CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A. RESEARCH TITLE
The Feasibility of Noni Fruit (Morinda Citrifolia) as Fertilizer on the growth of Pechay Seeds (Brassica
Rapa)
B. RESEARCHER NAME DEPT./SCHOOL
SEVILLA, Andrea Marie B.
Leyte National High School-
PALANAS, Raphael Science Technology
Engineering
MARABE, Jolly Joy
C. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
People consume food everyday and most of the food’s ingredients come from plants such as the fruits
and vegetables. These plants contain plant nutrients which is consumed by the world’s growing population.
Increase in population means increase in consumers that is why gardeners or farmers tend to also try to
increase their plant production. The increase of plant production would require farmers to use fertilizers
for them to meet the crop requirements (Chen, 2006).
Fertilizers are used to supply plant nutrients to help make plants grow faster and healthier. This
may be in a solid or liquid form that is directly applied either to the soil or to the plant itself (What is
fertilizer and why do plants need it?, 2000). Soils do not have the infinite essential nutrients that a plant
need. As plants grow, the soil’s nutrients decrease and become less fertile thus requiring fertilizers to
restore the nutrients that was consumed by the plant and to ensure that the plant would have enough supply
of food and would grow healthy (LaLiberte, n.d.).
There are two types of fertilizers, the organic and the inorganic. Both fertilizers provide plants the
nutrients that they need. However, they differ in terms of the components. The organic fertilizers are a
product of naturally occurring processes which means it does not contain any synthetic chemical. Whereas
the inorganic contains synthetic chemicals and are manufactured artificially. Inorganic fertilizers utilize
less time to supply nutrients to the plants unlike organic fertilizers that take time to supply nutrients.
Although the inorganic releases faster nutrients to the plants, it still has its weakness. The inorganic
fertilizers give risk to plants such as the risk of burning the plant due to the concentration of the nutrients
and leaching of soil. In terms of cost, inorganic fertilizers are cheaper than the organic, but the organic
fertilizers provide more future benefits than the inorganic (Miller, n.d.).
CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Due to in demand of organic fertilizers, farmers are looking for alternatives since organic fertilizers
are more costly than the inorganic ones. The researchers have come up of an idea to use the Noni Fruit or
is scientifically known as Morinda Citrifolia as an alternative component of an organic fertilizer. The Noni
Fruit is a native to the Southeast Asia and Australia and has an oval shape and a bumpy texture. It is slightly
transparent, and the color may also range from light yellow and dark green (Blanco, et. Al., 2006). This
fruit has a foul smell and is compared to the smell of a dead rat. This fruit is used to treat a variety of
ailments such as high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, arthritis, gastric ulcers, sprains, injuries, mental
depression, senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, blood vessel problems, drug addiction, relief of pain
and many others (Behal, 2017; Hamburger, 2007). By using the Noni Fruit as an alternative component of
an organic fertilizer, price would be lower, and it would be more accessible for the farmers.
This study aims to gain knowledge of other potential uses of Noni Fruit (Morinda Citrifolia) such as an
alternative component of making organic fertilizers. The researchers have come up with an investigatory
plan to know the specific traits and triggering mechanisms to arrive at an outcome of making Noni Fruit
possible for organic fertilizers. Conducting this research benefits the people especially the environment in
various ways.
D. RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. Accessibility/Availability of the components of some fertilizers
2. Some fertilizers have negative effects on the environment and also to human health
E. RESEARCH PURPOSE
1. To determine the capability of Morinda Citrifolia Fruit as a fertilizer
2. To discover a new alternative fertilizer
F. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. At what concentration of Morinda Citrifolia does it most effective on the growth of Brassica Rapa
Seeds?
2. What chemical components do Morinda Citrifolia Fruit that are essential for the growth of Brassica
Rapa Seeds?
3. How can Morinda Citrifolia be an effective fertilizer than other commonly used fertilizers?
CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
E. METHODS
Research Design
The research will be performed following an experimental design format.
Collection of Fruit
This study will be conducted in the grounds of Leyte National High School Science. Morinda
citrifolia will be collected around the area of Apitong, Tacloban City. 1kg of noni fruit (M. citrifolia)
will be collected for this study.
Preparation of Experimental Group
The researchers will have three (3) groups of five (5) Pechay (Brassica rapa.) filled with soil. The
seeds will be procured from local agri-vet stores in the locality of Tacloban. Pots will be obtained from
the market area of Tacloban or from gardening stores available in the area.
Preparation of Extract
The collected noni fruit (M. citrifolia) will be crushed and dispersed into the pots containing soil
at varying concentrations. In order to prepare the 25% concentration, 375g of soil will be mixed with
125g of crushed noni fruit (M. citrifolia) and similarly, 250g of soil will be mixed with 250g of the
extract to obtain 50% concentration. The mixture will be allowed to stand for one (1) day in order to let
the extract decompose.
Application of Treatment
The pechay (B. rapa chinensis) seeds will be planted in each of the pots. They will be given one
(1) week in order to grow, and after which the number of leaves, leaf width and length, and stem girth
will be measured (Bercero, Aranico, Tabaranza, & Amparado, 2014).
Data Analysis
Data will be recorded and tabulated. Means will be derived from the data and analyzed
statistically through One-Way ANOVA.
F. WORK PLAN
DATE ACTIVITY BUDGET
Week 1 Read related literature 0 Php
Week 2 Preparation of materials 500.00 Php
Week 3-4 Experimental Period, 50.00 Php
Tabulating Data, and Analyzing
Data
Week 5 Writing the results and 100.00 Php
discussions and finalizing the
paper
CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
G. NUMBER OF FIELD VISITS:
NUMBER OF FIELDWORK DAYS NEEDED (estimate): 5 Weeks
H. REFENCES:
Behal, A. (2017, September 27). The Big Benefits of the Little Noni Fruit. Retrieved from NDTV
Food: https://food.ndtv.com/opinions/the-big-benefits-of-the-little-noni-juice-753159
Bercero D.M., A. E. (2014). Growth Performance of Pechay (Brassica rapa chinensis) in Household
derived Composts. Journal Advances in Agriculture & Botanics 6, 169-175.
Chen, J.-H. (2006, October 16-20). The Combined Use of Chemical and Organic Fertiliizers and/or
Biofertilizer for Crop Growth and Soil Fertility. Retrieved from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.474.2251&rep=rep1&type=pdf
LaLiberte, K. (n.d.). Fertilizers Basic. Retrieved from Gardeners Supply Company:
https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/fertilizer-ratios/5161.html
Matthias Hamburger, O. P. (2007). Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Fruit - Phytochemistry, Pharmacology,
Safety.
Miller, R. (n.d.). Inorganic Fertilizer Vs. Organic Fertilizer. Retrieved from Home Guides:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/inorganic-fertilizer-vs-organic-fertilizer-39528.html
Rogers, C. D. (2017, June 13). The Effects of Organic Fertilizer on Plants. Retrieved from
LiveStrong.com: https://www.livestrong.com/article/242783-the-effects-of-organic-fertilizer-
on-plants/
What is fertilizer and why do plants need it? (2000, April 1). Retrieved from HowStuffWorks.com:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/question181.htm
Yanine Chan-Blanco, F. V.-M. (2005). The noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.): A review of
agricultural research, nutritional and therapeutic properties. Journal of Food Composition and
Analysis, 646.
