Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Sweet potato, locally known as “camote” and scientifically named

Ipomoea batatas L., is popularly known as the poor man’s crop in the

Philippines. It is a nutritious food primarily consumed as a staple and

vegetables. Also, it is among the important food crops in the world. From a

mere supplemental source of income to small farmers, sweet potato has

become a vital livelihood crop due to new and high market demand for

sweet potato products such as flour, confections, wine, and feedstuff.

Nowadays, the application of organic fertilizer has become a concern

of environmentalist and agricultural experts who want to reduce the negative

impacts caused by chemical fertilizers that can cause land degradation.

Therefore, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture has launched

a campaign known as “Organic 2010" as an initiative to implement organic

farming. The application of organic fertilizers into the soil can improve the

structure to make it more friable, which allows the root system to grow better

and the process of nutrient absorption can proceed optimally.

A new approach of planting sweet potatoes that can yield more

production capacity known as the "Green Mining Method". This natural

farming purely used organic fertilizer as soil enhancer such as carbonized

rice hull, decomposed rice straw and carabao manure applied in equal

ratio. Unlike the conventional practice, in this method, soil is mounded to

about 70 cm and the purpose is to elevate the soil and prevent it from being

eroded especially during the country's rainy season and monsoon. After 4

months, each mound yield approximately 4 kg of crops. This design is

likewise cost, time and energy- efficient since it only requires one- time

preparation. After harvest, mounds can be continually utilized for the

succeeding cropping cycles, making it an ace to farmers.

As of the current study, there is no sound research to recognize the

green mining technology as well as the amount of fertilizer to be applied in

sweet potato. This premise prompted the researcher to find out, through

research, the performance of green mining method sweet potato applied

with organic fertilizers. It is hoped that the outputs of the research would be

useful to discover new approach of planting sweet potatoes that can

increase productivity and food security in the province and beyond.

Literature Background

The following related readings served as the legal bases of the study:

Republic Act No. 10068 also known as "Organic Agriculture Act of

2010".This Act declared the policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop

further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that

will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm

productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent

the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers,

consumers, and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs.

Towards this end, a comprehensive program for the promotion of

community-based organic agriculture systems which include, among

others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost,

pesticides and other farm inputs, together with a nationwide educational

and promotional campaign for their use and processing as well as adoption

of organic agriculture system as a viable alternative shall be undertaken

(Zubiri, 2010).

On the other hand, Section 2. Republic Act No. 8435 also known as

"Agriculture and Fisheries modernization Act of 1997."Declaration of policy,

thus it is hereby declared the policy of the State to enable those who belong

to the agriculture and fisheries sectors to participate and share in the fruits

of development and growth in a manner that utilizes the nations resources in

the most efficient and sustainable way possible by establishing a more

equitable access to assets, income, basic and support services and

infrastructure. The State shall adopt the market approach in assisting the

agriculture and fisheries sectors while recognizing the contribution of

the said sector to food security,environmental protection, and balanced

urban and rural development, without neglecting the welfare of the

consumers, especially the lower income groups. The state shall promote

market-oriented policies in agricultural production to encourage farmers to

shift to more profitable crops.

The following related literatures provided background information

and explanations about this study:

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) belongs to the botanical

family Convolvulaceae. In many countries, its culture and production is

essential, because it contributes to reduce food shortages in times of crisis

(natural disasters or wars). It is among the world's most important, versatile

and under-exploited food crops with more than 90 million tonnes in annual

production, contributed mostly by Asian and African countries, especially

China (FAOSTAT, 2020).

Sweet potatoes are an exceptionally essential crop in several parts of

the world, being produced in more than 100 countries. It is also a main food

crop of the tropical and subtropical areas and therefore provide nutritional

advantage to the people of rural and urban regions by enhancing its production

and increasing the consumption (Alam et al., 2016). Sweet potato

positioned the sixth most major food crop in the world, and fifth most

essential food crop on a fresh weight basis in developing countries after

rice, wheat, maize and cassava (CIP, 2019)

Sweet potato, an important root tuber crop, provides food and

energy for people, especially in Asia and Africa. Sweet potato has white-,

purple- and yellow-fleshed root tubers, which contain over 60%, 53% and

45% starch in dry weight, respectively. Sweet potato starch is widely used

to produce noodles and vermicelli, and is also a main raw material in both

food and non-food industries.

Sweet potato is a nutrient-intensive crop, and it depletes soil nutrients

when cultivated continuously without application of adequate nutrients. A

crop yielding 35 t/ha of edible roots will remove from one hectare of land 151

kg nitrogen (N), 28 kg phosphorus or 64 kg P2O5, 263 kg potassium (K) or

328 kg K2O, 46 kg calcium (Ca) and 18 kg magnesium (Mg) in vines and

roots. In another case, for a tuber yield of 10 t/ha, the crop removes 50 kg

N, 22 kg P2O5 and 100 kg K2O. These data help us to determine the ratio

of major nutrients required for sweet potato as 2.5 N−1 P2O5−5 K2O.

