9/10

TLE
(Horticultural Production)

Quarter 1

LEARNER’S MATERIAL
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The Editors

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 TLE
(Horticultural Production)
Grade 9/10

Schools Division Office Management Team: Editha B. Gregorio, Laarni R. Granado,

Zoilo V. Handayan Jr., Jennifer U. Cruz, Cherry Ann R. Varon, Saikee G. Paris

TLE (Horticultural Production) Grade 9/10

PIVOT IV-A Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2020

Published by: Department of Education Region IV-A CALABARZON

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 Undertake Nursery Work
Lesson
I
After learning the tools, materials and equipment used in a
nursery work, you will learn different activities done in the nursery.
Learning Task 1: Write True if the statement is correct and False if it is
wrong.
1. Do not overload wheel barrows and trolleys with soil or plants when
used.
2. Clear dead plants, burned or buried them into the soil to avoid
contamination.
3. Use sharp tools with caution and concentration to avoid cuts to hands
and fingers.
4. Any source of water will do to ensure water availability in the farm.
5. You can directly plant seedlings in the farm in anytime of the day.

D
Common Nursery work
Establishing a nursery needs a considerable amount of time and
planning. An ideal plant nursery does not only supply the best planting
materials that you need but can be source of livelihood as well. In order to
attain this, the project must be well planned from site selection, water sup-
ply, soil/media preparation, labor and other factors. These can influence
the effort that will be required in maintaining the project.

Selecting the ideal site

The site of the nursery is important to ensure efficient production of

good quality planting materials and proper nursery hygiene management.
The factors to be considered in choosing the ideal site are the following:
An adequate source of water supply- the site should be near a natural
source of water (river, or spring) or a deep well can be constructed to
ensure adequate water supply will be available year-round.
Soil- a good source of sandy loam or loamy soil should be as close as
possible to the site.
Accessibility-the site must be close or near a main road to minimize
transportation cost.
Topography- ideally the site should be relatively flat with a 1-2% slope.
The gradual slope prevents water clogging.
Availability of additional labor- there will be instances when addition-
al manpower is needed, thus additional labor is a necessity.
Ownership of the farm or site- in case the area/site will be rented,
terms and conditions should be clear before putting up the nursery.
Location- the site must be away from strong winds. Windbreaks are
necessary in case strong winds occur regularly.
PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 4
Proper use of Nursery tools and equipment
To keep the safety of each tool and equipment, take note of the
following:
Conduct regular check on all tools and equipment before using them to
identify unsatisfactory or faulty items.
Always use sharp tools with caution and concentration to avoid cuts to
hands and fingers.
Use correct lifting methods when you are lifting plants, tools and
equipment. Team lifts anything that is too heavy for one person.
Do not overload wheelbarrows and trolleys with soil or plants.
Wear protective gloves when sorting and neatly stacking pots, pot trays
and propagation trays as they tend to attract spiders and other
insects.
Always return tools and equipment to the designated safe storage areas
after use. Keep walkways or working areas uncluttered by equipment
when temporarily not in use.
Be aware of vehicle and trailer movement at all times in and around the
nursery areas.

Nursery Hygiene
Keeping the nursery clean and tidy is important not only for its
appearance and organization but also helps to reduce the emergence of
weeds, infection, fungus, and pests. Sorting, weeding, and pruning of
potted and newly propagated seedlings should be done regularly. This is
done in order to avoid nursery pests and diseases. There are suggested
ways to keep the nursery hygienic. These include (1) washing down
working benches, (2) clearing dead plants away quickly (burned or buried
into the soil), (3) wash out trays and seed soaking containers after using
the tools including soiled trays, and (4) remove and pack unused moss, coir
dust and soil on a weekly basis. On a daily basis, hygienic nursery includes
(1) cleaning up pots and trays under table, (2) removing unused sterilized
soil from potting table, (3) put things away in their storage places, (4)
removing rubbish, (5) storing used moss, compost, coir dust and soil in
closed bags. These activities must be observed at all time in a nursery like
(1) washing used pots and trays and tools, equipment in diluted bleach,
vinegar or detergent, (2) keep cigarettes and food away from production
areas, (3) separate recycling, (4) compost left over foods and seed flesh into
the worm farm or composting bin, (and 5) compost, water soak and rot
seedlings or burn infected plant parts quickly.

