Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
Hypotheses 2
Conceptual Framework 3
Definition of Terms 4
Methodology 12
Appendices 17
Bibliography 19
List of Tables
Figure 5: Putting the small pieces of Bread with Fungi into the Set-ups 17
Diseases in plants are one of the most common and hardest problems that agricultural
farmers in the Philippines faces. Farmers won’t be able to sell diseased plants because they
are extremely dangerous and may cause an illness to a person who ate a diseased plant. A
plant has a disease if it shows the symptoms of anthracnose (birds-eye spot on berries),
phytophthora (damping off of seedlings), septoria brown spot (leaf spot) and chlorosis
85% of plant diseases are caused by fungal or fungal like organisms (Isleib, 2012) that
affects different parts of the plant like the stems, leaves, roots, fruits and it can also affect the
soil. Some signs that may appear in plants like leaf rust, stem rust, sclerotinia (white mold)
and powdery mildew means that there are fungi in the plant. (Isleib 2012)
Aside from rice, eggplant (Solanum melongena, Linn.), is one of the major vegetables
planted in Ilocos and there is a very high demand for this vegetable during wet seasons.
(Lutap & Ruiguian, 2007). Common diseases of eggplants caused by fungi are Cercospora
leaf spot, Alternaria rot, Anthracnose fruit rot, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora blight and
To solve these problems, the researcher decided to make use of the antifungal ability
have the ability to enhance seed germination, improve plant growth and induce resistance to
frost, fungal and insect attack and increase nutrient uptake from soil. (Mohan et.al, 1993).
The fungi that the researcher will be using is mold, one of the most common fungi that
releases “spores” into the air, which is responsible for the diseases of fruits and vegetables
The study aims to support other studies about the antifungal ability of seaweeds and to
prevent the fungal diseases in eggplants. In order to do so, the researcher aims to answer
these questions:
(1) Is there a significant difference between the eggplant set-up that receives a seaweed
treatment and the eggplant set-up without treatment in terms of the amount of fungi?
(2) Were the seaweeds able to prevent or lessen the fungi on the eggplants in terms of
(3) Does the seaweed affect other factors of the eggplant, like height, color of the leaf,
Hypotheses
Alternative: There are significant effects between the eggplant that received seaweed
Null: There are no significant effects between the eggplant that received seaweed
The primary beneficiary of this study are farmers and backyard planters, to help them
prevent fungal diseases growing on their eggplants. It will also help vegetable markets and
vendors to earn more money if there are a lot of fresh and healthy eggplants. And of course, it
will people in the community, like Ilocanos who have a high demand for eggplants during
wet seasons, because there are more eggplants that will be available and its perfectly safe so
The study focuses on the antifungal ability of seaweeds used on eggplants only and
nothing more. It will not include other plants that can be cured using the seaweed. It doesn’t
include other diseases caused by bacteria and pathogens for it focus fungal diseases.
Conceptual Framework
Fungi (Mold)
Eggplant – belongs to the family of Solanaceae; is a long, purple and glossy vegetable;
Mold - fungi that grow in the form of multicellular thread-like structures called
hyphae.
Plant Diseases – diseases where fungi, bacteria, pathogens, and other microorganisms take
their energy from plants on which they live and causes damages to the plant
Seaweeds – A large algae growing in the sea or on rocks below the high-water mark
Symptoms - (of plant disease) visible effect of the disease on the plant
Review of Related Literature
Filipino Eggplants
blushed skin with green hues and stem and blossom end. They maintain the long and lean
appearance of Asian eggplants as well as the rich depth flavor that is developed when cooked.
The flesh is creamy white with just a trace of seeds. Once harvested, their size varies widely
because eggplants mature individually and some farmers prefer to harvest the young
includes tomatoes, bell peppers and potatoes. Eggplants grow hanging from the vines of a
plant that grows several feet in height like tomatoes. (World’s Healthiest Foods, n.d.) They
are the second most important fruit crop after tomato in the Solanaceae family tone of the
main vegetable crops in the Philippines (Specialty Produce, n.d.) and they are also one of the
major vegetables planted in Ilocos after rice. During wet seasons, the demand for eggplants
are very high and popular for eggplants but farmers seldom plant this crop because of
Eggplants are cultivated throughout the Philippines for the edible fruit; popular in the
rural day-to-day cuisine. It is a good source of vitamins A, B and C and also calcium,
phosphorus, iron and some carbohydrates and fiber. (Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders, 2009)
Plant disease
All kinds of plants are subjected to plant diseases, which are impairment of the
normal state of a plant that interrupts or modifies its vital functions. Plant diseases are a
normal part of nature and one of the ecological factors that helps keep the balance of living
plants and animals with one another. (Kelman, et. al, 2016)
results in an abnormal physiological process that disrupts the plant’s normal structure,
growth, function, and other activities. When the normal state of a plant is interrupted, it may
elicit some characteristics of pathological conditions and symptoms. (Kelman, et. al, 2016)
bacterium, mycoplasma, virus, viroid, nematode, or parasites. (Kelman, et. al, 2016)
Fungi
rigid cell walls, that includes mushrooms, molds and yeasts. Eukaryotic simply means that
fungal cells have a nucleus, like plant and animal cells, which distinguishes them from the
Bacteria and Archaea. Non-phototrophic means that they can't use light for energy because
they lack chlorophyll, distinguishing them from plants. The cell walls of fungi are unique in
that they contain large amounts of chitin, a structural component only found in the cell walls
of fungi. The chitin makes the cells walls rigid. (Hartsock, n. d.)
