piling,hauling, 

P2,800 P2,800 P2,800 

dehusking @ P0.35/nut 

Copra making @ P0.12/kg P960 P 960 P960 

Transport/Handlings, @P0.20/kg P400 P 400 P400 

Total Cost P8,950 P8,950 P8,950 

Yield (kg copra/ha) 2,000 2,000 2,000 

Gross Income P30,000 P30,000 P30,000 

Net Income P21,050 P21,050 P21,050 

BCR 2.35 2.35 2.35 

a man-days 

b average fertilization: 1.5 kg AS + 1.7 Kg NaCl (common salt) @ P 5/kg and P 4/kg, 

respectively, @ 135 trees/ha. 

Table 5.2 Summary of 3-year average of Costs and Returns of a 

Coconut+Eggplant+Ampalaya+Cabbage in a 3-year period 

cropping model (Land Use Intensity= 1.75 ha: 1 ha coconut, 0.3 

ha eggplant, 0.3 ha ampalaya, 0.15 ha cabbage) 

Economic 

Index 


(1 ha) 

Eggplant 

(0.3 ha) 

Ampalaya 

(0.3 ha) 

Cabbage 

(0.15 ha) 

Total 

• Total Cost P8,950 P24,144 P26,492 P8,939 P68,525 

• Yield (kg) 2,000 2,538 1,726 1,760 8,024 

• Gross 

P30,000 28,444 27,642 13,257 99,343 

Income 

• Net Income P21,050 4,300 1,150 4,318 30,818 

• Benefit-Cost 2.35 0.18 0.04 0.48 0.76 (ave) 

Ratio (BCR) 

• Prodn cost 

per kg) 

P4.47 9.52 15.3 5.07 34.36 


6. POTENTIAL FINANCING SOURCES/CREDIT FACILITIES 

• Self or In-House Finance (Private) 

• Local Government Units (Municipal, Provincial, Congressional) 

• Government Banks & Lending Institutions 

• Private Banks and Lending Agencies 

• Cooperatives 

• Foundations 

REFERENCES: 

Deltaspray foliar fertilizers Leaflet. Published by Yara Fertilizers Phil. Inc. Unit 

1404, 14 th /F Antel 2000. 121 Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City. 

Phil. 

ESWC Manual and New Technologies Information Package. Undated. Published by 

the East-West Seed Company, Inc. 

Liquid natural organic micronutrient chelates (Ca,Mn,Zn & S, B,Cu) leaflets. 

Published by Sagrex Corporation. TCG Compound. Km 9. Sasa, 

Davao City. 

Liquid Systemic Nutrient (PhosPro) Delivery. Published by Sagrex Corporation. 

TCG Compound. Km 9. Sasa, Davao City. 

Magat, S. S. 2003. Coconut Planting System (Spacing and Arrangement) Options 

in Intercropping or Multiple cropping of coconut lands. CANFARMS 

Technology Notes 21. PCA-RDEB. July, 2003. 4 p. 

Magat, S.S. 1999. Production management of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) 

Published by PCA, Diliman, Quezon City. 67 p. 

Magat, S.S. 2004. Growing of intercrops in coconut lands to generate more food 

and agricultural products, jobs, and enhancing farm incomes. 

Coconut Intercropping Primer. PCA-RDEB, Diliman, Quezon City. 

PCARRD-DOST. 1995. The Tomato Industry. Los Banos, Laguna. Phil. Council for 

Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources research and 

Development. 

PCARRD-DOST. 2000. The Eggplant Industry. Los Banos, Laguna. Phil. Council for 

Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources research and 

Development. 

PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY (undated). Intercropping coconut with 

solanaceous crops. PCA Brochure. 

Tips for a successful ampalaya production. Undated. Information leaflet produced 

by Allied Botanical Corporation. # 15, 21 st Ave.,Tagumpay, Cubao, 

Quezon City. 

Tips for a successful watermelon production. Undated. Information Leaflet 

produced by Allied Botanical Corporation. # 15, 21 st Ave.,Tagumpay, 

Cubao, Quezon City. 


