2.4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC CROP PRODUCTION IN MALAYSIA

Aini Zakaria and Vimala P. - Strategic Resources Research Center, MARDI - G.P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Paper presented at 'Expert Group Workshop on Preparation of Technical Guidelines on Organic Cultivation of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits ', 22-26 July 2002, INTAN Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

Introduction

Organic farming in Malaysia was incepted by Center for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM) in 1986 on a one ha plot in Sungai Buloh. Since then, the organic movement has expanded slowly and to this day covers only 131 ha (Ong, 2001). Awareness of organic farming is mostly confined to the Klang Valley particularly to the educated masses through seminars, demonstrations, exhibitions and conferences largely organised by CETDEM. Organic farming is largely confined to vegetable growing. Very little fruits are grown organically. They are only grown as a side income for the organic growers and the production is erratic. Most of the organic fruits are apples, pears and oranges that are imported largely from Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea and Japan. The local organic fruits sold are papaya and watermelons. Owing to local farmers problems especially on nutrient and P&D management organically, MARDI embarked on research activities in 1999 by identifying the technology gaps in organic vegetable to support the organic growers. Prior to this however, the 1974 Environmental Act has spearheaded the need in utilizing agricultural wastes as organic matter for vegetables and fruits. In this respect, research conducted prior to 1999 only look into the various components singly such as effects of various organic matter on yield of vegetables and fruits and the P&D aspect is non-organic. Research of P&D was often tested on one single crop using inorganic fertilizers. Realizing this, MARDI has just opened a 2 ha plot in 2000 that grow different types of vegetables, of which various Biopesticide, nutrient requirements and cropping design are tested on the same plot.

Research

a. Vegetables

Studies on composts, manures and organic fertilizers for vegetables

Early research on organic vegetables was done by MARDI on CETDEM farm. The first crop of Pak Choy (Brassica chinensis) yielded only 1.8t/ha using chicken dung as the fertilizer. Conventional farming would yield about 16t/ha. The second crop grown with Kangkong (Ipomea aquatica) yielded 7.1t/ha compared to the conventional farming yields of 10.6 t/ha (Samy et.al., 1992).

In organic crop production, inorganic fertilizers are not used. The organic grower has to depend solely on organic nutrient sources that are not fortified. Most of these organic sources are invariably low in nutrient contents compared to inorganic fertilizers. Inevitably, large quantities need to be used to provide all the macro and micronutrients required for optimum growth and yield of crops. Several investigations on the types and rates of organic fertilizers for organic vegetable cultivation were conducted by MARDI in recent years.

Studies on the yield response of cabbage to Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) showed the need for 60 t/ha POME. Yields obtained were 21 t/ha (Vimala et al 1998). With the application of 1.5 t/ha inorganic fertilizer, yields increased to 34 t/ha, indicating that organic fertilizer alone may not always be able to provide sufficient nutrients for high yields. Several organic fertilizers (Table 1) were evaluated on lettuce grown on peat soils (Vimala, et. al., 2000). Results obtained showed that poultry manure out yielded the other organic fertilizers in both the 1st crop and the 2nd crop (Table 2).

Table 1. Nutrient contents of organic fertilizers evaluated on lettuce on peat

Table 2. Yield response of lettuce grown on peat to various organic fertilizers

Two new organic fertilizers available in the market i.e. Proseries Organic Fertilizer (POF) and wormcompost were evaluated on Amaranthus sp. (Vimala et. al. 2000; Vimala et. al. 1999). Results obtained showed that chicken manure was a superior organic fertilizer compared to the others (Table 3 and 4). The second crop of amaranthus (bayam), grown without further additions of organic fertiliser, yielded only 50-60 % of the first crop (Table 4) indicating the need for repeated applications of organic fertilizers to sustain yields. The rate of application can however be reduced for succeeding crops on the same plot.

