Harvesting

    Today is the our last class session for FPA400 subject. In this week,which is week 14 is the final week of our planting activities. In this week, Madam Samihah wants to check our overall plantation condition to make it as the final assessment for this subject. Like usual, we have waited for the madam's arrival at our planting site. After she arrived, the class session is started by madam with the interview all of our class members. Madam Samihah ask us to present about our plant in detailed respectively. The presentation is included, how we manage and take care of our plant everyday and what activities that we doing every day at our planting site. For example, how the proper way to mulching and loosening our soil the bed. Other than that, madam asks us about how frequently we are watering our plants and apply the fertilizer. Madam Samihah also ask about the how we take the safety steps in the planting site and what are the basic tools that we always use to manage our plant. After doing the presentation, madam asks us to harvest our plant which will be weighed and calculate for the total revenues that produce from our vegetable crop.

Fertilizing

        During this week (week 13), our class session was doing the same activities which are managing our planting site. Madam Samihah ask us to apply the fertilizer to our planting since it reaching the mature stage that suitable for the fertilization. As usual, we have gathered with all class members at the plantation office and waiting Encik Kahirul who is one of the management office staff. Encik Kahirul have brief to our class about the fertilizer that we use for our planting. The fertilizer that has introduced to us is Agrogreen brand which comes with the N, P, K elements (NPK Fertilizer). This fertilizer contains 15% Natrium, 15% Phosphate and 15% Potassium which are suitable for the vegetable crop.This is due to elements in the NPK fertilizer is good for the plant growth. First, the presence of the nitrogen element can improvise the rates of leaf growth. Second, the presence of the phosphate elements can add the root abilities to grow well in the soil. Lastly, the consist of the Potassium element (K) can support the plant health in overall growth, which also can reduce the potential of plants toward diseases and prevent plant from death easier. After that, we bring the fertilizer to our planting site. Madam Samihah was explaining to us about how the right way to apply fertilizer to the plant especially for the vegetable crop. We have divided the fertilizer to our class members and we start the fertilizing our own plant.

NPK Fertilizer

Weeding

           

      In the week 12, like usually we go to our planting site to take care our plants and also bed. Like usual, we have gathered at the planting site at 8 am and waiting for the madam's arrival. After that, Madam brief to our class to do the weeding activities. This is because our bed has a few weed plants that appears surrounding our plants. Madam Samihah have explained about the advantages of weeding and why we should do this activity to ensure our plant grow up healthily. By doing the weeding activity, it can prevent our plants from competing with the weed plants to get the some needs nutrients. So that if we doing this weeding, it can make our plant get the enough nutrients to be uptake and not struggle to grow healthier by competing with other plants. We have used the planting tools like garden trowel and also mini hoe. Madam Samihah also ask our class to do the land clearing near the planting site in order to prevent the pest attack. Our plants have attacked by the pest lately, so that this a one of the method to reduce the pest attack by do the land clearing other than use pesticide. After done do the weeding and land clearing, we have been watering our plants and also bed. Madam Samihah finished the class session at 10.30 am and ask us to return all the tools that we borrow from the plantation office before we dismiss.

Mulching

    During this week, our class has the face to face class session like normally. Madam Samihah who is our lecturer have met our class at our planting site at 8.10 am. After that, Madam Samihah have checked our planting activities in detail. When she was done with the inspection session,she finds out that our mulching method is not suitable for the our planting which is vegetable crop. Madam Samihah have said that our mulching method is only to cover the soil surface and not for the plant. After that, Madam Samihah has explained in detail about what actually are mulching purpose and how the right method of mulching. After listening to madam's explanation, we have changed our mulching method with the correct method immediately. So, the advantages of mulching are it can inhibit our soil at the bed surface from the too much water loosen and also can prevent our plant from wilt because of the deficiency of water to be uptake by plants.

Crop Mulching 

Crop Transplanting

 

In week 10, our activities are transplanting our plant to the boundaries that have been provided by the plantation management units. We take our requirement tools like hoe, gardening fork, garden trowel and watering can. Like usual, we have gathered at the planting site at 8 am. Firstly, after getting the some briefing from madam about the method in transplanting, we are loosening our soil on the boundaries to make our planting be more aerated and good for the water flow. After that we divide the boundaries into 3 section which one section is conducted by one student. We have transplanted our plant at the respective boundaries. We also do the mulching process on our boundaries to reduce the water loosing by plant. Then, madam asks us to take care of our own boundaries and plant which it will be judge by our lecturer soon. We are watering our plants and finishing the class session. From that day, we need to take care our plant by watering and weeding the boundaries every day.

