I’m Still In Love..With Sampaguita

Sampaguita has been an integral part of my life. It has supported my family for 3 generations now. In 2019, I started my own little farm from the 1,000-m2 land I bought J

But why sampaguita?

Simply because, I knew sampaguita my whole life. From choosing the right cuttings to marketing, I ace on these. 

Worth the wait

Sampaguita takes time to grow. It need at least two years before commercial production takes off. Yeah boy, 2 years of waiting. (I have lots of expenses already!). So, 2020 is very crucial.  Failure this year will mean stunted growth and irreversible damage to cash flows in the succeeding years. 

Diversification

With my new place, I met other farmers who grow other marketable cut flowers .Meet Tiyo Nestor. He has provided me planting materials of his highly prized aster! (And even taught me his secrets on growing the perfect flowers despite withholding the information to others!) (Maboot man palan ako hehehe.)

Relax and sip coffee

Early morning walk in the farm watching the sampaguita and aster bloom side by side is to die for experience! Nothing beats home (Mt. Mayon in the background).

My Sportive Friends

               The popularity of sports in the country is on the rise. Football, which was once not given much attention, has captured the interests of many. Media has also played crucial part in promoting sports. Live broadcast of sport events further fuelled our sports enthusiasts’ citizens to think critically by comparing our system with that of other countries ways. Sports also improve one’s capabilities and characters. My friends are the living samples. Let me introduce them.

              

Paul Kevin B. Lompero, the “Sports for All Seasons”

               This former classmate of mine shows exceptional talent on sports. He bested his opponents in badminton. His ingenuity in this sport makes him unbeatable. I like the way he gets into the game. His moves are unpredictable causing his unprepared opponent scratch for helpless strikes. His bulk reserves of energy help him stay on the game for long without being tired. Sport analyzer in nature, he can assess why a player/fighter fails to win a game despite showing signs of winning a game. Basketball, chess, scrabble, volleyball and chess are some of his well-played sports. Given an opportunity to play or managed a team, I’ll bet, he’ll be a good contributor, if not will, bring success to the team.

Jem N. Visitacion, the “Player with Brain”

               His innate talent on basketball and chess makes him a good choice for a team. An inch way to becoming a 6-footer, with arm reach spanning enough to grab the ball and dunk it! An engineering graduate, no wonder, his classic moves in chess made their team championed in one of the chess tournaments in their school. Have I mentioned he likes football too? He consumes lots of time watching sports play (be it live or replay). No wonder, his updated knowledge on sports helps him to continuously improve his abilities.

Rene O. Pabilonia, the “Silent Killer”

               Man of few words, serious-type makes him also unpredictable. Although busy in his works, he makes sure he gives a schedule for his passion, the sports. Active in basketball, he also plays badminton.

Asir B. Calmada, the “Sports’ Steel”

               Sepak-takraw ball makes my head ache but this man can withstand the pressure the ball creates. His flip-flopping moves in this game are very creative in making powerful blow. No wonder he’s one of the ace players of sepak takraw team. Basketball, badminton, and running are on the list of this player.

Norman Pagatpat, “El terrible”

               Same height as mine, this man is an asset to the basketball team. His boastful facial expression has worth because he can justify it.

Divino Franco L. Alto, “The Idol”

               Don’t know why this man ceased from playing football. But I bet, he would be a good addition in Azkals should he continued the passion in playing this all time favourite sports. Have I mentioned he made a goal that led their team grope with the championship throphy? Nice one Divs.

Long live the Sports!

