agriculture and aquaculture newsletter octorber 2012

7/30/2019 Agriculture and Aquaculture Newsletter Octorber 2012

1/15

1

Issue 12 October 2012

Introduction

THE AGRI & AQUA CULTURING NEWSLETTER is prepared with the intention to provide the reader with information

about the agriculture and aquaculture industry in Malaysia, while gathering insights and information on industry

development and practices, as well as training opportunities offered by the Government and Private sector. TheNewsletter seeks to gather like-minded individuals who are willing to share ideas and experiences in the field.

If you have itchy fingers for writing articles about

Agriculture or Aquaculture, and wish to contribute

your knowledge and experiences, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer:

Reasonable care have been utilised in the preparation of the content and text of the Agri & Aqua Culturing Newsletter (henceforth referred as the

Newsletter). Notwithstanding this, due to constant changes and advancement in the agriculture and aquaculture industries, we are not able to ensure

the accuracy or reliability of the information provided in the Newsletter. For this reason, the reader is advised to undertake necessary due diligence on

the information before relying on the same for any purpose whatsoever. The publisher, key contributors, and related associates disclaim any and all

liability whatsoever and howsoever occasioned relating to the information provided in and content of, the Newsletter. We do not endorse any opinion,

advice or statement published in the Newsletter

Permissions and reprints: All rights reserved. Reproduction without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. To request permission to

republish in any form whatsoever, please contact:[email protected]

To Further Malaysias Agriculture & Aquaculture Industry

CONTENT OF THE OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE:

Banana Harvesting by Johnny Lak 2

My Little Farm 10 by Raymond 5

Fish Scales Jelly for Osteoarthritis

and Beauty Care by Senny Ong 8

Grow Your Own The Hydroponics System

by MJ Joel 12

Upcoming Events 14

October is really coming off as a more relaxed month

for most of us.

September was a really frantic month for the AACN

team. As such, we would like to apologize for missing

the September issue. Although we are not going to give

any excuses, you will soon see in the October issue that

we had good reason for our apparent slackfullness.

However, to make it up to you all, we will be publishing

a Special Feature newsletter next month, in addition

to the November Issue.

True contentment is a thing as active as

agriculture. It is arduous and it is rare

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

FROM THE CULTIVATORS COUCH:
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/15


2

Banana Harvesting

Had my first banana harvest in early October. It

was actually 60 days early if according tocalculation. Based on Jabatan Pertanian

guidelines, it usually fruits 8-9 months after

planting and matures in 100-120 days. Come to

think of it my only input for the banana trees are 3

products, which are Fermented Organic Material

(FOM), SP 2 & Micron-Ca.

The Banana Collector harvesting the banana by

pulling the fruit down and making 2 sharp cuts oneach side of the banana trunk.

The Banana Collector teaching my worker &

harvesting the banana.


3/15


3

After harvesting, we cut the trunk down and leave

it to rot. While we keep 2-3 suckers for the next

round of harvest.

The Banana Collector cut the bananas down into

combs. His knife is sharp.


4/15


4

Dont know if this is proper post-harvest handling

but he shields the banana with newspaper so

there is less friction on the bananas.

The price of Berangan banana are great. Ex-farmis about RM 2.00/kg. While Pasar Malam &

Hypermarket are selling them between RM 3.50

RM 4.50/kg.

Have fun farming. See you again in next months

issue.

Article by Johnny Lak


5/15


5

My Little Farm 10

Project Papaya V3

We use to have a couple of these during my

childhood days. Well guess things are not what it

used to be. Had been having problem with the

weather, causing drought and wet stress on the

plants. Then there is pest infection as well as

fungus infection.

Our second batch trial on Papaya started back on

April. Germinating the seeds I guess was the easy

part. I have faster germination and higher

germination rate by germinating on a raised bed. I

prefer this method as I find that it suits my local

condition better as our water supply is

inconsistent. Raised beds retain more heat and

moisture that small germination tray. I didnt have

much luck using germination tray. We had some

problem with chickens (neighbors) scratching onthe raised beds and ants carrying away seeds

during the germination period. Heavy drops of

water / rain also created problem like toppling the

seedling. This can be taken care of by putting

shading net over it, a few inches higher than the

raised bed. My guys are doing this, but I took the

lazy way out, doing the raised bed underneath a

tree, and blocking it with whatever waste that is

available, such as old wood, bamboo & etc.

