Landscape maintenance operations focusing on turf management at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Date

6-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major Course

Major in Horticulture

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Susan C. Aquino-Ong

Abstract

The major practice was conducted at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM), Taguig City, Metro Manila from November to December 2015. The study focused on three areas namely, central mall, hemicycles, and visitor's building area which totaled to 1.54 hectares (3.79). The MACM, however, has a total area of 31.80 hectares (78.50 acres), employs management practices such as moving, irrigation, nutrient, and pest management which were properly conducted and participated in by the student to maintain good quality lawn. Mowing was done using three types of equipment on a weekly basis while incorporating proper mowing height. Irrigation was facilitated both by manual and computerized irrigation controller with a weather station that recorded data to determine irrigation run time and schedule. Fertilization was done six times a year using slow release fertilizer. As for the pest management, application of insecticides and fungicides were done using a boom-type sprayer at five and three times a year, respectively, depending on the occurrence of pests. A simple cost analysis using Hensley's formula revealed it would cost Php 58.90 per square meter to maintain the turf at MACM. The value is based on the total annual cost of Php 906,990.90 maintain the turfgrass within 3 sites of 1.54 hectares (3.79 acres). The total value includes the following costs: a) Php 39,052.08 for labor b) Php 848,532.71 for materials and c) Php 19,406.11 for tools and equipment. Furthermore, knowledge is better attained when one can greatly interact and participate through hands-on operations regarding practices of turfgrass maintenance. The following are some of the lessons learned by the student from the major farm practice: a) proper knowledge on the turfgrass enabled the student to know the appropriate management and maintenance practices to be done b) Patience and determination were one of the traits to have in order to learn and perform the maintenance operations fast c) Proper timing and implementation of such practices were familiarized d) Good communication between the supervisors and the student was the absolute goal of bringing out the best of the cemetery and memorial e) The student learned not just about technical skills but also learned a lot from the experiences and lives of her coworkers and f) The importance of dedication, perseverance, and especially time was also realized to be important aspects in attaining one's goals.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993 2016 A3 /S26

Document Type

Thesis

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