Quality control
Quality control embraces every detail of nursery operation from
simplest area lay-out to most complicated management practices.
Standards for every component should be set and made clear to all nursery
workers for them to perform to the highest level of standards. In doing so, it
is not far that plants grown in the nursery are of high quality and
customers’ satisfaction is guaranteed.
5 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 E
Learning Task 2: Write True if the statement is correct and False if the
statement is wrong.
1. The site should be near a natural source of water or a deep well that can
supply water year round to the plants.
2. Always use sharp tools with caution and concentration to avoid cuts to
hands and fingers.
3. Overload wheelbarrows and trolleys with soil or plants.
4. Always return tools and equipment to the designated safe storage areas
after use.
5. Use correct lifting methods when you are lifting plants, tools and
equipment.

A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to a desired

age. They include retail nurseries which sell to the general
public, wholesale nurseries which sell only to businesses such as other
nurseries and to commercial gardeners, and private nurseries which supply
the needs of institutions or private estates. Nurseries may supply plants for
gardens, agriculture, forestry and conservation biology.

Some of them specialize in one phase of the process: propagation,

growing out, or retail sale; or in one type of plant: e.g., groundcovers, shade
plants, or rock garden plants. Some produce bulk stock, whether seedlings
or grafted, of particular varieties for purposes such as fruit trees for
orchards, or timber trees for forestry. Some produce stock seasonally,
ready in springtime for export to colder regions where propagation could
not have been started so early, or to regions where seasonal pests prevent
profitable growing early in the season.

A
Learning Task 3: Fill in the blanks with the correct word to complete each
sentence.
1. A good source of sandy loam or loamy ______ should be as close as
possible to the site.
2. The deal ___________ site should be relatively flat with a 1-2% slope.
3. The site should be a natural source of _________ or a deep well that can
supply water available year-round.
4. Be aware of vehicle and trailer movement at all times in and around the
_________ areas.
5. Sorting, ____________ and pruning of potted and newly propagated
seedlings should be done regularly.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 6
 Care of Seedlings and Growing Plants
Lesson

I
In this lesson, you will learn the different diseases that may infect
the nursery. Also, this may help you to prevent these diseases, take care of
the nursery seedlings and how you will grow the plants after they have
been transferred from the nursery to their plant site.
Water and Irrigation
The regular supply of clean water is essential to plant growth. Plants
are made out of more than 90% in water. When grown in containers,
nursery plants have only a limited volume of substrate and do not have the
ability like mature plants to search for water from below the soil surface.
The amount of water seedlings are require depends upon the following:
Seedling age. More water is required after germination when the
seedling is young and at pricking out but this requirement reduces
as the seedling grows in age.
Amount of sunlight. If the area is exposed to sun, more water is needed
and vice versa. However, do not keep the area shady for too long to
reduce water use.
Soil type. A sandy soil losses water faster than a soil with high clay
content hence sandy soil needs more frequent watering. However a
clayey soil becomes hard and cracks when it dries out.

The substrate should be watered thoroughly so the water should

be directed to the soil and not the leaves except to dust the soil lightly.
Water should be clean to ensure seedling health so water from such
sources as kitchen waste should not be used. Too much water can damage
the plants just as much as not enough water because of water clogging
which hinders the roots to breath.
This is used to reduce the power of water drops which causes soil
erosion. It helps contribute water evenly. As already mentioned, watering
should be done twice a day early in the morning and late in the afternoon
after 4:00 P.M. when the sun is not too hot. If this is not possible, then
water once a day in the evening. During rainy season, watering may be
done once or none at all. Avoid under watering and over watering. Use
adequate amount of water, e.g. 20 litres for 1000 seedlings.

