Cloves #11

Hello everyone!

Today will be my last post! This one is about organic agriculture. Firstly I will be talking about what problems could arise when moving from conventional to organic practices for cloves. And secondly the level of organic clove production in Indonesia.

Shift to organic
Thinking back of my post on pests and diseases I would say this would be the largest problem on shifting to organic. Diseases like Valsa eugenlae and Cryptosporella eugeniae are the most major diseases and damaging for clove trees. Both these diseases are controlled by means of pesticides and shifting to organic would mean that new ways to controll the disease have to be found. Also a decrease in yield will be seen, as no more chemical fertilizer can be added to the trees.

Current state of organic clove production

Indonesia has many smallholder farmers which do not always have acces to pesticides and chemical fertilizer. This means that these farmers sometimes unintentionally produce in an organic way which to us western consumers sounds great. However to them it just means a lower yield and more pests & diseases within the plantation. Looking at Indonesia particularly I would say that producing organic wouldn't be profitable. This is due to nearly all of the clove production (90%) being used in the tabacco industry by making the so called: Kreteks.

Cloves #10

Hello everyone!

Today we will be talking about the interesting subject of Cropping Systems, Tillage and Crop Establishment. Firstly I will be talking about whether I would prefer to produce cloves by using monocropping or polyculture. And secondly I will explain what tillage method and equipment would be suitable for clove production.

Monocropping or polyculture?

Before the first harvest can be made the tree has to be 7-8 years old. This is a long time to wait for a farmer, as there is no form of income in this time. So you think a polyculture would bring a possible solution to this problem, as this would provide the farmer with a temporary form of income right? The answer to this is somewhere inbetween. It is perfectly fine to intercrop new plantations with maize and other cereal crops in the first year, the second year is also an option, however this is decided upon looking at the growing procces of the clove tree. (E.A Weis, 2002)

The thing is, that intercropping can damage the superficial root plate of the clove tree, and this can potentionally affect growth and yield in the future. It is recommended to only intercrop low growing annual food and fodder crops in the 3rd and 4th year, but also the 2nd year if the clove tree is getting to big. After the 4th year intercropping should be ceased as explained earlier it could harm the root system. In conclusion I would recommend a polyculture in the first 4 years and from that on a monocropping system. (E.A Weis, 2002)



What tillage method and equipment would be suitable for clove production?

Learning that the root system of the clove tree is very vulnerable I would recommend a no tillage approach. This will not disturb the soil which at first will give a slight decrease in production but will compensate with an increased water holding capacity and infiltration. Next to this, the soil will be more "alive" and flourishing in the future. Before planting I would recommend ploughing by ox pulled or tractor pulled plow. (E.A Weis, 2002)
Bibliography:

https://books.google.nl/books?id=RqqTdAwXev4C&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=cloves+fibrous+or+taproot?&source=bl&ots=E9MnWgol8n&sig=8J7YSLhvm-tTrGD6ObpcwAyQfcA&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2iY_MsKfWAhUMYVAKHbPNCIUQ6AEISjAI#v=snippet&q=intercropping&f=false

Cloves #9

Hey everyone!

Today we will be talking about harvesting and the storaging of cloves! Firstly we will talk about when cloves are ready to harvest, and what could go wrong when harvesting to early or too late. And secondly we will talk about the optimal storage conditions of cloves.

Harvesting of cloves
The first harvest of cloves occurs after the tree is 7-8 years old after planting. The flowering season of the tree is from September to October in lower regions, and from December to February in higher altitude regions. Clove harvesting is mostly done manualy, and is expected to remain this way due to rural employment and due to the high cost of mechanisation in comparison to the low cost of manual labour. (IndiaAgro,2017) (E.A Weis, 2002)

With manual harvesting workers climb into the trees to pick the cloves with occasional damage being done to the trees. A pre to mechanised clove harvesting is that tractor pulled platforms give workers safe acces to the cloves, and less damage is done to the trees which benifits future harvests. Chemical harvesting has also been tested in Brazil, with chemicals being sprayed on the trees which makes the cloves fall off and can be profitable in large scale farming. (IndiaAgro,2017) (E.A Weis, 2002)