Breakthroughs in Sampaguita Farming

I have been in sampaguita farming since my high school years. My grandfather on my father side started the business in our place in Tabaco City, Albay. He established the business around 1970’s. 40 years after my grandfather’s time, his grandsons now continue the legacy he left.
With the different challenges that struck this line of business, here are some techniques we formulated.
1. Leaves removal. Although this somewhat awkward, this technique can increase the yield by as much as 50%. As compared with the traditional pruning technique, leaves removal does not interrupt production. Continues flowering system is forcefully induced. How is it done?
In leaves removal, retain only one leaf per branch. This will help maintain the food process making of the plant. Removing all the will cause harm to the plant. Based from the observation we gathered in A.P. Bobier Samapaguitahan in Matagbac, Tabaco City, it showed that removing all the leaves killed some of the plant stand. Some yield smaller flowers. Some cause stunted growth to the plants. However, removing all the leaves for the first time has shown drastic increase in the flower production. The result is not permanent. The proceeding flowering season showed a decrease in production.
Maintain at least a leaf showed a sustainable increase in the production. It also ensures a year round production, as long as the weather is conducive to the plants.
2. Rice husk application. Perhaps this is the most effective weed control technique that can be applied. Results showed that it can last for 6 months. Imagine a 6 month free from weeds! That’s awesome!
3. Intercropping. From the same sampaguita field, it showed that taro, peanut, mung bean, and tomato are excellent crops to be intercropped with sampaguita. Aside from it improves the soil fertility of the soil; these plants do not affect the sampaguita flower production. Never intercrop cassava. It will tower the sampaguita plants and it can cause poor production for it becomes a competitor of the primary crop (sampaguita) to the nutrients available in the soil.
4. Twigs to shoo chickens. Some farmers practice hilling up to prevent the weeds from sprouting. But animals like chicken scratch them and destroy the hills. In an experiment held on the same field, by placing the twigs horizontally on the hills, the chickens no longer bother to scratch the hills. Try!

Thank You CHED!!!

Thank You CHED!!!
January 29, 2011, that was the last time that I was able to receive my financial assistance of the Commission on Higher Education under the National Scholarship Program (CHED-NSP). Had I deposited or saved the money I received from first to fifth year, I could have had P 150 000.00! That was awesome! But it didn’t happen. No cash was saved. Only one assurance was sure, the financial support went to good spending.
I had taken up BS Agricultural Engineering in Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry. The school was 40 km away from my hometown. An ordinary student belonging to a poor family won’t able to sustain his studies at that situation. But CHED NSP has bridged the gap. A scholarship was awarded to me which I enjoyed from 2006-2011.
In consonance with the main objective of the scholarship, 50% of the total money went to the budget for schooling. I still remember, it was summer of 2006, I made my own computation of allocation of the money I was about to receive. The whole of it was enough to sustain the five months or one semester of schooling. If I were selfish, I could have the money by myself. As my brother frequently says, “Magtulungan tayo, kung sino ang may pera at nangangailangan ang pamilya, ipahiram muna.” After all, in times that I was short of allowance, my family provided me.
Regular classes came. It’s true that not all of us were given sharp minds. As part of my dedication to education, I offered my classmates free group or individual tutorial in particular subjects they are not well versed. It was worth it. Most of them were able to catch up in the subjects and eventually released from the verged of failing. I know that a team work would keep us up and prevented us from falling.
It was not only me that was able to enroll in college because of CHED NSP. A portion of the money was able to send two of my siblings to college, too. Not only that, two of my classmates was also able to enroll. I lent them some of my tuition money though it meant I had to apply for partial payment. I had no regrets as long as the money from the CHED went to good deeds.
For the last five years, during the weekends, I was a fulltime students and part time vendor of sampaguita garlands on weekends. Selling flowers helped to sustain some of my expenses and added money to my weekly allowance. My family owns a small parcel of land planted with sampaguita. No wonder, because of CHED NSP’s financial assistance. I was able to buy rake, hoes, knap sack sprayer, mask, gloves and boots necessary in farm operation.
Perhaps the most important treasure I was able to acquire from BUCAF was the idea that was able to formulate techniques/strategies to increase our flower production. Of course, CHED played important role why I was able to study in BUCAF.
The strategy I was referring to is the removal of leaves from the sampaguita plants instead of the traditional pruning method. The principle behind the leaves removal lies in t fact that the more branches there are in a plant, the more the flower it will produce. It is done manually. Based from our observation, removing all the leaves in the plant will harm its stand. Sparing at least a leaf in every branch will maintain the food process of the plants. It helped us to increase the production by 50-100%! However, this strategy should be refined. Formulation of chemicals to remove leaves will make the job faster. I then realized that I can be an asset to the field of agriculture. Given enough opportunities and trainings, I can contribute to the development of the agriculture sector.
Five years had passed. Soon I’ll be taking my steps towards the real world. No five years might be the same had my sister did not processed my requirements for the application for CHED scholarship. I thank her a lot. Let me also give my deepest thanks to the government especially to the Commission of Higher Education. May the agency continue to support all the scholars ng bayan!