Fungi are subdivided on the basis of their life cycles, the presence or structure of their
fruiting body and the arrangement of and type of spores (reproductive or distributional cells)
they produce. The three major groups of fungi are the multicellular filamentous moulds,
macroscopic filamentous fungi that form large fruiting bodies. Sometimes the group is
referred to as ‘mushrooms’, but the mushroom is just the part of the fungus we see above
ground which is also known as the fruiting body and single celled microscopic yeasts.
Mold
Fungi that exist as single cells are called yeasts. Some molds and yeasts cause disease
Mold growth requires moisture. The sources of moisture could be Washing, cooking,
air humidifiers, condensation or leaks from plumbing or from the outside. Poor ventilation
contributes to higher humidity levels and leads to condensation, which also allows mold
growth.
Molds release small “spores” into the air. So, when mold grows indoors, the number of
mold spores and fragments is usually higher indoors than it is outdoors. These spores are
small enough that people can actually inhale them deep into the lungs. Inhalation of spores
poses risk of developing respiratory problems. With the exception of winter months mold
85% of plant diseases are caused by fungal or fungal like organisms that affects
different parts of the plant like the stems, leaves, roots, fruits and it can also affect the soil.
(Isleib, 2012) Fungi and fungal-like organisms (FLOs) cause more plant diseases than any
other group of plant pest with over 8,000 species shown to cause disease. (Boehm, Mitchell,
Williams, 2017)
Disease fungi take their energy from the plants on which they live. They are
responsible for a great deal of damage and are characterized by wilting, scabs, moldy
coatings, rusts, blotches and rotted tissue. (Plant Natural, n.d.) Some signs that may appear in
plants like leaf rust, stem rust, sclerotinia (white mold) and powdery mildew means that there
Fungi are agents of plant and human disease, producers of industrial and
pharmacological products, and decomposers. In addition, they also produce highly toxic,
hallucinogenic and carcinogenic chemicals that not only affected the lives of millions
This fungal disease affects the leaves and stems of eggplant; the fruit remains
unaffected. The first sign of this disease are small, circular yellow lesions on the foliage.
Eventually the lesions develop soft, gray fuzz at the center with a dark-brown ring around the
exterior. Sometimes concentric rings appear, hence the disease nickname “frog eyes.” In
severe infestations, defoliation can occur, and fruit size and production is greatly reduced.
(Walliser, 2014)
Alternaria Rot
Eggplant fruits affected by this fungus develop small, gray, water-soaked lesions,
often starting at the bottom end of the fruit or at a site of injury. Some lesions grow in size
and produce fuzzy-looking patches of spores. They can occur on both immature and mature
fruits. Discard infected fruits as soon as you notice them, and use an organic fungicide to
Sometimes called ripe fruit rot, this fungal disease often remains symptomless until
the fruit is ripe and ready to harvest. The disease starts out as small, sunken, gooey spots that
will merge into larger blotches. When spore-set occurs a few days later, concentric circles
cover the lesions and orange or pink jelly-like patches of spores can be found covering the
lesions. Prevent fruit from touching the soil, and harvest before they become overly ripe.
Remove infected plants from the garden and throw away, and plant with disease-free seed.
(Walliser, 2014)
Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease symptom that often begin with drooping leaf
petioles. Sometimes a single branch may wilt before the rest of the plant. In eggplants, this
wilting often starts with the lower leaves, quickly progressing up the plant until the whole
thing collapses. The entire plant may be killed, often before it reaches maturity. If you cut the
main stem of an infected plant, you can see dark streaks running lengthwise through the stem.
