Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Plant Growth Enhancer (PGEs) PGEs may enhance plant growth by

various mechanism. These include: Providing supporting nutrients (fertilizers), and

improving soil condition (i.e., adjusting the PH of the soil, improving soil

structure and texture, aeration adjustment, and moisture conservation among

others), or controlling or suppressing plant pests. The PGEs could contain organic

and inorganic components, and could be of natural or synthetic origin. Inorganic

plant growth enhancer are composed of synthetic chemicals or minerals, while

organic plant growth enhancer are often composed of organic matter from

plant/animal sources, and microbes.

In this study there were two organic plants growth enhancer that were used

which were the charcoal and the spent coffee .They are both PGEs but in this research

they are going to compare which are the effective organic plant growth enhancer

for plants by using the pechay seeds. Usually farmers are expended lots of money to

buy some growth enhancer such as fertilizer through this study they can now make their

own fertilizer as growth enhancer for their plants by using charcoal or coffee and it is

safe to put in plants because there is no chemical that may contain harmful to plants

health.

Charcoal is the principal woodfuel in urban areas of many less developed

countries. There are a number of reasons why people in dense urban settlements

1
favor charcoal over wood. It has a higher energy density, it burns cleaner (reducing

exposure to harmful pollutants), and it is easier to transport, handle, and store. In

addition, many people favor charcoal because it is considered a more modern fuel

than wood and is a kind of status symbol. Charcoal production is most prevalent in

Philippines. Charcoal is an odorless, tasteless, fine black powder, or black porous solid

consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and

other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal has

been used since the earliest times for a range of purposes, including art, medicine, and

fuel.

Further, Native Coffee (Coffee Arabica) Coffea arabica, also known as the

Arabian coffee, "coffee shrub of Arabia", "mountain coffee" or "arabica coffee", is a

species of Coffea. It is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated,

and is the. dominant cultivar, representing about 60% of global production. Coffee

produced from the (less acidic, more bitter, and more highly caffeinated ) robusta bean

(C. canephora ) makes up most of the remaining coffee production. Arabica coffee was

first found in Yemen and documented by 12th century.

Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) is a popular vegetable in the Philippines. Also

known as snow cabbage, Chinese chard or Chinese white cabbage is consumed both as

raw and cooked. Ideally, it is eaten raw to prevent possible loss of its nutritional value

when heated. It is an excellent source of income and a hobby even for limited space

adopting the very popular vertical gardening with the use of recycled containers as

potting media (Prado, et. al., 2013). Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) is a major vegetable crop,

2
rich in vitamin C and contains significant amounts of nitrogen compounds known as

indoles, as well as fiber - both of which appear to lower the risk of various forms of

cancer (Murray, 2005).

The researchers pursued this study because they wanted to contribute

knowledge on plant growth using organic fertilizer, and also provide other option to

those who have not enough money to buy some growth enhancer product such as

fertilizer for plants and to those who wish to try a natural way homemade fertilizer as

growth enhancer for plants.With this, many people will benefit from this study especially

to the plantito and plantita what we called today who loved to plant. And Those

people who wanted to plant that has no chemical to put on their plants because

fertilizer synthesize in factory can poison people and pets if they are inhaled or

accidentally injested . Touching the fertilizer may cause skin irritation, and

ingesting it may be poisonous.Nitrates are the ingredients that cause the poisoning.

Nitrates are a form of nitrogen that plants and easily absorb. this study will be of help

because the product of this study is eco-friendly and it is less cost than to others product

we can buy in the store, and it is not harmful or there is no side effect to body because of

it is natural homemade not synthesize in a factory.

For these reasons, the researchers let charcoal and coffee as growth enhancer

for pechay seeds be a substitute fertilizer. Moreover , the researchers would like to know

how feasible and effective when charcoal and coffee became as growth enhancer for

pechay seeds.

3
Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the acceptability of charcoal and native

coffee as growth enhancer and determine which are the best growth enhancer for pechay

seeds.Specifically, it sought to answer the following question:

1. What is the growth of pechay in terms of number of leaves and height among

four (4) treatments?

1.1 Treatment-1: charcoal on soil with pechay seeds

1.2 Treatment-2: Native Coffee on soil with pechay seeds

1.3 Treatment-3: Pechay seeds with no growth enhancer

1.4 Treatment-4: Pechay seeds with Mixing coffee and charcoal on soil

2. Is there a significant difference on the growth of pechay in terms of number of

leaves and height among four (4) treatments?

Hypothesis of the Study

The researchers hypothesized that there is no significant difference on the growth

of pechay in terms of number of leaves and height among four (4) treatments.