7 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 Weeding
Weeds are a threat to healthy seedlings development. They compete
with seedlings for nutrients, water and light hence they must be eradicated
or controlled. With your hands or a hand fork gently pull out unwanted
growth. This should be done whenever weeds are observed. If your soil is
full of weeds, it will rob your plants off of available nitrogen. If this is a
problem, you will need to add more nitrogen to the soil when initially
potting up in the form of worm castings, seaweed extract or compost.
Adding more fertilizer
To determine when to add more fertilizer, use the date of potting up
as your starting date and add on 3 or 6 months (depending on your
fertilizer release time frame). If the plant is showing signs of low nitrogen
then you could do one of three things (1) make a shallow hole into the pot
and add 4 to 5 granules of slow released fertilizer, (2) Apply worm castings
directly to the surface and water well, and (3) apply seaweed water solution
to the leaves (foliar spray) or soak in seaweed solution once in every week
until plants recover. Trace or micro nutrients are necessary for healthy
plant growth. A plant will show symptoms of deficiency early on or during
vegetative stage. This should be remedied promptly to ensure proper plant
growth and development.
Hardening/hardening off
Hardening is to expose the seedlings to harsh conditions to make
them strong so that they will be able to survive under harsh climate in the
field after planting out. It is also a gradual preparation of seedlings for field
conditions. This process is done (1) when the seedlings grow and reach the
planting size, the shade should be removed to expose them more to
sunlight, (2) reduction in watering intensity (quantity) and frequency-water
to be done twice a week and later once a week, (3) before planting out, root
pruning should be carried out frequently or make a rearrangement of pots
to allow more adoption to stress, and (4) good preparation for out planting
results in good field survival. Therefore hardening should be done 2-3
weeks before planting out time.
Postponing planting
If it’s not possible to plant when the seedlings are ready for planting
out (reach the right size for planting-1.5 ft) or the seedlings are not bought,
cut the tips of the plant to suppress further growth so that they will not be
overgrown during next season planting.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 8
Root pruning
Root pruning is the cutting of roots to control system development
beyond the container. When seedlings have reached to a certain size, their
roots become longer than the depth of the pots. If the roots are left without
pruning, they penetrate into the ground and develop the root systems. This
is done by (1) adding water to the seedlings properly before root pruning,
(2) using a sharp knife or wire or scissors to cut the long roots underneath
the container, (3) uplift the containers (wrenching) to cut overgrown roots
and (4)water the seedlings well after root pruning. This help the plant
withstand moisture stress.

Seedling protection
Seedlings are delicate and susceptible to attack by various pests and
disease as well as weather conditions. Such damages can seriously weaken
or kill the seedlings. Damage and disasters in the nursery are caused by
the following factors:
A. Weather conditions
This is damage caused by the adverse weather conditions. We can
either regulate water watering or shading to comply with prevailing
weather conditions.
B. Human
This is the stealing and/or intentional damaging of seedlings by human
beings. Fencing and security are such options to overcome this.

C. Livestock and wild animals

Livestock and wild animals browsing or grazing on seedlings, fencing
can offset this. Rodents such as field mice/rats frequently cause
serious damage to seedlings in the nursery as well as in the field by
eating them. To control these, cleaning the nursery helps to reduce
their population.

D. Insects
1. Thrips (Stenchaetothrips biformis)- there are laceration of the
tender leaves and it the plant sap is sucked. Young seedlings
show yellow or silver streaks on the leaves.
You can sparay any insecticide available in the market in order to
control infestation.
2. Green leafhopper (Nephoetettix virescens)- the symptom of
damage is yellowing of leaves from tip to downwards.
To control its infestation, apply neem cake at recommended
dosage based product recommendation.

9 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 3. Rice case worm (Nymphula depunctalis)- the caterpillars feed on
green tissues of the leaves and leaves become whitish papery.
To control, spray monocrotophos.

4. Paddy stemborer (Scirpophaga insertulas)- it causes drying of the

central shoot known as “dead hearts” and the panicle becomes
dried known as “white heads”.
To control, spray any of the following insecticides: quinalphos 25
EC, phosphamidon 40 SL and profenophos 50 EC.

5. Swarming caterpillar (Spodoptera mauritia)- the larvae cut the

seedlings in large scale. They feed voraciously and transfer from
one field to the other.
To control: drain the water and spray chlorpyriphos 20 EC 80ml +
20 liters of water.