Sweet potato is ready for harvest when leaves turn yellow and drop.

After maturity, storage roots can be kept in the ground for 1–2 months and

harvested progressively as and when required. Its wide harvesting window

allows it to act as a famine reserve food crop and is invaluable in managing

labour schedules and in improving family’s cash flow by selling the roots in
local market over an extended period. Although root yields can increase

with delayed or progressive harvesting, root quality declines and attack of

roots by weevils and fungi increases. The field is wet by a flush irrigation 2

–3 days before harvest to facilitate easy lifting of the roots; the vines are cut

and the storage roots are lifted carefully without causing any injury to the

roots.

Green mining, commonly referred to as "green agriculture" or "soil

less cultivation," is an environmentally friendly kind of farming that grows

crops without the need for soil in a controlled setting. It has an ability to limit

environmental effect, cut water usage, and boost crop yields, this

technology has become more and more popular in recent years. According

to Prabhat Barnwal and Kotani K (2013), superior land and water

constitute the productive foundation of green agriculture. In order to

maximize productivity, it is imperative to maintain the quality of both land and

water resources, utilize resources (such as energy, water, and nutrients)

efficiently, lessen agriculture's reliance on outside inputs, ensure resource

sustainability, and guarantee resource safety (Barnwal and Kotani, 2013).

Organic fertilizers are an essential component of green mining

technology. These fertilizers promote soil health, reduce environmental

pollution, and improve crop yields.

Rice straw is one farm waste that comes out in large amount during

harvest. Rice straw is a part of a rice plant that includes stems, leaves, and
tillers. Rice straw utilization by composting would provide a means to avoid

air pollution that comes from residual burning while also preventing the loss

of nutrients in organic materials. Rice straw is a local material that can

potentially be turned into organic fertilizer. It is available in abundance

during harvest yet has not been fully utilized. The recycling of plant waste

by composting is crucial in maintaining soil fertility in tropical regions. Its

global production is estimated to be around 650-975 million ton annually.

There is around 1-1,5 kg of rice straw from each kilogram of shifted rice

produced. Various studies found rice straw to contain nutrients that are

needed by soil and plant, which are N, P, K, and C-organic. Rice straw

contains around 0.6% N, 1.5% K, 5% Si, 40% C, 0.10% of each P and S.

The utilization of farming waste as compost not only would provide

plants with important nutrients but also increased soil fertility and can

become a mean to protect the environment with waste management. The

utilization of rice straw can become the mean to solve the problem of rice

straw disposal and reduce pollution that came from open field burning. Rice

straw management can provide farmers and the local community with

added economic value and can induce a larger village economy growth by

developing industries and give supplemental values to farm environment.

Carbonized Rice Hull, also known as charred rice hull or rice hull

charcoal, is a gardening material that is created by subjecting rice hulls to a

process of carbonization. This process involves heating the rice

hulls at high temperatures. Carbonized Rice Hulls are widely used in

gardening for their beneficial properties and various applications. They

serve as a valuable soil amendment and provide several advantages for

plant growth. One of the key benefits of carbonized rice hulls is their ability to

improve soil structure. They have a porous and lightweight nature, which

helps enhance soil aeration and drainage. This promotes healthy root

development and prevents water logging or soil compaction. They also

contribute to soil fertility. They have a high carbon content, which acts as a

slow-release source of organic matter. As they break down over time, they

gradually release nutrients into the soil, enriching it and enhancing its

fertility.

Cow manure contains nutrients such as N, P and also K. In addition,

cow dung contain very high fiber, including high cellulose content (Uzoma,

K. C., Inoue, M., Andry, H., Fujimaki, H., et.al, 2011). According to research

results (Yadav, A., Gupta, R., & Garg, V. K. 2013) associated with the

presence of element K which is higher than other elements in cow manure

(1.03% K levels, N 0.92%, P 0.23%). Others research reported that roots

will move towards water sources in the soil (Prieto, I., Armas, C., &

Pugnaire, F. I. 2012). Thus, the length of the roots is strongly influenced by

the availability of water and minerals in the soil, and soil moisture.
 The following related studies are drawn from previous research on

this topic, providing proof and evidence of the existence of this type of

research:

A study entitled “Green Mining Technology, CPSU’s Legacy as

Engine for Social and Economic Stability”. The realization of this method

starts with intricate processes and procedures to ensure effective

propagation of sweet potato cuttings such as soil analysis, land preparation

and plot layout. The University, being an advocate of natural farming purely

used organic fertilizer as soil enhancer such as carbonized rice hull and

vermi- compost from its own vermi-composting production applied in equal

ratio. And unlike the conventional practice, in this method, soil is mounded

to about 70 cm. The purpose is to elevate the soil to prevent it from being

eroded especially during the country’s rainy season and monsoons. After 4

months, each mound yields approximately 4 kg. of crops. This design is

likewise cost, time and energy-efficient since it only requires one-time

preparation. After harvest, mounds can be continually utilized for the

succeeding cropping cycles, making it an ace to farmers.