This time, I transferred the seedlings to poly bags

after they germinated with 2 to 4 leaves. It is very

tender at this stage. I feel that I am getting higher

survival rates after transfer as there are so young

and adaptive, or maybe they are too nave and is

easy to cheap. I find using poly bags of 6 inchesdiameter X 9 inches deep provides more space for

the root to grow and retain more heat and

moisture. We can keep the seedling to even to a

foot tall in this size of bag. Also its not too large or

heavy to transport for field planting. These

seedlings are kept under a shade of 70%. Correct

amount of watering at this stage is critical. Too

much, fungus attack, too little it gets dried off.

Depending on the weather and field condition, I

transfer them to field at a height of 5 inches andabove.


6/15


6

Once transferred to field, irrigation is also very

critical for the first two months. We encountered

some problem as it was hot and dry during, then

sudden rain for some time. Also we need to water

the plants as sometimes its real hot. All these

factors caused the stem to break up, infecting the

stem with fungus / bacteria. This caused stem /

collar rot. We had some plants dying, died. We try

saving the plants but at the same time, planted

another one next to it.

We had some mealy bugs attack. Fruit flies are

also a plenty. We had started to wrap up the

papayas.

Then came Fungus attack, Anthracnose and

Powdery Mildew.

We also tried planting about 200 papaya plants,

integrating it with pumpkins. As we were short of

workforce and it was left uncared for a while. The

weeds had grown too long. We are having a tough

time weeding them. It can only be done manually

with hand, as we do not want to damage the

pumpkins and papaya. The pumpkins had borne

some fruits, but due to the dry season and long

weeds, the harvest was mostly damaged but rats.

The weeds did helped by shading the papaya and

help keep the soil moist. Had started to clear the

weeds, but plenty more to go. Dont think we can

clear it before I go off for my vacation. Had

requested my helpers to follow through on the

weeding and fertilizing.


7/15


7

We have some papayas starting to flower and

started to have small fruits. Need to do some

fertilizing. The 3 surviving Mas Solo are growing

healthily. We hope for these 3 to bear fruits so that

we can propagate more of these variety should it

pass our screening.

Special thanks to Michael J, whom had offered

plenty advice.

Stay tune for more updates.

Article by Raymond


8/15


8

Fish Scales Jelly for Osteoarthritis and Beauty Care

It has been a while people talking about fish

scales jelly, and they begin to use of deep sea

fish scales that are discarded in commercial

fishery, then recycle into useful healthy healing

dessert soup or making jelly for consumption.

By using deep sea fish scales to cook into jelly

dessert, or making healthy soup, the gelatin-like

property in fish scales is cooked and derived the

hydrolysis of collagen extract, which has the rich

calcium content and collagen property to bone

health as they believed this is folk medicine

remedies which can be good for osteoarthritis to

elderly and other health purposes.

Deep Sea Fish Scales (Dried and cleaned)

Fish scale has good source of natural collagen

contains and is one of the most critical raw

materials for the biotechnology industry to produce

into marine collagen and gelatin, which is well

known now like skincare collagen capsules and

collagen beverages. Also, a huge demand for the

best biomedical materials include bio-materials,

cosmetics, food, industrial, and research

purposes. It can be nutritious supplement to hair,

bone and teeth, also good nutrients for beauty

health care to support the skin layers required to

active and further enhanced collagen in the skin,

to moisturize the skin, anti-aging, helps in

eliminating wrinkles and other effects from the

marine collagen derived in form of collagen

beverage and capsules.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3RpFoMh-RM/UECCJruVzoI/AAAAAAAAB2o/K1OX2rxMU5U/s1600/SimplySenz_Fish_Scales_Collagen.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn8WOj4dCkE/UEMIMmqFnFI/AAAAAAAAB4U/ymITJhgYlRs/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly2.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3RpFoMh-RM/UECCJruVzoI/AAAAAAAAB2o/K1OX2rxMU5U/s1600/SimplySenz_Fish_Scales_Collagen.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn8WOj4dCkE/UEMIMmqFnFI/AAAAAAAAB4U/ymITJhgYlRs/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly2.jpg


9/15


9

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a complement nutrient and building

block to skin and helps to slow down aging. it is

about 30% of entire protein of the human body,

weight about 3 kg of collagen in an adult body.

Collagen is essential protein widely present in thehuman skin, bone, muscle, tendons, cartilage,

joints, hair tissue acts as a support, repair, and

protection triple anti-aging effects.

