WEEK 6 (Fertilizer Application and Watering)

FPA150

Hello! Salam UiTM di hatiku 💜. My name is Nik Nur Fatihah Binti Mohd Lazin and now currently studying at UiTM Melaka, Campus Jasin as one of Diploma Agrotechnology (AT1102B) student. I am 19 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. FPA150 provides each student of plant propagation techniques and develop core skills in plant nursery management. In addition, It is an opportunity for the students to acquire skills in conducting activities in nursery managements as well as to acquire hands-on experience in nursery practices.

WEEKLY REPORT

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS:

1. Hoe

2. Gloves

3. Boots

4. NPK fertilizer

5. Scale

6. Container for fertilizer and its scoop

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Figure 1

This week, an emcee is to be assigned from the part 1 students

Figure 2

After that, we were grouped, and a briefing about this week's task was given by the lecturer. Information about fertilizer types, the application of NPK fertilizer on dressing, and various watering methods was shared with us

3 main types fertilizer:

1. Direct Fertilizers: Have one main nutrient, like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
2. Compound Fertilizers: Combine two or more main nutrients. An example is a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
3. Complete Fertilizers: Include a mix of primary, secondary, and micronutrients, offering a full package for plant growth.

Fertilizer methods:

1. Broadcasting: Evenly spreading over the soil surface
2. Banding: placing in a concentrated band near the plant
3. Foliar spraying: Applying directly to the leaves
4. Topdressing: Sprinkling fertilizer on the soil surface around plants
5. Side-Dressing: Applying fertilizer in a band beside the row of plants during the growing season

• Applying fertilizer in the morning is often recommended because it allows plants to absorb nutrients throughout the day. 
• Morning application helps to minimize the risk of nutrient burn, as the sun is not as intense as in the afternoon.

Too much fertilizer:

1. Roots suffer
2. Leaves burn
3. Nutrient balance gets off

Watering methods:

1. Surface irrigation: Such as furrow or flood irrigation
2. Drip irrigation: Direct water to the base of plants
3. Sprinkler irrigation: Water sprayed over crops
4. Manual watering

Figure 3

Afterward, we proceeded to the lime plot and weighed the NPK fertilizer, allocating about 200g for each tree. The fertilizer measurement equated to one cup for every three trees, with a total of 30 trees in the plot.

Figure 4

The fertilizer we used has an NPK ratio of 15:15:15

Figure 5

After weeding in a circular pattern around the lime tree, the fertilizer was applied using the side dress method

Figure 6

(BEFORE)

Upon completion, the task progressed to land clearing for the removal of dead weeds

Figure 7

(AFTER)

The drain was cleared, and then we were dismissed