Another study entitled “A Feasibility Study on the Application of

GREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

DEVELOPMENT: Assessing the policy impact in selected member countries

of ESCAP-APCAEM”. The review shows when used correctly agro-

environment-friendly technology has promoted sustainable agriculture

growth and reduced widening rural-urban income disparities. The

application of green technology is the answer for sustainable development

but poor countries have not been able to use applicable technology largely

because of their inability to afford to the available alternatives. Efforts are

needed to align economic development policies with the goal of increasing the

realization of human capabilities. GT in the reviewed countries has mostly

minimized environmental hazards and made farmers more productive through

enhanced efficiency. The lesson that has been drawn from this study is

since distributive structure and property system especially in India and

Nepal is not very satisfactory, care should be given to access land and

credit; the access in health, the access in clean water and education; and

above all the access in employment.

A study also entitled “The positive effect of green agriculture

development on environmental optimization: Measurement and impact

mechanism”, that Greening agriculture is an important way of

responding to the pressure of the ecological environment and the

shortage of resources. It is also a “positive sum game” that requires both

green water and green mountains as well as gold and silver mountains.

Green agriculture is a new type of modern agriculture. Ecological

economics is based on the advance of green technology, incorporates

green high-tech methods, conserves energy, improves the agricultural

 ecological environment, and develops the agricultural economy. This is a

mode of sustainable agricultural development that promotes a green

lifestyle and impacts the environment positively.

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The main thrust of this study is to determine the green mining

technology of sweet potato applied with different organic fertilizers.

Specifically, it seek to answer the following questions:

1. What is the growth response of green mining technology of

sweet potato applied with different organic fertilizer in terms of:

1.1number of surviving plants;

1.2 final plant height, cm?

2. What is the yield response of green mining technology of sweet

potato applied with different organic fertilizer in terms of:

2.1 number of harvested plants on each harvest;

2.2 marketable yield, kg/ha;

2.3non-marketable yield, kg/ha;

2.4number of marketable fruits;

2.5number of non-marketable fruits?

3. Is there a significant difference on the performance of green

mining technology of sweet potato applied with different organic fertilizers?

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant difference on the performance of green mining

technology sweet potato applied with different organic fertilizers.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study are greatly useful to the following.

Farmer. This will help farmers to plant sweet potato in their yard

without even spending money to buy inorganic fertilizers, but by planting it

with applying organic fertilizers they can provide.

Entrepreneurs. This study will help the entrepreneurs by giving them

ideas creating and discovering a product. They can use this as their tool to

start a business that would help them to sustain their daily needs.

Economic Impact. The success of the study will be helpful to the

community as it will give additional income.

Environmental Impact. This study will help to minimize applying

inorganic fertilizers in their plants.

Future Researchers. This study will serve as a reference to the

future researchers whose aim to conduct an experimental study related to

green mining technology of sweet potato applied in different organic

fertilizers.

Researchers. This research will help the researcher more

knowledgeable and able to apply the learning gathered in conducting the

study.
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Design and Environment

This study will be conducted through experimental research using

Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). A field experiment will be

conducted at Talibon Polytechnic College inside the school campus. The

experiment will lay out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with

four replications. Each replication is divided into four plots. Each plot has a

dimension of 2 x 2 meters with an alleyway of 1.0 meter between plots

within each block and a distance of 1.0 meter between blocks.

Furthermore, per one pile mixture of soil and organic fertilizer will be

planted with 12 sweet potato tops. The treatments will designated as

follows: T1 decomposed rice straw, T2 carabao manure, T3 carbonized

rice hull and T4 Control- no application.

T1- Soil + Decomposed rice straw

T2- Soil + Carabao manure
T3- Soil + Carbonized rice hull
T4- Control (No Application)
 Green Ming Technology of Sweet Potato
Applied with different Organic Fertilizers

R1 R2 R3 R4

T1 T2 T3 T4
1m

2m
2m
T2 T3 T4 T1

12m

T3 T4 T1 T2

12m

T1 T2 T3
T4

Legend:
Area: 144𝑚2
Plot Size: 2m x 2m = 4𝑚2
Alleyway: 1.0 m

Field lay-out of the experimental using Randomized Complete Block Design

Materials

The materials will be used in the experiment are the sweet potato

tops, shovel, fertilizer (decomposed rice straw, carabao manure,

carbonized rice hull), labels, ballpen/pencil, record notebook, dipper, pail,

and camera.

