1

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Pechay (Brassica chinensis) is an annual biennial herb. Its leaves are smooth, 30 cm long,

broad at the tip narrowing gradually at the base extending downward to the upper end of its

elongated, thick and whitish stalks. The leaves are erect, flowers are pale yellow.In selecting an

ideal sites, consider the following.Good water supply near the area,the fertility of the soil,good

drainage system during wet season,windbreak and shade are available to prevent direct exposure

to sunlight,favorable climate for growth,sufficient protection against farm animals and select a

place not far from your house, easy for you to attend at all times.

Pechay still need sunlight lightly for energy. It is important that there is a shade so that

exposure to the sun is limited.Pechay can be grown in any type of soil. The plants become more

healthy to light, sandy-loam and well-drained soil with pH level of 5-4-6.7.Pechay need climate

with limited rainy season and short dry season not to exceed for 2 months. It can be grown by

seeds. You can buy seeds at any farm supply.Before sowing the seeds, see to it that the seeds you

are using are quality seeds free from mixture of other varieties. It should be pure kind of one

variety. That there should be no weed seeds mix to the variety you will use in planting. Further, it

should be free from any seed-borne diseases.Prepare seedbeds with measurement of 45 cm x 30

cm x 7.5 centimeters. For seedbed one meter wide x 5 meters long. You need a fertile and friable
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soil for the seeds. Mix 1 part of sand, 1 part of compost and one part garden soil. With a sand it

provides drainage and aeration. Compost can increase soil texture and good fertility. Garden soil

is good in root development.

In the event of rainy season, protect your seed-box or seedling from the rain. Construct a

shade made of polyvinyl above the seed-box .Sow thinly the seeds to shallow furrows. The use

of paper pocket is an easy method to drop the seed evenly to the furrow. Cover the soil gently

pressing them. This is to prevent seed exposure during watering .The seed-box or seedbed should

be watered 3 times a day to give enough moisture to the soil. Do this for the first 3 days. Seeds

will germinate 4 to 7 days from the date of sowing. Regulate the degree of watering to avoid

damping off and to have a sturdy seedlings .If the seeds are sown thickly, prick the seedlings as

true leaves begin to appear .This is to allow uniform, healthy and vigorous seedlings. Make sure

that the distance and the depth of pricking must be uniformly done. Harden the seedling before

transplanting to manage the stress of transplanting. Decrease the frequency of watering, expose

seedlings to sunshine .Plow the field thoroughly. Harrow it lengthwise and crosswise to make the

soil loosen, friable and soft. You need to follow the field for 7 days. This is to allow the weeds to

decompose and the new weeds to germinate. Then plow again. Harrow it crosswise to break the

clods and bury the decomposing and new germinated seed. Plow for the 3rd time and harrow it

again crosswise to level the field.

To keep the soil fertile in the field, mix manure, compost, organic matter and soil before

plowing it. Water the seedlings of 40 grams of starter solution 15 teaspoons of complete fertilizer

dissolved in a can of water enough for the mixing. Spray it to 5-square meter bed 5 to 7 days

before transplanting .Water the seed-boxes or seedbeds thoroughly a day before transplanting.
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The purpose for easy pulling of the seedling to minimize root injury that may cause the plant to

wither .Transplant the seedling anytime of the day see to it that the beds of furrows should have

enough water and irrigate adequately after the transplanting to ensure survival of the seedlings. It

is better to do the transplanting in the late afternoon to reduce stress of transplanting. The age of

the seedling before transplanting should be 9-12 days old.

Correct spacing is important in transplanting. A distance of 25 centimeters between hills

and 90 centimeters between rows is the ideal spacing. Cover the transplant seedlings with

enough soil to protect the roots. Press the soil around it and water the plants immediately. Each

hole ready for transplanting should be poured with starter solution for the plants to grow healthy.

Pechay needs much water during its growing period. Water the plants early in the morning to

prevent sunscald . This is also to make the foliage dry before the night .Use sprinkler in watering

the plants. If the area is big enough to do the watering by using sprinkler, then do surface

irrigation to the soil surface of the furrow. But it is too expensive while using sprinkler is easy to

do, only it is laborious .Use complete fertilizer (14-14-14) to give the plants enough nutrients.