Common diseases
Although there are various diseases which attack seedlings in
the nursery, damping off and wilt are described here since they are the
most common fungal diseases in the country. Damping off is fungal dis-
ease caused by Pythium spp. Rhizoctonia salani. The severity of the attack
usually increases with increase in soil moisture. Damping off can occur be-
fore germination, after germination and during pricking. The fungi attack
the seedlings at soil level and causes rotting. Conditions favorable for the
spread of the disease are (1) high sowing density, (2) over watering and (3)
using soil with partially decomposed material. Powdery mildew is also a
plant disease. First, small white powdery patches are formed on the leaf
surface and later the whole surface of the leaf is covered with powdery my-
celial colonies. Damaged leaves gradually defoliate. Control-fallen diseases
leaves should be buried in soil or burned and the young seedlings sprayed
with Benlate.
Wilting
This is the loss of water or rigidity of the non-woody part of the
plants. It is mainly caused by overcrowding. Separating the seedlings or im-
mediate planting out can help control it. Control measures include the
practice optimum sowing density and use of appropriate amount of water.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 10
 It’s the best time of the year when self-starting gardeners have sown
their seeds indoors and are contemplating the next steps. Those tiny little
sprouts have shown up and need the best care before their planting them
out. Thus, every gardener should take care for the seedlings to keep
healthy and robust plants that will produce with faster and higher yields.
These are few of the things that every gardener should take into
considerations.
Damping off is a real threat when caring for seedlings after
germination. Just because the seeds managed to sprout doesn’t mean the
plants are out of danger. Damping off is a fungal disease that causes the
tiny plants to wither and die. It can stem from contaminated containers or
soil and is worsened by incorrect watering practices. Use a sterilized soil
or soilless mix and wash containers carefully to prevent contaminating the
seeds and plants.
Keep plants in a sunny location during the day but move them at
night to prevent cold drafts from stunting their growth. Too much water
can cause tiny roots to rot while too little will see your new babies
shrinking and even dying.

How to Take Care of Seedlings

When seedlings have sprouted, give supplemental food until the

cotyledon has completely emerged and several sets of true leaves are
present. Seed starter mixes are formulated with all the nutrients your new
plants should need until they are planted outside. A soilless-grown crop
will benefit from fertilizer diluted by one-quarter once per week. Water
your plants when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. The exact time
will depend on how warm the room is and how hot the light. The best
temperature for optimum growth is between 70 and 80 F. (21 to 26 C.).
Avoid exposing seedlings to temperatures below for more than a few hours
and above 100 F. (37 C.), which will stunt root growth. Avoid overcrowding
the plants where multiple seeds have sprouted in the same plant container.

Successful care for seedlings once sprouted will take you on the road
to transplanting. Plants grown in peat cells should receive a new pot that
will allow for future growth. You’ll know when it is time if you can see roots
out of the bottom of the cell. Spoon out the seedlings to avoid damaging the
stem by lifting them. Use a good sterile soil again and water them well
immediately. You can use any container, but peat pots and other
compostable materials allow for easy insertion into the garden bed without
damaging roots. As an added bonus, the container will break down and add
nutrients to the soil. Hardening off is done before your plants are
introduced to the garden bed. Two weeks before planting them outside,
gradually introduce your germinated seed to the new conditions. Move
them outside for longer and longer periods to acclimate them to the wind,
light levels, temperature. This will prevent the stress that is associated
with seedling failure after outdoor transplanting. After a couple of weeks,
plant the seedlings in a prepared seed bed and take care of them as they
grow.
11 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 D
Learning Task 1: Identify the following. Write your answer in your
notebook.
1. These plant materials are delicate and susceptible to attack by various
pests and diseases as well as weather conditions.
2. It is a method of cutting the roots to control root system development
beyond the container.
3. It is done to expose the seedlings to harsh conditions to make them
strong and able to survive under harsh climate in the field.
4. These are threat to healthy seedlings development and they compete
with seedlings nutrients.
5. This kind of soil losses water faster than a soil with high clay content.

E
Learning Task 2: Write the corresponding scientific names of the following
insect pest in the nursery.

1. Green leafhopper
2. Paddy stem borer
3. Thrips
4. Rice case worm
5. Swarming caterpillar

A
Learning Task 3: Write paragraph on how to take care of the seedlings.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 12
 Types of Planting Materials (Propagules)
Lesson

I
The planting materials or propagules can be prepared through seeds
and by asexual means. The asexual means of propagation in most
instances is preferred, but there are plant species that do not lend
themselves to this method of propagation. Some species can only be
multiplied through the use of seeds.

Methods of Plant Propagation

A. Propagation by seed- the use of seed is the most practical and even the
cheapest way of propagation.

Advantages of using seeds

Most practical and cheapest way
Stronger anchorage (for fruit trees grown from seed) which makes the
trees resistant to strong winds.

Disadvantages of using seeds

Fruit trees take a longer time to bear fruits
The resulting plant does not retain the characteristics of the parents
because of gene segregation.
Plants tend to grow into large trees.