Table 3. Yield of amaranthus sp. with POF and chicken manure

Table 4. Mean yields of bayam with wormcompost and chicken manure

Studies on the yield response of vegetables to rates of organic fertilizer (chicken manure) showed the need for about 50 t/ha for tomato, cabbage and brinjal on peat, 20 t/ha for amaranthus on peat and 20 t/ha for lettuce in C. Highlands (Vimala, Salbiah et. al. 2001). Yields obtained with 53 t/ha chicken manure and with inorganic fertilizer (2 t/ha NPK 12:12:17:2) are presented in Table 5.

Comparison of several organic nutrient sources on the yield of lettuce in Cameron Highlands showed that chicken-manure as the sole source of nutrients gave yields equivalent to chicken manure + NPK. All the other organic source gave lower yields compared to organic source + NPK (Vimala, Salbiah et. al. 2001). The nutrient contents of the organic sources and the yields obtained are presented in Tables 6 and 7 respectively.

Table 5. Comparison of yields obtained with chicken manure and inorganic fertilizer

Table 6. Nutrient content of some organic fertilizers evaluated on lettuce in Cameron Highlands

Table 7. Yield of lettuce in Cameron highlands grown with and without NPK

abc = Values followed by the same alphabets are not significantly different at 1%

Studies on green-manures as organic nutrient sources for vegetables

A trial on the incorporation of green-manures on the yield of cucumber showed that green manure alone, applied at 29-37 t/ha gave low yields compared to green-manure + inorganic fertilizer (Vimala et. al. 1999). Thus green manure alone cannot be used as an organic nutrient source. Further research on higher rates of green manures is recommended. Yields of cucumber obtained are presented below (Table 8).

Table 8. Yields of cucumber with green-manure and green-manure + inorganic fertilizer.

b. Fruits

In the 40's to early 60's, the cultivation of village durians (Durio zibethenus) involved planting of seedlings from seeds and then left to grow amongst forest trees. The only form of fertilizer used is either chicken dung or guano. Most of the trees are not fertilized and left to nature. Some of these trees are still standing and are still yielding about 700-1000 fruits/tree/season. The introduction of cloned durians and systemic planting coupled with the inception of inorganic fertilizer in the 60's led to the withdrawal of organic fertilizers.
Currently, the normal planting practice carried out by farmers in planting fruits such as is to apply raw chicken dung at the rate of 5-10 kg per planting hole with inorganic applications of NPK 12:12:24 +TE. The raw chicken dung is placed in bags and left at the base of the tree. However, most farmers are phasing out use of raw chicken dung as it is often associated with diseases, anthracnose in particular (Zabedah, pers.comm.).
Oil palm mill discards such as the empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent(POME) as organic inputs proved useful in order to sustain crop production on tin tailings. By embedding EFB in layers into a planting hole (Fig. 1), Aminuddin et. al.( 1999) found that yield of papaya increased significantly (Table 9).

Table 9. Yield of papaya on sand tailing with and without EFB

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) applied at 36 kg/plant/year (20 t/ha) on chiku gave yields comparable to POME + NPK (Vimala, Aminuddin et. al. 2001) indicating that POME as the sole source of nutrients can sustain yields. Yields obtained are shown below (Table 10).

Table 10. Chiku yields with organic fertilizer and organic + inorganic fertilizer

In a trial using compost made from combinations of chicken dung, burnt husk, rice hull and sawdust in the ratio of 3:1:2:5, the yield of papaya and water melon was 50% less when 100% of the compost was used ( Table 11) compared to treatments with incorporation of inorganic fertilizer (Syed, 2001; Zabedah, 2001). The low yields using organic was attributed to the low nutrient content of the compost applied (Table 11.a.). The total soluble solids of the fruits however, were not affected. In the case of water melons, despite the low yields, the size of the fruits had no significant difference with treatments that had inorganic fertilizers.

