Republic of the Philippines

Surigao del Sur State University

Tagbina Campus
Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308
Email address: sdssutc2010@yahoo.com
Website: www.sdssu.edu.ph

MODULE
IN

(Ag.Tech.1)
NAME:_________________________
PROGRAM/YEAR LEVEL:_________
INSTRUCTOR: _________________
SEMESTER:___________________
SCHOOL YEAR: _______________

Compiled by:
MELONIE C. LISAYAN
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 Module 1

INTRODUCTION TO PLANT NURSERY AND MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Plant propagation is one of the agricultural businesses that can be a good source of income.
A good source of family living if the entrepreneur is well guided in his/her agricultural activities in
the field. Most farmers are successful because they follow the recommended and correct
practices of starting an orchard through plant nursery establishment.

These modules will help the students in establishing a plant nursery. Students will be guided on
the following activities:

 Bag soil media for seed germination and growing of seedlings

 propagate plants;
 identify tools and maintain the cleanliness after using;
 list necessary supplies and materials for nursery operation; and
 explain germination process in plants.

Lesson 1: Introduction

I. Objectives:

* State some facts about agricultural production in the Philippines;

* list some constraints and problems in crop production;
* explain the importance of plant propagation;
* enumerate the advantages of plant propagation; and
* define terms related to the subject matter.

II. Discussion

Facts about Agricultural Production in the Philippines

 Philippines is a tropical country.

 Crop production in some part of the Philippines is throughout the year.
 Types of crop production are dependent on the education and income of the
farmers.
 Adoption of technology by most farmers is a problem due to lack of capital in
spite of trainings on modern crop production.
 Most Filipino farmers are mostly subsistence farmers with rice and corn as stable
food.
 Legumes like peanut, soybean and mungbean are used as substitute for meat
 Some farmers are prone to beliefs which are major constraint in crop production.
e.g. “offering”.
 Filipinos by cultural traditions and origins have developed specific skills in crop
production. e.g. Ilongos and Ilocanos developed skills in rice production technology;
Cebuanos and Boholanos are well-versed in upland farming.
 Lot of trainings and seminars or exposure need before one person or a tribe
adopts technology not inherited from his forefathers.

Some Constraints and Problems in Crop Production

 Area for production
 Population growth is far greater than the increase in food production
 Modern techniques in farming
 Proper utilization of land resources
 Crude farming method

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 Importance of Plant Propagation

1. Plants are essential to the existence of man.

2. Crop production depends on how we propagate and raise plants.
3. Family income can be improved through the use of technology in plant propagation.
4. Plant propagation can be a hobby but rewarding.

Advantages of plant propagation

1. Plant propagation is the starting point for agricultural development

2. Plant propagation can lead to the improvement of crops through selection and
hybridization
3. Plant propagation makes our surrounding green
4. It is the major method of plant reproduction by both nature and by man

Definition of Terms:

1. Annual – a plant that live in a span of one year

2. Asexual Propagation – a method of propagation involves the use of terminal branch or
bud-eye as scion.
3. Biennial – plants that live in a span of two years
4. Broadcast – to sow or scatter seeds, fertilizer or granular chemicals on the land surface
by hand
5. Budding – a form of grafting in which a scion is reduced in size (one vegetative bud)
from one (mother) plant is transferred to the stem tissue of another plant
6. Budstick – a part of a plant which is composed of several bud eyes used for budding
purposes
7. Canopy – refers to the branching area of the plant
8. Crop production – the cultivation of crops or management of useful plants that are useful
to man utilized for any purpose.
9. Cutting – detached or cut vegetative portion of a plant that will give rise to another
complete plant
10. Foliar – referring to the leave.
11. Grafting – is the art of joining two pieces of living part tissue together, so that by tissue
regeneration they will unite and grow and develop as one plant.
12. Hardening – the treatment given to tender plants in preparation to a more adverse
condition through light exposure.
13. Hormone – a chemical found in the plant or manufactured which affect the growth of
plants.
14. Meristem – shoot or root tip where cell division takes place or flower bud development.
15. Nutrition – in plant, the study of plant food in relation to health
16. Perennial – A plant that live for a number of years, produced seeds more than once.
17. pH – a measure of acidity or alkalinity, with pH 7 as neutral , less than 7 means acidic
and more than 7 means alkaline
18. Photosynthesis – the process in which CO2 and water in the presence of light are
transformed into carbon-containing, energy-rich, organic compound
Formula: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light/chlorophyll C16H12O6 + 6O2