Seed Quality/Viability
Seeds can be categorized into two types based on the initial moisture
content during extraction and the way viability is influenced by reduction
in moisture while a storage. They are:
1. Recalcitrant seeds- here the moisture content is initially high and
the loss by drying below the critical level (20%0 will lead to rapid loss
of viability. Examples are mango, lanzones, santol, jackfruit, rubber,
and oil palm.
2. Orthodox seeds- these seeds can be dried to prevent respiratory
processes and placed in air tight containers to exclude oxygen.
Refrigeration and the use of desiccants in ordinary room storage will
ensure viability to be extended for a year.

13 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 Germination Test
One way of assessing the viability of seeds is by performing germina-
tion test. Most seeds especially fruits and plantation crops are enclosed by
a hard seed coat or mucilaginous material that prevents the entry of water
into the seed. Water inhibition or absorption is the first step in seed germi-
nation. To stimulate seed germination, the following steps can be done.
Scarification- this procedure can be done chemically (dipping in sul-
phuric or hydrochloric acids foe less than minute); mechanically
( soaking seeds in plain water until the seeds swell; dipping in
boiling water for around 5 seconds; use the nail cutter to remove a
small portion of seed to allow water to enter; physical cracking or
rubbing the seed in sandpaper.
Removal of the mucilaginous substance by soaking the seeds
(papaya) overnight; rubbing with fine sand for cacao and santol.

B. Vegetative or Asexual Propagation

The planting materials used here are vegetative propagules obtained
from roots, stems, leaves, and asexual propagated seedlings.
The advantages in the use of vegetative propagated materials are:
They produce true-to-type.
Suitable for plant species that do not normally produce seeds or may
also produce seeds but are difficult to germinate.
Trees are smaller compared to those propagated by seeds and they
bear fruits much earlier.
Highly useful for species with distinct maleness and femaleness
(example: rambutan)

Kinds of Vegetative Propagules

1. Runners- these are specialized growing stem parts that arise from leaf
axils of the plant and form roots of their own that render them excellent
propagating materials like strawberry and black pepper.

2. Slips- leafy shoots that arise from axillary buds produced at the base of
the plant.
3. Suckers- adventitious roots that arise from underground stems below
the ground.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 14
4. Corms- underground solid stem structures that contain nodes and in-
ternodes; the corm can be further divided into several seed pieces.
Example is taro.

5. Root cuttings-these are used in propagating breadfruit.

6. Leaf bud cuttings- these are derived from axillary buds in stem and
leaf; the stem bearing buds are cut into pieces and inserted in a
rooting medium. (example: black pepper).

7. Stem cuttings- is plant stem including a tip (e.g. shoot, twig, sucker,)
or a portion of a stem without the apex that includes one or more

Asexually propagated materials produced from layerage,

marcotting, grafting, and budding.

15 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 Practices and Operations in Nursery
The nursery is a facility where planting materials are grown, cared
and maintained until the propagules are ready to be transferred to a
permanent site for commercial growing. The common practices or
operations in a nursery include the following:
1. Preparation, use and maintenance of germination or rooting beds to
be used only for germinating seeds or rooting of cuttings.
2. Potting or the transfer of young seedlings to individual containers
like thick black plastic bags in various sizes. The size of plastic bag
varies with the size of the seeds.
3. Care and maintenance of seedlings ready for transplanting.
Normally seedlings are ready for transplanting when they attained
around 30 cm in height and at least 3-4 mature leaves but this
varies with species and variety.
4. Management of light (solar energy in nursery)
Some form of shade is needed by some seedlings while in the early
stages of growth and development and also those that are in the
rooting beds. The shade can be provided naturally in conditions
provided by the canopy of coconuts and artificial structure like
nets, bamboo slat or used plastics in improvised screen houses.

Plant propagation is the process which grows new plants from a

variety of sources like from seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts for in-
tentional production of new plants using various starter materials (e.g. or-
gans, tissues), including their intensive but temporary care. It is primarily
practiced to produce seedlings or clones of nursery crops for out planting,
or for planting in containers for display or decor or other uses.

Nursery crops are those which commonly require the use of pre-
grown planting materials for out planting, or field planting. A plant nurse-
ry is the place where seedlings, clones, and potted plants are raised tem-
porarily under intensive care.

