Prevent Deterioration of Perishable Crops

The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) advises farmers to prevent the deterioration of perishable crops like fruits and vegetables. The products must be of good quality even before harvest. This is because production practices have a tremendous effect on crop quality. This quality must be maintained through appropriate postharvest handling as they reach the consumers.

BPRE specialists tell us that recommended postharvest handling technologies and practices can no longer cure prior damage and injury suffered by the harvest. Farmers must understand that respiration, loss of moisture, and microbial growth induce quality deterioration of perishable crops. Thus, these must be minimized to attain optimum shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

During respiration, sugars, fats, proteins and other food reserves in the product are converted into metabolic energy needed to keep plant tissues alive and functioning. Since respiration uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water vapor, the respiration rate of a product determines its transit and postharvest life. The higher the rate of respiration, the faster the product losses moisture, and the faster it deteriorates.

High temperature, bruises, injuries and stress cause faster respiration, resulting in shriveling, discoloration, senescence, and loss of market value.

Microorganisms multiply rapidly on vegetables and are prolific over a wide range of temperature and relative humidity. Their presence results in unpleasant smell and taste, and generates heat that hastens respiration.

To maintain high quality of fruits and vegetables, here are some tips on harvesting and packing.

Harvesting
• Harvest at the coolest time of the day, usually in the early morning, to minimize deterioration and water loss.

• Harvest the crop at the optimum stage of maturity because immature or overmature products may not last in storage.

• Use clean (sanitized) harvest containers to minimize the spread of decay pathogens.

• If possible, pack the harvest right in the field to prevent further physical damage.

• Avoid or reduce damage by gentle and minimized handling. Bruises and other mechanical damages do not only affect the appearance but also provide entrance for decay or
ganisms.

Packing
• Trim the unwanted parts (excess outer leaves, and discolored or damaged parts), which would be likely rejected by consumers, shorten shelf life, and increase chances of injury.

• Clean the product by soaking, washing, wiping, brushing and drying to prevent pathogen buildup and contamination.

• Dry or remove excess external moisture, which might promote diseases especially at high temperature and humidity.

• Sort and classify products according to size, weight, shape, appearance and other physical attributes. Sorting minimizes the spread of diseases and premature ripening. It also reduces packaging, transport and handling costs.

• Pack produce in properly cleaned shipping containers to minimize bruising and damage.

• Pre-cool the product at lower temperature before shipping to maintain fresh appearance, prevent decay and extend its shelf life.

• Store the product at ideal conditions to minimize quality loss.

How to Create a Shortcut for Locking the Computer Screen in Windows 7?

There are many ways in which you can lock the computer screen. The most popular as well as the fastest way to lock it is to use a keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcut used to lock the computer screen is Win+L. A few of us choose to utilize the mouse to lock it. And of course many people like to use both the options.

There is another method in which we can lock the computer screen. It is to create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7. You can create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7, XP and Vista too. Follow these steps in order to create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7 as well as other editions:

Right-click on the desktop where you would like to create the shortcut.

Point to New.

Click on Shortcut from the menu.

Type in this text in the shortcut textbox. (This text will work for Windows XP as well even though the screen will be different)

rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Click on the Next button.

Type in a name for your shortcut.

Click on the Finish button.  

You have successfully created a shortcut to lock your workstation. Just click on the shortcut whenever you want to lock the computer screen.

Anti Aging tips: How to prevent Wrinkles

We all on the earth have to accept one of most fact of life is “Growing old”. With old age we lose some of our physiological functions that hasten death. This loss occurs primarily within the cells in our brain, heart, kidney, and bones.

We have to aware from signs of aging and the correct way on how to slow them.

Creases, Lines on the Skin a especially with old age at face, called Wrinkles. It’s one of the most Natural Part of Aging. 
Most of Young aged people’s skin also affected by this condition, if they are smoker or skin damaged by sun.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays in atmosphere from sunlight, can damage collagen and elastin, which are very helpful our skin smoothness. Collagen is a protein that makes up a large part of your skin.

The toxins in cigarette smoke stop your skin from producing as much new collagen. So we can say that “Smoking also causes wrinkles.”

As you get older, your skin gets thinner, more fragile and less stretchy, so it tends to wrinkle and crease.

Some people wrinkle more than others. This can happen for different reasons.

Wrinkles Symptoms:- (1) Deeply formed lines. 
(2) Skin that is wrinkled may also have a tough, leathery appearance if the person has had a lot of exposure to the sun. 
(3) Fine, crinkling crosshatch marks.

Wrinkles Causes:- 
Wrinkles are also one of the main causes of skin aging. 
Rapid weight loss can also cause wrinkles by reducing the volume of fat cells that cushion the face. 
Other environmental factors, including cigarette smoke and pollution, particularly ozone, may hasten ageing by producing oxygen-free radicals. These are particles produced by many of the body's normal chemical processes in excessive amounts, can damage cell membranes and interact with genetic material, possibly contributing to the development of wrinkles and cancer.

