okok , will inform u ppl if vh fish related courses

yaya, prefer5th April 2008

Dont forget about my vegetable/crop related courses too! Basically, if possible, all agri related course

5th April ah...? Yor.... maybe if i leave early morning can make it lor... 4th April night i've got Church Council meeting lei.... But i'm keen to come; need to get a present for my sweets ler... XD...!

Hey, i've some soil media results to share from my chili growth trial. Let me just list it out simply:

Exp - Optimum structural matrix of soil for nursery and pot cultivation of Capsicum annum var. Tabasco (New Mexico)

Obj - To determine the optimum soil composition and structural matrix for best growth and establishment of Tabasco chili peppers

Test - i. Common nursery premix of 3:2:1 ratio consisting of burnt soil, peat soil, and high organic clay loam (inland alluvial soil)
ii. Self mixing of 1:1 ratio consisting burnt laterite and high organic clay loam (low acid sulphate soil)
iii. Natural occuring inland alluvial soil, of clay loam consistency
iv. Natural occuring marine alluvial soil, of clay loam consistency

Pre - i. All seedlings used are of comparable size and vigour, with no clear advantage against each other, each one at the four leaf stage during transplanting
ii. Each 20cm D x 30cm H pot was planted with 3 seedlings each at equilateral triangle (equal distance) to even out competition among seedlings
iii. Soon after transplanting into respective media, all seedlings were given equal treatment of rooting hormone and plant growth regulator to reduce transplanting shock, at a rate of 1:500 ratio hormone powder + growth regulator per seedling

Obsv - Although the balanced nursery premix was hypothesized to give the best results, observation showed otherwise. Of the 4 treatments, it was found that the self-mix gave rise to the best growth of seedlings, followed by natural inland alluvial, natural marine alluvial, and lastly the nursery premix. On closer observation, it was found that soil compaction had occured extensively in the nursery premix, possibly brought about by higher watering regime during the drought period between January - February period. Extensive compaction of soil matrix had also occured in inland alluvial soil and marine alluvial soil, although it was observed that despite soil compaction, seedlings planted had managed to develop far more superiorly than seedlings in nursey premix. Seedlings in both inland and marine alluvial had managed to reach 10 leaf stage within 2.5 weeks since transplanting. The most alarming yet gratifying observation was made with the self-mix, as seedlings transplanted were far more superior in growth and development than seedlings in other soils. Seedlings planted in 1:1 self-mix had achieved 10 leaf stage within 1.5 weeks, and at sampling point on 3rd week since transplant had already acheived 15 leaf stage. First branching is expected to take place within the 4 week. Leaf area of seedlings in self-mix were observed to be 5 times that of seedlings planted in inland and marine alluvials, while leaf area against nursery premix was 7 times greater.

It was observed that the water holding capacity of each soil class differed greatly. The self-mix had the best drainage, with loosely packed soil grains. The nursery premix had the second best drainage, although soil compaction was extensive and water penetration was far slower than self-mix. This was followed by the marine alluvial soil. The inland alluvial was found to have the worst drainage. It is therefore inferred that optimal soil structure for chili cultivation would be one with high porosity, easily friable structure, but with moderate ion holding capacity (makes a weak doughnut shape when mixed with water, sandy loam consistency, low compaction risk). It is therefore postulated that riverine alluvials, which are characterized with high sediment content, sandy loam consistency, and generally good drainage ability to be most suitable for chili cultivation. Nonetheless, due to its porous nature, higher input of fertilizers are required, either organic or inorganic.


I'm still keeping this test moving as i would like to see how far the seedlings can develop before having problems, especially those planted in my self-mix. Will be getting a fertigation hobby kit this Friday, possibly getting it up and running latest this Sunday. I will be using my self-mix to test the system.. Don't really trust cocopeat as media.

Visit to United Platation Kuala Bernam Estate,Perak,with Estate Manager on Feb


Attached thumbnail(s)

This post has been edited by kianwei8: Mar 23 2008, 05:32 PM

Haha... That's En. Ridzuan...! Kuala Bernam is one of my coconut trial areas. You probably would have seen some of my research materials there.... i mean apart from the Pandan...

There's money in worm waste

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tue...2189402/Article


PASIR MAS: There's money to be made in worms and one savvy businessman is having the last laugh over those who doubted it.
Zakaria Adam, a 48-year-old entrepreneur from Kota Baru, has hit the jackpot producing vermicompost.

Vermicompost is a natural fertiliser formed by the breakdown of organic matter by a species of earthworm, also known as composting worms.

Zakaria first came across the commercial potential of vermicompost when he was sourcing for business opportunities overseas.

"I went to India, Australia and the Philippines and found that it was a thriving business in those countries. I decided to try it here as it is something new for Malaysians," he said.
Zakaria started Agro Bio-Tani (Kelantan) Sdn Bhd in 2006 with a capital of RM300,000 and has not looked back.

