Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organi...Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organic vegetable farms in Sariaya, Quezon Province and Los Baños, Laguna Province, with the aim of developing organic agriculture in the Philippines. We utilized the SOFIX (Soil Fertility Index) technology, which is designed to evaluate soil fertility by focusing on the activity and diversity of microbial communities in the soil. This technology provides a scientific assessment of soil health, aiming to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Soil fertility parameters from four different farms cultivating outdoor organic vegetables were below the recommended values for organic production. Essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and total carbon content, which is indicative of soil organic matter, were insufficient. Bacterial biomass for soil organic matter decomposition, and nitrogen and phosphorus circulation was inadequate. These results indicated that organic plots lack the fertility needed for optimal organic crop growth. The poor fertility of these organic plots could be attributed to their recent shift from conventional cultivation, which used synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, to organic cultivation approximately seven years ago. This shift may harm soil microorganisms, leading to decreased fertility, nutrient availability and hindering the ability to sustain organic production. Overall, the findings of this case study emphasize the significant soil fertility challenges on organic vegetable farms. Therefore, farmers and agricultural practitioners must adopt appropriate soil management practices to improve soil fertility, microbial populations, nutrient availability, and overall soil health for successful organic production.展开更多
We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which li...We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which lies within the Caraballo Mountain Range, whose biota is poorly-known. This was also the first extensive survey of herpetofauna within the watershed. Together with data from previous literature reviews, our records bring the total number of species of amphibians and reptiles for the Caraballo Mountain Range to 66. Forty-two(42) species from the area were Philippine endemics, with 25 species recorded only from Luzon faunal region. Seven species of herpetofauna are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues(new species and species complexes needing taxonomic partitioning, e.g. splitting of species groups). Two species recorded from the area were rarely represented in museum collections. Major distributional and elevational range extensions were recorded for several species. Comparison with Luzon’s other mountain ranges showed that the Caraballo Mountain Range is similar, in terms of species composition, to the northern Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges. The result of this survey showed the Caraballo Mountain Range and its mountains as a possible new center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemicity within Luzon. The importance of the Caraballo Mountain Range as an important biogeographic link merits further study.展开更多
文摘Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organic vegetable farms in Sariaya, Quezon Province and Los Baños, Laguna Province, with the aim of developing organic agriculture in the Philippines. We utilized the SOFIX (Soil Fertility Index) technology, which is designed to evaluate soil fertility by focusing on the activity and diversity of microbial communities in the soil. This technology provides a scientific assessment of soil health, aiming to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Soil fertility parameters from four different farms cultivating outdoor organic vegetables were below the recommended values for organic production. Essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and total carbon content, which is indicative of soil organic matter, were insufficient. Bacterial biomass for soil organic matter decomposition, and nitrogen and phosphorus circulation was inadequate. These results indicated that organic plots lack the fertility needed for optimal organic crop growth. The poor fertility of these organic plots could be attributed to their recent shift from conventional cultivation, which used synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, to organic cultivation approximately seven years ago. This shift may harm soil microorganisms, leading to decreased fertility, nutrient availability and hindering the ability to sustain organic production. Overall, the findings of this case study emphasize the significant soil fertility challenges on organic vegetable farms. Therefore, farmers and agricultural practitioners must adopt appropriate soil management practices to improve soil fertility, microbial populations, nutrient availability, and overall soil health for successful organic production.
基金the Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation (Project No. 19494-1)DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC and IdeaWild Organization for generously funding this research and for supporting the fieldworks
文摘We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which lies within the Caraballo Mountain Range, whose biota is poorly-known. This was also the first extensive survey of herpetofauna within the watershed. Together with data from previous literature reviews, our records bring the total number of species of amphibians and reptiles for the Caraballo Mountain Range to 66. Forty-two(42) species from the area were Philippine endemics, with 25 species recorded only from Luzon faunal region. Seven species of herpetofauna are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues(new species and species complexes needing taxonomic partitioning, e.g. splitting of species groups). Two species recorded from the area were rarely represented in museum collections. Major distributional and elevational range extensions were recorded for several species. Comparison with Luzon’s other mountain ranges showed that the Caraballo Mountain Range is similar, in terms of species composition, to the northern Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges. The result of this survey showed the Caraballo Mountain Range and its mountains as a possible new center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemicity within Luzon. The importance of the Caraballo Mountain Range as an important biogeographic link merits further study.