From the internet: 

ampalaya.com 

http://www.bar.gov.ph 

http://bas.gov.ph/downloads_view 

http://www.da.gov.ph/tips/sweet pepper.html 

http://www.hortinet.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/tomato industry_situationer.html 

http:/www.tribo.org/vegetable/ampalaya.html 

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/watermelon.html 

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/cucumber.html 

http:vegetablemdonline.pptath.cornell.edu/factsheets/cucurbits_Anthracnose.htm 

http:vegetablemdonline.pptath.cornell.edu/factsheets/cucurbits_Phytoph.htm 

http:vegetablemdonline.pptath.cornell.edu/factsheets/cucurbits_Foliar.htm 

http:vegetablemdonline.pptath.cornell.edu/factsheets/cucurbits_beetles.htm 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, 

YOU MAY CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES SITUATED NEAR YOU: 

• Research & Development, and Extension Branch, PCA, Diliman, 

Quezon City 1101 

Telefax: 920-0415 Tel: 426-1398 Email: cbcarpio@mozcom.com or 

ssmagat@pacific.net.ph or sev_magat@yahoo.com 

• Field Services Branch, PCA, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 

Telefax: 928-9488 Tel: 929-1590 

• Albay Research Center (ARC), PCA, Banao, Guinobatan Albay 

Tel: (052) 484-6686 or 484-6685 

• Davao Research Center (DRC), PCA, Bago-Oshiro, Davao City, PO Box 

80437Tel: (082) 293-0115/0116/0119 Fax No. (082) 293-0571 Email: 

pcadrc@pldtdsl.net 

• Zamboanga Research Center (ZRC), PCA, San Ramon, Zamboanga 

City, PO Box 356 Tel: (0917) 710-1820 Email: pca_zrc@pldtdsl,net 

• PCA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA and rest of Luzon) Diliman, Quezon City 

Telefax: 924-4761 Tel: 927-5227 

• PCA Region V (Bicol) , Sagpon, Legaspi City 

Tel: (052) 245-5263 Fax: (052) 245-5263 

• PCA Region VI (Western Visayas), 12 Mabini St., Iloilo City 

Tel: (033) 337-7514 Fax: (033) 335-0977 

• PCA Region VII (Central Visayas), DA7, Mandaue City (CEBU) 

Tel: (032) 345-0009 Fax: (032) 345-8435 

• PCA Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Gov’t Center, Candahug, Palo, 

Leyte 

Tel: (053) 323-2698 Fax: (053) 323-2995 


• PCA Region IX (Western Mindanao), J.P. Rizal St., Zamboanga City 

Tel: (062) 991-6369 Fax: (062) 992-1031 

• PCA Region X (Northern Mindanao), #30 Daumar St., Cagayan De Oro 

City 

Tel: (088) 857-3707 Fax: (088) 272-2814 Email: pca10@sni.ph 

• PCA Region XI (Southern Mindanao), PCA Complex, Bago-Ohiro, 

Tugbok District, Davao City 

Tel: (082) 293-0384 Telefax: (082) 293-0049 

• PCA Region XII (Central Mindanao), 2 nd Flr, AS Bldg. , Cor. JP Laurel 

and CM Recto Sts, Gen. Santos City 

Tel: (083) 544-6263 Telefax: (083) 553-9424 Email: 

pcar12@gsc.weblinq.com 

• PCA Region XIII (CARAGA), JC Aquino Ave., Pajera Subd., Butuan 

City 

Tel: (085) 815-3232 Fax: (085) 226-4621 

• PCA-ARMM, Emilio Ong Bldg., Quezon Ave., Cotabato City 

Telefax: (064) 421-2412. 

Drafted by: 

MI Secretaria/SS Magat 

21 October 2005/ PCA/DRC-ASD/RDEB-ARMD 


Annex A. Technical information of different vegetable crops at various 

growth stages (based on EWSC varieties). 

Sowing rate/ha (g) Planting distance (cm) 

# seeds 

Vegetable 

Transplant Direct In row 

per g 

Between rows* 

Trellised w/o Tr. 