There are many benefits and its nutrients like

mineral, fat, protein, iron, zinc, and variety of

vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and collagen

extracted from fish scales. Which is good for bone

and teeth, entire human body and its structure

functions. And its mechanisms of action to use fish

scales extracted into gelatin jelly dessert as good

sort of natural collagen for beauty and health care.

It can be skin miniaturization and anti-

wrinkle natural skincare to prevent skin

aging

Helps to improve arthritic conditions,

osteoporosis for elderly and improve

calcium absorption

Improving of hair care and preventing from

dryness, hair-loss and baldness Helps to replenish and improve to enhance

skin tone, promoting skin scars and repairs

wound healing.

As good natural source of collagen to

promote self-production of collagens and

hyaluronic acid playing a role in keeping

skin firmness and improve skin moisture

retention.

It also enhances immunity system.

A friend of mine has been collecting large amount

of biggest deep sea fish scales from the wet

market or fisheries. I can see he is real keen in

doing it for years, and he thoroughly removed the

entire stink and foul-smelly with properly

procedures, from brushing each fish scale, it really

taking his precious times to clean up the wet fish

scales one by one, to dry it and the whole process

of preparation, then make it into dried fish scales.

He then preserved it for storage in future usage.

Anyway, nowadays you can easily find the dried

fish scales selling in market to solve the

troublesome cleaning process.

I felt so thankfully that my friend gave me lots of

ready washed and cleaned dried fish scales for my

blog writing and making healthy dessert. As when I

tried to cook for a few times, I found it is nice for

what was at first I thought fish scales should be

fishy smelly odor in taste but not. With the

preparation and added some pandanus leaves to

it. It just tastes like pandan Jelly. Nice taste and

not that bad.

Simply Senz Fish Scales Orange Pandan Jelly

Ingredients for making Fish Scales Jelly:

Dried Fish Scales (500gms of big fishscales)

Pandanus leaves (6 stalks)

Sugar - 2 tbs

Water 600ml

Method:

1. Clean and wash dried fish scales (ready

cleansed type) and pandanus leaves with

running water to wash thoroughly.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OePL7LevSBc/UEB5vVLfvAI/AAAAAAAAB2U/I4w3QEo7hh4/s1600/simplySenz_cooking_fishscales.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DTsIQsGBiw/UECE-7Bd0NI/AAAAAAAAB3A/_x3hSbV_bTY/s1600/simplySenz_Orange_pandan_fish_scale_jelly_ingredients.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OePL7LevSBc/UEB5vVLfvAI/AAAAAAAAB2U/I4w3QEo7hh4/s1600/simplySenz_cooking_fishscales.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DTsIQsGBiw/UECE-7Bd0NI/AAAAAAAAB3A/_x3hSbV_bTY/s1600/simplySenz_Orange_pandan_fish_scale_jelly_ingredients.jpg


10/15


10

2. Put water to boil, add in all ingredients to cook

till the fish scales is almost dissolved or

thickening form. Approximately 3 to 4 hours of

cooking time.

3. Removes the pandanus leaves, filter with

strainer to strain out the fish scales extract,

you can serve warm as warm soup or pour

into small jelly containers to set into jelly form.

Let it cool to set in refrigerator.

* Serve with orange syrup topping is optional.

Orange puree syrup Ingredients and

preparation:

2 Oranges + 1 tbs. Rock sugar

Cut orange into half, squeeze out the orange juice,

then cut some orange peel into smallest slices.

Ready for use.

Cook orange syrup with low heat with rock sugar

till thicken syrup. To serve as topping on Fish

scale Jelly.

With orange syrup topping to enhance the fish

scales jelly with orange flavor to taste. Orange

juice also further enhance the collagen production

effect to skin and body.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpvU9V1XmA/UEML_ydXBTI/AAAAAAAAB4k/pHe_h_riB0I/s1600/SimplySenz_fishScale_Orange_jelly.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt8E2n09uJY/UECJUYftGAI/AAAAAAAAB3o/UMOmML1CYVc/s1600/simplySenz_orange_syrup.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPICG-Dq6S4/UECInwjiUXI/AAAAAAAAB3g/W79y-Y8-BkA/s1600/simplySenz_orange_juice_slices.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfXJG6QyVU/UECG1AEex9I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/v9bA2BFL0Pg/s1600/simplySenz_rock_sugar.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWrhgPxVME/UECGPT80svI/AAAAAAAAB3M/8b63xt3Q_l8/s1600/simplySenz_orange.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SzUrEel6yE/UECL14-j0mI/AAAAAAAAB34/Ofaa2pN_o7c/s1600/simplySenz_fish_Scales_jelly.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsWsoUcH1M/UECJylyy8ZI/AAAAAAAAB3w/MKORpJxDrmU/s1600/simplySenz_strianer.jpg


11/15


11

Although drinking collagen-rich soup or making

jelly from the natural source of fish scales may not

be easily absorb into human body, due to the

human digestive system is the main filter out a

large part, and how much the fish scales collagen

and its micro-nutrients can really reach the human

body, and skin in absorption is very limited,

therefore, the process of benefit is relatively

lengthy, the efficiency is low, still daily

consumption may help too.