Wrinkles Treatment:- 
One of most common treatment and we can say Wrinkles Care Tips is, 
To minimize skin wrinkling, stay out of the sun as much as possible. When you are outside, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. If you smoke, stop smoking. 
Other effective options of wrinkles are, Chemical peels or laser resurfacing. 
Botulinum toxin (Botox) may be used to correct some of the wrinkles associated with overactive facial muscles. 
Tretinoin (Retin-A) or creams containing alpha-hydroxy acids may be recommended.

Tips on Controlling Golden Apple Snail

Unmanaged water supply in the farm can aggravate golden apple snail infestation. According to the book “Global Advances in Ecology and Management of Golden Apple Snail”, continuous source of water enhances snail growth and development, which results in rapid growth, reproduction, and dispersion of snails.

Hence, Mario dela Cruz of the Technology Management and Services Division of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) strongly emphasizes the importance of having a well-leveled field for this facilitates water management, which plays a big role in controlling movements and feeding activities of the snails.

He also recommends maintaining a shallow water depth of 1 cm-2 cm from transplanting because golden apple snail, locally known as golden kuhol, can move only when the depth of water is half or more of its shell height.

In direct-seedling, he said that pre-germinated seeds should be broadcast to saturated field with 1 cm water depth. Farmers should drain water from the field the day after broadcasting. Keeping the field drained for two to three weeks after seeding is the most effective way to avoid snail damage in direct-seeded areas. Farmers are also advised to prepare canalettes around bunds to attract golden kuhol.

However, when there’s 1 snail per 2 square meters in direct-seeded fields or 3 snails in transplanted fields, adds dela Cruz, farmers should prevent impending damage by practicing other non-chemical approaches such as the following:

• Place attractants along the edges of the dikes to make collection of snails easier. These include old newspapers and leaves of gabi, banana, and papaya.
• Raise strong and healthy seedlings for transplanting. Seedlings should be sturdy enough to discourage the snails from attacking them. They should be at the three-leaf stage or 21-25 days old before transplanting. Sturdy seedlings have erect, light green colored leaves and long, fibrous roots.
• Dry-plow after harvest as this enhances snail mortality. This method exposes the snails to the heat of the sun, which they cannot stand for a long time. It also makes them susceptible to predators such as rats.
• Herd ducks in rice paddies immediately after harvest up to the last harrowing for the succeeding crop. Handpicking is suggested to control large adult golden kuhol as these are not eaten by ducks. Collect also egg clusters, crush or leave the eggs in dry areas to desiccate and die.

When all options failed, farmers could apply moluscicide at label recommendation. Application should be done early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the snails are out and active.

How to Add Horizontal Lines in Word 2007 Document Quickly?

You can add horizontal lines in Word 2007 document quickly without having to use the ribbon on the top of the page. A very easy way to add horizontal lines in Word 2007 quickly is by using the keyboard shortcuts. This method will save your time. You will be able to insert lines of many different designs by using the keyboard and not having to use the mouse at all. In order to add horizontal lines in Word 2007 document quickly, you can use one of the following procedures:

1.       If you want to add a simple straight line, type three dashes (---) and press Enter on the keyboard.

2.       For this style of a horizontal line, type three asterisks (***) and press Enter.

3.       Type three underscores ( ___ ) and press Enter to get this line:

4.       Type three equal signs (===) and hit Enter to get this line.

5.       Three pound signs ( ### ) and press Enter for this style of line:

6.       Typing in three tildes ( ~~~ ) and hitting Enter will allow you to add this horizontal line:

You can add horizontal lines in Word 2007 document quickly by using these shortcuts to break two paragraphs, to mark the end of a document or to break the numerous sections of a document. By simply using a new character such as an asterisk or a pound sign, you can add style to the Word document.

Just 10 Minutes of Exercise Could Help Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

here may be a new ray of hope for glaucoma patients striving to preserve their vision. According to a recent study that appears in August’s online issue of BMC Ophthalmology, just ten minutes daily of aerobic exercise may help prevent further vision loss.

Researchers from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Department of Anesthesiology at the "G.Papanikolaou" Regional Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, sought to explore the effects of exercise on medicated patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, often resulting in severe vision loss or blindness. It is an irreversible condition that affects roughly 4 million people in the United States, about half of whom are unaware that they have it. Women, persons with diabetes or stroke, and African American men over 40 are at a greater risk.

Although glaucoma is typically seen in the elderly (persons over 60), everyone is at risk. Glaucoma may develop with or without symptoms, and as many as 10 percent of people receiving proper treatment will still experience vision loss. High intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of its many risk factors.