Additionally apply the plants with organic fertilizer (animal manure and compost).In one hectare,

apply inorganic fertilizer at the rate of 240 kilograms of nitrogen, 60 kilograms of phosphorus,

and 60 kilograms of potassium. Side-dress the plant with 120 kilograms of nitrogen a month after

transplanting .The purpose of plowing and harrowing several times is to loosen the soil and

destroy the emerging weeds. Doing cultivation, it will aerates the soil and conserve moisture

.The purpose of thorough weeding is to control insects to harbor to the weeds. Weeds can also

reduce the yield and quality of pechay. It will also compete with the plants in obtaining water,

soil nutrients and lights .Control weeds by hand weeding and mulching. Mulching materials to
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use are rice straw, rice hulls, sawdust spreading it to the ground around the plants or in between

rows. Weeds can also be controlled by using herbicides. It is more efficient but also expensive

.Pechay can easily be attack by insects and other harmful pests by punching small holes to the

leaves. It is a must to spray the plants with insecticides until ready to harvest. Schedule the spray

once a week. Spray the leaves if dry. Do not spray the leaves 10 days before harvesting .If attack

by disease, use fungicides under recommended rate in the bottle. Harvest the plant 45 days after

transplanting. Start your harvesting when there is enough vigorous leaves formed. Do it in the

late afternoon to avoid wilting .Separate the best crop and trim leaves. Do the bundling and

packing. Wash pechay in the evening. You can transport pechay to the market at the early

morning to have a good price.

Statement of the Problem

This study affects the growth of the Pechay (Brassica chinensis) using the vermicast as fertilizer,

significantly, it aims to answer the following questions:

A.) Is there any difference in the growth of the Pechay with treatment (with Vermicast)

and with the Pechay without treatment?

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Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the growth performance of the Pechay with and

without Vermi fertilizer.

Significant of the study

In this study, the project aims to produce a natural product grown from natural fertilizers.

In this way we can help our community to prevent the spread of pollution in soil to plants. It is

because nowadays, most of the farmers use commercial to fasten the growth of the plant instead

of using organic fertilizers. But they don’t know that as they use the commercial produced from

factories, they are also spreading diseases coming from the chemicals that they put in their

plants. They are also adding pollution in the soil and air as well.

So instead of using commercial fertilizers, organic fertilizer was used in this study. It is to

test the effectivity of the organic fertilizers. Growth of the Pechay using Vermi cast as fertilizer

was also tested in the study.

To the Palawan State University San Rafael Campus (PSU-SR) as their reference in

recommending to the student of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) and additional

reference to develop new technique in producing or planting pechay and conducting extension

services that can be very useful to the students and farmers.

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Scope and Limitation

This study focused in the influence of different kilograms of vermi compost that

responsible for the growth of pechay .This was conducted from January to March 2019.It

determines the response of pechay by using different kilograms of vermi compost in terms of the

average plant height and the average number of leaves per treatment .It was composed of 4

treatments and 3 replications,the treatments as follows: T1 (control), T2 (vermi compost 0.5kg),

T3 (vermicompost 1kl), T4 (vermicompost 1.5kl).

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CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

A good soil for growing plants is a loam soil. It is a soil composed of sand, silt and clay

in relatively even concentration (about 40 – 20 – 20%) respectively, considered ideal for

gardening and agricultural uses. It retains nutrients well and retains water. Lastly, it’s easy to

work over a wide range of moisture conditions.

But plants need several key essential nutrients to grow. Without them, the plants will die.

Most nutrients the plants consume in greater quantity than nature can replace naturally and we

therefore fertilize to make nutrients available.

Fertilizer is any natural or manufactured material that is added to soil to increase plant

growth. Since plants require primary nutritional elements such as nitrogen, potassium,

phosphorus and etc. they need to obtain all these elements from the soil, they must be added to

soil’s deficient in them.

The Vermi cast is one of the most effective fertilizers used by farmers nowadays. Vermi

Cast is from feeding action of earth worms. It contains nutrients that are readily taken up by

plants, such as nitrates, soluble potassium and etc. both of this fertilizers are usually composted
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months or maybe a year before its applications to the plants. But in this study, the duration of

composting was not adapted anymore. The fertilizer was just bought and gathered.

Pechay Cultural Management

Pechay can be grow from mid to low elevations throughout the year but makes their best

growth and good quality produced are in cool conditions. However, during the dry season it can

be grown with good irrigation in a sandy to clay loam type of soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to

6.5.The Pechay is a healthful food and easy to digest. It is rich in Vit. A, B, C, D and E. Also

sulfur , phosphorus and iron. Aside from nutrients, you can also use the Pechay in many ways.

