RAISING SEEDLINGS BY THE DAPOG METHOD

DAPOG METHOD is preferable in areas where water management is excellent. The dapog seedbed should be watered with a sprinkler or wet stick broom so that the seeds will not be displaced. It can be made on various surfaces. A concrete floor, a raft made of banana stalks with soil on top, or an elevated platform can be used as the seedbed.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DAPOG SEEDLINGS
Good dapog seedlings are uniform in size; free from diseases, pests and mechanical injury; and hardly, with short but erect leaves and vigorous roots.

ADVANTAGES OF DAPOG METHOD
- time in the seedbed is greatly reduced
- area required for the seedbed is reduced
- there are more choices for seedbed location
- seedlings do not suffer from root or stem injury
- labor cost for pulling seedlings is eliminated

DISADVANTAGES
- larger quantity of seeds is required
- seedlings are short
- number of seedlings per hill cannot be controlled easily
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MATERIALS

- 3 kg seeds incubated for 36-48 h (having 3-5 radicles)
- meter stick or steel tape
- thoroughly prepared land
- enough banana leaves to cover the seedbed
- banana bracts from matured stalks
- 20 bamboo sticks, 0.5 x 1 x 30 cm
- stick broom or sprinkler
- wooden board with handle
- 4 bamboo stakes, 1 x 2.5 x 100 cm
- 8 liter bucket


OPERATION 1: Preparing the dapog seedbed

STEPS

1. Compute the area required
Use 1m² seedbed per hectare. The seedbed must be 1-1.5 m wide easy management.
2. Prepare the land
Usually, one plowing followed by one harrowing is sufficient to prepare the land.
3. Flood the field
Maintain enough water to cover the soil surface. This serves as a guide in leveling the soil.
4. Measure the area
With a steel tape or other measuring instrument, measure the desired dimensions of your seedbed. Use string or abaca twine and bamboo stakes to outline the bed area.
5. Construct the seedbed.
Collect mud around the area outlined and transfer it to the enclosed area. The height of the seedbed should be increased to 4-5 cm above the original soil level. Smooth and level the surface of the seedbed.
6. Cover the surface of the seedbed.
Allow 1 day for the mud to settle before covering the bed. Use banana leaves with the midribs removed, or plastic sheets as lining material. Spread these on top of the seedbed. Leaves should be spread with the underside up. The leaves should overlap each other, and no holes or breakage should expose the soil underneath.
7. Surround the seedbed with banana extracts.
Lay strips of 5 cm-wide banana bracts carefully along the edges of the seedbed. Secure the bracts by driving the thin bamboo sticks through them and into the soil to keep the bracts upright and firmly in place.

OPERATION 2. Sowing seeds in the dapog seedbed

STEPS

1. Broadcast the seeds
Broadcast the pregerminated seeds over the banana leaf enclosure. Pack the seeds to make a uniform layer 3 seeds thick.

2. Water the seeds
Sprinkle the seeds with water using a wet stick broom or a gardener's sprinkle. Do not pour water directly on the seeds or you will displace them.

OPERATION 3. Care of the dapog seedbed

STEPS

1. Water the seedbed
Water the seedbed 3-4 times a day with a gardener's sprinkler or a wet stick broom. After 4 days, irrigate the seedbed continuously to a 1-2 cm water depth.
2. Press the seeds gently every day.
Press the seeds lightly by hand or with a wooden board one a day until the fourth day. This maintains even germination and keeps the roots of the seedlings in contact with the banana leaves or plastic sheet. Do not press heavily, or you will destroy the seedbed.
3. Protect the seedlings from pests.
On the fifth and tenth day, spray recommended insecticide on the seedbed and around it. If necessary, fence the seedbed to protect it from rats, birds and animals.

OPERATION 4. Preparing seedlings for transplanting

STEPS
1. Roll the seedlings
Seedlings are ready for transplanting 9-14 days after sowing. Loosen and roll the carpet of seedlings or dapog into a convenient bundle. Roll the dapog with the leaves turned inward and roots outward.
2. Bring the dapog to the field to be planted.