19. Rootstock – the lower portion of the graft where scion is united
20. Sexual propagation – propagation using seeds
21. Scion – the aerial part of the plant used in grafting
22. Stomata – the breathing organ of the plant found in the leaves.
23. Respiration – A process by which accumulated food taken by plants during
photosynthesis is broken down into carbon dioxide and water with the release of energy
Formula:C6H12O + 6O2 6 CO2 + 6H2O + 673 Kcal

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

III.ACTIVITY

Let’s do this!

Directions: After learning the important information on the introduction to plant propagation

 Take photos of sexually and asexually propagated plants in your place.

 In the box below paste printed photos.

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

IV. ASSESSMENT

Knowledge Check!
Briefly answer the following questions:

1. Explain the importance of plant propagation.

2. Compare and contrast sexual and asexual propagation.

3. What mode of plant propagation would you prefer? Why?

4. Complete the table below.

Mode of Propagation Plant parts use Type

Sexual

Asexual

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Lesson 2. Propagating structures, media and containers

I. OBJECTIVES:
Identify propagating structures used in the locality;
mix and formulate media appropriate for seed germination and seedling growth; and
utilize container/pot/bag that are readily available.

II. DISCUSSION
Propagating structures
1. Aseptic micropropagation facilities

2. Greenhouses (Glasshouses)
a.. glass

b. plastic

c. polyethylene

d. fiber glass

3. Ordinary shed

4. Germinating chamber

Media for propagating and growing nursery plants

1. Ordinary garden soil (OGS)

2. Sand – 0.05 to 2.0 mm in diameter
3. Peat – consist of remains in aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation
4. Compost – results of biological decomposition of bulk organic wastes
under controlled conditions.
5. Rice hulls – used instead of sand

Potting mixtures

1. OGS + Sand + Compost (1:1:1)

2. OGS + Rice hulls + Compost (1:0.25:1)
3. OGS + organic matter + course aggregate (1:2:2) + ¼ kilo limestone
per 35 liters mixture

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 Preplanting treatments of soil media

1. Heat treatment
2. Fumigation with chemicals ( Chloropicrin, tear gas: methyl bromide,etc.)

Techniques in the propagation

1. The actual propagation area should be lighted, very clean, and cool
room.
2. The actual propagation should be a separate area from soil mixing.
3. Soil media should be pasteurized.
4. The seeds and plant parts to be used should be free from pests and
diseases.
5. Plants should be given sufficient water, light, air, temperature and
appropriate nutrition.
Water – Imbibition is the first step in seed germination; water content
in plants – 80-90%

Air – Oxygen is important in the respiration process. As germination

starts, the respiration rate increases.

Light – Some seeds need light during germination, Light is

necessary in the process of photosynthesis.

Temperature – affects photosynthesis, respiration, seed germination

and seedling growth moderate, optimum and maximum temperatures

Nutrition – a nursery man should know the essential mineral

elements – how they affect plant growth, their deficiency symptoms,
and methods for preventing or correcting deficiency.

6. Plants should be protected from pests and diseases

Containers for Propagating and Growing Young Plants

1. Flats – are shallow plastic, wooden, or metal trays with drainage holes in the
bottom.
2. Clay pots – pots made from clay material.
3. Plastic/rubber pots – pots made from plastic/rubber materials
4. Fiber pots
5. Polyethylene bags

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

III. ACTIVITY
Let’s do this!

Direction: Bagging (Document every step; insert pictures in the space provided below)

1. Prepare 10 polyethylene bags

2. Collect potting media(Ordinary Garden Soil + Sand + Compost (1:1:1))
3. Mix the media
4. Pasturize the media with boiling water(100ºC)
5. Allow it to dry before placing it to the polyethylene bags
6. Plant it with your collected fruit seeds.

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

IV. ASSESSMENT

Knowledge Check!

MULTIPLE CHOICES

Direction: Encircle the letter that correspond to the correct answer.