There are two types of propagation: sexual and asexual. Sexual re-
production is the union of the pollen and egg, drawing from the genes
of two parents to create a new, third individual. Sexu-
al propagation involves the floral parts of a plant.
The major methods of asexual propagation are cuttings, layering,
division, budding and grafting. Cuttings involve rooting a severed piece of
the parent plant; layering involves rooting a part of the parent and then
severing it; and budding and grafting is joining two plant parts from dif-
ferent varieties. The common tools used for plant propagation are grafting
chisel, small mallet, grafting wrap or tape and grafting wax.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 16
 D
Learning Task 1: Examine the following pictures. Identify the type of
vegetative propagules.

1. 3.

________________________________ ________________________________

2. 4.

________________________________ ________________________________

E
Learning Task 2: Find the word that describes the types of planting
materials.

S S U C K E R S R
E L N O I L I C R
E I D R C F S A E
D P E M K S S R C
S S R S S E O I A
W E T O X E R F L
I E E U O D T I C
M H A L O R H C I
M L A H A I O A T
E I T I R E D T R
R R J A I A O I A
O E P J M I X O N
R U N N E R S N T

17 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 Environmental Aspects of Nursery Work
Lesson

I
In this lesson, you will learn the environmental aspects of nursery
work. It is important that as plant grower, there are guidelines that need
to be accomplished in order to upkeep crop production as a good practice.
Every endeavour is an individual position when it comes to adopt-
ing and implementing eco-efficient practices. These are needed such that
its adoption in practices are benchmarks by which every plant grower
must know and practice. Plant nurseries are increasingly considering en-
vironmental performance as part of their planning and operational proce-
dures. Adopting eco-efficient agricultural practices will not only benefit
the environment, they will also improve business operational efficiency
and reduce cost.
There are guidelines that need to be observed in doing nursery
work. The guidelines include safety equipment, personal protective equip-
ment, safe work methods and operating procedures and the safe use of
tools in a safe environment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is re-
quired where there is a risk of injury or contamination to you or others.
Equipment for use with chemicals for nursery materials may include res-
pirator for dust or gas particles, waterproof boots, waterproof gloves made
from vinyl, rubber, or synthetic material, waterproof pants and jacket, wa-
terproof wide-brimmed hat with non-absorbent headband, clean overalls
or outer clothing, face shields or goggles with side shields. Appropriate
clothing is required for all nursery work and this includes strong, sturdy,
comfortable closed shoes or boots, long pants and long sleeve shirts, and
wide brimmed sun hat. Other necessary of protection include: sunscreen
lotion, leather gloves. Sunglasses and vinyl gloves. Latex are not recom-
mended as many people have or predisposed to allergies, in the form of
skin rashes.
Material safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
The information on a MSDS outlines the composition of the materi-
al, its safe storage, use and application. The MSDS should always accom-
pany chemicals and substances including soil or potting mixes. Users
should be made aware of the MSDS and adhere to any recommended
safety directions.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 18
Working with soil
There had been reported cases of respiratory type illnesses from
exposure to potting mix mainly from the use of bagged potting mixes.
Nevertheless, as a precaution it is imperative to keep soil mixes moist at
all times including when moving it from one place to another. This
reduces the amount of air borne dust particles. Also, workers are required
to use disposable vinyl gloves when handling potting mixes.
Potting and sowing materials
Some other materials used in propagation mixes also have fine
particles. When using these materials, a respirator must be worn and the
substances need to be moistened when blending to reduce air borne
particle movement. Problems in potting/sowing materials are the
presence of chemical in perlite (fine silky dust), coco peat (dust) and in
soil.
It is always best to avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible
and rely on alternative methods to control pest and diseases such as
integrated pest management. However, sometimes it is necessary to use
horticultural oils, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and additives. If using
chemicals, there are precautions such as (1) Always read the label before
mixing and follow safety directions, (2) gloves and appropriate clothing
must always be worn when mixing or applying and (3) respirators will be
necessary when spraying chemicals. Some chemicals that are being used
include (1) clonex , a rooting hormone, (2) White oil or neem oil used as
fungicides, (3) Iron chelates or iron sulphate is used to enhance plants
once it shows yellowing or iron deficiency symptoms, and (4) ozmocote
fertilizer a type of slow release fertilizer.
OHS Legislative Requirements and Codes of Practice
Running a nursery is like a managing a farm from production.
From time to time, you will probably hire workers to help run your farm
operations. It will become a business enterprise involving “employer-
worker” relationships. As the employer, you are responsible to ensure the
health and safety of all people working on your farm. Just as you need to
know crop management, you also need to know what is required by
government occupational health and safety legislation. The legislation can
be used as farm management tools which can help your farm more safely
and more profitably.

