Highly Diversified Cropping in Live Trellis System
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2017-03-11 07:16 Updated: 2019-09-05 15:48
Compilers: Philippine Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies
Reviewers: Ursula Gaemperli, Alexandra Gavilano
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Philippines
- Region/ State/ Province: Laguna
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Brgy. Bukal, Nagcarlan
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Gliricidia sepium locally known as "kakawate" served as live trellis / or anchorage for annual crops (mostly creeping-type vegetables) and erosion control measure. The technology is well-adopted in the community providing immediate food for the farmers and increased income due to diversified farming.
Detailed description of the Technology
The Highly Diversified Cropping in Live Trellis System is a traditional or local farmers' initiative technology widely practiced in Brgy. Bukal, Nagcarlan, Laguna situated in the area of Mt. Banahaw. The area with rolling to hilly terrain is receiving an annual rainfall of 1000-2000 mm. Each of the farmers who practiced the technology has 0.5 to 1.0 ha production area. Moreover, the community is accessible to infrastructures such as schools and market. Soils in the area is relatively good for agriculture cultivation.
Kakawate, a small to medium-sized, thornless tree which usually attains a height of 10-12 m is being used as live trellis or "balag" to various annual crops such as tomato, cucumber, chayote, beans, and ampalaya in the community. The cropping system is highly diversified since crop rotation is being practiced throughout the year. Aside from being an anchorage for annual crops, kakawate also stabilizes sloping lands and reduces soil erosion due to its strong roots which can grow 3-5 meters laterally, thereby holding the soil firmly. They are planted in a row of approximately 2-3 meters making it more effective in preventing soil erosion. Furthermore, kakawate is being trimmed and maintained every 3-6 months or as needs arise to a approximate 3 meters high as live trellis, the trimmed leaves are very rich in nitrogen and will eventually serve as compost or crop cover. These will help in improving soil quality and moisture in the soil. In addition, kakawate has multiple uses and benefits; they can serve as hardwood or firewood when matured, as materials in making furniture and anchorage for flowering plants like orchids.
In establishing the live trellis system, kakawate trunks/or cuttings "quick sticks" with at least 2-meter height are planted in a row. An estimate of 0.5 to 1 meter planting distance within a row and also between rows is used. When the kakawate trunks are already set up and planted, they are interconnected using a metallic wires. Along these wires, plastic straws are tied in a vertical position whereby crops can utilize this straws for creeping/ climbing . Finally, the desired crop will be planted according to their cropping pattern. Maintenance of the technology includes: weeding and trimming. During infestation, application of pesticide is done but in minimal.
The technology requires manual works resulting to elimination of machines that contributes to soil compaction.
The technology has been a practice in the community for a long time, and land users continue to adopt the technology because of it's easiness and inexpensiveness to establish, and low cost in terms of maintenance activity. Adding up to this is the variety of plants to be grown, making their market more profitable.
Gliricidia normally grows in tropical countries like the Philippines and is being utilized as hedgerows for erosion control measures. Over the years, its effectiveness as erosion control is known, and an increasingly used forage crop in cut-and-carry systems.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Brgy. Bukal, Nagcarlan, Laguna
- 🗓 2017-03-03
- 📷 Mr. Baldwin Pine
- 📍 Brgy. Bukal, Nagcarlan, Nagcarlan
- 🗓 2017-03-03
- 📷 Mr. Baldwin Pine