Thus, Collagen extracted in smallest molecules to

the human body needs the degradation of collagen

peptide molecular, and amino acids then only can

be absorbed by the body. However, Collagen

peptides, collagen molecules into the human body

needs obtaining from fish scale containing peptidesequence of the protein is more comprehensive,

more nutrition and the affinity of the human body.

Anyway, no harm give it a try, fish scales is the

cheapest to get it from fishery.

Article by Senny Ong

http://sennyong.blogspot.com

Disclaimer:

Most important is to understand what is right for your health condition, although herbs are safe for some people, if you wish to try it is advisable

for you to consult with your holistic health practitioner or doctor first. No matter what type of healing herbs or alternative healing method, we

still have to be careful in consumption, start off slowly and minimize it to prevent overdoses with it.
http://sennyong.blogspot.com/http://sennyong.blogspot.com/


12/15


12

Grow Your Own The Hydroponics System

Have you ever thought about growing your own

vegetables, but found that owning a landed

property just to build raised beds a little too

expensive? Or do you find yourself squirming at

the thoughts of putting your hands into bucket

loads of muck and soil? Well, if you have, then

hydroponics is the solution for you.

In the course of the next few weeks, we will look

into a number of soilless food growing methods,

and how you can build one of your own. In this

issue, we will cover hydroponic systems.

The Hydroponic Systems

There are six basic types of hydroponic systems,

each with hundreds of variations and

combinations. These hydroponic systems are fairly

simple in concept, and once you understand how

the systems work, building your own wont be hard

and can even be fun.

(i) Water Culture or Floating Raft System

The water culture, or more commonly termed

floating raft system, is the simplest of all active

hydroponic system. A platform that holds the

plants made of Styrofoam float directly above the

nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air through

the air stone, and the bubbles circulate the nutrient

solution and oxygen to the roots of the plants. A

simple depiction of the system is as follows:

Figure 1: Floating Raft System Source: www.homehydrosystems.com

Crops most often grown using this system are fast

growing plant which have high water uptakes,

such as lettuce or cabbage. Very few plants other

than these two will do well in this type of system.

(ii) Wick System

The wick system is a simple hydroponic system

with contains no moving parts. All there is to it is

the use of a wick which draws nutrient solution into

the growing medium from a reservoir. The growing

medium used usually loose materials absorbent

materials such as perlite, sphagnum moss, or

cocopeat.

Figure 2: Wick System Source: www.hydro-heaven.com

(iii) The Drip System

The drip system is the most widely used type of

hydroponic system, with a simple timer-controlled

operation and a submersed pump. A depiction of

the drip system is as follows:

Figure 3: Solid media grow bed-type Source: www.simplyhydro.com
http://www.homehydrosystems.com/http://www.homehydrosystems.com/http://www.homehydrosystems.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.simplyhydro.com/http://www.simplyhydro.com/http://www.simplyhydro.com/http://www.simplyhydro.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.homehydrosystems.com/


13/15


13

The timer turns the pump on and nutrient solution

is dripped onto the base of each plant by a small

drip line. The excess nutrient solution that runs off

is collected back in the reservoir for re-use. The

growth media normally used are loose perlite or

other similar light-weight materials such as

cocopeat, expanded clay, and lava rocks.

(iv) Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System

The NFT system is one of the more

commercialized versions of hydroponics. This

system employs a constant flow of nutrient

solution, and thus, no timer is required to control

the submersible pump. The nutrient solution which

is pumped through the growth tray (normally a

PVC tube) flows over the roots of the plant, and

drains back into the reservoir. A depiction of this

system is as follows:

Figure 4: Nutrient Film Technique System Source: www.hydro-heaven.com

There is usually no growing medium used other

than air; the plants are supported by small plastic

baskets with roots dangling. Though efficient, NFT

systems are very susceptible to power outages

and pump failures, which result in plant roots

drying out very rapidly when the flow of nutrient

solution is interrupted.