19 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
Accidents in the nursery
All farms have dangerous machinery and work situations. People of
all ages, who work and live on farms, are at risk of injury. Children are
especially vulnerable to hazards on farms because it is their home, as well
as, a place of work. Young, inexperienced workers are at a higher risk for
injuries than older experienced workers. Performance changes which
occur with aging can result in reduced balance and reaction time, vision
and hearing impairment. These and other changes affect the aging
farmer’s ability to work safely. Working alone and time pressure also
increase the risk of injury. When these injuries occur, especially at critical
farming times, they can reduce farm revenues. Losing limb and the
resulting loss of productive work time can devastate both short and the
long-term profitability of a farm operation. The Occupational Health and
Safety Act will apply to all workplaces, including farms. In our country,
the agency that is in-charge to take the lead in the conduct of
Occupational Safety and Health System (OSHS) is the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE). The agency should monitor the following
(1) Prevention- Executive Order 301 (OSHC), (2) Enforcement-
Administrative Code of 1987, (3) Compensation Rehabilitation-
Presidential Decree 626 9Environmental Certificate Compliance), and (4)
Updating of Health & Safety Standard and other Related OSH Policies-
Adm. Code 1987.
The DOLE is the lead agency of the government in the
administration and reinforcement of laws, policies, and programs on
occupational safety and health.
The legal basis of its mandate is the Presidential Decree No. 442,
Labor Code of the Philippines. The OSHS was created in 1978 under these
standards such as a set of mandatory rules on OHS which codifies all
safety orders and patterned after the standards of other developing
countries. The objectives include the protection of workers from
occupational risks and hazards, the coverage is for all workplaces, except
safety mines. The Rule 1000 general provisions include its aim to protect
every worker against injury, sickness, or death. Its scope applies to all
places of employment except mines. Under the rule, the duties of
employers are (1) furnish safe healthful working conditions, (2) give job
safety instruction, (3) Comply with OSHS and (4) use approved safety
devices. The duties or workers are to cooperate with management, report
unsafe condition, and use all safe devices. Precautions in hazardous
workplaces must be observes as the exposure to dangerous environmental
elements, contaminants or working conditions must be avoided.

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 20
 These are (1) construction work, (2) logging, (3) fire-fighting, (4)
mining, (5) quarrying, (6) blasting,(7) stevedoring, (8) dock work, (9) deep
sea, fishing and mechanized farming, (10) manufacture or handling of
explosives and pyrotechnic products, (11) use or exposure to power driven
or explosive materials and (12) exposure to biological agents as bacteria,
fungi, viruses, protozoa, nematodes and other parasites.

Eminent danger
A condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause
death or serious physical harm before abatement under the enforcement
procedure can be accomplished.

Government Agencies Covered:

The following government agencies are: Department of Health, Local
Government Units such as provinces, towns, cities and its barangays,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education.
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of
Transportation, Department of Transportation and Communication,
Department of Energy, National Economic and Development Authority,
Department of Science and Technology and Department of Agriculture.

NGOs. Labor and Employer groups:

They are Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM).
Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP),
Employees Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP). People Management
Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Worker (FFW), Association of Safety
Practitioner of the Philippines (ASPPI). And World Safety Organization
(WSO).

Academe:
Among colleges and universities are University of the Philippines
College of Public Health (UPCPH), University of the Philippines School of
Labor and Industrial and Relations (UPSOLAIR), De La Salle University
(DLSU), Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) etc.