Procedures

Land Preparation. The area of 144 square meters is prepared

thoroughly by cultivating and pulverizing the soil. After that, make a pile

mixture of soil and organic fertilizer on each plot to set for planting. Then,

labels will be employed to provide guide in the research area.

Planting of sweet potato tops. Direct planting of sweet potato tops

is recommended. Plant the twelve sweet potato tops around the gathering

mixtures of soil and organic fertilizer.

Care and Maintenance. Sweet potato tops are supplied with

adequate water depending on the prevailing weather condition. Sufficient

water supply is provided especially during the critical stage of the crop,

early vegetative and flowering stage. The area is fenced to prevent the

entry of stray animals.

Cultivation and Weeding. Cultivation and weeding is done when

weeds start to appear in the field. The frequency of weeding and cultivation
depend upon the presence of weeds in the area and the moisture condition

of the soil. Cultivation is done using hilling-up method to strengthen the

base of the plants to prevent lodging.

Collection of Data. The parameters of the data collected on the

growth and yield response of sweet potato includes the number of surviving

plants, one week after planting; final plant height, two months after planting.

Yield data such as marketable and non-marketable fruits in grams; number

of marketable and non-marketable fruits; weight of infested and non-

infested fruits in grams; number of infested and non-infested fruits are

considered to the harvests that are recorded per block.

Harvesting. Harvesting sweet potato flesh is done when the foliage

turns yellow and begins to die back. It takes about 4 months. Harvesting is

done through cultivating the roots of sweet potato with the aid of bolo.

Harvested fleshes are collected separately using plastic bags labeled

according to its treatments.

Weighing of fruits. Harvested fleshes are weighted separately per

treatment using a weighing scale. Infested and non-infested fruits as well

as marketable and non- marketable sweet potato are weighted separately

in every treatment. All gathered data are recorded carefully to ensure

accurate result of the study.

 Statistical Treatment. The data collected will be tallied, collated and

tabulated for purpose of presentation and analysis of findings. Furthermore,

these will be computed and statistically analyzed using the Analysis of

Variance (ANOVA). For further test of significance, the Tukey’s Honest

Significant Difference (HSD) Test is employed.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following definition of terms is provided for better understanding

of the study:

Green mining technology - It involves the adoption of practices that

minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, reduce water usage, and

promote reforestation. These practices can not only protect the environment

but also help the industry to become more cost-efficient and economically

sustainable.

Harvested plants. the process of collecting plants, animals, or fish

(as well as fungi) as food, especially the process of gathering mature

crops, and "the harvest" also refers to the collected crops.

Marketable fruits. It describes fruits that will be fully ripe,

uninfested, and harvested in accordance with market standards as stated

by the Philippine National Standard.

Marketable yield. It refers to the amount of salable fruits produced

by a crops.

Non-marketable fruits. It refers to sweet potato that is infected with

diseases, deformed, and damaged that undersize at commercially maturity.

 Non-marketable yield. It refers to the amount of rejected sweet

potato fruits produced.

 Organic Farming. It refers to a farming system that promotes

agricultural farm inputs.

Organic fertilizer. It refers to the natural products such as

decomposed rice straw, carbonized rice Hall, carabao manure which will be

used in the study.

Sweet potato. It is a vegetable used as man diets component. It is a

source of mineral, vitamins, some hormones precursors, proteins and

energy. It is an herbaceous and rambling vegetable with smooth, green-like

leaves having a purple pigmentation along their veins.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following definition of terms is provided for better understanding of the

study:

Green mining technology - It involves the adoption of practices that

minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, reduce water usage, and

promote reforestation. These practices can not only protect the environment

but also help the industry to become more cost-efficient and economically

sustainable.

Harvested plants. the process of collecting plants, animals, or fish

(as well as fungi) as food, especially the process of gathering mature crops,

and "the harvest" also refers to the collected crops.

Marketable fruits. It describes fruits that will be fully ripe,

uninfested, and harvested in accordance with market standards as stated

by the Philippine National Standard.

Marketable yield. It refers to the amount of salable fruits produced

by a crops

Non-marketable fruits. It refers to sweet potato that is infected with

diseases, deformed, and damaged that undersize at commercially maturity.

Non-marketable yield. It refers to the amount of rejected sweet

potato fruits produced.

Organic Farming. It refers to a farming system that promotes agricultural

farm inputs.

Organic fertilizer. It refers to the natural products such as

decomposed rice straw, carbonized rice Hall, carabao manure which will be

used in the study.

Sweet potato – Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vegetable used

as man diets component. It is a source of mineral, vitamins, some

hormones precursors, proteins and energy. It is an herbaceous and rambling

vegetable with smooth, green-like leaves having a purple pigmentation along

their veins.
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