1. The following are the materials of Greenhouses (Glasshouses), except?

a. Wood b. plastic c. polyethylene
2. The following Plants should be given sufficient of the following, except?
a. Greenhouse b. light c. air
3. It is the results of biological decomposition of bulk organic wastes under controlled
conditions?
a. Peat b. Compost c. Sand
4. It consist of remains in aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation is often called?
a. Peat b. Compost c. Sand
5. First step of seed germination
a. absorption of air b. imbibition c. release of oxygen
6. Which of the following factor is necessary in the process of photosynthesis?
a. Light b. root c. phloem
7. Soil media should be _______.
a. burn b. pasturized c. clean
8. Consist of remains in aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation
a. compost b. peat c. rice hull
9. Can be used instead of sand
a. compost b. peat c. rice hull
10. A results of biological decomposition of bulk organic wastes under controlled conditions
a. compost b. peat c. rice hull

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Lesson 3. Sexual and Asexual Propagation
I. OBJECTIVES:

* Describe plants grown from seeds and plants being asexually propagated;

* utilize appropriate planting materials for field planting; and

* explain the advantages of using asexually propagated plants.

II. DISCUSSION:
Sexual versus asexual propagation

Sexual Asexual

1. Roots Deep-rooted, hence Shallow-rooted

anchorage and nutrient
exploration are enhanced
2. Life span Long-lived Shorter on some methods
3. Means of Propagation Seed Natural vegetative
propagules, cuttings.
Grafting, budding, layering,
and tissue culture
4. Multiplication (Quantity) Fast and easy. Many plants Needs more time to
can be reproduced quickly reproduce a large number
5. Expenses Less expensive Needs more capital

6. Growth Longer juvenile period -Shorter juvenile period

- Less time is required to
produce a salable plants
7. Fruiting Late Earlier

8. Fruit quality Not sure – wide variation of Sure – selected from the
genetic characteristics if best mother plant or plants
seeds are used. Do not of your choice.
produce fruits that are true- Plants are genetically
to-type. identical.
Crosses results in hybrid
vigor
9. Plant size Bigger size, needs more time Smaller but with uniform
in pruning and other appearance
maintenance

Preparing planting material using seeds (Sexual propagation)

1. Big seeds are directly planted while small seeds are planted in seedboxes
2. Sterilize soil medium before bagging
3. Prepare the polyethylene bags or seedboxes
4. Seeds should be treated with fungicide or insecticide
5. Plant the seeds in prepared bags or seedboxes
6. They must be watered every morning and afternoon
7. Pricking shall be done to small seedlings in the boxes
8. Seedlings must be hardened by exposing them to direct sunlight before transplanting in
the permanent area.

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 Advantages of sexual propagation

1. Trees planted from seeds are deep-rooted as such anchorage and nutrient exploration
are enhanced
2. Long-lived. Trees planted from seeds survived over hundred years and are prolific
producers of fruits
3. It is an easy and fast way of multiplying a variety
4. Seedlings grown from seeds can be used as rootstocks

Disadvantages of Sexual Propagation

1. Seeded trees do not produce fruits that are true-to-type

2. Trees have enormous size
3. Longer time to bear fruits
Seedling plants have long juvenile phase (6-10 years) and hence flowering and fruiting
commences very late in them.

4. Sexually raised plants are generally tall and spreading type and thus are cumbersome
for carrying out various management practices like pruning, spraying, harvesting etc.
5. Seeds of many fruits are to be sown immediately after extraction from the fruits as they
lose their viability very soon e.g. cashew nut, jackfruit, citrus, mango and papaya.
6. The beneficial influences of rootstocks on scion variety cannot be exploited in sexual
propagation.
7. Seedling plants usually produce fruits inferior quality.

Advantages of Asexual Propagation

1. Desirable characteristics of selected mother plants are retained

2. Bear fruits early
3. Labor cost and time in the maintenance and harvesting are more economical
4. Uniform appearance of the trees and more number of trees can be planted per unit area

Factors affecting Asexual Propagation

1. Healthy rootstock
2. Active bud-eye
3. Period of propagation
a. Dry months-high % success (December to April)
b. Rainy months- low % success (May to October)
4. Skilled plant propagator

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

III. ACTIVITY

Let’s do this!

Directions: Identify the picture below based on the mode and type of plant propagation.

Ex.: Cutting : Asexual Propagation

1._________:__________ 2._________:__________

3.__________:__________ 4.__________:__________

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

IV. ASSESSMENT

Let’s do this!

