WEEK 6 (Circle Weeding)

 FPA150

Hi, guys! Salam UiTM di hatiku 💜. My name is Nik Nur Fatihah Binti Mohd Lazin and now currently studying at UiTM Melaka, Jasin Campus as one of Diploma Agrotechnology (AT1103B) student. I am 20 years old and living in Terengganu.

     I am mainly doing this portfolio to introduce the students to our activities that we did on every Friday.

WEEKLY REPORT

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS:

1. Boots

2. Hoe

3. Glove

4. Gasoline brush cutter (5 units)

    - Petrol oil (5 liters)

    - 2T oil (50 ml)

    - Nylon strap (7-10 sets)

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Figure 1

 A part 2 student gave a speech about what they had done last week

Figure 2

Our task has been assigned, and Sir Fairuz gave us with a briefing on circle weeding

Figure 3

The gasoline brush cutter that was used by us made circle weeding easier

Figure 4

The hoe is also used to pull out grass roots from the soil

What is circle weeding? 

• Circle weeding is a gardening method where you remove weeds from around a plant in a circular shape to help the plant grow better by reducing competition for nutrients and water.

Circle weeding offers several benefits:

• It helps plants grow by reducing competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight from weeds.
• With fewer weeds, plants are less likely to suffer from diseases and pests that can be harbored by nearby weeds.
• Removing weeds near the plant ensures that water goes directly to the plant's roots instead of being absorbed by weeds.
• With reduced competition and stress, plants can grow larger and healthier.
• By focusing weeding efforts directly around plants, you can be more efficient with your time and reduce the overall effort needed for garden maintenance.

Tree 5

Figure 5

(BEFORE)

The weeds are very thick and disrupt the tree's nutrient absorption

Figure 6

(AFTER)

The base is clearer from weeds

Figure 7

On the same tree, there was a leak in the pipe that distributes water, and we needed to report it to the plantation unit staff

Figure 8

While the weeds were being cleared, a disease known as stem canker was found on the durian trees. This disease, which mainly damages the base and stem, causes the bark to peel off severely and prevents the plants from effectively absorbing water and nutrients

The source of the disease:

• Phytophthora fungi exist in the soil environment and can adapt under unfavorable conditions thanks to the cell wall is cellulose.
• Seedlings infected with fungus during grafting stage, causing disease to mother plants

Symptoms of purulent stem fracture disease caused by Phytophthora

• The leaves of the infected plant are no longer shiny and turn yellow, then fall off each branch or side of the plant, the lower root system rot.
• There are signs of plastic discharge on the bark surface, wet spots and brown sap, fungi often attack around the base and branches of jackfruit trees, durian trees.
• Shaving the martial arts layer on the body will see that this wood has dark brown lines running down the trunk. Severely diseased plants do not grow and die gradually.
• On the leaves: the first lesion is small black brown spots on the leaf surface and spread very quickly, after 2 days the leaves turn brown and the fungal spores spread to the surrounding leaves, the rain and strong wind will create conditions. canopy the whole garden.

Treatment:

• Shave off the black dead skin and rot in the affected area (do not shave deeply into the core because it takes a long time for the tree to regenerate the core). After scraping, phase nano silver with a dose of 100 ml nano silver 1000 ppm with 2 liters of water. Use a brush to apply medicine directly to the scraping area to destroy the fungal pathogens.
• Combined watering and foliar spray 100 ml of nano silver 1000 ppm diluted with 10 liters of water. Each plant is watered about 1.5L – 2L and wet spraying the leaves

Especially, Silver Nano is safe for the growth of plants. Not harmful to human health and soil environment.

Recommendation:

• Disease prevention for plants from inception by using root irrigation and foliar sprays (1 liter nano silver 1000 ppm mixed with 150L of water)
• Apply nano silver on stalks during rainy season to prevent fungus from growing and pathogenic (100 ml mixed with 2 L water)
• Adequately supplement the plant with nutrients to make the plant more resistant to disease. Especially calcium, when the plant has enough calcium, the bark is not cracked, which also helps prevent Phytophthora fungus from invading.
• Cultivation: Choose dry, dry, well-ventilated areas for planting.
• Planting trees with appropriate density, creating ventilation for the garden to shine in.
• Fertilizing plants with adequate amount of manure, before fertilizing, should be composted and should add bio-products to fertilize.

Tree 6

Figure 9

(BEFORE)

The weeds are very thick 

Figure 10

(AFTER)

The base turned out to be clear of weeds, making upcoming activities easier

*Due to time constraints, we used a gasoline brush cutter for the rest of the trees because it is easier and saves time compared to using a hoe.

Planning for next week's activities

1. Circle Weeding (4 trees only)

   Tools required:

     - Hoe (2 unit)