Tsunami Warning Swept People

Tsunami Warning Swept People
With the occurrence of 8.9 magnitude earthquake at Japan, the Philippines is to be hit by tidal waves or tsunamis. The government has raised the Alert to Level two after the quake in its neighbor country. Albay is one of the 19 soft targets of tsunami.
No panicking
At around 5 pm, when I was along the border of Tabaco and Ligao City, no sign of tsunami effect can be seen. Everything was normal. The same scenario invades the Tabaco City proper. People go in and out of the city.
Radio stations in the said city were all full force in giving updated information to the public. Lots of interviewees said that all is normal in their place.
Tsunami Comes
At around 7:45 pm, coastline of Tabaco City start to experience the effect of tsunami. The sea seemed to become empty. Report say that some already evacuated. At barangay Matagbac, evacuation occurred.
Next Reming?
In 2006, Albay was battered by a super typhoon Reming. It has claimed thousands of lives and destroyed 90% of the province’s infrastructures. In case the tsunami warning is to be raised to higher alert level, it could damaged the municipalities and cities along the coastline.

Bobier, Sandy B. V-BSAEn Score:
AE 60 December 13, 2010
Activity 3
Profiling Trees, Anatomy of a Tree and Life Functions of a Tree
I. Introduction
Trees are everywhere. Each has its distinctive characteristics that make it distinguishable to its co-family tree. Some trees resemble one another; therefore, a need to make a profile of the tree is needed to determine further its peculiar difference. Examples are the tree trunks and barks, relying alone with the said parts will be difficult to determine its tree species. Unlike when leaves are presented, the determination is quite easy. Studying the profile and anatomy also of the tree aids some growers to program what plants are they going to grow in order to utilize their area and maximize profits.
Understanding tree means following its life functions, too. This will be useful in determining the fastest and most profitable production technique, seedling care and nutrient requirements of the tree.
II. Objectives
This activity aims to:
A. Create a profile of the selected tree species;
B. Study the anatomy of the tree; and
C. Determine the difference life functions of the tree.
III. Methodology
A. Materials
• Pili tree species
• Camera
B. 1. The selected tree species is pili.
2. Characteristics of pili tree
Pili are an indigenous species that grows abundantly in Bicol Region. Its fruits consist of pulp, shell and kernel. This plant has multiple uses. The trunk and branches are main source of resin known as “Manila Elemi” which is used for the manufacture of lacquers and varnishes. The kernel and pulp have low fatty acids.
Trees of Canarium ovatum are attractive symmetrically shaped evergreens, averaging 20 m tall with resinous wood and resistance to strong wind. C. ovatum is dioecious, with flowers borne on cymose inflorescence at the leaf axils of young shoots. As in papaya and rambutan, functional hermaphrodites exist in pili. Pollination is by insects. Flowering of pili is frequent and fruits ripen through a prolonged period of time. The ovary contains three locules, each with two ovules, most of the time only one ovule develops.
Pili fruit is a drupe, 4 to 7 cm long, 2.3 to 3.8 cm in diameter, and weighs 15.7 to 45.7 g. The skin (exocarp) is smooth, thin, shiny, and turns purplish black when the fruit ripens; the pulp (mesocarp) is fibrous, fleshy, and greenish yellow in color, and the hard shell (endocarp) within protects a normally dicotyledonous embryo. The basal end of the shell (endocarp) is pointed and the apical end is more or less blunt; between the seed and the hard shell (endocarp) is a thin, brownish, fibrous seed coat developed from the inner layer of the endocarp. This thin coat usually adheres tightly to the shell and/or the seed. Much of the kernel weight is made up of the cotyledons, which are about 4.1 to 16.6% of the whole fruit; it is composed of approximately 8% carbohydrate, 11.5 to 13.9% protein, and 70% fat. Kernels from some trees may be bitter, fibrous or have a turpentine odor.