Just like the broth and leaves which can be use as a remedy for diff. illnesses and it can also use

in cooking.

A. Land preparation. Plowing and harrowing the soil thoroughly makes it more friable and

more porous suited for good quality produce. Raised beds 1 meter wide with paths of about20-25

cm width between the beds are a common practice.

B. Fertilization. The use of organic fertilizer at 3 tons/ha in combination with inorganic fertilizer

at 135-90-90 kg/ha are applied at planting. Split application of the inorganic fertilizer is

recommended, half dose will be supplemented at planting and half dose as side dress at hilling

up .When plants are transplanted, apply the seedlings with starter solution using urea (46-0-0) at

the rate of 2 tablespoon/gallon of water. Side dress along the rows at the rate of 1 tbsp/plant one

week after transplanting.

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C. Planting. Pechay can be planted directly or indirectly in the soil. Direct seeding is carried out

by broadcasting or by sowing in rows. Cover the seeds to a depth of about 1 cm by raking or

spreading additional top soil. Water is immediately after sowing. Plant spacing should be 10 cm

between plants and 20 cm between rows. Sown seed can be transplanted 15days after sowing.

D. Irrigation and Weed control. Pechay crops grow rapidly. To obtain maximum growth and

tenderness it must be supplied with adequate moisture. Water the plants every other day during

dry season or as needed. Hoeing of the weeds may be necessary at early stage of weeds growth

before the plants shade the spaces in between plants. These crops grow rapidly and are spaced

closer that weeds normally not a problem

Pest Management

1. Damping –off (Rhizoctonia ) and Wirestem (Pythium). Pre-emergence damping off occurs

when seeds are attacked and decay, as well as when plants germinate, but fail to emerge. Post-

emergence damping off occurs when the stem of 2 to 5 cm tall plants are attacked. A water

soaked area completely encircles the stem near the soil line and the seedling wilts and topples

over. Wirestem results from an extension of the damping off process, but new infections may

occur on plants 10-15 cm tall. The stem above and below the soil line darkens, and the outer

cortex tissue decays and sloughs off in sharply defined area encircling the stem. The stem is thin

and wiry at the lesion but remains erect. The plant may survive, but will perform poorly.

Management
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a. Sterilized soil or soil that has not previously had brassicas for several years should be

used.

b. Seeds should be hot water treated and also treated with a suitable fungicide.

c. Plant density should permit adequate light and air penetration.

d. Factors such as deep planting, reduced seed vigor and excessively cold, hot, moist or

saline soils that delay seed emergence should be avoided.

e. Field rotation with non-brassica crops should be practiced for at least three years.

f. Avoid mounding of soil onto lower leaves when cultivating.

2. Bacterial softrot . Leaves turn yellow (chlorotic) beginning at margins and spreading

inwards. Veins within area turn black. Infection enters main stem turning the inside black. Plants

either die or are dwarfed when young, become defoliated if more mature.

Management

Plant resistant varieties and rotate crops from year to year.

3.Clubroot (PlasmodiophorabrassicaeWor.). Club root is a soil borne disease which

affects cauliflower. Early infections are difficult to detect as symptoms begin underground.

Symptoms include small to large swellings and other malformations of the roots. As a result of

these swellings, water and nutrient flow are restricted within the plant, which causes the above

ground parts to wilt, turn color and look stunted. Wilting is most common on warm sunny days;

plants may show little wilting early in the morning or late at night. The clubroot fungus enters

the plant through the many fine hairs on the roots. The extent of the disease is affected by many
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factors. Moist, cool soils usually produce more diseased plants than dry, warm soil. The disease

also thrives best in acid soils; that is when the pH is below 7. Once land becomes infested with

this disease, it will remain so for several years. When clubbed plants rot and break down, the

fungus spores are released into the soil, where they may live for 10-20 years, ready to infect any

Cole crop subsequently planted. Since the fungus spores are in the soil, movement of the soil by

any means (boots, tools, wheels or wind and water, etc.) also spread the disease.

Management

a.Isolate (if possible) or avoid the use of infested fields for brassica crops for about seven

years. The disease affects only the brassica crops so any other crop may be planted as

long as brassica type weeds are not present.

b. Do not apply club root infested manure on land to be use to grow brassicas. Cattle fed

infected plant material can pass the fungus spores in manure, therefore it is best to put

contaminated manure back on the field that contained the infected roots, thus preventing

the spread of the disease to other fields.

c. Rotate crops and fields as a preventative measure before club root occurs. Allow at

least three years between growing susceptible crops.

d. Clean and disinfect all equipment used on infested land before using on a

noncontaminated field.

e. Control susceptible weeds whenever possible.

