FERMENTED PLANT JUICE

INTRODUCTION

Fermented plant juice (FPJ) is derived from mixing the young shoots of the plants with molasses and/or crude sugar and fermented in one (1) week. The shoots of plants are difficult to dissolve in water or any kind of oil but it can be done with a little amount of alcohol. The process of fermenting the soft part of the plants with molasses/crude sugar and with the presence of microorganisms will result to a small percent of alcohol which is responsible in extracting the juice from the young parts of the plants. FPJ is rich in micro and macro-nutrients. The primary elements that FPJ can provide are nitrogen and some micro-nutrients like calcium, molybdenum, manganese, iron and carbon. The juice also contains rich microorganisms which give strength to plants and animals

MATERIALS NEEDED IN MAKING FERMENTED PLANT JUICE

1. The part of the plants used for this fermentation is the shoot because it is this part that stores a high percentage of nutrients coming from the soil and from the atmosphere. Moreover, plants used for FPJ are those that are fast growing such that, if you cut the shoot now, regeneration of a new part will take effect in a few hours. We ourselves use: Kamote, Squash, Kangkong, Alugbati, Banana, Bamboo. You may use others with same characteristics and the ones readily available in your area.

2. You can use either crude sugar or molasses or whichever is available and can be bought at a lower price.

3. You will need basin, ceramic pot or plastic pail, net bag or cloth bag, paper or cloth for cover, string, stone as weight, bolo, chopping board, marking pen and glass jars.

STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE1. Shake off dirt from the Plants but do not wash in water. Washing will remove useful

microorganisms. If the ingredients are too big, cut them to adequate sizes, about 3 to 5 cm. This increases contact surface area and promotes osmotic pressure.

2. Measure the weight of the ingredient and the weight of brown sugar. Brown sugar should be between half of the weight of the ingredient.

3. Put the ingredients and brown sugar in a large wide container and mix. Cover with porous paper and leave for 1 to 2 hours.

4. Put the mixture into the jar. It should fill up ¾ of the jar. It is important that the jar is not too full or under full. The empty space is not empty. It is filled with air, for optimum fermentation to occur.

5. Put on the cover and tie the jar. A cover is needed to prevent insects from getting into the mixture. Paper is ideal because it lets the air in and out.

6. Remove the weight after 1 or 2 days. After the air has escaped, put back the cover again.

7. Put the jar in a cool and shaded place. Do not open, move or stir the ingredients during the process of fermentation.

8. After 15 days, strain the contents of the pail and transfer liquid to a clean container. You now have Fermented Plant Juice which is a very good fertilizer.

USES AND RATES OF APPLICATION OF FERMENTED PLANT JUICE

As seed treatment before sowing – soak the seeds in 0.2 % solution for 4 to 5 hours to facilitate germination and as a start-up solution to germinating seeds.

As a natural growth enhancer – Fermented Plant Juice made from actively growing plant parts and fast growing plants may contain natural growth hormones and mineralized nitrogen that promotes plant growth. Mix 1 teaspoon of Fermented Plant Juice per liter of water and spray on the leaves or apply directly to the soil around the plants from seedling stage up to pre-flowering stage. You can apply weekly or depending on plant vigor. Please note that with the use of Fermented Plant Juice, there is no overdose; you may use it liberally. However, the soil must be watered first before applying Fermented Plant Juice to avoid scorching of the roots.

Apply Fermented Plant Juice to the soil to serve as source of energy to accelerate activities of soil microorganism. This activity will make the nutrients available to the plants.

Give Fermented Plant Juice, as drink, to livestock at 1 tbsp/liter to increase microbial activities in gastrointestinal tracts. This would result to better absorption of nutrients.

Spray to animal beddings to hasten manure decomposition.

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

o The FPJ enhances growth and provides food for the indigenous microorganisms (IMO). We add it to the drinking water of our chickens and spray it all around the farm on the seedlings, vegetable plots and fruit trees.

o The most important requirement when selecting plants for making FPJ is to use the growing tips of plant species that are fast growers. Flowers, flower buds, and immature fruits can also be used. Hard or woody plant parts will yield little or no plant juice. The plants should be vigorously growing at the time of collection. Plant parts should be harvested while the plants are in respiration mode (before sunrise) and not in photosynthetic mode (during daylight), due to the effects these processes have on plant chemistry.

o Polyethylene or glass products or clay jar may be used as a container. When using glass bottles, brown glass containers must be preferred.

o Store in a cool place. Select a shaded area where there is no direct sunlight and where the temperature does not fluctuate. Direct sunlight should be avoided.

o The optimum temperature range is 1 to15ºC for storage (Use a Refrigerator if available) if you want to keep for one year. Otherwise one can use within 30 days store at room temperature.

o WHEN NOT TO USE FPJ During excessive vegetative growth or overgrowth due to prolonged rains or cloudy weather. FPJ made from the crop itself should not be used as this will promote further growth. During acidic or nitrogen-excessive crop conditions, which create a pest-attractive

environment.

Conditions of too much moisture or of bad ventilation, which promotes fungal growth.

REFERENCES

http://businessdiary.com.ph/3468/how-to-make-fermented-plant-juice-or-fpj/

http://www.cgnfindia.com/fpj.html

http://www.freewebs.com/jumblebox/blogF/jumbleblog/fertilize2.html#.WDoLu9IrLcc

http://www.agnet.org/library.php?func=view&id=20110804162833

http://solraya.blogspot.com/2010/09/fermented-plant-juice-fpj.html

http://naturalfarminghawaii.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Fermented-Plant-JuiceFPJ.pdf