impact of mixed alternative fertilizers on the growth of choi, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Earth science

Download impact of mixed alternative fertilizers on the growth of choi and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Earth science in PDF only on Docsity! Effects of Mixed Organic Fertilizers on the Growth of Chinese cabbage Alvarez, John Kevin B., Botigan, Victor Jr. B., Cornelia, Mark Jeff Jay P., Dela Torre, Edieson O., Leliza, Nhed Emerald J., Porto, Sykes Y. University of the Cordilleras, Senior High School Abstract Keywords: Bokashi, MSW fertilizert, Chinese cabbage, vermicompost INTRODUCTION Background of the study Availability of soil nutrients is very crucial in plant growth. Levels of macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium in soils are usually less than what the plants need (Durak et al., 2017). To address this, the soil is supplemented by fertilizer application. Plenty of studies are available about comparing the effects of different composts produced from mixed organic wastes. However, little studies are available about amending soils with mixed composts. The study will attempt to address the gap by treating an area of soil with combined quantities of the three composts based on the application rate of 1kg/m2 in the report of Department of Agriculture (2009) as cited by Jose (2016). The combinations are .5 kg/m2 B plus .5 kg/m2 VC, .5 kg/m2 B plus .5 kg/m2 MSW fertilizer and .5 kg/m2 VC plus.5 kg/m2 MSW fertilizer. Organic soil amendments made up of biodegradable waste have the ability to enhance the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil. It increases water retention in sandy soils and loosens clayey soils by increasing the stability of soil aggregates. Adding organic fertilizer to soil increases soil fertility and can minimize inorganic fertilizer requirements up to 50%[CITATION Cou18 \l 1033 ]. Soils that are amended with organic fertilizer becomes microbially active and more resistant to soil- borne pathogens. Enhanced microbial activity boosts the breakdown of pesticides and other synthetic organic compounds[ CITATION Coo02 \l 1033 ]. Soil with 3% organic matter needs 3 cubic yards (2.7 m3) amendment per 1,000 ft2 (295 m2). Generally, the application of 5 to 10 tons/ha of either chicken or cow is used for decades in the Philippines boosting the yield of vegetable crops (Jose, 2016). The study focuses on three organic fertilizers that are produced in urban areas which are food waste bokashi (B), vermicompost (VC) and municipal solid waste (MSW) fertilizer processed by environmental recycling system (ERS). Food waste bokashi is produced by fermenting kitchen solid wastes such as leftovers and peelings in an airtight container inoculated with Effective Microorganisms (EM). Bokashi inoculated with EM-1 has significantly increased soil fertility (Gómez-Velasco et al. 2014 and Lima et al., 2015) as cited by Christel (2017). According to the results in the sudty of Christel (2017), regardless of the application rate of bokashi, it has the highest NPK concentrations compared to thermophilic compost and vermicompost. As for vermicompost, it is has been paid attention in various studies for its ability to improve soil quality and protect crops from soil-borne pests and diseases (Durak et al. 2017). Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) such as weeds and wild grass are usually used in producing vermicompost. Vermicomposting combines the action of microorganisms and earthworms, typically the epigeic Eisenia fetida (Red Wiggler) to decompose organic matter. According to Arancon et al. (2005), earthworms possess a gizzard, allowing them to grind organic matter and thus producing finely aggregated worm castings with high surface area, porosity and cation exchange capacity. Fertilizer from collected biodegradable MSW are produced by ERS machines. ERS machines simulate a fast production of thermophilic compost by grinding the waste mixed with enzymes then heating at high temperatures and finally allowing microorganisms to decompose the processed waste [ CITATION ViV16 \l 1033 ]. It improves soil and crop quality however excess amounts may cause water contamination and increased quantities of trace elements that negatively affect the food chain (Almendro-Candel, et al., 