Liming The Plantation Site

                           In this week, Madam Samihah has assigned us to liming the planting plot and sowing the seeds of vegetable plant. Other than that, our lecturer also asks us to make the new bridge to make our work easier. Like normal, we have arrived at the planting site at 8 am. We just borrow the planting tools that suitable for the task like Wheelbarrows, machetes, chainsaws, lime sack, peat soil packs, sowing trays, and saw. Firstly, we filled the wheelbarrow with lime powder and manually sprinkle over our entire planting area. This can make our planting site acidity level low and suitable for the plant growth. We have filled the seeding tray with peat soil that’s has been provided. After that, we sow our chosen seeds like Pak Choi, green and red spinach, and khailan in seeding tray. After finishing sowing work, we place all the trays in the greenhouse for germination process Madam then advised us to build a bridge that be constructed to cross a minor drain at the planting site. We have used a chainsaw, machete, and saw to cut wood in a little forest near the planting site. Then we use the wood to construct a bridge to allow a wheelbarrow to pass through, making the job of delivering items easier. After constructing the bridge, we evaluate its strength to ensure that it does not collapse during of usage. When we were finished, we returned the tools we had borrowed from the farm store in an orderly manner.

Land Clearing

Today is our first face to face meeting for the subject FPA400. For the first time we met our lecturer, Madam Samihah binti Mustafa after 6 weeks of online classes. On Friday, 10 December 2021, Madam Samihah instructed us to gather in front of the UITM farm office at 8 am. After all the class members gathered, we have been briefed by our lecturer to makes  land clearing work. Mr. Khairul, as an officer involved in the management of plantation equipment has explained to us the ethical use and management of plantation equipment.

    After borrowing the equipment for land work clearing, we go to an area of​​land that has been set aside to our class until the end of the semester. We use machete, wheelbarrow, hoe, sickle, rake for land clearing. After that, we started land clearing work until thick grass, saplings and small trees were cut down. Land clearing work was done to facilitate the entry of machinery for plowing purposes. We finished work at 10 am and returned all the tools in the management store

Soil Management

Soil Management

 

So today I'd want to tell you how the soil is formed. Soil is a natural body that covers parts of the earth's surface and provides nutrients for plant growth. The soil is formed continuously, but slowly and occur when rocks break down due to weathering. Weathering is a process that might be physical, chemical, or biological in nature. Soil has the variety properties because of the combined action of climate and creatures working on the parent material through time. There are three layers of soil which are topsoil, subsoil, and parent material. 

 

1) Topsoil

The organically enriched A horizon at the soil surface with a height of 12-25 cm is known as topsoil. It's also known as the plow layer because contain most plant roots, organic matter, nutrients, and water are found.

2)Subsoil

The term "subsoil" refers to the layers beneath the topsoil and below the tillage depth. Because of the low organic matter level in this stratum, plants require a lot of water.

 

3) Parent Material

The parent material is The primary material from which soils are formed

In the a layer of soil, there is a vertical section through soil that show the profile of soil that called horizon.There are five master horizons that are recognized using the capital letters O, A, E, B and C

 

1) O horizon

Organic layer made of fully and partially decayed plant and animal debris

2) A horizon

The surface mineral layer where organic matter accumulates which called topsoil. It is Darker than the horizons below and best environment for the growth of plant roots, microorganisms, and other soil biota

 

3) E horizon

The horizon where clay, chemicals and organic matter are greatly leached. This layer is very light and most soil does not have it.

 

4) B horizon

This is the horizon where clay, chemicals and organic matter leached from A and E horizons and accumulate to become illuviation. This layer is lower in organic matter content than A horizon, but has more clay

5) C horizon

It has little effect of soil-forming processes that usually contain the parent material of the soil. It may also include very soft weathered bedrock that roots can penetrate.

Presentation Weeks Here

     PRESENTATION WEEK

In week 5 and 6 of field work learning, my madam ask our class to present the assignment project, which the theme is " From Waste To Gold".So lets the show beginn !! 

 1) The Plant Choosen

The plant that I choose in my assessment project is chives leaves.This plant can be live in the moisture    condition and easy to control.Usually this plant is used for the cook purpose and additional for the dish decoration.

2) Vase 

I use the old car tire as a vase in my project.This can reduce the environmental pollution like open burning.Other than that, this also can prevent the pest breeding like rats and also cockroach

3) Medium Growth

The usage of top soil as my growing medium is best choice for planting purposes. This is because top soil contains a lot of the organic matter which high in holding water capacity that good for the plant growth. I also add the rice hulls to increase the water holding capacity in my growing medium.

4) Fertilizer

Fertilizer that i used in this project is based on compost concept.I made my own compost by collecting the waste like fruit scraps, egg shells and leaves. I put the waste in one container and add up the a little bit water quantity and stir the waste followed by cover the container with lid. This concept will make my planting is rich in nutrients that have been released from the decomposition of waste.This also makes the plant surrounding be more moisture and good for the root growth.