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f. Apply lime to raise the pH of the soil to at least 7.2. Club root seems to thrive best in

moist, acid soils, therefore wet, poorly drained land should be avoided or drainage

improved. g. Use club root free transplants.

4. Flea beetles (Phyllotretaspp.). Flea beetles are small shiny black beetles, about 2 mm in

length. They are very active early in the growing season, especially during periods of dry sunny

weather. Flea beetles can seriously damage seedlings and transplants, and to a lesser extent larger

plants, by chewing small pinholes through the leaves. There is one generation per year. The

larvae live in the soil and feed on roots.

Management

a. Biological control options for flea beetle include using a braconid wasp that will

parasitize and kill adult flea beetles, and using nematodes that attack the larvae.

b. Trap crops such radishes or collards can be used.

c. Living mulches or poly cultures are other possibilities.

d. Covering young seedlings with floating row cover to prevent the insects from

attacking the plants is another option.

e. Using white or yellow sticky traps every 4.5 – 9 m.

f. Making sure to destroy plant debris.

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g. If using chemical controls, scout plants frequently and treat when the threshold has

reached. One flea beetle per plant (up to the sixth leaf stage) is the threshold number

.After the 6 leaf stage, feeding will not interfere with plant growth.

5. Diamondback moth (Plutellaxylostella) .The Diamondback Moth is much smaller than the

previous insects. Three to six generations of 1.1 cm yellow-green larvae may develop each year.

The larvae squirm actively when disturbed and produce many small holes on the host plant.

Adult moths migrate in throughout the growing season. There is therefore often an overlap in

generations, and all stages may be present at one time.

Management

a.There are many natural enemies that will help control these pests in fields. Ground

beetles, spiders, damsel bugs, minute pirate bugs, assassin bugs, big eyed bugs, and

lacewing larvae will all attack the caterpillars.

b. There are also some commercially available parasitic wasps that sting and parasitize

eggs and larvae of caterpillars; these include Trichogrammaspp., Copidosomaspp.,

Apantelesspp., Diadegmaspp., and Hyposoterspp.

c. Cultural controls include pheromone emitters to disrupt mating.

d. Evening overhead sprinkler irrigation.

e. Placement of floating row covers over young crops to exclude egg-laying females.
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f. If using chemical controls, scout plants frequently and treat when the threshold level

has been reached. For broccoli, the threshold guidelines are 20-30% before heading and

5-10% after heading.

6. Aphids (Brevicorynebrassicae). The cabbage aphid, is a major pest of Cole crops worldwide.

Aphids are small, soft bodied, slow moving insects. A colony consists of winged and wingless

adults and various sizes of nymphs. Aphids may be black, yellow or pink, but mostly are various

shades of green. They are often found in large colonies on the undersurface of leaves; however,

aphids will feed on heads, flower stalks as well as leaves, resulting in unmarketable produce.

Aphids feed by piercing plants and sucking out plant sap, resulting in distorted plant parts and a

slowing of plant growth. The plants may be covered by a sticky substance, called honey dew,

which is excreted by the aphids.

Management

a. There are many natural enemies that will feed on aphids, thus helping to reduce the

populations of this pest in the field. Natural enemies that produce larvae which will feed

on aphids include syrphid flies, lacewings and the predaceous midge. Adults and larvae

of minute pirate bugs, big eyed bugs, lady beetles, soldier beetles and parasitic wasps like

Diaeretiellarapaewill also consume aphids.

b. Cultural controls include using high pressure sprinkler irrigation to knock the insects

off of plants, as well as using living mulch such as clover inter planted with the crop.

c. If using chemical controls, check plants frequently and treat when damage is first

observed.
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.Harvesting

1. Fresh Vegetable. Harvest as early as one month after planting or 30-40 days after sowing.

Harvest preferably early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize postharvest looses.

Wash harvested plants after trimming to maintain fresh quality produce for market.

2. Seed production. Extending the plant growth to certain days when the plants starts to flower

and pods developed. These will be harvested from 3-4 months after planting. Harvest dry pods

when plants turns yellow or dark brown color showing the mature seeds ready for picking. These

should be cut early or late in the afternoon to prevent shuttering of the pods in the field. Let it

dried, threshed and clean up for seed production. Packed and stored.