His 1.2ha Vermicompost farm in Kampung Bukit Tuku here, the biggest in the country, has seven workers and is capable of producing 40 tonnes of fertiliser a month.

The father of five said he started the business by importing 100kg of the "African nightcrawler" worms from the three countries he had visited.

To produce the fertiliser, a windrow comprising bedding material is used for the earthworms to live.

Organic matter, including animal dung and padi husks, is then added.

"When I first started the venture, not many people thought that it was a viable idea but it has been growing very well," he said.

So well indeed that today, Zakaria's earthworms have multiplied to 400kg.

His clients now include government departments, farmers' organisations and agricultural companies.

The compost, packed in packets of 2kg to 50kg, is sold at RM3 per kg.

He also sells the worms, which measures about 25cm to 30cm in length, for RM450 to RM500 per kg.

There was also demand from neighbouring countries like Singapore and Brunei.

He regularly conducts courses for those interested in following in his footsteps.

Produce the fertilizer and pesticide was Big business today,Price was Record high

Indeed fertilizer and pesticide industry is a very rewarding business. Nowadays everything is record high... perhaps except cement due to many mega projects left their future undecided.

Do we really need RM300k to start up a composting business?

Perhaps start big goes big too, but what if for a fairly new field like vermicompost? Its considered a bit risky isn't it?

How popular is vermicompost? Yup i can see some vermicompost in ACE hardware or occasionally in hypermarket, but i would rather pay that price for a organic plant supplement spray.

RM3 per kg is a little too pricy, cost is the main factor that prevented vermicompost from being popular, as for RM3000 per ton, you can get a decent imported inorganic fertilizer with immediate result. Most farmers would opt for the latter choice. And for plant based organic compost, you can get for like half of the price.

Is it a must for vermicompost being so expensive? Why is it so expensive? No way to reduce the production cost?
(update: most likely this is influenced by marketing strategy, price of worm compost in KL can go up to RM5-6)

Vermicompost cost factor, the raw materials(organic waste) are virtually free, the main workers(earthworms) only required some starting cost for the firsts batch, and they will multiply. So the main cost lies on:
- collecting and sorting
- transportation
- containers if you using worm bin

You see, if one can make a RM3 per kg vermicompost and sell to garderner and household, compare to one who can make a RM1 per kg vermicompost and sell to commercial plantation.

Vermiculture - Wikipedia
Compost Worm - JourneytoForever.org
Cheap and easy worm bin

This post has been edited by rexis: Mar 25 2008, 02:35 PM

Date : 5th April 2008
Venue : NANDO's, Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur
Time : 7.30pm SHARP



Attendees :-

1) ParaOptical
2) rexis
3) kianwei8
4) locke
5) MichealJ. (might)
6) mIssfROGY
7) mgengan

at the moment these are the attendees. anymore to come ?

----------------------------------------

Agenda

a) Intro about yourself
b) About Agriculture
c) About Aquaculture
d) Q&A + Potential


This post has been edited by ParaOpticaL: Mar 25 2008, 09:53 AM

Photo Update

Nice Jatropha

Hi i would liek to ask does this meeting including talk about vermicompost?would like to attend.

Anything related to agriculture can be discussed.

Since I am doing some revision about vermiculture, likely they will be one of the topic.

ParaOptical, we got another guest

BTW,
If there is any topics you guys particularly interested and want to know more or discuss, do let me know so i can keep an eye on it while i go thru my agri magazine library.

Currently my proposed topic shall be
- chili farming *
- organic farming
- vermiculture *
- coffee tree
- soft shell crab (if anyone interested)
- sweetcorn *
- choices of short term crop
- Jatropha

Not sure do we able to go thru all of these, btw the * is the thing I am either more interested or more familiar.

Add:

Of course, we will have general topics like:
- potential of agriculture
- aquaculture economics (para, your job)


This post has been edited by rexis: Mar 27 2008, 03:12 PM

Updated Agenda :-

Agenda

a) Intro about yourself

b) About Agriculture
i. Potential
ii. chili farming
iii. organic farming
iv. vermiculture
v. choices of short term crop
vi. Jatropha

c) About Aquaculture
i. Potential
ii. Economics

d) Q&A + Potential

Tentatively is like this for the moment

Hi do we need any fees to join this meeting?sorry i am abit blur.

I just want to know where to get tiger worms.

I had already pm you the detail, try to contact the uncle..CHeers..

brother...no need fees. its all volunteer and a meet up of like minds.

just PM me your contact details will do.
thanks

Who say no need? Everyone is recommended to prepare fees for a Nando's half chicken optional thou, I really dont mind you seeing me eating all nite.