PRODUCTIVITY OF PECHAY ( Brassica rapa ) GROWN IN DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS

OF ORGANIC SUBSTRATE

A Research Topic Proposal

In Partial Fulfillment in Research 8

By

Allysa D. Bibit

Kier Hobert D. Antatico

Marian C. Bonifacio

April B. Babela

James Garret Ameil S. Lungsod

February 15, 2019

 INTRODUCTION

Pechay ( Brassica rapa) is used mainly for its immature, but fully expanded

tender leaves. The succulent petioles are often the preferred part. It is used as main

ingredient for soup and stir- fried dishes but it requires great amount of synthetic

fertilizer to sustain its production which is very expensive besides the use of inorganic

fertilizers can be a cause of so many diseases that infecting humanity.

Abukari (2014) reported in his study maize grain yield is the ultimate product

of various yield components biochar and inorganic nitrogen caused significant variation

in grain yield due the increased water holding capacity and improved saturated

hydraulic conductivity of Carbonized rice hull. In the study of Lazcano and Dominguez

( 2011) revealed that vermin compost produced significant improvements in the growth

and yield of sweet corn. It shows significant effect on plant height and marketable crop

yield. Chicken manure on the other hand provide more nitrogen and better plant growth

than dairy manure, Fares et al (2012).

The study will be conducted to determine the productivity of pechay grown in

combinations of organic substrates, to find out the capability of different substrate for

higher production of pechay and to determine the most effective combination of

substrates. Furthermore, in support to the organic agriculture program of the

government, it can enhance awareness and appreciation of organic farming technology

in the production of pechay.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, the study aimed to collect information on the productivity of pechay

grown in different combinations of organic substrate.

Specifically, this study will be conducted:

1. What is the effect of different organic substrate combinations on the agronomic

characteristics of pechay in terms of:

a. Height of pechay plant at 15, 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP)

b. Leaf area index (LAI) at 45 DAP

c. Herbage weight at 45 DAP and

d. Color at 15, 30 and 45 D

2. Is there a significant difference on height, leaf area index, herbage weight, and

color of pechay treated with different combinations of organic substrate than

with that of the control set up?

3. Is there a significant difference on the effect of different organic substrate

combinations on the productivity of pechay?

4. Is there a significant difference on the productivity of pechay applied with

organic and synthetic fertilizer?

 METHODOLOGY

MATERIALS

The materials to be used in the study will be 120 pcs 10 x 10 cm polyethylene

bags, pechay seeds, 42 kls chicken manure, 42 kls carbonized rice hull, 42 kls vermi

compost, and weighing scale.

Methods

A. Experimental Design and Treatment

The experimental plants will be planted in pots. One plant per pot. Ten pots in

every treatment arranged in RCBD replicated three times. The treatments were as

follows:

C1 – 1500 grams of top soil per pot ( no substrate added) +1 gram urea

C2- 600 grams chicken manure + 400 grams carbonized rice hull + 500 grams top soil

C3- 600 grams carbonized rice hull + 400 grams Vermi Compost + 500 grams top soil

C4- 600 grams Vermi compost + 400 grams chicken manure + 500 grams top soil

B. Buying of polyethelene bags and seeds of pechay

C. Gathering of substrates

1. Buying of 50 kls chicken manure from a nearby poultry house.

2. Buying 50 kls of vermi compost from a farmer of brgy. Solo, Pontevedra, Capiz.

3. 50 kls carbonized rice hull will be taken from a rice drier in Tico, Panay, Capiz.

4. 45 kls top soil will be taken from the mountain of Linampungan, Pontevedra,

Capiz.

D. Preparation of Pots

1. C1, control set up, 30 pots of 1500 grams top soil

2. C2, 600g chicken manure + 400g carbonized rice hull + 500g top soil

3. C3, 600g Carbonized rice hull + 400g Vermi Compost + 500g top soil

4. C4,600g Carbonized rice hull + 400g chicken manure + 500g top soil

E. Pot Arrangement and Assignment of Treatments

Each treatment is composed of ten pots arranged in Randomized Complete Block

Design ( RCBD) Replicated three times.

Legend:

C1- red ( 1, 500 grams soil, no substrate added ) 1 gram urea

C2- orange ( 600g chicken manure + 400g carbonized rice hull + 500g top soil )
C3- Blue ( 600g Carbonized rice hull + 400g Vermi Compost + 500g top soil )

C4- green ( 600g Carbonized rice hull + 400g chicken manure + 500g top soil )

F. Sowing of Seedlings

Three seeds will be directly sow in each pot. If all will sprouts, two will be uprooted so

that only one will be grown and conserve.

G Watering of the Plant

Plant will be watered twice a day. That is in the morning and in the afternoon except

when it is raining.

G. Gathering of Data

1. Height of pechay plant at 15, 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP)

Height will be measured from the base up to the tallest leaf of pechay.

2. Leaf area index (LAI) at 45 DAP

This will be obtained by multiplying the width and length of the widest leaf of

plant in each pot multiplied by the correction factor of 9.36 ( Pearce , 1975 ).

To determine the LAI, the total leaf area per plant was divided by the ground

area occupied by each plant using this formula:

LA of leaf X 9.39
LAI=---------------------------
Ground area of the
pot ..alofallotted
3. Herbage weight at 45 DAP

4. Color at 15,will
The plant 30beand
cut45atDays after of
the base planting
leaf stalks and will be weighted.

Color of the leaves will be rated as green, light green ,dark green and yellow

green.

Statistical Analysis

The data gathered will be analyzed statistically using the Analysis of Variance

(ANOVA). Comparison among treatments will be done using the least significant

difference test ( LST ).Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research ( STAR ).