Vermicast explained, beyond a simple element analysis.

An NPK analysis of vermicast would show something like 1:1:1. Vermicast is

produced from organic materials that have taken up minerals in exactly the ratio in which they

were needed to produce and sustain growth. Therefore the minerals are contained in castings in a

natural balance such as is required for vigorous, healthy growth. In ordinary soil, plants usually

have to seek them out but, in vermicast, they are readily available when they are needed.

Significantly in vermicast there is no excess of nitrates and phosphates, which are water soluble
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and which, when applied in much higher concentrations in manufactured fertilizers, dissolve in

run off to pollute our land and water ways. The great influencing factor of the NPK of vermicast

is, of course, the organic matter ingested by the worms. Worms can't manufacture any nutrients,

only liberate them. If the ingested matter is nitrogen rich, then so too will be the castings; but if

the matter is nitrogen poor, the castings will be too. However the nutritional value of worm

castings is not the point. The value of vermicast lies in the plant growth stimulants, the cationic

exchange rate and the soil benevolent biota. One of the great difficulties in promoting vermicast

is that growers will frequently request an analysis. Invariably, such a request is made on the basis

that vermicast is a fertilizer and not a biological stimulant. These analyses will detail the mineral

content, not the important biological content. Therefore vermicast frequently fails the assessment

of being able to provide essential minerals to soil. But that is not what it's about. Applying

vermicast instead of fertilizers to soil is like giving a hungry man a fishing line instead of a fish.

Once the fish is eaten, it's gone; but with a fishing line, he has the ability to access food far into

the future. Vermicast is the fishing line, the bait, and the skill all rolled into one! The biota

introduced to the soil in vermicast (or its derivatives) can work away out of sight, releasing the

minerals already there and trapping free nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Cationic exchange rate.

Important and often unrecognized feature of vermicast is its cationic exchange rate. This

is the rate at which the cat ionic soil trace elements can attach themselves to vermicast.

Everything in nature has an electrical charge. Some charges are positive, cations, and some are

negative, anions. Organic vegetative matter is anionic and, because vermicast is highly
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vegetative matter, it is strongly anionic. Most trace elements are cationic. In simple terms this

means that trace elements are attracted to vermicast and readily bond to it in the same way that

opposite poles of a magnet attract each other. Plants have a stronger pull than the vermicast and

can therefore draw the trace elements away from the vermicast and into their roots .Phosphorous

is one of the essential trace elements that are negatively charged, same as the organic matter. P is

therefore repelled by vegetative matter and will lie loosely in the soil. When rain comes, because

the P is not bonded to anything, it is readily washed away. P is often blamed for stimulating

growth of water plants, and of upsetting the ecology of the fish environment. This is because

ultimately loose un-bonded P will be washed into the waterways; it can't go anywhere else. By

David Murphy – Organic Growing with worms

Vermicast Effects on Soils

New approaches to agriculture have the potential to improve crop production, human health, and

the environment. Land-grant universities are working with growers and the US Department of

Agriculture to test innovative techniques for better managing soil. Three new primary practices

that promote soil health have emerged—all of them directly opposed to the decades-old farming

practices that relied on use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Instead of

disturbing the soil with tillage, no-till practices are being adopted. In place of planting the same

crop over and over, rotational cropping is being encouraged to increase soil fertility and reduce

soil erosion. Instead of leaving soil bare between rows or after harvest, farmers are planting
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legumes, vegetables, or grasses to cover the soil, thus returning nutrients to the soil, reducing

erosion, and supporting biodiversity.

Vermicomposting, too, can play an important role in the remediation of soil. Research

studies have shown that vermicast improves soil aeration, porosity, and water retention. The

reason vermicast improves the physical structure of soil has to do with its enhanced microbial

populations and activity, absorbent organic matter, polysaccharides, and mucus secretions that

help cement soil particles together, causing aggregate stability.