Crop 

cycle 

days 

Tomato 

Eggplant 

Sweet Pepper 

Hot Pepper 

300 

250 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

50 75 

75 75 120 

50 75 100 

50 75 100 

120 

180 

180 

180 

Ampalaya 

Patola 

Cucumber 

Calabasa 

Upo 

Watermelon 

Muskmelon 

5 

15 

50 

10 

10 

30 

40 

2000 3500 

550 1200 

550 1200 

1000 1500 

350 800 

600 1000 

500 2000 

50 250 

75 200 

50 75 

100 300 

200 200 

100 250 

75 250 

150 

180 

100 

160 

180 

100 

100 

Cabbage 

Cauliflower 

Pechay 

Radish 

Mustaza 

Kangkong 

Coriander 

170 

170 

370 

60 

550 

70 

90 

450 

700 

2000 5000 

8000 

2000 5000 

10,000 

30,000 

75 

75 

75 

broadcast 

-do- 

-do- 

-do- 

85 

60 

30 

60 

35 

30 

50 

Shallot 

Onion 

Carrot 

Sitao 

Snapbean 

Bush Sitao 

Mungbean 

Cowpea 

Okra 

Sweet corn 

300 

300 

570 

6 

7 

6 

25 

7 

20 

10 

6,000 

6,000 

10,000 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

10,000 

10,000 

7,000 

12,000 

5 15 

5 15 

10 10 

30 75 

30 75 

30 50 

10 10 

30 100 

50 75 

25 75 

110 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

45 

120 

120 

70 

* Recommended spacing using raised bed method to achieve highest yield with 

year round cropping (EWSC Technical Information Package Manual) 


Annex B. Fertilization schedule (kind and rate of fertilizer) for different 

vegetable crops. 

Vegetable crop Day Kind Rate 

1.Tomato & eggplant 

FP -0 

3 

10 

14 

17 

28 

55 

Solophos (0-18-0) 

Calcium nitrate 

-do- 

Urea (45-0-0) 


14-14-14 

KCl (0-0-60) 

10 g /plant 

60 g/16 li water 


15 g/plant 


30 g/plant 

10 g/plant 

2. Squash 

0 

7 

28 

49 

70 

14-14-14 


Urea (45-0-0) 

14-14-14 

-do- 

30 g /plant 


20 g/plant 

30 g/plant 

30 g/plant 

3.Ampalaya 

0 

3 

10 

17 

30 

44 

58 

Mix compost or any 

organic fertilizer to soil 

prior to planting 

14-14-14 


Borax 

Urea (45-0-0) 

14-14-14 

14-14-14 

Borax 

Zinc sulfate 

14-14-14 

14-14-14 

20 gm/plant 


0.30 g/plant 

20 g/plant 

20 g/plant 

20 g/plant 

0.3g /plant 

0.3g/plant 

20g/plant 

20g/plant 

4.Cucumber 

0 

5 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

35 


-do- 

Urea(45-0-0) 

14-14-14 

-do- 

Borax 


14-14-14 

-do- 


-do- 

20 g/plant 

20 g/plant 

20 g/plant 

0.3 g/plant 


20 g/plant 

20g/plant 

5. Watermelon 

0 

3 

10 

17 

24 

31 

38 

45 

14-14-14 

-do- 

-do- 


14-14-14 

14-14-14 

14-14-14 

14-14-14 

14-14-14 

KCl (0-0-60) 

Ammonium 

phosphate(16-20-0) 

20g/plant 

60g/16 li water 

10g/plant 

60g/16 li water 

10g/plant 

20g/plant 

20g/plant 

20g/plant 

10g/plant 

15g/plant 


(b) 

(a) 

Fig. 1. (a) Plastic mulch used in watermelon production at PCA-DRC, encircled part 

shows the cutted coconut leaf frond used as attachment clip for the mulch to 

the soil, (b) heated tin can for making planting hole in the plastic mulch. 

(a) (b) (c) 

Fig 2. Use of trellis/trellising net in (a) ampalaya, (b)cucumber and(c) tomato 

production at PCA-DRC, Bago Oshiro, Davao City. 

a) b) 

Fig. 3. Eggplant and tomato seedlings placed in (a) seedling trays and (b) bags 

(rolled banana leaves), respectively before field transplanting. 

Fig. 4. Yellow sticky billboard (with grease) installed in vegetable plots, which repels 

flying insects infesting the vegetables planted at PCA-DRC, Bago Oshiro, 

Davao City.

Department of Agriculture - Philippine Coconut Authority

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