It taked about 4 to 6 months for the buds to become ready to harvest. At this time they should preferably inbetween 1.5 to 2cm long and changing in colour from green to slightly pink/red. It is important to pick the cloves at the right time, as otherwise the quality of the cloves is decreased drastically. (IndiaAgro,2017) (E.A Weis, 2002)



Storage conditions
After harvesting the cloves are separated from the clusters by hand. After that, the cloves need to be dried. This drying procces is usually completed in 4 to 6 days with sunny weather. Within smallholder farming the cloves are usually dried on the road and carefully raked now and then to prevent molds from growing and providing an equal drying. A potential risk with this outdoor drying include spoilage from sudded rainfall. Placing matts under the cloves are essential to a good product. This both protects the product, but also makes it easier to roll up the mats to protect the cloves in case of sudden rainfall. (IndiaAgro,2017) (E.A Weis, 2002)

The final stage of drying is reached when the stem of the bud is dark brown and the rest of the bud is lighter brown. The cloves must snap easily and prickly when touched. (IndiaAgro,2017) (E.A Weis, 2002)



Bibliography:

https://www.indiaagronet.com/horticulture/CONTENTS/clove.htm

https://books.google.nl/books?id=RqqTdAwXev4C&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=cloves+fibrous+or+taproot?&source=bl&ots=E9MnWgol8n&sig=8J7YSLhvm-tTrGD6ObpcwAyQfcA&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2iY_MsKfWAhUMYVAKHbPNCIUQ6AEISjAI#v=onepage&q=Harvesting&f=false

Cloves #8

Hello everyone!

Todays topic is on plant disease and insects. I will talk about common diseases on clove trees and how they are fought.

The most serious disease affecting clove production is a disease called "Sudden death" (Valsa eugenlae) This disease will affect the clove trees especially during prolonged dry periods. The disease is hard to spot at its first stages. Within this first stage there is a slight chlorosis and firther thinning of the foliage, furthermore the absobtion system is reducted and this is the main reason to the plants death. In the last stage the leafs will fall of the tree, and the leafs will start wilting.  (Azhar Ali Farooqi, 2005)

 Many different causes to the disease have been suggested, however this study I was reading blames it on a Pathogenic virus. a virus carried by a lethargic vector is the most probable. Next to this suspicion is attached to a scale insect which is tended and transported by the red tree-ant. Ways to fight the disease is by providing copious irrigation to the trees.  (Azhar Ali Farooqi, 2005) (FJ Nutman,1949)

Another disease often being present on clove plantations which has been neglected is: Die back (Cryptosporella eugeniae) This disease is recognised due to dark red spots apearing on both sides of the leafs. This will get worse over time and the spots will increase in size. In the last stage the leafs turn chlorotic and will fall off. The disease is linked with neglected clove plantations due to low soil fertility and weed competition being present there. This disease is fought by spraying the trees with a 1% Bordeaux mixture. (Azhar Ali Farooqi, 2005)


(Clove tree with symptomes of Die back)

Bibliography:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1949.tb06939.x/abstract

https://books.google.nl/books?id=7KPUlXxOYZAC&pg=PA124&lpg=PA124&dq=Valsa+eugenlae&source=bl&ots=URmdm3qUEi&sig=USFCqNQvk_cgR_YVmcxGM--aNcs&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig8ryj9PDXAhXKbVAKHQL0AHoQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=Valsa%20eugenlae&f=false

Cloves #7

Hello everyone!

Today I will be looking at a topic which is from my own experience one of the most labour intensive work within growing crops. We will be talking about weeds! and weeding, and how to fight it. Firstly I will be talking about what the most common weeds are in clove production, and after that on ways to prevent weeds and fighting it.

What weeds are most common in clove production?

Weeds in clove production don't impose much of a treat as cloves are grown on trees. However in the early stages of the tree growing (First years) it is important to keep the small tree weed free. If this is not done properly the tree will not get enough sunlight & nutrients and this is a critical issue, as there is a chance the tree will die. Further weeding includes the pruning of the trees, if you would leave the trees to grow freely they would become too big and the plantation would get overcrowded. (Agrifarming,2017)

How do you properly protect your clove trees from weeds?

