An organic farmer in Majayjay, Laguna, has found a way to combat the deadly bacterial wilt disease of tomato without using any chemical pesticide. He is Engr. Ronald Costales who operates a five-hectare organic farm together with his wife Josie.

Tomato which is one of their money-makers is highly susceptible to bacterial wilt, a disease which is very prevalent in Majayjay. According to UP Los Baños researchers, incidence of the disease in Majayjay ranges from 56 to 93 percent. Affected plants wilt and immediately die as no chemical pesticide has been found to control the disease once it has infected the plants.

Costales has found Vital N, a bacterial based growth promotant, to be effective in preventing the occurrence of the disease in their farm. And that is the reason why he can grow tomatoes even during the rainy season.

Costales explains that at present, the common practice of farmers in Majayjay is to apply fresh chicken manure in their fields which they plant to tomatoes. Since unprocessed chicken manure contains a lot of pathogens, the farmers’ farms are now severely affected by bacterial wilt. Bacterial wilt also affects other crops such as ampalaya, eggplant and chili peppers.

He reveals that Vital N which he first saw in an advertisement in Agriculture Magazine was the only product that enabled him to control bacterial wilt.

Costales says it is very easy to apply Vital N. One sachet which costs about P450 is enough to treat tomato seedlings for planting in one hectare, and it is applied only once.

“Before we transplant, we dip the seedlings in Vital N. We mix one sachet or one pack (100 grams) of Vital N in a container with water and then we dip the whole seedling trays. Then we transplant after that. So that’s how we apply it. It’s just a one-time application but it has a tremendous effect on the plants,” explains Costales.

It is very important to protect the tomato plants from bacterial wilt because it costs a lot to plant one hectare. One has to invest as much as P200,000 in a one-hectare tomato plantation. If that is attacked by bacterial wilt, the loss is tremendous.

Vital N is a product of Arnichem Corporation set up by two UP Los Baños graduates, Dr. Ponciano Halos and his wife, Dr. Saturnina Halos. Aside from tomato and other vegetables, the product is also used to promote growth and to protect other crops from diseases. For instance, it is claimed to protect rice from bacterial leaf blight, onion from root rot, and others. It is said to increase yields at a lower cost than chemical fertilizers.

To treat 18 to 20 kilos of rice seeds for planting, dissolve 100 grams of Vital N in one liter of water and then mix it with the seeds. Rice seedlings may also be treated. Just mix 100 grams of Vital N in 30 liters of water and spray this on the roots of seedlings, or use it as seedling dip. The makers recommend that the treatment be done late in the afternoon or early morning. The treated seeds or seedlings should be planted within 12 hours.
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AANI FARM TOUR. There will be a farm tour to the organic farm of Pol Rubia in Brgy. San Isidro in Candelaria, Quezon on June 20. Aside from observing the organic farming techniques, the attendees will enjoy a rambutan festival where they will partake of the ripe fruits of Rongrein rambutan. Those interested to join should contact AANI at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City or at the AANI Weekend Market at the FTI in Taguig City.
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PUMMELO AS A MONEY MAKER. Dr. Pablito P. Pamplona, retired fruit expert of the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato, says pummelo is a much better money maker than mango. He will be harvesting his Magallanes pummelo on three hectares next week. He expects to pick 48,000 fruits which could command a high price this time because there is not enough supply due to the effect of El Niño.