1

Republic of the Philippines

CAMILING CATHOLIC SCHOOL, INC.
Arellano St. Pob. B, Camiling, Tarlac
Tel. No. (045) 934-0151

EFFECTIVENESS OF BANANA VINEGAR AS AN ALTERNATIVE

ORGANIC FERTILIZER FOR TOMATO PLANTS

In partial fulfillment of the

requirements in Inquiries,
Investigation and Immersion

Andres, Cerene Erika (include complete middle name)

January 2021
 2

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Fertilizers can be classified into two; mineral and organic. Mineral fertilizers are

also known as chemical fertilizers since they are manufactured by the chemical fertilizer

industry. These fertilizers are mainly compose of nitrogen, phosphate and potash which

somehow differs to organic fertilizers in which all of its ingredients are all natural such as

animal manures either faeces or urine of livestock animal or animal faeces from poultry.

Other sources include plant residue or decomposed fruit as fertilizer and such that

is advisable to be used for at least once or twice a week in which the researcher came up

with an idea of using fermented banana vinegar as soil fertilizer specifically for tomato

plant. Banana vinegar contains acid and has low nitrogen content which is suitable for

tomato plant since this plant is an acid loving plant and doesn’t need too much nitrogen.

Aside from that, the acidity of the banana vinegar will enhance the iron content of the soil

resulting a healthy plant.

According to Maat Van (2015), Banana vinegar as soil fertilizer for acid loving

plants is good, it will increase acidity and enhances iron content in the soil. It will give

them the acidic soil they wanted while unlocking the nutrients in the bananas for the plant

to grow better and healthier.

Based from the study of Patricia (2018), Tomatoes prefer soil that is slightly

acidic, a pH of up to 6 to 6.8. However, they will tolerate a pH of up to 7.5 and of course

soil density and composition are also important.

 3

As stated by Dannielle Smyth (2020), Banana fertilizer aids in the growth of large

and healthy tomato plants. It may also keep pest away from your plants, which can

further encourage health of the leaves, which in turn can contribute to the growth of

larger fruit. According to Kristi Stone (2018), Banana is one of the highest organic

potassium source and is load higher in potassium than wood ash. They do not contain

nitrogen, which makes using this fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers a perfect choice

because they both have low nitrogen need.

This study will focus on the effectiveness of banana vinegar as an alternative

organic fertilizer for tomatoes. This study will aspire to contribute to the farming industry

of tomato plant and lessen the use to fertilizers made up of chemicals. This study further

aim to cultivate the soil while protecting the environment.

Hypothesis of the Study

Fermented Musa Acuminata (lakatan) vinegar as soil fertilizer for tomato plant is

not effective and feasible

General Objective

This study is to determine the feasibility and the effectiveness of fermented musa

acuminata vinegar as soil fertilizer for tomato plant

Specific Objectives

Based from the aforementioned general objective, the following specific

objectives were drawn:

 4

1. To determine the best treatment and the effectiveness of fermented musa

acuminata vinegar as soil fertilizer for tomato plant terms of:

1.1 frequency of plant growth

1.2 fruit bearing condition

2. To describe fermented musa acuminata vinegar as soil fertilizer for tomato

plant in terms of:

2.1 science connectivity;

2.2 innovation;

2.3 advantages to the public and environment;

2.4 material used and;

2.5 application;

3. To determine if musa acuminata vinegar as soil fertilizer is not feasible and

effective

Significance of the Study

The goal of this study is to determine if fermented musa acuminata vinegar as soil

fertilizer for tomato plant is feasible and effective. The outcome of the gathered data

seeks to be beneficial to the following people:

To the Farmers. This study might help to be your source in making alternative

soil fertilizer for your tomato plant

 5

To the Agriculture business enterprise and General Public. This study may

help to make an affordable and alternative or substitute fertilizer that is organic and is

made up of fermented musa acuminata vinegar that is suitable for tomato.

To the Future researchers. In the near future, other researchers might also need

this research as one of their reference or as related study. It may also serve as their guide

in constructing their study.

Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this study focuses on making banana vinegar as fertilizer to be used

in tomato plant and is delimited only for the testing of growth and condition of tomato

plants in bearing fruit.

Definition of Terms

For the common understanding of this study, following terms are defined to serve

as a common frame of reference:

Effectiveness. The capability of producing a desired result or the ability to

produce desired output. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended

or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression.

Fermentation. The process in which a substance breaks down into a simpler

substance. Microorganism like yeast and bacteria usually play a role in the fermentation

process such as creating wine, yogurt and vinegar.

Fruit bearing. A tree or plant that is producing fruit

 6

Musa Acuminata. Is a low growing Asian banana cultivated especially in the

West Indies for its clusters of edible yellow fruit and,

Plant growth. Defined as the increasing of plant volume and/mass with or

without formation of new structures such as organs, tissues, cells or cell organelles.

Usually associated with growth and development.

Paradigm of the Study

Input Process Output

Banana
 Cleaning Banana
Sugar  Ferment Vinegar
Water ation
 Cooking

Figure 1. The IPO Model

Figure 1 shows the IPO model (Input, Process and Output). The input box

illustrates the essential equipment to construct the musa vinegar. While the process box

shows the steps on how to prepare the said vinegar fertilizer and the output box indicates

the final product which is the Fermented Musa Acuminata Vinegar Fertilizer.
 7

Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methodology of the study wherein it discusses the

research design that was applied to this study and the different methods used in gathering

data. It also includes the materials, equipment, and procedure for production of the

product.

Research Design

This study will use experimental research design in which one or more subjects or

dependent variables are randomly assigned to different treatments and the results are

observe to conclude. This type of research is the most scientifically sophisticated research

method which is concerned with examination of the effect of independent variable on the

dependent variable. The independent variable is manipulated through inventions and the

effect of those inventions is observed on the dependent variable.

Methods of Collecting Data

To gather data, the researcher will use observational trials to serve as basis in

achieving the objectives of the study. The researcher will use two tomato plant to observe

the process, one will be using fermented banana vinegar as soil fertilizer while the other

one will just use plain tap water. Furthermore, the researcher will only use six (6)

treatments in this study wherein, treatments one-five (1-5) are made up of the banana

vinegar fertilizer and treatment six (6) is a chemical-based commercial fertilizer. In every
 8

treatment there will be a group of five (5) seeds of tomatoes or tomato plants in plant box

or plot. Each plant box or plot will be measured every week and will be observed

everyday with proper care. Observations will be recorded through narrative writing and

pictures as documentation to gather relevant and valid data. The researcher will also

make use of survey questionnaire to gather enough data to 50 respondents in Camiling,

Tarlac.

Materials

The following are the materials used in production of fermented banana vinegar:

 1 kg of Musa Acuminta (lakatan banana)

 1 and a half cup of sugar

TREATMENT BANANA SUGAR WATER

1 40% 30% 30%
2 60% 30% 10%
3 70% 20% 10%
4 50% 30% 20%
5 80% 10% 10%
6 chemical-based commercial fertilizer

Equipment

The following are the equipment that would be needed in making banana vinegar:

 Clean plastic container or jar

 Cheesecloth

 A piece of paper (placed on lid of jar/container to protect it from dust)

 9

Procedure

These are the following series of action that should be followed in making banana

vinegar:

1. Wash ripe banana with clean water.

2. Peel and cut into pieces

3. Pour into suitable container

4. Plug mouth of container with piece of paper to protect it from dust

5. Ferment for two to three weeks

6. Put on heat to sterilize

7. Add water and sugar