2019). The model crop is Chinese cabbage. It has broad, thick, tender leaves and heavy midribs. Plants grow from 15 to 18 inches tall. It has a short cultivation period of 70-80 days. It is in demand due to its high nutritional quality (BPI, n.d). Its content of dry matter is around 5%, dietary fiber 10 g/kg, potassium 2,520 mg/kg, calcium 1,050 mg/kg, magnesium 190 mg/kg, sodium 650 mg/kg, and vitamin C 450 mg/kg of fresh matter (USDA, 2007) as cited by [CITATION Pok07 \l 1033 ]. The growth parameters of Chinese cabbage measured by Ding, (2016), Laczi et al (2016), and Hasan, et al. (2018) are above ground height, above ground weight, head diameter and number unfolded of leaves. Statement of the Problem The objective of the study is to quantify the growth parameters of Chinese cabbage planted in soil amended by combinations of three compost. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions : 1. What fertilizer combination will yield a Chinese cabbage with the highest average: a. above ground height b. above ground weight c. head diameter d. number unfolded of leaves 2. Is there a significant difference between the impacts on the growth of Chinese cabbage of the best fertilizer combination and the control (Soil amended by chicken manure) in terms of: a. above ground height b. above ground weight c. head diameter d. number of unfolded leaves METHODOLOGY Materials The materials for producing food waste bokashi include: rice bran, EM-1, molasses and kitchen wastes particularly fruit and vegetable peelings, leftover food, chicken bones, ground eggshells, one 5 gallon container with lid, spigot and garbage bag. Overripe guavas, cow manure, dried leaves, and joy weeds will be fed to Eisenia fetida (Red wrigglers) housed in a vermicompost box to produce the castings needed. The MSW compost will obtained in Irisan Dumpsite. The seedlings will be planted on sixteen 10 liter black plastic pots with a 28cm diameter and 22 cm depth since Chinese cabbages have root systems extending from 15-18 cm. Experimental Design A completely randomized design will be employed testing 4 treatments with 4 replications for a total of 16 experimental units. Treatments include: bokashi+vermicompost, bokashi+MSW fertilizer, vermicompost+MSW fertilizer and a positive control of chicken manure. The soil will be amended with mixed composts at an application rate of 1kg/m2. The 10 liter plastic pots will be filled by approximately 9000 cm3 of amended field soil. Then 250 cm3 of mixed composts will be applied to the soil surface and mixed into the top 14 cm. Brassica rapa subsp. Pekinensis is a variety of Chinese cabbage that is produced in the Cordillera Administrative Region. One Chinese cabbage seedling will be planted 2 cm deep in each pot. The pots then will be placed under a greenhouse environment in the BPI compound. The pots will receive 750 ml of water each upon transplanting (BPI, n.d.) Amendments Vermicompost that will be used in the study will produced using overripe guavas, cow manure, dry leaves and joy weeds to achieve organic certification, these feedstocks will be composted in forced air static piles for 10 days, reaching temperatures between 140 and 170˚F required for certification [ CITATION Chr171 \l 1033 ]. Subsequently, this immature compost will be added to a vertical, continuous-flow vermicomposting bed populated by Red Wigglers. The finished product will be a blend of worm castings with a C: N ration of 12:1 to 10:1 (Durak, et al. 2017). The MSW fertilizer that will be used in the experiment will be procured in the recycling facility of Irisan dumpsite, where the ERS machines are located. It is predominantly made up of a kitchen wastes, market wastes, paper, green wastes such as leaves and joy weeds. These are fed in the ERS machines which uses low pressure drying fermentation system that combines organic waste with local indigenous microorganisms to produce solid organic fertilizer. Wastes are treated through a vacuum process with temperatures at an average of 60°C which is ideal for microorganisms (Patel, 2016 and Saini, 2014). The bokashi will be made using rice bran and food waste as feedstock in a three part process according to [ CITATION Chr171 \l 1033 ]: Part one: 85g of molasses and 90 ml of EM-1 inoculant will be dissolved in 3.8 L of mineral water.