There are many ways to fight weeds for each crop. Within clove production it is important to keep the young trees weed free. A way to do this is by mulching. With mulching you will cover the soil with organic matter, but most common it is to cover the soil with straw or woodchips. Due to the soil being covered, weeds do not get much sunlight and this makes it harder for them to grow. The other (low input) possible options could be weed removel by means of ploughing or digging them out by hand. (Agrifarming,2017)


Bibliography:

http://www.agrifarming.in/clove-cultivation-information/

Cloves #6

Hello everyone!
Todays subject will be about soils in Indonesia. Firstly we will talk about the most common soils in Indonesia, and secondly which soil would be best for clove production.
Soils in Indonesia




As you can see in the picture above there are ALOT of different soils in Indonesia. This is due to the vast size of the country, which most people don't realise. The most common soils you will find are:  Andosol, Latosol, Regosol, Rendzina, Lateritic, Litosol, Grumosol, blue Hydromorph, Alluvial and Podsol (Deptan, 1988; Muir, 1996). Especially the Andosols are more fertile and therefore more suitable for agricultural production. Next to the andosols, the Grumosols are also one of the better soils for agriculture, these soils  also have a high Ca content. (Dr. I.m Nitis, 1999)
If you start comparing regions in Indonesia you will see that the inner islands have more fertile and higher based saturation soils, such as the Inceptisols, Mollisols, and Vertisols. The outer islands that are dominated by Ultisols, Oxisols and Histosols, these soils are acid with a low plant nutrient status. Population could be linked to the soil types, as areas with fertile soils have higher population sizes. (FAO,2002)
Best soils for clove production
Deep black loam soil with high humus content found in the forest region is best suited for clove cultivation. Clove trees also grow satisfactorily on laterite soils, clay loams and rich black soils which have good drainage. Sandy soil is not suitable for clove production. (IndiaAgronet,2017)
https://www.indiaagronet.com/horticulture/CONTENTS/clove.htmhttp://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/counprof/indones.htmMuir, M. (1996). Tanah-tanah utama Indonesia. Karasteristik, klasifikasi dan pemanfaatannya. PT. Dunia Pustaka Jaya, Jakarta. 346 hal.http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y7063e/y7063e05.htm

Cloves #5

Hello everyone!

Today we will be talking about environmental conditions and agro-ecosystems. Firstly I will explain the climatic conditions in Indonesia, secondly rainfall distribution and how this affects clove production. Our second topic today is irrigation systems on clove plantations.

Climatic conditions in Indonesia

The climate in Indonesia is almost entirely tropical. The uniformly warm waters that surround the country make it that temperatures remain fairly constant ranging from 23 °C in higher mountain areas to 28 °C on the coastal plains.
The humidity in the country ranges between 70 to 90 % and wind is fairly moderate. The chances of storms and typhoons are however present in some areas. The different climates in Indonesia are: Tropical rainforests, tropical monsoons and tropical savanna. The areas were most cloves are grown (Spice islands, Moluccas) are part of the tropical rainforest climate. (wiki/Climate_of_Indonesia,2017)



Clove trees require a tropical climate and a warm humid climate having a temperature of around 20 to 30⁰C. Humid atmospheric conditions and annual rainfall of 150 to 250 cm are essential. It thrives well in all situations ranging from sea level up to an altitude of 1500 metres and also in places proximal to and away from sea. (IndiaAgro,2017)

Indonesia with its tropical climate, high humidity and high monthly rainfall matches all climatic criteria for good clove growing conditions.

Irrigation of clove plantations

Irrigation is only needed in the first 3 years of growing in areas were pronounced drought is experienced, simple pot watering is used normally in those situations. Furthermore there are irrigation techniques such as: placing a bamboo tube 20cm underground directly towards the roots and irrigate the tree like that for most efficient water use. Indonesia with its high monthly rainfall won’t need to irrigate much extra, except in long dry periods. Although the trees can survive without irrigation in these dry periods, it is advantageous to irrigate the trees for proper growth and yield. (IndiaAgro,2017)

Bibliography:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Indonesia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_rainforest_climate
https://www.indiaagronet.com/horticulture/CONTENTS/clove.htm