4
Conceptual Framework

Charcoal and Native Determine the acceptability of the

Coffee plant growth enhancer using charcoal
and native coffee in pechay seeds
growth; A comparative study

•Height of pechay in every 7 days

Production Of Plant Growth Enhancer
•Number of leaves of pechay in
Feasibility of mangrove every 7 days
charcoal and native
coffee as growth
enhancer for pechay
seeds
Determine the effectivity of the
Treatment 1, charcoal and coffee on different soil
Treatment 2 with pechay seeds

Treatment 3 •Pechay seeds with coffee on soil

Treatment 4
•Pechay seeds with charcoal on soil

•Pechay seeds with charcoal and coffee

mixing on soil
Feasible
•Pechay seeds with no plant growth
enhancer

Charcoal and Native Coffee as

Growth Enhancer for pechay seeds;
A comparative study

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework of the study

As presented, the study begins with selecting the raw material for

research then proceeds with plant growth enhancer production. There are 4
5
treatments to be tested for feasibility of the growth enhancer then were tested by the

researchers and their adviser of their research to rate the acceptability of the various

treatments in terms of their physical characteristics such as the growth of pechay

seeds(Height) and the numbers of leaves of pechay outcome. The researchers at the same

time assess the effectivity of the treatments on different soil like soil with charcoal ,

soil with native coffee, soil with mixing coffee and charcoal, and soil with no plant

growth enhancer put.

Scope and delimitation of the study

This study used the charcoal as one of the growth enhancer for testing the

growth of pechay seeds. The second was native coffee, and the third is the mixing

which are the charcoal and spent coffee. They are going to campare with one

another. .Hence, there were four (4) treatmennts. The feasibility of product will be

observe by the researchers and the adviser of their research.

The evaluation of the producs done by applying the charcoal and coffee to

different soil with pechay seeds.The duration of the study was seven days for first

collection of data and with a total (66) days for ten (10) set of collection data. The

result of the study referred to the level of acceptability and the effectivity of the

products.

6
Significance of the study

There are beneficiaries who would benefit from this study, one of these is the

farmers because farmers use fertilizer to grow their plants quickly through this research

they can now make their own homemade plants growth enhancer without chemical

mixture they can ensure that their plants are safe to eat

Secondly, Common housewives will also benefit from this study, we know

housewives loved gardening through this research it will help them accelerarate the

growth of their plants and maintain the health of the plants without the chemical mixture

placed in the soil.

Moreover, those people who love to plant what we called today plantito and.

plantita through this study they can now provide their own growth enhancer for their

plants to make sure it is safe and to ensure that their plants are far away from diseases.

In addition, those that are allergic to plants that has a chemical mixture put in

plants will also benefit from this study. Fertilizer synthesize in laboratory contains

many chemicals that can cause poisoning and damaging the health of plants.Thus this

study will help them to reduce in exposing to the chemicals.

And lastly, this would also help the future researchers in general field of

research.

7
Definitions of Terms

Acceptability - In this study it is The quality of being tolerated or allowed by

respondent.

Charcoal - Is an odorless, tasteless, fine black powder, or black porous solid

consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water

and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances.

Charcoal has been used since the earliest times for a range of purposes,

including art, medicine, and fuel.

Native Coffee - From farm to coffee shop, Native Coffee is prepared using

traditional methods by the native people, which allow them to

maintain their cultures and indigenous lifestyles.

Pechay – is a cabbage and one of the most known Vegetables in the Philippines with the

scientific name of Brassica rapa. A vegetable plant with green leafy

leaves, small in size, have white stalk of the leaves and usually called bok

choy. This vegetable grows in tropical country. It need more sunlight and

water in order to grow. This also grows well in sandy soil, and also in

loam soil.

Effectivity -power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect.

effectiveness, effectuality, effectualness.The measured variable in this

study, thus the dependent variable.

8
Comparative -involving comparison between two or more branches of science or

subjects of study. In this study there are two homemade organic

fertilizers are going to compare which are the charcoal and coffee ground

for the growth of chili seeds.

Feasibility -the possibility, capability, or likelihood of something being done or

accomplished.

Plants growth enhancer -Soil amendments/ plant health or growth enhancers are

materials that typically are added to soil, plants , or the plant -

growth environment to enhance plant growth.These include

fertilizers, compost, sludge, manure, microbes, additives, and others or

combinations thereof.

Fertilizer - is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to

plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth

of plants.

9
 Chapter II

BACKGROUND

Related Literature

Description of Charcoal

Charcoal is the solid product formed during the incomplete combustion

( pyrolysis ) of biomass and is also referred to as biochar. Interest in biochar has

increased dramatically in recent years owing in principle to the many touted

environmental benefits of its use as a soil amendment (Lehmann, 2007). Charcoal can

contribute to the mitigation of climate change (by sequestering carbon and

suppressing nitrous oxide emissions) (Rondon et al., 2007; Yanai et al., 2007) and

specifically when added to acidic soils with low pH and often low cation

exchange capacity (CEC), it can improve the agricultural properties of these soil, as

charcoal is able to increase pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (Liang et al.,

2006). In addition, charcaol is able to improve plant available water (Glaser et

al.,2002), improve mycorrhizal interactions (Warnock et al., 2007), and provide

nutrients that are essential to plant growth (Yamato et al., 2006) to soils with

variable physical and biological properties. Charcoal production can be an effective

part of agricultural waste management as the process provides a utility for agricultural

waste that would otherwise be disposed of and can also generate energy. In addition to

these benefits, many charcoals can strongly sorb organic pollutants (Chen and Chen,
10
2009; Sun et al., 2012a,b) as well as some metals (Zheng et al., 2012; Khan et al.,