3. The Pili tree
a. Leaves are compound and alternate with odd-pinnate leaflets.
b. Bark – rough, color varies from white to brown
c. The bark of young pili tree is different as that of the mature tree. It is smooth with brownish color.
d. Flowers- are in clusters, male pili trees ‘flowers do not develop into mature fruit. Flowers are borne on cymose inflorescence at the leaf axils of young shoots. Pollination is by insects. Flowering of pili is frequent.
Fruits- shapes varies, some are ovoid, and spherical; color when unripe is green while purple when ripe. Fruits ripen through a prolonged period of time.
Seeds- the hard shell is ovoid or spherical
Kernel –coated with extra protective brown layer; color of kernel is white
e. Mature size and Form – the tree grows from (height) forming a sturdy tree canopy
4. The Pili tree


Figure 1.0 Parts of the Pili Tree
C. Discussion
1. Profiling
Local name: Pili
Common Name: Pili
Scientific Name:
Characteristics:
Height: average of 20 meters
Diameter: 40-50 cm
Bark: rough, brown in color
Leaves: compound and odd-pinnate
Flowers: are in clusters
Kernels: may be bitter, fibrous or have a turpentine odor.
2. Anatomy of the Tree

Figure 2.0 Anatomy of a tree


a. Trunk – main stem of the tree
b. Branches - are attached to the tree trunk by interlocking branch and trunk tissue. A new layer of interlocking tissue is produced each year over the previous layers.
c. Tree roots- these are the nutrient carrier of the plants from the ground. It develops and survives where there is adequate oxygen and moisture.
d. Leaves – these act the process of photosynthesis or the making of plants food.
e.
3. Life Functions of Tree
a. Photosynthesis - (from the Greek [photo-], "light," and [synthesis], "putting together", "composition") is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. It is also the process of plant-making food.
b. Energy Storage- this refers to the energy bank of tree.
c. Growth- is the process of growing; full development; maturity.
d. Reproduction - The sexual or asexual process by which trees generate new individuals of the same kind.
e. Sexual Reproduction - reproduction involving the fusion of a male and female haploid gamete
f. Asexual Reproduction - reproduction without the fusion of gametes such as marcotting, grafting, layering, and inarching
g. Tissue culture - The technique or process of keeping tissue alive and growing in a culture medium.
IV. References
• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/axillary+root
• Coronel, R.E., J.C. Zuno, and R.C. Sotto. 1983. Promising fruits of the Philippines, p. 325-350. Univ. Philippines at Los Banos, College of Agr., Laguna.

Shelter from the Storm

I was born on a storm-path region. Every family here already anticipate that at least one storm will strike and will never forsake the region. This is our place and this is how it affected our lives.
It was on 2006 when I experienced the greatest typhoon so far. We were caught unaware. The night before it happened, we visited our ill-stricken classmate. There we learned that a forthcoming super storm is fast approaching and will landfall in the region. Not surprising, I thought. I even rejoiced. Tomorrow will be holiday.
On the next day, heavy rains and strong winds started to inflict the poor region. It commenced around 8:00 am. On the boarding house, we just fall asleep not knowing our weary fate. Before 12:00 noon ticked, flood water rushed in our rooms. We could no longer able to cook at that moment. We’re just lucky that we’re able to save food for lunch, just for lunch.
Our neighbor roofs started to catch our attention. Its supports loosen and soon want to fly. Tree branches soon could be seen flying around, wires swung, and electrical posts toppled.
The flood water soon invaded our rooms. Tables, chairs, and beds floated on the flood water. It was hip high. That was the time I felt insecure and saw the danger coming. We no longer had food for supper. The night with the absence of the light worsen the situation. We felt we were marooned on the middle of the sea. The night was quite long. I just wished it was faster.
The scene the next day was pitiful. The whole place was wrecked! Muddy highways, uprooted trees, knotted wires and grieving families filled up the streets. Looting was absent, though. Many perished, many were missing, and many became hopeless. The storm brought severe changes. The one day holiday I thought was transformed into a one month holiday.
Years after the calamity destruction, the place has recovered, if not, fully recovered. Yet, the trauma it brought still goes on. The people here need more that reconstruction, it needs a sturdy shelter for more typhoons to come.