Incorporating compost and/or vermicast into soil provides the following benefits:

 Adds organic matter

 Helps soil to absorb and retain water

 Breaks up clay soils

 Improves soil structure

 Increases cation exchange capacity

 Eases cultivation

 Helps form soil aggregates

 Enhances soil fertility

 Reduces bulk density

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 Improves soil aeration

 Increases soil microbial populations

 Reduces soil compaction

 Diminishes soil erosion

 Reduces pH

 Lowers electrical conductivity

 Helps prevent soil crusting

 Provides micro- and macronutrients and increases their availability

Vermicast Effects on Plant Growth

Studies show that amending soil with vermicast causes seeds to germinate more quickly,

enhances rate of seedling growth, increases root numbers and biomass, improves root stress

tolerance, leads to earlier flowering of plants, and increases plant yields. Vermicast decreases

plant transplant shock and increases plant vitality and flavor profile. Plants grown with vermicast

have more leaves and flowers, more total leaf area, greater plant biomass, and higher leaf

chlorophyll content. Vermicast contains a variety of crucial macro- and micronutrients, it appears

that the following elements in vermicast have an even greater effect on plant growth: humic acids

and plant growth hormones such as gibberellins, cytokinins, and auxins .Scientists have reported

plant growth increase by incorporating 5 to 50 percent by volume vermicast in soil mixes. At

application rates of 60 percent or higher by volume, plant growth is affected negatively.

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Although many effects of vermicast are independent of nutrient availability, vermicast

also does make two important nutrients more available to plants: nitrate and calcium. Nitrate is

the type of nitrogen most needed for healthy plant growth. Many studies have shown that

vermicomposting promotes nitrification—the conversion of ammonium-nitrogen to nitrate-

nitrogen. Earthworms have calciferous glands that excrete calcium carbonate into worm castings.

Calcium is vital to plants for building strong cell walls; it also enhances the absorption of

nitrogen.

Related studies

Fish internal organs emulsion fertilizer for pechay.

Some people depend largely on fish for their consumptions since it is healthy and

generally more affordable than other meat. The fish is usually cleaned first by getting the

internal organs before cooking. The latter is thrown away because it cannot be eaten. This

causes environmental problems such as its bad odor and the decayed matter. Moreover,

others use the washing of the fish as fertilizer. These reasons spur the researchers to undertake

this study. The researchers will investigate if the internal organs of the fish can be made into an

organic fertilizer for pechay. Plants need fertilizers like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and

Potassium (K) for the proper growth and development (Saskatchewan Agriculture

Community). In relation to this, the researchers found out that fish internal organs contain

elements that are significant for plant growth(Martinez Valverde, Periago , Santa Ella,& Ros ,
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2000). Thus, they will determine if the fish internal organs can be utilized as a source of organic

fertilizer.

The soil needs to be fertile in order to increase productivity in supplying plants with its

needed minerals and nutrients but because of the excessive use of synthetic or inorganic

fertilizers the soil becomes acidic .According to the study Fish Internal Organs as Fertilizer

for Pechay (Jumawan, 2008), inorganic fertilizers can destroy quality of soil which affects

plant growth while organic fertilizers are environment-friendly. Organic fertilizers, like

inorganic fertilizers, help farmers in hastening plant growth. Inorganic fertilizers are mainly

from petroleum or natural gas and are manufactured for commercial purposes (Villa

Blanca, 2007). Inorganic fertilizers are primarily derived from chemical compounds such as

ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphates and potassium chloride. Chilean sodium nitrate,

mined rock phosphate and limestone are examples of inorganic fertilizers. Some of the

disadvantages of using inorganic fertilizers are the “burning” or desiccation of plants and

distortion of the soil quality that can lead to cadmium poisoning if the fertilizer is used

too much or applied in a wrong way. Usage of inorganic fertilizers requires strict watering

schedules in order to retain the soil moisture. Also, inorganic fertilizers are mainly from

petroleum or natural gas that come from mines or saline lakes, thus from limited resources

(“Types of Fertilizer”, 2007) .Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants using another

medium other than soil to provide nutrients to the plant (“Hydroponics”, 1995).The

fertilizer is dissolved in water and transported to the plant’s roots to supply the plant with its

needed nutrients and minerals. The fertilizer dissolved in water is called nutrient solution
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(Hydroponics Gardening, n. d.). The researchers will use the hydroponics system in

examining the possibility of fish internal organs as an organic fertilizer for pechay.

Independent Variable

Treatment Dependent Variable

T1- Control - 5.5 kg Garden soil Plant growth and yield
parameters in terms of :
T2- 500g Vermicast & 4.5kg soil
a.Height of plant
T 3 - 1kg Vermicast & 3.5kg soil
b.Number of leaves
T4- 1.5kg Vermicast & 3kg soil

Research Paradigm
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Figure 1. Show different organic fertilizers and the plant growth and yield parameters of pechay.

Definition of Terms

Pechay - Scientific name:( Brassica chinensis) is a green leafy vegetable with Vitamins such as

A, B, C, D and E.In this study, Pechay was the plant to be tested for the effectivity of the

vermi fertilizer.

Vermi cast - It is also a good organic fertilizer which plays a major role in converting

large pieces of organic matter into rich humus, and thus improves soil

fertility . In this study, this cast was used as a fertilizer to the pechay plant.

DAT-Days After Transplanting

CRD-Complete Randomized Design(CRD) is the standard design for agricultural experiment

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Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The experiment was conducted in complete Randomized Design(CRD) with four

treatment and three application. The pechay plant was placed 4cm far from another and the
 25
application of organic fertilizer which serve as a treatment was done in the three pots except the

T1 or control. And this experiment was conducted in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with

four treatment s and three replications.

Locale of the Study

The study was conducted at the Palawan State University Campus which is located at

Barangay San Rafael, Puerto Princess City, Palawan and is 63km away from City proper. The

experimental area was inside the campus near from the water source and the main road.
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Figure 2 Shows the experimental site of the study

Experimental Treatment

T1 - Control (soil)

T2 - 1/2 kg of vermicompost + soil

T3 - 1kg of vermicompost + soil

T4 - 1.5 kg of vermicompost + soil

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Experimental Lay out

The post were set-up in a randomly using draw lots and they were laid out using

Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The pots were composed of 4 treatments and 3

replications.

T1R1 T2R1 T3R1

T2R2 T3R2
T1R2

T1R3 T2R3 T3R3

T4R1 T4R2 T4R3

Figure 3 experimental lay out of the study

Research Procedure
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Site Selection

The research area was conducted at Palawan State University San Rafael Campus, near in

source of water and shady area

Soil Sampling and Analysis

Soil samples were collected at PSU school laboratory site. It was done by digging the soil

at about 20 cm. Deep from the surface using showed we collected some top and bottom pact of

the soil, pulverized and air dried it.

Preparation of the Pots

Preparation set up were done by mixing of different kilograms of vermicompost into the

soil and the soil was pulverized and watered before sowing the seeds.

Transplanting

After 2 weeks the seedling tray, the seedlings were transplanted to pots prepared (Set ups)

T1 -T2

Watering
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Pail were used in watering was done early in the morning and in the afternoon.

Cultivation and Weeding

Cultivation of plants was done twice a week. Weeding is also done to avoid competition

in the soil nutrients between the weeds grasses and plants.

Pest Management

To avoid pest attack on plants, the experiments was covered with nets instead of the

spraying it with insecticides.

Collection of Data

Data collection was done weekly from transplanting until the 4th week.

Data Gathered

1. Average height of plants.

These was gathered by measuring the height from the base of the plant to the tip of the

longest leaf with the use the ruler. Measuring the height of the plants was done every

seven days from the first sprout of the plant to the time the research ended. The average

height was determined by adding all the recorded plant height and was divided by the

number of samples per treatment.

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2. Average number of leaves

This was gathered by counting all the leaves per treatment and divided by the number of

samples per treatment. This data was collected every after seven days from transplanting

until the end of the research.

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Chapter IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

This chapter contains data and tables from the actual experiment of planting pechay. Data

were gathered every week by an assigned researcher and were presented in this chapter. These

data will help researchers to draw conclusions and recommendations that will benefit the readers,

students and other researchers to have ideas and background regarding pechay plant. It will also

provide answers to the statement of the problem.

Table 1.Show the average height of pechay plant per treatment/week measured in

centimeter.In the first week of getting data of average height of pechay, the tallest was found in

the treatment four with 1.5kg of vermicast having an average of 7.75cm mean per

treatment.Second was the treatment two with 0.5kg of vermicast having a height of 6.87 mean

per treatment,followed by the treatment three which the heigth was very closer to each

other,while the smallest was the control having a heigth of 5.92cm.

In the second week, the treatment four tallied the tallest plant having a height of

11.83cm mean per treatment.Second was the treatment three having a height of 10.08cm

mean per treatment followed by the treatment two having a height of 9.83cm per treatment

and the smallest was found in the control with a heigth of 8.92cm.

In the third week, the tallest pechay was found in the treatment four havin a height of

13.42cm mean per treatment.Second treatment two having a height of 11.75 followed by the
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treatment three which height was very close to each other.The smallest was found in the

control having a height of 10.5cm

In the fourth week, the treatment four was the tallest having a height of 14.75cm mean

per treatment. Second the treatment two having a height of 14.33 followed by the treatment

three having a height of 13.25cm and lastly was a pot of control having a height of 13cm.

In the final week the tallest pechay comes from treatment four having a height of

18.58cm mean per treatment, the second was treatment two having a height of 18.42 which

height is very close to each other.Third is treatment three having a height of 17.33cm per

treatment and the last in growth and height is the control having a height of 17.08cm.

Table 1. Average on height of pechay (per weeks) (cm)

Treatment 7 DAT 14 DAT 21 DAT 28 DAT 35 DAT

T1 5.92 8.92 10.5 13 17.08

T2 6.87 9.83 11.75 14.33 18.42

T3 6.5 10.08 11.25 13.25 17.33

T4 7.75 11.83 13.42 14.75 18.58

F- Test

C. V (%)

** Means having the same letters are not significantly different using Duncan Multiple Range

Test (DMRT) at 1% probability.

ns= not significant

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Cv= computed variance

DAT= days after transplanting

Table 2. Average number of leaves of pechay (per weeks) ( pcs)

Treatment 7 DAT 14 DAT 21 DAT 28 DAT 35 DAT

T1 4 2.92 4.25 4.92 6

T2 3.92 4 4.33 5.25 7.08

T3 4.08 3.08 3.92 4.75 6.33

T4 3.58 4.25 4.5 5.25 6.42

F- Test

C. V (%)

** Means having the same letters are not significantly different using Duncan Multiple Range

Test (DMRT) at 1% probability.

Ns= not significant

Cv= computed variance

Appendix Table 1. Average weight of leaves of pechay on harvest (grams)

Replication Treatment Treatment

Treatment Total Mean
I II III

T1 12.5 12.5 15 40 13.33

T2 13.75 12.5 18.75 45 15

T3 12.5 17.5 12.5 42.5 14.17

T4 17.5 13.75 16.25 47.5 15.83

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Grand Total 175

Grand Mean 14.58

Appendix Table 2. Analysis of variance on the average height of mustard.

Source of Degrees of Sum of Mean Computed F Tabular F Decision

variation freedom squares squares 5% 1%

Treatment 3 10.4167 3.4722 0.5556 4.07759 Accept Ho

Error 8 50 6.25

Total 11 60.4167

ns=not significant of 5% percent probability

C.V.=17.15

Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary
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The study was conducted to determine the effects of different rate of vermicast as

fertilizer in the growth performance of pechay.It was conducted at Palawan State University -

San Rafael Campus on January to March, 2018.There were12 pots with 4 plants per plot. It was

Ramdomize Complete Block Design and it was done by draw lots.

There were four treatments namely: T1 which is control - no fertilizer was added pure

soil; T2 - 0.5kg of vermicompost; T3 - 1kg vermicompost; T4 - 1.5kg vermicompost.

This study was conducted to compare the effect of different rate of vermicast in the

growth responce of pechay and it was found out that the higher rate of vermicast gives the

highest growth parameters in terms of height and weight of leaves.

A. Conclusion

Based on the results and data gathered on this study, the conclusions were drawn:

1.) Yes, there is a difference between the Pechay with treatment and without treatment it is shown

on the data given found in chapter 4. It is proven that the plants with treatment is more effective

and thus have higher rate on its average than the plants without treatment.

B. Recommendations

This study contributes a lot to lessen the pollution in the environment if it was done with

ample of time. It can help us to be more resourceful with things around us. Fertilizers can be use

in any plants but with care and right amount. It can benefit us humans/ consumers from the

chemicals that a plant contains because of commercial fertilizers. Thus, we can also help not
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adding more pollution to our polluted environment and we can now eat healthy vegetables

because it is grown with the use of organic fertilizer which contains more nutrients that supplies

the plants.

So to anyone who wishes to pursue this study, the researcher recommends that further

investigation must be done. More samples must be made and ample time is highly needed in

order to have more accurate data results. Usage of another plant and fertilizer can also be

recommended so that it can have more accurate data to be compared and contrast. It is to prove

more the significance of the study.

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Literarture Cited

PECHAY CULTURAL MANAGEMENT | AGRICULTURE ON ...

https://letsplantsomething.wordpress.com › ...

Chapter 2

http://newtonikspace.blogspot.com/2010/04/chapter-1.html?m=0

Plant and soil...

https://www.chelseagreen.com/2018/how-vermicast-benefits-soil/
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