AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION

“MICROBES AT WORK”

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CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR SOLANACEOUS CROPS

Eggplant (Solanum melongena), Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum),
Bell Pepper ( Capsicum grossum) and Chili (Capsicum frutescens)

A. Seedling Stage

1. Prepare seedbeds that are 1m x 10m and raised 15 to 20 cm above the ground.
For a hectare 5 seedbeds of this dimension maybe needed.

2. Level the soil and construct a 5-cm ridge along the perimeter of the seedbed.

3. The day after sowing, water the seedbed to moisten it.

4. Incorporate into the soil 200g of organic fertilizer per square meter.

5. Broadcast the seeds evenly onto the plot. A hectare will need between 20,000 to
25,000 seedlings.

6. Top dress the seedlings with 100g of 14-14-14 inorganic fertilizer per square
meter, 15 days after seeding.

7. Spray the seedlings with foliar fertilizer at 0.625 % concentration (100 ml of the
foliar fertilizer in 16 liters of water), 7 days before uprooting the seedlings.

8. Seedlings will be ready for transplanting when they are 35 to 40 days old.

B. Planting Stage

1. Prepare the land thoroughly with one plowing/rotovation and followed by 2 to 3

harrowings, normally each operation is one week apart. Thorough land
preparation also ensures effective control of weeds.

2. Make furrows 100 cm apart for eggplants, 70 to 80 cm for tomatoes, pepper and
chili.

3. Apply 15 to 20 bags of organic fertilizer per hectare placed on the furrows.

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“MICROBES AT WORK”

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4. Plant 1 seedling per hill at distances of 50 cm for eggplants and 30 to 40 cm for

tomatoes, pepper and chili. If necessary, replace dead plants as soon as possible.

5. Irrigate the field making sure that the water reaches at least 5 to 7 cm below the
root zone of the plants. Subsequent irrigations must be done within 2- to 3-week
intervals depending on the type of soil. Heavier or clayey soils require less
frequent schedules.

6. Side dress each plant with about 10g to 15g of 14-14-14 inorganic fertilizer, 15
days after planting (DAP) at a distance of 5 to 7 cm from the base of the plant.

7. Spray the plant foliage with foliar fertilizer at 0.67% concentration, 25 DAP and
every 10 days interval thereafter.

8. Side dress each plant with about 10g to 15g ammonium sulphate (21-0-0), 45
DAP at a distance of 5 to 7 cm from the base of the plant.

C. Additional Care and Maintenance

1. Cultivate the field by hilling-up along the rows at 25 to 30 DAP followed by off-
barring at 55 to 60 DAP. These operations will also control the weeds.

2. If necessary, spray the appropriate crop protection chemicals following the

manufacturer’s recommendations. To minimize on labor costs mix the
chemicals together with the foliar fertilizer during its application.

3. Harvest the crop at the right maturity stage to obtain maximum product quality.
Do not mix damage fruits with the good ones as this would encourage spoilage.