“Since exercise increases systemic fibrinolytic activity (such as dissolving blood clots), one can speculate that exercise decreases intraocular pressure by facilitating (uveoscleral) outflow,” authors of the study wrote.”

Based on this information, researchers gathered data from 145 individuals—100 healthy and 45 with POAG. Prior to testing researchers checked IMP levels using Goldmann’s applanation tonometry, a method of measuring the amount of pressure needed to flatten the cornea.

IMP was measured again hours after receiving medicated eye drops. Participants were then asked to engage in “moderate to sub-maximal” aerobic exercise (on a bicycle) for 10 minutes, after which IOP data was again measured. All participants experienced lower IOP levels, even in the participants who received no medication.

“Regardless of the antiglaucoma medication instilled, they still benefited from the aerobic exercise since they all had a post-exercise reduction of IOP,” the authors wrote in the study. “It is obvious that these patients should be encouraged to perform aerobic exercise.”

He Harvests From the Same Mango Trees Twice a Year

Normally, mango trees will bear fruit only once a year. But one fellow who grows mangoes in Libungan, North Cotabato, can make two harvests from the same mango trees twice a year. And both harvests are considered off-season so he gets a very good price for his two crops

The fellow is Francisco “Frank” Sacdalan, a retired accountant whose passion these days is farming, particularly mango production. He operates four mango farms with a total area of more than 40 hectares, two of which he owns while two others are leased. Many of the trees are 16 to 20 years old but there are 63 trees that are at least 50 years old. These old trees are really big and very productive because they are adequately fertilized and judiciously pruned.

At the recent National Mango Congress in Tagbilaran City, he detailed how he produced two off-season mango crops in 2007 from the same trees. He revealed that although he had owned the two farms for many years, it was only starting four years ago that he took over the management of the trees. In previous years, a contractor took charge of production under a sharing scheme of the harvests.

How did he manage to produce two off-season crops in one year? First he treated the mango trees with Paclobutrazol in October 2006. This chemical hastens the maturity of the mango leaves so that they can be induced to flower just three to four months from the time of treatment. Normally, he said, you will have to wait for eight months for the new leaves to mature and are ready for flower induction.

The trees treated with Paclobutrazol (brand name is Cultar) were sprayed with flower inducer in February. He harvested the fruits in June which is considered off-season since the main crop in Luzon was already over. Immediately after the June harvest, he induced the trees to flower again. There was no need to apply Cultar again. The crop was harvested in late October, another off-season crop.

Of course, Frank does not induce the trees in the four farms that he operates all at the same time. Harvesting would be problematic because of the huge volume. Some are timed for harvest in February, which is also considered off-season because supply of fruits during this time is still scarce.

He particularly cited one crop from 500 trees that he harvested in February 2008. He harvested 142 tons, about 60 percent of which was export quality. He was able to sell the harvest at a very good price of P31.50 per kilo so that he grossed P4.4 million. He revealed that his cost of production was P1.7 million so that he made a profit of P2.7 million from that one crop.

Of course, not all harvests are that profitable. There was a harvest of 127 tons in September last year from about 200 trees that are 23 years old. One food processor had contracted the harvest for P29 per kilo. Before the fruits were harvestable, however, the buyer had begged off because his buyers from abroad had stopped remitting payments due to the financial meltdown in the United States.

Two other buyers had subsequently offered to buy at P24 per kilo but before harvest time came, they also had to beg off due to lack of funds. He was eventually forced to ship the harvest to Cebu where he got P20 per kilo. Actually, he said, he got a price of only P18 per kilo because the shipping had cost him P2 per kilo. He made only half a million peso profit from that crop which he considered not so profitable because it cost him P1.5 million to produce.

What’s good about Frank is that he is an accountant and he records all his expenses and incomes. That’s why it is very easy for him to know if he is making money or not from his operations.

He observes that it takes good management to make money from mango production. He offers a number of pointers to make mango farming profitable. One is to schedule the harvesting at a time when prices are usually high. One way to do it is to treat the trees with Cultar.

He also recommends that the trees be judiciously pruned. The top of the canopy should be open and the weak branches cut off. Exposure to the sun of the inner branches will result in higher fruit production.

The trees should also be adequately fertilized so that even if they are made to bear two off-season crops in one year, they will be able to sustain their good health. After a double harvest in one year, he rests the trees for another year so that they can recover their strength.

He follows a schedule of spraying his flowers and fruits to protect them from pests and diseases. He bags the fruits when they are 55 days old or about pullet-egg size. That way, he saves money because he does not have to spray pesticide on the bagged fruits. The bagged fruits have a cleaner appearance; hence they usually fetch a better price.

Frank was the most-applauded resource person at the mango convention. lie freely shares his experiences so that other growers may be able to produce profitable mango crops, too.