Testing and Evaluation of Mini Rice Combine Harvester
The combine harvester cuts the standing grain, threshes, and cleans it as it moves over the field. It takes the place of a rice reaper and a stationary thresher. It eliminates the tiresome piling of rice stalks prior to threshing. With the combine harvester, post-harvest losses are minimized.
The combine is adopted for harvesting small grains such as soybeans, sorghum, rice and other crops.
Principles of Operation
Harvesting refers to all operations performed in the field, which includes cutting of the rice stalks (reaping), laying out the paddy on the stubble to dry, stocking and threshing.
The basic operations performed by a combine are cutting the standing grain, feeding the cut grain into the cylinder, threshing the grain from the stalk or stem, separating the grain from the straws, cleaning the grain by removing the chaff and other foreign matters and bagging the threshed grains.
Outstanding Features
The Phil Rice B&S Mini Combine Harvester is used for reaping, threshing, cleaning, and bagging of grains in just one operation. It is suitable to small paddy field for dry and wet season harvesting with minimum grain losses of 1-2%. It allows harvesting even at night, lightweight, allow use of reliable 16-hp B&S cast iron engine locally designed and manufactured. Only two persons are needed to operate the machine.
Instrumentation
During the conduct of performance evaluation of the combine harvester, the following were used:
Digital Weighing Scale
Field Markers
Stop Watch
Steel Meter
Tachometer
Methodology
The combine harvester was operated to a 4-plot ready to harvest rice field. The field dimensions were measured using the push rule meter to get the area. Before the combine started the reaping, the crop standing condition and height were determined. RPM of the engine was also recorded using tachometer.
At the start of operation, downtime was recorded. To determine the speed of the combine, a 10-meter distance was measured. Reference points or field markers were set-up to guide where to start and stop the time recordings.
Four (4) different rice hills on the field were identified to determine the cutting height of the combine. It was measured from the ground surface to the tip of the cut rice tiller. Also, four (4) 1-m2 representative areas were measured. Fallen filled grains during harvesting were counted on these areas prior to grain loss computation.
At the end of the operation, four (4) 100-gram paddy samples were taken. These were used to determine the percent purity.
Data Gathering
In order to evaluate the performance of the Mini Rice Combine Harvester, several parameters were used.
Efficient Working Time, min
T_E = To - T_L
Where T_E=efficient working time ,min
To= total operating time,min
T_L=time loss,min
Forward Speed, km/h
s=d/t
Where s= forward speed, km/h
d=distance, 10-m
t=time, sec
Fuel Consumption1, L/hr
F_c1= V/T_o
Where F_c1= fuel consumption, L/ha
V= volume of gasoline used, L
T_o= total operating time,min
Fuel Consumption2, L/ha
F_c2= V/A
Where F_c2= fuel consumption, L/ha
V= volume of gasoline used, L
A= area, m2
Theoretical Field Capacity, ha/day
C_T=(s)(w)
Where C_T= theoretical field capacity, ha/day
s = forward speed, m/s
w = width of cut, 1.21-m
Actual Field Capacity, ha/day
C_A= A/T_o
Where C_A= actual field capacity, ha/day
A= area, m2
T_o=total operating time
Field Efficiency, %
E_f= C_T/C_A
Where E_f= field efficiency
C_T= Theoretical field capacity, ha/day
C_A= Actual field capacity, ha/day
% Grain Loss
% G.L.= (W/A_c)/(Y/A_T ) X 100
Where G.L= Grain Loss, %
W= weight of the grains expressed in a 1000 grain weight
A_c= area ofcollection
Y= net yield
A_T= total area
Grain Purity, %
P=(1- (W_u- W_c)/W_c ) x 100
Where P= grain purity, %
W_u=weight of uncleaned grain,g
W_c =weight of cleaned grain,g