Horticultural production is primarily involved in the intensive use of

resources, such as land, water, labour and inputs such as fertilisers and
pesticides. The use of such resources in a concentrated space and time
has the potential to negatively impact on the local environment and
worker welfare. In addition the transport of horticultural produce over
long distances, particularly by air transport is known to have an impact
on the global environment. The first part of the chapter outlines these
threats to the environment that intensive horticulture presents and how
the understanding of wider issues relating to the environment has
developed over recent years. Then the methods of analysing the impact of
horticulture on the environment are considered including environmental
impact assessments and Life Cycle Assessment.
21 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 In the second part of the chapter, the methods and strategies that
are being used to minimise the effect of production on environmental
degradation are considered. This includes legislation and Private
Voluntary Standards such as GLOBALGAP that have incorporated
environmental standards into their remit. The use of technologies that
have been used to mitigate the impact of horticultural production on the
environment are highlighted including greenhouse technologies, soil
protection and conservation, optimal fertiliser use and Integrated Pest
Management.
Role of communication in interpersonal relationship.
Communication is said to be the basis of every interpersonal relationship.
In fact effective communication is the key to a healthy and long lasting
relationship. If individuals do not communicate with each other
effectively, problems are bound to come.

D
Learning Task 1: Write the meaning of the following acronyms of
government Agencies covered in OHS legislative requirements and codes
of practice.
1. DOLE
2. LGU
3. DENR
4. DTI
5. DSWD

Learning Task 2: Each student will plan on how to put up a plant

nursery. You are going to answer the following as a part of the plan.
1. Which among the factors are you going to consider in your plan? Why?
2. What method of plant propagation will you concentrate in the project?
Why?
3. Why are the interpersonal relations and communication important in
plant nursery operation?

PIVOT 4A CALABARZON 22
A
Learning Task 3: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.
1. How many percent of water is needed by plants?
A. 70% C. 90%
B. 80% D. 100%
2. Which of the following is a threat to a healthy seedlings?
A. Fertilizer C. Water
B. Weeds D. Wind
3. This is the cutting of roots to control root system development
beyond the container.
A. Hardening C. Root pruning
B. Weeding D. Postponing planting

4. These are delicate and susceptible to attack by various pets and

disease as well as weather conditions.
A. Animals C. Seedlings
B. Roots D. Weeds
5. Which of the following insect pest that causes drying of the central
shoot known as “dead heart”?
A. Paddy stem borer C. Rice case worm
B. Green leafhopper D. thrips
6. What propagation is the most practical and even the cheapest way
of propagation?
A. Propagation by seed C. Asexual propagation
B. Marcotting D. Germination
7. Which is of this is a way of assessing the viability of seeds?
A. Scarification C. Viability
B. Recalcitrant D. Germination test
8. What is the type of vegetative propagule where a leafy shoots arise
from axillary buds produced at the base of the plant?
A. Runners C. Suckers
B. Slips D. Corms
9. Which is identified as one of the most frequent problems dealing
with others in making business negotiations?
A. Listening C. Interviewing
B. Writing D. Talking
10. What is considered as major components of interpersonal
relations?
A. Listening C. Interviewing
B. Writing D. Body language

23 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
 24 PIVOT 4A CALABARZON
Crop Production
Technology and Livelihood Education Agricultural Arts Learner’s Material.
References
Learning Task 3
1. C
2. B
3. C Learning Task 1
4. C 1. Department of Labor and Employment
5. A 2. Local Government Units
6. A 3. Department of Environment and
7. D Natural Resources
8. B 4. Department of Trade and Industry
9. A 5. Department of Social Welfare and
10. D Development
Environmental Aspects of Nursery Work
Learning Task 2
1. Seeds
2. Suckers
3. Slips
4. Corms
5. Asexual Learning Task 1
6. Orthodox 1. Runner
7. Runners 2. Slips
8. Scarification 3. Marcot
9. Recalcitrant 4. Corms
10. Stem 5. Grafting
Types of Planting Materials (Propagules)
Learning Task 2 Learning Task 1
1. Nephotettix virescens 1. Seedlings
2. Scirpophaga insertulas 2. Root pruning
3. Stenchaetothrips biformis 3. Hardening
4. Nymphula depunctalis 4. Weeding
5. Spodoptera mauritia 5. Sandy
Care of Seedlings and Growing Plants
Learning Task 3 Learning Task 2 Learning Task 1
1. Soil 1. TRUE 1. TRUE
2. Topography 2. TRUE 2. TRUE
3. Water 3.FALSE 3. TRUE
4. Nursery 4. TRUE 4. FALSE
5. Weeding 5. TRUE 5. FALSE
Undertake Nursery Work
Answer Key
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education Region 4A CALABARZON

Office Address: Gate 2, Karangalan Village, Cainta, Rizal

Landline: 02-8682-5773, locals 420/421

Email Address: lrmd.calabarzon@deped.gov.ph