Table 11. Yield of papaya and watermelons on various combinations of compost

Table 11.a. Nutrient content of compost from rice hull, sawdust and chicken dung mixture

c. Herbs

Misai Kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus sp), Hempedu bumi (Andrographis paniculita) and mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) have been successfully grown under rubber with application of only organic fertilizer (processed poultry manure). For misai kucing and hempedu bumi, 30 t/ha of poultry manure applied as basal gave fresh yields of 7.1 t/ha and 2.3 t/ha respectively ( Mohamad Senawi et al 2001; Vimala, Mohd Yusof et.al., 2001)
Mengkudu planted under rubber did nor give any significant yield increase with increasing rates (12.5, 25, 37.5, 50 kg/plant) of organic fertilizer applications, indicating that the lowest rate i.e. 12.5 kg/ plant applied in 4 split applications was sufficient for early growth and yield ( June 2000 - Dec 20001). It is interesting to note that there was no significant differences in growth (Fig. 1 and 2) or yield (Table 12) with organic fertilizer only and organic + inorganic fertilizer applications, indicating that organic fertilizer as the sole nutrient source provided sufficient nutrients for early growth and yield of mengkudu under rubber (Vimala, Zulkefly et.al 2002)

Table 12. Yield and fruit number of mengkudu under rubber with organic fertilizer only and organic + inorganic fertilizers

On sand tailings too, there was no significant difference in growth and yield of mengkudu with organic fertilizer only and organic + inorganic fertilizers (Vimala, unpublished). Thus, sufficient rates of organic fertilizer without any inorganic fertilizer application, can sustain the growth and yield of herb crops in Malaysia.

d. Compost

Malaysian organic farmers make use of compost and Bokashi to sustain the soil fertility largely from leftovers of their field harvest. However, some agricultural wastes such as sawdust, rice hull and rice straw form the main compost media. For a 20t heap, 20% constitute chicken dung, 500 kg rice bran, 15 kg microbial inoculum and sawdust make the remaining component. Water is added until the heap reaches 60% moisture level.
The compost is overturned after 1 week from the initial mixing and in the 3rd week in which the temperature is often higher than 60^oC. This is done manually by a group of farmers or by renting a front end loader for overturning purpose. The composting process takes 3 months to mature.
To make a 1 ton Bokashi, farmers add 40% Chicken dung, 60% top soil, 400kg rice bran, 12 kg enzyme and 20L molasses which is diluted to 40L. The temperature of the Bokashi is maintained between 40-50 ^oC by overturning and covering it with a damp gunny sack. Unlike compost, Bokashi 'matures' within 10 days.
About 5 t/ha of compost and 1.5 t/ha of Bokashi are applied onto the vegetable beds one week before planting. Fish meal or bone meal is supplemented thereafter. Research is geared towards quality and consistency in the nutrient values of the composts from agricultural wastes. As an agricultural-based country, Malaysia annually churns approximately 115 tons of agricultural wastes from the oil palm, rice, cocoa, coconut, sugarcane, pineapple and logging industry (Aini et.al, 1992).

Table 13. Composts from various agricultural wastes.

CD - Chicken dung
(*) Aini and Izham, 2001
(**) unpublished data

Quality composts are achieved using materials that are free from heavy metals and through aerobic fermentation. To ensure an aerobic condition, compost heaps are overturned upon reaching 60 ^oC and moisture maintained at 60%. Initial C:N ratio of 30 offer less volatization of nitrogen and consistent compost maturity. Care should be taken in using sawdust as a compost media as a large portion of wood are treated with chemicals containing heavy metals. Some of the composts made form agricultural wastes are shown in Table 13.

e. Pests and Diseases

High temperatures, humidity and sunshine throughout the year offer an environment conducive for a continuous cycle of pest and diseases. The winter season in the temperate provides a break in the pest life cycle, reducing the pest population and will only increases in the summer months. Weeds are also fast growing in the tropics and some weeds harbour pests. The common practice for organic farmers in Malaysia to reduce the pest population is to spray with wood vinegar and BT sprays.

Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) form a major pest both in the lowlands and highlands of Malaysia. Several trials were conducted using Biopesticide to test its efficacy in reducing the population. Results show that, tea tree oil and a herbal preparation could be used against flea beetles. Garlic and Neem sprays are not as effective (Sivapragasam and Mohammad Roff, 2002). Table 14 shows the effect of these sprays on the pest number. Other physical measures need to be incorporate to complement the reduction of pest population (Table 15).