Results and Discussion
Four rice field plots were selected for the performance evaluation of the Mini Rice Combine Harvester. Based from the results, the average cutting height of the machine was 44.69cm. It is 13.63 cm lower compared to the AMTEC’s result. However, it is recommended that reaping should be done below the panicle level.
Based from the tests done, it was observed that the machine was difficult to shift its speed from first (1st) gear to second (2nd) gear to reverse and vice versa. The brake did not function. Only the clutch was used to stop the machine from running. The speed recorded had an average of 1.84kph. It is slower compared to the 2.05 kph speed result of AMTEC.
During the testing, the average fuel consumed by the machine was 19.98 L/ha, which is nearer to the 19.62 L/ha of AMTEC.
On the four tests conducted, actual field capacity did not vary much. Likewise, the average actual field capacity result showed a little difference of 0.18 ha/day from the AMTEC’s result.
The average field efficiency of the combine was 64.44% which is less than the 86.6% result of AMTEC. The efficiency was affected by the total operating time and forward speed of the combine. The faster the machine and the shorter the operating time to finish the harvesting, the higher is the efficiency.
The average grain loss percentage was 2.02%. It is higher by 0.34% as compared to the AMTEC’s findings. However, the result is still outstanding. In most cases, harvesting incurs 1-3% loss while threshing adds 2-6% grain loss. These losses range from 3-6%. With the use of the machine, a 4% grain recovery is manifested.
Test resul t for average percent purity was 90.67% from the student’s evaluation while 90.3% from AMTEC. The high percentage of purity means that the blower worked efficiently in separating the unfilled grains, straws and other foreign matters.
Computations:
Forward Speed
To get the speed, make an average of the time recorded traveled at a distance of 20 m
Time Average
Plot 1
Time Average = (70+49+60)/3=56.67 sec
Plot 2
Time Average = (30+25.6+44.6)/3=33.4 sec
Plot 3
Time Average = (28+29+32.53)/3=29.84sec
Plot 4
Time Average = (38.48 +41.66+30.69)/3=36.94 sec


Forward Speed

Plot 1
s =((20 m)/(59.67 sec))( (3 600 sec)/(1 hr)) ( 1km/(1000 m)) = 1.21 km/hr

Plot 2
s= 2.16 km/hr
Plot 3
s=((20 m)/(29.84 sec))( (3 600 sec)/(1 hr)) ( 1km/(1000 m)) = 2.41 km/hr
Plot 4
s=((20 m)/(36.94 sec))( (3 600 sec)/(1 hr)) ( 1km/(1000 m)) = 1.95 km/hr
Average
s= (1.21+2.16+2.41+1.95)/4= 1.93 km/hr
Fuel Consumption
Plot 1
F_c1= V/T_o
= (0.75 L)/(0.30 hr)=2.5L/hr
Plot 2
F_c1= V/T_o
= (0.75 L)/(0.22 hr)=3.41L/hr
Plot 3
F_c1= V/T_o
= (0.75 L)/(0.26 hr)=2.88L/hr

Plot 4
F_c1= V/T_o
= (0.75 L)/(0.24 hr)=3 L/hr
Average
F_c1= V/T_o
= (2.5+3.41+2.88+3)/4=2.95 L/hr

Actual Field Capacity
Plot 1
C_A= ((360 m^2)/0.3hr)((1 ha)/(10000 m^2 ))((8 hr )/(1 day))= 0.96 ha/day
Plot 2
C_A= ((392 m^2)/0.22hr)((1 ha)/(10000 m^2 ))((8 hr )/(1 day))=1.43 ha/day
Plot 3
C_A= ((360 m^2)/0.26hr)((1 ha)/(10000 m^2 ))((8 hr )/(1 day))=1.11 ha/day
Plot 4
C_A= ((392 m^2)/0.24hr)((1 ha)/(10000 m^2 ))((8 hr )/(1 day))=1.31 ha/day
Average
C_A= (0.96+1.43+1.11+1.31)/4=1.31 ha/day