EXPLANATION:

Direction: Briefly answer the ff. questions

1. Why sexually propagated plants have a longer juvenile period?

2. Explain the life span of asexually propagated plants.

3. Why there is a need of skillful propagator in propagating plants asexually?

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Lesson 4: Germination of seeds.
I. OBJECTIVES:
* Compare orthodox from recalcitrant seeds;
* classify seeds according to the behavior of seeds; and
* determine the area or location favorable for germination.

II. DISCUSSION:

Types of Seeds
1. Orthodox seeds – not sensitive to drying, it can be dried before storage or before
planting without reducing the germination
2. Intermediate – In can be dried slowly before storage or planting.
3. Recalcitrant seeds – sensitive to drying. Germination will reduced once moisture is lost
Note: do not dry the seeds, plant immediately.
Recalcitrant Orthodox

1. Mango X

2. Durian X

3. Mangosteen X

4. Papaya X X

5. Citrus X X

6. Cereal seeds X

7. Legume seeds X

Requirements of Seed Germination

1. Seed must be viable – embryo must be

alive

2. The seed has no physical and physiological barriers to germination. Internal and outside
conditions of seed favored germination

3. The seed must be subjected to appropriate environment conditions

a. Sufficient water
b. Proper temperature
c. Good supply of oxygen
d. Sometimes light

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The Seed Germination Process

 Step 1: Imbibition: water fills the seed.

The first step in the seed germination is imbibition i.e. absorption of water by the
dry seed. Imbibition results in swelling of the seed as the cellular constituents get
rehydrated. The swelling takes place with a great force. It ruptures the seed coats
and enables the radicle to come out in the form of primary root
 Step 2: The water activates enzymes that begin the plant's growth.
Imbibition of water causes the resumption of metabolic activity in the rehydrated
seed. Initially their respiration may be anaerobic (due to the energy provided by
glycolysis) but it soon becomes aerobic as oxygen begins entering the seed. The
seeds of water plants, as also rice, can germinate under water by utilizing
dissolved oxygen.

The seeds of plants adapted to life on land cannot germinate under water as they
require more oxygen. Such seeds obtain the oxygen from the air contained in the
soil. It is for this reason that most seeds are sown in the loose soil near the
surface. Ploughing and hoeing aerate the soil and facilitate seed germination. Thus
the seeds planted deeper in the soil in water-logged soils often fail to germinate
due to insufficient oxygen.

 Step 3: The seed grows a root to access water underground.

Plants vary greatly in response to light with respect to seed germination. The seeds
which respond to light for their germination are named as photoblastic. Three
categories of photoblastic seeds are recognized: Positive photoblastic, negative
photoblastic and non-photoblastic. Positive photoblastic seeds (lettuce, tobacco,
mistletoe, etc.) do not germinate in darkness but require exposure to sunlight (may
be for a brief period) for germination.

 Step 4: The seed grows shoots that grow towards the sun.
During germination the cells of the embryo resume metabolic activity and undergo
division and expansion. Stored starch, protein or fats need to be digested. These
cellular conversions take place by making use of energy provided by aerobic
respiration.

The outer layer of special cells (aleurone layer) of endosperm produces and
secretes hydrolyzing enzymes (such as amylases, proteases). These enzymes
cause digestion i.e. breakdown of the stored food such as starch and proteins in
the inner endosperm cells.

The insoluble food is rendered soluble and complex food is made simple. These
simpler food solutions, comprising of sugars and amino acids thus formed, are
diluted by water and passed towards the growing epicotyl, hypocotyl, radicle and
plumule through the cotyledon.

 Step 5: The shoots grow leaves and begin photmorphogenesis

After the translocation of food and its subsequent assimilation, the cells of the
embryo in the growing regions become metabolically very active. The cells grow in
size and begin divisions to form the seedling.

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Phases of seed germination

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Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Ag. Tech. 1 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

III. ACTIVITY

Let’s do this!

Direction: List at least 20 plants and identify their seed type.

17
Name: Date:
Year & Section: Score:
Instructor: Melonie C. Lisayan
Subject: Crop Sc. 3 (Plant Propagation and Nursery Management)

IV. ASSESSMENT

Direction: In your own words explain the illustration below.

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