Table 14. Mean number of flea beetles per plant and the number of leaves damaged in each treatment

Source adapted from : Sivapragasam and Mohammad Roff (2002)

Table 15. Adult flea beetle populations (mean) on Brassica chinensis in the various Biopesticide and bio based treatments

Source adapted from: Sivapragasam and Mohammad Roff (2002)

Use of multiple crops in reducing pest population

Studies showed that by increasing the biodiversity of the cropping system , incidences of pests are reduced. Alate aphids were markedly reduced by 60-65% by intercropping chilli with maize and surrounding chilli with maize (Mohammad Roff and Ho, 1991). Instead of chilli grown as monoculture, it can be bicultural with maize or brinjal or in triculture with brinjal and Leucaena. By doing so, the population of Menochilus sexmaculatus ( a predator of aphids) is increased (Hussein, et al., 1996). Using Indian Mustard ( Brassicca juncae) as a trap crop for major insect pests of lowland cabbage, it can reduce damage caused by Hellula undalis on cabbage yields (Table 16). Insect numbers did not reduce significantly between cabbages grown as monoculture and with Indian mustard . However, it is suggested that Indian mustard be grown as hedgerows in the cabbage system to dilute the pest population on cabbage, based on the smaller insect numbers on it ( Sivapragasam and Loke, 1996).

Table 16. Insect numbers, yield and damage of cabbage grown with and without the Indian Mustard trap crop.

Major Constraints Faced By Malaysian Farmers In Organic Farming

The most critical factor is the certification of organic products without it, consumers question the authenticity of organic produce. Though the Malaysian Certification guideline is already available, the accreditation system is still not implemented. Accreditation by foreign companies is expensive and most farmers cannot afford to pay for the accreditation fees. For those who are able, they will have to raise the price of their product and ensure their market in order to meet the costs. As it is, the price of organic produce is 4-6 times the price of conventional produce.
Market outlet is another factor that determines the success of organic farms. Without a specialty store, with no labeling or packaging, the organic produce cannot be differentiated from conventional produce. In Malaysia, organic produce is mostly sold in the Klang Valley , Penang and Johore Bahru in special stores or hypermarkets. Produce especially from the highlands is transported by ordinary lorries exposing the produce to heat, resulting in reduced shelf life.
Most consumers are indifferent towards organic produce and are driven by the aesthetic looks of produce and the pricing. They are still unaware of the objectives of organic farming and the impact towards environment and health. Poor quality organic produce such as misshapen fruits, thin, stunted, yellow looking with tell tale signs of pest attack often shun consumers into buying organic fruits and vegetables except those who are health conscious.
For farmers to ensure that their land is free from chemical contamination and lesser pest attack, they often settle to areas near forests. In these areas, infrastructure is very much lacking and farmers find difficulty in transporting their produce. To combat P & D, farmers can only access to a limited number of pesticides that often have a very short efficacy shelf life.

Conclusions and recommendations

Chicken manure, either processed or unprocessed but dry (25-30% moisture), is presently recommended as the most suitable organic nutrient source for organic food crop cultivation in Malaysia. Processed chicken manure is preferred by organic growers though it costs more, because of pathogens associated with unprocessed chicken manure. General organic fertilizer recommendations for some crops are presented below. Higher rates of organic fertilizers will be required if marginal soils like sand-tailings are used.

The aim in organic farming is not to eradicate pests altogether but to maintain a degree of balance between beneficial organisms and pests. Since Biopesticide are limited in the market, other measures must be taken into consideration to reduce the pest population.

To ensure success of organic farming, government portrayal is needed to give the much needed support in creating awareness on food safety and environment to the masses. The research component is also important to look into nutrient, P & D management , cropping systems and labour saving techniques.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1. Incorporation of EFB in planting holes on tin tailings