CONCEPT

PAPER
CHRISTIELYN JHERNELLA R. GOZO
GRADE 12 - GREGORIO Y. ZARA (STEM)
MRS. ELSA GABRIEL
 Research Topic
Comparison Between Kitchen Leftovers and Animal Manure as Source of
Nutrients for Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestis) and its Effect in Soil
Quality and Growth of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Plant

Justification
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a herbaceous plant from the family Solanaceae that
grow with edible fruit. It is a good source of vitamin A, B, C, K, potassium, fiber,
antioxidant, beta-carotene and lycopene which can reduce risk of cancer and heart
disease. It can grow with short or long spreading stems covered with tiny hairs. It has
yellow flowers where a cyme can develop and usually a round fleshy and smooth-skinned
fruit. It can be red, pink, purple, brown, orange, or yellow in color. It can grow up to 2.3ft
to 6ft and can be harvested after growing in one season. Tomatoes grow best in cooler
climate but very adaptable and can still survive in summer. Growing tomato plant needs
a deep, loamy, nutritious and good quality soil.
Organic farming practices are built on the foundation of soil health. Plants require
essential nutrients from fertile soil, which also supports a diversified and active biotic
community that aids in the soil's resistance to environmental degradation. When it comes
to controlling soil productivity, organic farmers face many obstacles or difficulties. The
current nutrient management requirements for organic farmers are rather broad in
scope.
Due to the existing problem about soil degradation, the use of organic waste materials
as a soil conditioner are introduced. It is said that the suitable and efficient way to repair
polluted soils is by composting and vermiculture. Compost is made from agro-industrial
wastes such garden grasses, vegetable wastes, tree leaves, crop straws, and animal
manures, which are humified and microbiologically processed. On the other hand, the use
of Earthworms or vermicompost that has also been introduced to the farmers and
gardeners with problems in terms of soil maintenance and quality is worm castings or
digested excretions that are widely utilized as a soil amendment by gardeners and
landscapers. These worm castings are made from organic items that the worms eat.
On the other hand, kitchen leftovers are organic wastes such as fruit and vegetables
leftovers, meat, fish, egg shells, peelings and more. It can be a good food for earthworms
since it is rich in nutrients and carbon which can be added to the richness of nutrients of
worm casts.

Objectives
1. Compare the height of each set of tomato plant with different food source of
earthworms
2. Determine and compare the height of each set of tomato plant with different food
source of earthworms
3. Determine significant difference in the stem height of tomato plant that grows
separately on soil with kitchen waste and soil with animal manure.
4. Determine significant difference on the length of the leaves of tomato plant that grows
separately on soil with kitchen waste and soil with animal manure.
5. Determine significant difference in terms of quality and fertility between soil with
earthworms that feed on kitchen wastes and soil with earthworms that feed on animal
manure.
 Materials and Methods
1. Animal manure, kitchen leftovers, earthworms, tomato seeds, degraded soil, and
plant pot will be gathered. Two experiments will be conducted, first is the process of
turning degraded soil into fertile and loamy soil. Then, the second will be the
application process wherein tomato seeds will be used. Three pots will be needed
wherein same type of tomato seeds will be planted. The first set will be soil with
earthworms feed on animal manure. Set B will be soil with earthworms feed on
kitchen wastes then, Set C will be regular loam soil without earthworms.
2. The significant difference in stem length and soil fertility will be determined after
the application process through observing and comparing the three setups.

References:
Story, E. N., Kopec, R. E., Schwartz, S. J., & Harris, G. K. (2010). An update on the
health effects of tomato lycopene. Annual review of food science and technology, 1,
189–210. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.food.102308.124120
Doran, J.W.; Zeiss, M.R. Soil health and sustainability: Managing the biotic
component of soil quality. Appl. Soil Ecol. 2000, 15, 3–11.
Pathma, J., & Sakthivel, N. (2012). Microbial diversity of vermicompost bacteria that
exhibit useful agricultural traits and waste management potential. SpringerPlus, 1,
26. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-1-26