Theoretical Field Capacity
Plot 1
C_T = (1.21 km/hr) (1.21 m) ((1 ha)/(10 000 m^2 )) ((1 000 m)/(1 km))((8 hr)/day)= 1.17 ha/day
Plot 2
C_T= (2.16 km/hr) (1.21 m) ((1 ha)/(10 000 m^2 )) ((1 000 m)/(1 km))((8 hr)/day)= 2.09 ha/day
Plot 3
C_T= (2.3 km/hr) (1.21 m) ((1 ha)/(10 000 m^2 )) ((1 000 m)/(1 km))((8 hr)/day)= 2.23ha/day
Plot 4
C_T= (1.98 km/hr) (1.21 m) ((1 ha)/(10 000 m^2 )) ((1 000 m)/(1 km))((8 hr)/day)= 1.92 ha/day
Average
C_T=(.1.17+2.09+2.23+1.92)/4=1.85 ha/day

Field Efficiency
Plot 1
E_f = 0.96/(1.17 ) x 100=82.05%

Plot 2
E_f= 1.43/(2.09 ) x 100=68.02%
Plot 3
E_f= 1.11/(2.23 ) x 100=49.78%
Plot 4
E_f= 1.18/1.92 x 100=61.46%
Average
E_f= (82.05%+ 68.02%+49.78%+ 61.46% )/4=65.44%

Grain Purity
Plot 1
P=(1- (100- 91)/91) x 100 = 90.11%
Plot 2
P=(1- (100- 94)/94) x 100 = 93.62 %
Plot 3
P=(1- (100- 89)/89) x 100 = 87.64%
Plot 4
P=(1- (100- 92)/92) x 100 = 91.30%
Average
P = ( 90.11+ 93.62+ 87.64+91.30 )/4 = 90.66%
% Grain Loss
Plot 1
% G.L. = ((734 grains)(26grams/1000grams)(1kg/1000grams))/((4.75 bags )(50)/360m^2 ) x 100=2.89%
Plot 2
% G.L.= ((535 grains)(26grams/1000grams)(1kg/1000grams))/((4 bags )(50)/392m^2 ) x 100= 2.73%
Plot 3
% G.L.= ((350 grains)(26grams/1000grams)(1kg/1000grams))/((4.5 bags )(50)/360m^2 ) x 100= 1.46%
Plot 4
% G.L.= ((257 grains)(26grams/1000grams)(1kg/1000grams))/((4.75 bags )(50)/392m^2 ) x 100= 1.01%
Average
% G.L.= (2.89%+ 2.73%+ 1.46%+ 1.01% )/4=2.02 %





Table 1.0 Testing and Evaluation for Mini Rice Combine Harvester

Parameters Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Average AMTEC Evaluation
April 22, 2010 April 22, 2010 April 22, 2010 April 22,2010
Phil Rice Field Area Phil Rice Field Area Phil Rice Field Area Phil Rice Field Area
Crop Stand Nearly lodged Nearly lodged Nearly lodged Nearly lodged
Variety NSIC RC 160 NSIC RC 160 PSB RC 82 PSB RC 82
Height, cm. 79. 27 82. 3 78.03 80.0 78.4
Field Condition Area, m2 360 392 360 392 376
Soil condition Dry Dry Dry Dry
Cutting Height, cm. 53. 17 44.9 39.83 40.3 44.69 54.3
Total Operating Time, hr. 0.3 0.22 0.26 0.24 0.26
Total Operating Time, min 18 13.2 15.6 14.4 15.3
Down Time, sec 47 34
Eff. Working time, min 11.33 10 12 10.2 10.88
Actual Field capacity, ha./day 0.96 1.43 1.02 1.31 1.18 1.0
Theoretical Field capacity, ha./day 1.17 2.09 2.23 1.92 1.85
Field efficiency, % 82.05 68.42 49.78 61.46 65.44 86.6
Forward Speed, kph 1.21 2.16 2.41 1.95 1.93 2.05
Engine RPM 800-900 800-900 800-900 800-900 800-900
Fuel consumption Liters 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75
Hours used 0.56 0.39 0.39 0.41 0.44
li./hr. 2.5 3.41 2.88 3 2.95
li./ha 20.83 19.13 20.83 19.13 19.98 19.62
Yield in bags @ 45kg/bag 4.75 4 4.5 4.75 4.5
Grain losses
(average) # of grains/m2 734 535 350 257
469
% 2.89 2.73 1.46 1.01 2.02 1.68%
Purity, % 90.11 93.62 87.64 91.30 90.66 90.3