You might see dark-brown, sunken cankers at the base of the plant. (Walliser, 2014)
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt is caused by a group of soil-borne pathogens that block the vascular
system of the plant, causing it to wilt. Symptoms progress slowly in eggplants, often starting
as a characteristic V-shaped lesion that develops on older leaf tips, eventually expanding to
cover the entire leaf. As the disease progresses, the plant becomes chlorotic and withers, and
it may die. Cutting through the main stem of the plant will reveal dark-brown discoloration
Phytophthora Blight
This fungal disease can strike either the root or the shoot system of the plant. If it
enters via the roots, they quickly turn brown, causing the plant to die. Stem and leaf
infections start as dark green, water-soaked lesions that turn dark brown and expand. As the
lesions age, they dry out. Infection can spread to the fruits, causing the same, distinct dark-
green lesions that appear on the stems and leaves. Often the fruit shrivels but doesn’t drop
Southern Blight
This fungal disease can attack both seedlings and mature plants. In seedlings, it causes
damping off at the soil level, while in mature plants, it can affect the entire plant, generating
dark-brown stem lesions at or just below the soil line. Infected foliage yellows and eventually
wilts. A distinct feature of southern blight is the fan-like webs of whitish fungal threads that
develop around the rotted stems. Small, brown, hard, mustard seed-like masses (sclerotia)
Seaweed
Seaweed is the common name for countless species of marine plants and algae that
grow in the ocean as well as in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. (NOAA, 2017)
There are thought to be over 10,000 species of seaweed, reflecting its immense
diversity, both in flavour and nutritional properties. It has been used all over the world for
thousands of years, but has most notably been a prominent part of Asian diets for the longest
Seaweed extracts are known to enhance seed germination, improve plant growth, and
induce resistance to frost, fungal and insect attack and increase nutrient uptake from soil.
(Mohan et.al, 1994; Venkataraman, et. al, 1993) Seaweeds contain elaborated secondary
metabolites that play a significant role in the defence of the host against predators and
Research Design
The researcher prepared 2 set-ups for the experiment. Set-up A, which is the eggplant
treated with the antifungal seaweed spray and Set-up B, which is the eggplant that received
no special treatment.
Sources of Materials
The researcher got 300 grams of seaweed from a wet market located in Calamba,
Laguna Philippines. The two eggplants was bought at a plant store at Real, Calamba City,
Laguna. The fungi used was from a moist bread that the researcher prepared.
Instruments
The researcher used a spray bottle for the antifungal seaweed spray and a mortar and
pestle to get the extract of the seaweed. The researcher used two identical plant pots for the
two set-ups of the experiment. The researcher used a plastic with a zip lock and a bread to get
molds.
Procedure
First, the researcher washed the seaweed. Then, the researcher used mortar and pestle
to get the extract. The research transferred the seaweed extract to a spray bottle and kept it
refrigerated.
The researcher cut the bread with fungi in half. The researcher then cut the bread into
smaller pieces and distributed it to the soil of the plants on the flower pots.
For the set-ups, the researcher used two identical plant pots. The researcher labeled
the set-ups; A as the experimental set-up and B as the controlled set-up. The researcher
placed them close to each other in a place with the same amount of wind, temperature and
sunlight. The researcher spray the antifungal seaweed spray in Set-up A only every each day.
The researcher conducted the experiment for 7 days. Each day, the researcher applied
the seaweed spray only to Set-up A. The table below shows the researcher’s observations
A. Eggplant w/ seaweed
Dead
treatment
Based on the researcher’s observation, the seaweed extract was not effective. On Set-
up A, the leaves of the treated eggplant wilted. (See Figure 8 & 9, pg. 18) On Set-up B, very
small yellow spots were seen on the leaves of the eggplants which shows very light signs of
Summary
The research was conducted to use the antifungal ability of seaweed to make
an alternative cure and fertilizer to the eggplants with fungal diseases. The study aimed to
answer if there the seaweed has a significant effect to the diseases of eggplant and to know if
there is a difference between the eggplant that received treatment and the eggplant without
treatment.
Summary of Findings
After 7 days, the researcher observed the eggplants. Set-up A, which is the
eggplant with treatment, wilted. (See Figure 8 & 9, pg. 18) While in Set-up B, which is the
plant that received no treatment, is still standing but shows very small signs of fungal disease
Conclusions
It is concluded that the antifungal seaweed spray had no significant effect. It is not
effective as a cure for the fungal diseases of eggplants and it makes the condition of the
eggplant worse.
Recommendations
use a fungi cultured by professionals for better and more accurate results. More seaweed is
also recommended and new extract to be used per day to prevent the product from having a
bad smell.
Source of Errors
The results of the experiment were not accurate because the experimental set-up died
and no specific test was used. The fungi only had minor effects to the plants so the researcher
was not sure if the seaweed really prevented its growth. The researcher did not use new
extract of seaweed per day so the product had a bad smell because it was stored in a
Figure 4. The Bread with Fungi Figure 6. The Set-ups with small Figure 5. Putting the small pieces
in a Zip Lock Plastic Bag pieces of Bread with Fungi of Bread with Fungi into the Set-ups
Figure 7. Spraying the Seaweed Extract to Set-up A Figure 8. Set-up A and Set-up B
Figure 9. Set-up A after 7 days Figure 10. Leaves of Set-up A after 7 days
Figure 11.Set-up B after 7 days Figure 12. Leaves of Set-up B Figure 13. Leaves of Set-up B
after 7 days after 7 days
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