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APPROVAL SHEET
This research endeavor entitled “Exploring Phenomenological Study of
Banana Growers with Sigatoka fungus: BLSD (Pseudocercospora fijiensis)”,
prepared and submitted by Justin Luis A. Ibañez, Danielle Marie P. Barlaan, &
Bea Bianca G. Ganade, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the subject
Practical Research 1 (Qualitative Research), has been examined and is, hereby,
recommended for the corresponding oral examination, approval and acceptance.

KRISTINE M. REYES, LPT

Adviser

PANEL OF EXAMINERS
APPROVED by the Panel of Examiners

Chairman

Member Member
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ACCEPTED in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the subject Practical

Research 1 (Qualitative Research).

DEVORAH A. GUNDAYA,
PhD
Grade 11 Curriculum Head

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study would not have been possible without the help and support of

many people. We gladly extend our gratitude to everyone who was abundantly

helpful, generously contributed, and willingly participated for the preparation,

guidance, and support. We would like to acknowledge and to thank the following

people:

To Almighty God, for giving us the strength, knowledge, ability and opportunity

to undertake this research study and to persevere and complete it satisfactorily.

Without his blessings, this achievement would not have been possible.

To our parents, for their love and support throughout our whole life and giving

us the permission to conduct our research.

To Ms. Desiree R. Victorino, our practical research teacher, for being kind and

validator on our research paper. Our effort and knowledge of this study would not

have been worth it and successful without her help.

To our beautiful adviser, Ms. Kristine Reyes who always inspires us to keep

moving forward and give us many advise to our daily lives.

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To our principal, Dr. Wenefedro E. Cagape, for his guidance and approving in

conducting our research

Justin Luis A. Ibañez

Danielle Marie P. Barlaan
Bea Bianca G. Ganade

ABSTRACT
Black leaf streak disease (BLSD) is a leaf spot disease caused by the fungus

Pseudocercospora fijensis which does not immediately kill banana plants, but by

interfering with photosynthesis it can negatively impact bunch weight. This

phenomenological qualitative study focused on the lived experiences and

perspectives of the farmers, who had at least 10 years in dealing this fungal disease.

In-depth interviews were conducted with the five participants and the six-step

thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Understanding their perception have

similar result from experiences and ways of managing their farms. Some

interpretations of BLSD in the farms includes threats and a disease which does not

rely on seasons where BLSD disrupts photosynthesis and leads to low quality

bananas and income. Other findings from their experiences also shared similar

answers to be in struggles on their daily lives whereas they will take time and energy

in order to get a quality banana but only to be destroyed by BLSD and the quality

and income will be lowered. Farmers must control the BLSD with proper

maintenance were cleaned alongside by de-leafing selected parts of leaved and

applying medicine or fertilizer depending on the appearance it has. It suggested that

the farm of Panabo has also been infested by the Black Leaf Steak Disease (BLSD)
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which severely infected leaves can die, significantly reducing fruit yield, and causing

mixed and premature ripening of fruit bunches which leads to destruction of

farmlands if it is not properly controlled if it is not maintained.

Keywords: BLSD, perspectives, photosynthesis, fruit yield, proper maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page………………………………………………………………………………….….i
Approval Sheet……………………………………………………………………………....ii
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………………..iii
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………....iv
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………v
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………..vii
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………….…
viii

CHAPTER

1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………9

Purpose of the Study ……………………………………………...11

Research Questions …………………….…….…………………..11

Theoretical Lens
……………………………………………….......12

Importance of the Study ……………………………………..

…....12

Scope and Limitation of the Study ………………………….……

13

Definition of Terms ……………………………………………......14

.
2 Review of Related Literature …………………………………………..15
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3 Methodology……………………………………………………...……….18

Research Design ………………………..…………………………

18

Research Participants …………………………………………..…

19

Ethical Consideration ………………………...……………………

19

Data Collection ……………………………………………..………

20

Data Analysis ………………………………………………………20

4 Results and Discussion…………………………………………………21

Effects of BLSD in Panabo Farms…………………………….…24

Farmers’ experiences with BLSD………………….…………..…27

Management of BLSD……………………….……………….……29

Implication of the Study in Context …………………………….…

30

Implication for Future Research

………………………………….32

References………………………………………………………………………………...34

Appendices

A Guide Questions………………………………………………………..….37

B Informant’s Consent Form………………………………………………...38

C Certification…………………………………………………………………43

D Transcriptions of Participants …………………………………………….44

Curriculum Vitae…………………………………………………………………..………
72
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LIST OF TABLES
Table

1 Participants Information…………………………………...………23
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure

1 Effects of BLSD in Panabo Farms…………………………….…24

2 Farmers’ experiences with BLSD…………………..……………27

3 Management of BLSD…….………………………………………29