A comparison of two floating garden methods for small-scale farmers in Pak Phanang, Thailand | |
| Author | Khin Aye Han |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-09-05 |
| Subject(s) | Gardening--Thailand Pak Phanang Vegetable gardening--Thailand Pak Phanang |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-09-05 |
| Abstract | This comparative study was to determine the appropriate floating garden method for small-scale farmers in the Pak Phanang. The experiment used two methods: 1) existing Pak Phanang floating garden method, and 2) modified floating garden method. The Pak Phanang floating garden method uses water hyacinth topped with compost while the modified floating garden method uses water hyacinth topped with aquatic weeds such as mimosa, decaying aquatic plants, and silt, soil and mud on the topmost layer. In both morning glory and Chinese cabbage cultivation, yield was very low from both methods. Yield from the modified method was significantly lower than from the existing Pak Phanang method due to the growth of mimosa which competed with the growth of morning glory and Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage production was very low due to the heavy rains during the experimental period. There was no profit from morning glory and Chinese cabbage cultivation using floating garden methods due to the very low yield. In the second experiment, mimosa was not used in the modified floating bed method and Chinese kale was cultivated instead of Chinese cabbage which was not suitable to the environmental condition. Chinese kale production was higher than that of morning glory and Chinese cabbage and profits were obtained with Chinese kale cultivation. Net income was higher using the modified floating garden method because there was no expense for compost. Small scale farmers in Pak Phanang may adopt the modified floating garden method (without the use of mimosa and compost) to produce Chinese kale. For further research, other high-value vegetable crops may be tested considering the suitable season for optimum production. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-09-05 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Gallardo, Wenresti G. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ebbers, Theo;Jayasuriya, H.P.W.;Soni, Peeyush |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Sweden (Sida) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |