American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

2015; 3(6-1): 6-9

Published online November 5, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajaf)
doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.s.2015030601.12
ISSN: 2330-8583 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8591 (Online)

Bio-organic Fertilizer on Pechay Homegarden in Cotabato

Mosib B. Tagotong1, Onofre S. Corpuz2
1
College of Agriculture, Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines
2
Research and Development Office, Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines

Email address:
nfr_uplb@yahoo.com

To cite this article:

Mosib B. Tagotong, Onofre S. Corpuz. Bio-organic Fertilizer on Pechay Homegarden in Cotabato. American Journal of Agriculture and
Forestry. Special Issue: Agro-Ecosystems. Vol. 3, No. 6-1, 2015, pp. 6-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.s.2015030601.12

Abstract: This study focus on the determination of bio-organic fertilizer and levels of application that could gave favorable
response on the growth and yield of pechay planted in a home garden at Arakan, Cotabato. Bio-organic farming is a key to
sustainable agriculture leading to sustainable development. The bio-organic fertilizers used in this study include fermented
plant and fruit juice (FPJ and FFJ). Result of the study revealed that FFJ responded significantly better as compared to FPJ on
plant height, number of plant leaves and yield in grams per plant. In the case of the levels of application, higher application
levels (6tbsp/lit. H2O) excelled on all parameters tested (plant height, number of plant leaves and yield). This implies that
higher concentration of FPJ diluted on water will promotes better growth and development of pechay plant emphasizing
development of the physical and biological properties of the soil.

Keywords: Bio-organic Fertilizer, Pechay, Fermented Plant Juice, Fermented Fruit Juice

contribute much to the attainment of higher level of organic

1. Introduction fertility of the soil like farm manures which are highly
Pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.) is one of the common recommended for crop production because of their nutrients
leafy vegetable crops grown in the Philippines belonging to contents which ensures good field to crops especially
family cruciferae. Vegetables are important and substantial vegetable crops. Abbey et al. (2001) reported that animal and
source of food that significantly contributes to the quality of plant wastes at various stages of decomposition constitute
our diet because it provides variety of nutrients. Various parts soil organic manure. Soil organic manure come from dead
of enumerable kinds and vegetables make meals of staple plant roots, crops residues, green manure, dead soil
food appetizing because of their flavor and even pleasing to microorganisms and farmyard manure (Abbey et al.,
the eyes. The major nutritional contributions of vegetables to 2001).Dunn (1994) identified compost; plant materials (straw
the human diet are vitamins A and C as source of iron and and dry leaves), garden waste and green manure as forms of
calcium needed by the human body. organic manure that are commonly used by farmers to
Present farmers of limited area preferably those that are in improve soil fertility. He further pointed out that green
the upland always decided to earn their income for living manure is derived from leguminous crops, which are grown
through vegetable gardening. Take the case of the marginal as cover crops and ploughed into the soil.
upland farmers in some selected barangay’s of Arakan, A side from farm manures there are organic fertilizers such
Cotabato in Southern Philippines like Gambodis, Katipunan, as Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) and Ferment Fruit Juice (FFJ)
San Miguel, and Napalico, most of them grown high valued which known to promotes growth and development of
vegetable crops particularly leafy vegetables like Pechay. The vegetable crops.
vegetable product were even brought to neighboring However, as to which kinds and levels of organic
provinces such as; Bukidnon, Cagayan, Butuan, and even to fertilizers is beneficial to pechay plants, vegetable growers
Visayas Provinces as revealed by the vegetables farmers in still looking, thus, the researcher attempted to investigate the
the Bukidnon-Davao boundary (BUDA) area. Pechay is a effect of these farm manures and fermented plants/fruit juice
shallow – rooted plant which grows in a loosely high fertile, and its levels on pechay plant, one of the high valued
well–drained soil, friable and rich in organic matter. At vegetable crops in the country.
present there are notable source of organic matter which The result of this study may provide an appropriate cost

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 American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2015; 3(6-1): 6-9 7

effective alternative production technology for the vegetable was prescribed in the experiment using clean knapsack
growers in the area and the region in general. sprayer.
2.4. Care and Management
2. Materials and Method
Watering was done every other day until 2 weeks after
2.1. Materials transplanting. After two weeks watering was done every
The materials used in this study were Fermented Plant three days after until 25 days after transplanting.
Juice (FPJ) and Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Pechay seeds Weeding was done regularly to control needs and to
(Brassica pekinensis), seed box, garden soil as germination maintain the cleanliness of the experiment.
media, shoots of squash for FPJ and ripen banana (cardava) Harvesting was done after 35 days of planting and was
and mascovado for the FFJ. done by cutting the plants from the base.

2.2. Methods 3. Results and Discussion

The experiment used split – plot design with four 3.1. Plant Height
treatments replicated three times.
Main plot (kinds of organic fertilizer) Fermented fruit juice significantly produces taller pechay
Fermented Plant Juice (22.5cm) compared to FPJ of 18.27cm. This result supported
Fermented Fruit Juice the findings of Juane C.G 2004 which states that applying
For Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) and Fermented Fruit Juice fermented plant juice (FPJ) to vegetable crops will promote
(FFJ) good plant growth and vitality. He further mentioned that
L0 – control mixing 1 tbsp per liter of natural water will have a very
L1 – 2 tbsp/Lit.of water convening result on the plant growth and its vitality including
L2 – 4 tbsp/Lit.of water the physical and biological properties of the soil for it
L3 – 6 tbsp/Lit.of water increases the water holding capacity of the farm area.
Land preparation.the total area of 85sqm. was thoroughly Tamhean R.B et.al 1980 mentioned that organic fertilizer
prepared by flowing and harrowing three times with an likes fermented fruit juice is a good source of plant nutrients
interval of one week to properly decomposed organic matters to improve the physical properties of soils. They further
and to have ease control of weeds and improved the soil states that application of organic fertilizer will improve the
texture of the area for favorable growth of the pechay plant. essential properties of the farm or the soil that are responsible
Preparation of seed box and sowing of pechay seeds was for the vigor growth and development of the plants.
done two weeks before transplanting. After one week of Parnes (1990), indicated that, both plant and animal
sowing, hand picking of germinant was done prior to sources of organic manure contain macro and micronutrients.
transplanting. Among the levels of fermented plant/fruit juice applied, it
The plot dimension was one point five (1x 1.5) meters was found out the 6 tbsp per liter of water significantly
with three furrows per plot. The planting distance was responded on plant height at 25.69cm (Table 1). According to
30x30cm. to allow five plants per furrows to have 15 plants Tamhean R.B et.al 1980, as you increased the level of
per plot. application of fermented fruit juice diluted with natural water
there was a corresponding increased of soil properties that
2.3. Preparation of Fermented Plant Juiceand Fermented are essential for growth and development.
Fruit Juice
Table 1. Plant height as affected by kinds and levels of organic fertilizer.
One kilo of squash shoots was chapped into small pieces
until become fine. Mixed with one kilo of crude sugar or Levels of Organic Fertilizer Mean Plant Height (cm)
mascovado. Place in a clay jar and pert the rock on top for FPJ
the contents to settle at the bottom. Control 13.921
On the next day removed the rock and cover the jar with a 2 tbsp/lit H2O 18.38b
clean sheet of paper and tie with string. Put the jar in a cool 4 tbsp/lit H2O 20.17c
and shaded place. The fermentation process were completed 6 tbsp/lit H2O 20.60c
within seven days. Mean 18.27a
For the FFJ chop one kilo of ripe banana fruit (cardava) FFJ
the chopped banana fruit was place inside the clay jar and Control 17.63a
mixed with one kilo crude sugar or mascovado. The jar was 2 tbsp/lit H2O 23.01b
covered with clean sheet of paper (manila paper) and tie with 4 tbsp/lit H2O 23.68b
string. The jar was stored in a cool and shaded area. 6 tbsp/lit H2O 25.69c
Fermentation was lasted for seven days. Mean 22.50b
Application was done ten days after transplanting using the
Means with same letter subscript are insignificantly different at 1%
different levels or treatments/dosage of FPJ and FFJ which

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8 Mosib B. Tagotong and Onofre S. Corpuz: Bio-organic Fertilizer on Pechay Homegarden in Cotabato

3.2. Number of Leaves treatment of no application (121.67g/plant). According to

IRRI 1990, increased fermented fruit juice application serves
Analysis of Variance reveals that fermented fruit juice as an effective dilution to water which subsequently
promotes and develop more number of pechay leaves (12.79) improved the growth and yield performance of vegetable
as compared to FPJ of 7.32 (Table 2). This difference is crops especially those leafy vegetables.
highly significant implying that the later is better than FPJ
Of the three levels of application, it was found out that
highest application of 6 tbsp per liter of water seems better in 4. Conclusion
producing and developing pechay leaves (14.28). However, In terms of Fermented application it was concluded that as
the three levels did not differ significantly in terms of number far as height is concerned, FFJ performed better compared
of leaves. IRRI 1990 mentioned that when levels of FFJ with FPJ. This conclusion was similar to the findings of
application increased it serves as an effective dilution to Juane, C.G (2004) when he said that application of FPJ to
water which subsequently improved the growth and yield vegetable crops will give good plant growth and vitality.
performance of leafy vegetables. However in terms of the number of leaves and weight of
Table 2. Data on average number of leaves of Pechay applied with kinds and
pechay it was concluded that FFJ showed better performance
levels of organic fertilizers. compared to FPJ. This conclusion is similar to the findings of
Tagotong, M.M (2009) when he said that organic fertilizers
Levels of Organic Fertilizer Mean No. of leaves
like Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ) is good source of plant
FPJ
nutrients to improve the physical properties of soil that were
Control 5.84a
responsible for the vigor growth and development of plants.
2 tbsp/lit H2O 7.20b
He further mentioned that when levels of FFJ application
4 tbsp/lit H2O 7.67b
6 tbsp/lit H2O 8.57c
increased it was an effective dilution of water to improve the
Mean 7.32a
growth and yield performance of vegetable crops those leafy
FFJ vegetables.
Control 10.73a
2 tbsp/lit H2O 12.28ab Recommendations
4 tbsp/lit H2O 13.88b
6 tbsp/lit H2O 14.28b 1. Use the Fermented Fruit Juice in pechay production.
Mean 12.79b 2. Result of this study maybe use as baseline data on a
succeeding similar study.
Means with same letter subscript are insignificantly different at 1%
3. Go for bio-organic vegetable production for health,
3.3. Yield nutrition and low cost inputs reason.

It reveals in the Analysis of Variance that fermented fruit

juice still performing significantly better in terms of yield References
(161.55g/plant) as compared to FPJ of only an average of
77.93g/plant (Table 3). [1] Abbey, T. K. Essiah, J.W., Alhassan, A., Fometu, E.,
Ameyibor, K., and Wiredu, M. B. (2001).Integrate Science for
Table 3. Yield of Pechay per plant applied with kinds and levels of organic Senior Secondary School. Unimax MacMillan Ltd. Ring Road
fertilizers. South industrial Area Accra-North Ghana. Pp 177-178.

Levels of Organic Fertilizer Mean weight [2] Baco, M. et al. 2005. Soil Chemistry and fertility in tropical
FPJ
Asian New Delhi, Prentice Hall of India private.
Control 56.85a [3] BednilL. 1985. The plant is found capable of absorbing
2 tbsp/lit H2O 66.27b nutrients
4 tbsp/lit H2O 69.48b
6 tbsp/lit H2O 77.93c [4] Bradley, N.C. 2005.The nature and properties of soil.MC
Millan Publishing Company Inc. pp. 350-352.
Mean 67.63a
FFJ [5] Buskman and lyon. 1987. The nature and properties of soil.
Control 121.67a New York. MC Millan publishing company Inc. p. 541.
2 tbsp/lit H2O 163.92b
4 tbsp/lit H2O 177.19c
[6] Dunn, A. R. (1994). Professor and Extension Nematologist,
Entomology and Entomology department, cooperative
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Extension Service, institute of food and Agricultural Science,
Mean 161.55b university of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The three levels of application significantly differ its other. [7] Fall, RC Jr. 1985.Production of Fields Crops. New York. 5th
The highest application of 6 tbsp per liter of water gave the Edition. New York. MC Grow Hill Inc. pp 167.
best result of 183.84g/plant followed by 177.19g/plant (4 [8] Juane, C.G. 2004.Pechay in the Philippines. Agri review 14.
tbsp/lit H2O) and the least was found with the control Pp. 307.

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 American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 2015; 3(6-1): 6-9 9

[9] Mahul, et al. 1987. Guide for Vegetable Production. [12] Sangatangan, P.D. 1990.Animal Manure. Soil Management
Horticulture Division, Introduction Center, Elliptical Road and Fertility properties and Fertilizers. New York. Mc Millan
Quezon City. Philippines. Book Company pp. 644.
[10] Nile, C. and Brady. 1990. Macro Nutrients Elements in the [13] Tagotong, M.M. 2014. Pechay applied with kinds and levels
nature of soil properties, N.Y. pp. 372-526. of organic fertilizer. Unpublished Masteral Thesis, Cotabato
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