(v) Flood and Drain System

The flood and drain system works by attaching a

timer to a submersible pump which periodically

activates to temporarily flood the grow tray with

nutrient solution, and then drain it back into the

reservoir. As with the NFT system, it is susceptible

to power outages and cycle disruptions. A

depiction of this system is as follows:

Figure 5: Flood and Drain System Source: www.hydro-heaven.com

(vi) Aeroponic System

The most high-tech type of hydroponic system, the

aeroponic system uses air as the growing medium.

Roots hang out in the air, and are misted with

nutrient solution every few minutes. Like the NFT

system, the roots are exposed and are thus highly

vulnerable to power outages and cycle

interruptions.

Figure 6: Aeroponics System Source: www.hydro-heaven.com

The good thing about the aeroponic system is that

it maximizes use of small spaces when placed in

vertical form.

There are many ways to design a workinghydroponics system using commonly found

materials from home improvement. In the next

issue, we will focus on how to construct a simple

hydroponic system using recycled materials.

Article by MJ Joel
http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/http://www.hydro-heaven.com/


14/15


14

Upcoming Event

Event Title Date Venue Website/E-mail

Agriculture Investment

Summit Asia 2012

16-18

Oct. 2012 Singaporehttp://www.terrapinn.com/conference/ag

riculture-investment-summit-asia/

2nd

ASEAN Sago Symposium

2012

29-31

Oct. 2012

Kuching, Sarawak,

Malaysiahttp://sagosym2012.blogspot.com/

BioMalaysia 20125-7 Nov.

2012

KL Convention Center,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiahttp://www.biomalaysia.com.my/2012/

Malaysian Agriculture,

Horticulture & Agrotourism

International Show (MAHA)

2012

23 Nov.

-2 Dec.

2012

Malaysia Agro Exposition

Park, Serdang (MAEPS)

Selangor, Malaysia

http://www.maha.gov.my/2012/

International Conference on

Agricultural and Food

Engineering 2012

26-29

Nov.

2012

UPM Serdang, Selangor,

Malaysiahttp://www.eng.upm.edu.my/cafei2012/

Taste Fully Food & Beverage

Expo

14-16

Dec.

2012

Putra World Trade Center,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

http://www.biztradeshows.com/taste-

fully-food-beverage-expo/
http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/agriculture-investment-summit-asia/http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/agriculture-investment-summit-asia/http://sagosym2012.blogspot.com/http://www.biomalaysia.com.my/2012/http://www.maha.gov.my/2012/http://www.eng.upm.edu.my/cafei2012/http://www.biztradeshows.com/taste-fully-food-beverage-expo/http://www.biztradeshows.com/taste-fully-food-beverage-expo/http://www.biztradeshows.com/taste-fully-food-beverage-expo/http://www.biztradeshows.com/taste-fully-food-beverage-expo/http://www.eng.upm.edu.my/cafei2012/http://www.maha.gov.my/2012/http://www.biomalaysia.com.my/2012/http://sagosym2012.blogspot.com/http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/agriculture-investment-summit-asia/http://www.terrapinn.com/conference/agriculture-investment-summit-asia/


15/15


13

Contact Point:

For more details about what we do, please refer to the Lowyat Forum Thread: Venturing into Agriculture& Aquaculture

For further information or clarification please contact us [email protected]

Meet Our Team!

MJ Joel

What do you get when you cross a potato with corn? Thats thesort of questions this bookworm and plant breeder seeks to

answer. And its definitely not what you think it is, dirty fellow!

Mr Farmer @ Raymond

Agriculture entrepreneur and passionate about living life with asense of purpose, our friend owns a farm in Keningau over at the

Land Beneath the Wind, Sabah.

Senny Ong

Our resident Chinese Herbal Specialist with a passion for the

bitter stuff. Enjoys helping people seek a healthier path in

everyday life. Now say with her: Bitter herbs are our friends

Johnny Lak

Businessman. Innovator. Activist. But not necessarily in that

order. Keen entrepreneurial skills, and a great passion towards

agriculture and knowledge. Operates farms in Pajam and Mantin.

KW Beh

Fertility, fertility, fertility. Thats what our UPM Grad constantly

has on his mind while working for Twin Arrows Fertilizer. Want to

improve crop production? Look him up for the solutions!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlhttp://www.deshow.net/flowers/2009/Green_leaves_344.htmlmailto:[email protected]

agriculture and aquaculture newsletter octorber 2012

Documents