Transplanting

We meet again !! Welcome to my blog guys... Today I have reached week 4 in my field work learning. So today I would like to share about this week learning which is the title is Transplanting.

Transplanting

The process of moving the germinated seed to the growing location

    1) There are two ways in planting: 

•  Direct Seeding
• Indirect Seeding

    

            a) Direct Seeding = Method of sowing the seeds directly in soil

        

                    Advantages

• No need to prepare the nursery
• Mature early

                    

                    Disadvantages

• Seeds are exposed to pests
• lose of seed
• more time to thinning     

    

  

            b) Indirect Seeding = The method that planting seeds in a tray to be ready for transplanting

                    Advantages

• Gives greater control over growing conditions
• Higher success rate 

                    

                    Disadvantages

• Higher expenses of material cost
• The plant will face the shock transplanting issues

    

        2) Transplanting Criteria

          * The good plant to make the transplanting are:

• Free from disease
• Have 2-5 leaves
• Around 12-15 cm height            

           *Steps in transplanting

1. Water the plant first
2. Pull seeding without shake the medium
3. Do the transplanting immediately
4. Gently press the soil around
5. Water it gently

           

Planting Medium And Bed Preparation

 

Planting Medium And Bed Preparation

 

hi guys !! we meet again in this week.I hope u all are in health.Today i want to brief abou the planting preparation which is important for plant growth

1) Site Selection

 Factor Need Be Considered About Site Chosen :

• Water Resource
• Accessible For Monitoring Purpose
• Soil Fertility
• Sites History 

2) Soil Characteristic

There are a few things that should determine before use the soil for planting:

 

        a) pH Determination

• Use the liming method to raise the soil pH
• Add sulfur and compost to lower the alkinity and also increasing the soil fertility
• Need to recheck the soil pH every year and adding the some of the nutrients needed for soil fertility

        b) Texture Checkup

• Soil that consist 70 percent and more sand to make the be well aerated
• The soil need 35 percent of clay will be retains moisture well
• Good soil consists of the nearly percentage of sand,clay and silt which is suited for gardening

        c) Drainage Test

• 1-2 Minutes

    The soil has sharply drained

 

• 12-30 Minutes

    The soil has ideal drainage

 

• 30 Minutes – 4 Hours

    Drainage slow and adequate for the plant

 

• More Than 4 Hours

    Drainage is poor and plants needs help

 

3) Soil Amendments

Improve the soil’s physical qualities that provide nutrients for plants that can be done by

• Mulching

Promote rooting, weed control and conserve the soil moisture

• Fertilizer    

Have two types of fertilizer which is chemical (N,P,K) which is have specific nutrients for plant growth and Organic types that consist of microorganism break down to release the essential nutrients

• Composting   

Natural process of recycling of organic matter like food scraps  and leaves to enrich the soil nutrients like Phosphorus, Potassium and Magnesium.This also improve the water retention capacity and reduce waste stream.

 

 

Seed Treatment

Thanks guys for always supporting me!! Sorry for being late in updating my blog progress... Hopefully you guys always in good. So today I'm glad to share about my next topic in field work learning which is "SEED TREATMENT". I very excited to share this topic because of in my life I never know detailed about the seed treatment that should we do before we planting a plant.So basically, what is the meaning of seed treatment? Here we go... Seed treatment can be defined as application of chemical or biological substances to seeds to control pest and disease and improve the germination rate. So seed treatment can be done in two ways:

1) Physical Method - Water soak,hot water and infrared irradiation

2) Chemistry Method- Usage of thiram and captan

Other than that, we also learn about the how environmental factors can influence the seed germination which is consist of three elements:

1) Light- depend on the seed species, but basically the light percents are moderate

2) Water and Oxygen- Water should not excess to allow oxygen can be accessed by the seed

3) Temperature - needs warm temperature, which 27 Celsius and above

we also learn about the growing medium the plant which is:

1) Soil

2) Organic material (Peat Mass,Compost,

3) Organic Ingredient (Saw Dust,Vermiculite)

4) Inorganic Ingredient (Rice Hulls,Pumice,Perlite,Sand,Rock Wool)

So that's all from me about my second week learning. U guys can try it at home by planting seed in any growing medium and follow the things that I just explain up there.... Please stay tune guys for the next week knowledge... Thanks!!

Introduction In Field Work Learning

So today is my first class session in my fieldwork subject. Like usual, my lecturer was having an ice-breaking session and asked me and my class members introduce ourselves as we all haven't known each other. After that, our lecturer continues the class session by sharing the slide about an introduction to the field work. We have briefed about the farm and its real view in UITM Jasin. Next we are introduced to the tools of planting like rake ,spade, shovel, wheelbarrow, etc. We also reveal the safety steps at the farm that all students should take care of that matter.

So, that's all the sharing about my first week learning session on the field work subject. Thanks for reading !! 🥰