2013) and thus for certain types of pollutants and soils or sediments, charcoal

amendments could be used for contaminant remediation (Ahmad et al., 2014). Similar to

activated carbon (a manmade material and produced from biomass or anthracite coal and

exposed to an activation process), charcoal could thus be added to polluted soils and

sediments as a way to sequester pollutants, thereby hindering them from leaching or

being taken up by organisms (Zimmerman et al., 2005; Ghosh et al., 2011). Charcoal is

a form of black carbon (as is activated carbon), composed of rigid and planar stacks of

highly disordered polyaromatic hydrocarbon sheets (graphene) with relatively few

polar functionalities (ketone, ether, hydroxyl, quinoid, carboxyl and other functional

groups) on its surface compared to other forms of soil organic matter (e.g.

humus) (Cornelissen et al., 2005). Black carbon materials ( including charcoal )

have high carbon contents, large microporous networks and high surface areas

(Allen-King et al., 2002; Zhu and Pignatello, 2005). These properties not only render

charcoal resistant to chemical and microbial degradation (Spokas, 2010), where half

lives of between 8 and 4000 years have been reported for charcoals (Gurwick et al.,

2013), but are also responsible for the high sorption strength of organic compounds to

charcoal.Sorption to soils and sediments is one of the most important environmental

processes related to organic pollutants as it controls their environmental mobility and

bioavailability and thus their risk.

Properties of Charcoal

11
 One important function of fire in boreal forest ecosystems is its

production of charcoal, also known as black carbon (C) Charcoal is highly

resistant to decomposition (Lehmann & Joseph 2009 ) and therefore accumulates in

Fennoscandian forest soils, often at amounts of 1000–2000 kg ha (Zackrisson, Nilsson &

Wardle 1996) and sometimes above 4200 kg ha (Ohlson et al . 2009). This charcoal can

have important effects on soil processes and properties at least in the first few

decades following its formation (Zackrisson, Nilsson & Wardle 1996; Lehmann & Joseph

2009 ).

Charcoal produced by wildfire may alter nutrient availability through inputs of

the nutrients it contains (Glaser, Lehmann & Zech 2002 ; Rajkovich et al . 2012 ),

promotion of microbial activity and thereby nutrient fluxes (DeLuca, MacKenzie &

Gundale 2009; Lehmann et al . 2011; Biederman & Harpole 2013 ), increased

decomposition (Wardle, Nilsson & Zackrisson 2008) and sorption of secondary

compounds such as phenolics that impede soil processes ( Zackrisson, Nilsson &

Wardle 1996 ; Wardle, Zackrisson & Nilsson 1998).Soil water availability and pH

can also be modified by charcoal addition ( Tryon 1948; Ulery, Graham &

Amrhein 1993 ). Many of these effects of charcoal are due to its porous structure ,

high ‐ specific surface area (BET), surface electrostatic properties ( Tryon 1948;

Lehmann et al . 2009 ) and high concentrations of mineral nutrients that can be present

on its surfaces after formation (Gundale & DeLuca 2006 , 2007 ; DeLuca, MacKenzie &

Gundale 2009 ).

12
 A large number of studies have been performed in agricultural soils on

how charcoal (or charcoal‐based amendments such as biochar) impacts on

plant productivity; two recent meta‐analyses (Jeffery et al . 2011 ; Biederman &

Harpole 1989 ) have each reported an overall positive effect of biochar addition on

plant production in agricultural settings, although with effect size varying with target

plant species, climate, soil type and charcoal properties. However, despite the rapidly

growing literature on effects of biochar amendments in agriculture, very few studies

have evaluated the impacts of naturally produced charcoal on plant growth in

non‐agricultural systems that experience natural fire regimes and charcoal inputs,

such as boreal forests.

As such, Makoto et al . ( 2010, 2011) found that seedlings of Larix

gmelinii responded positively to the addition of a single charcoal type due to

increased phosphate uptake by associated ecto‐mycorrhizal fungi from the

charcoal surfaces. Further, Wardle, Zackrisson and Nilsson ( 1998) found a positive

effect of charcoal addition on Betula pendula seedling growth, but in only one of the

three soil types evaluated, which was most likely due to adsorption by the charcoal of

allelopathic compounds that were present in high amounts only in that soil type. Two

additional studies in conifer‐dominated ecosystems have demonstrated that charcoal

derived from different tree species greatly vary in structural and chemical traits (Keech,

Carcaillet & Nilsson 2005; Gundale & DeLuca 2007 ) that could potentially

impact on soil properties that influence plant growth.

Description of native coffee

13
 Valentina Aristizábal-Marulanda, Carlos A. Cardona Alzate, in Handbook of

Coffee Processing By-Products , 2017. Coffee, Ethiopia is considered the place of

origin of Arabica coffee, in the province of Kaffa. Central Africa is the origin of

Robusta coffee (Murthy and Madhava Naidu, 2012; Sánchez and Anzola , 2013).

Since 1718 , the coffee was known in America, starting in a Dutch colony called

Surinam and followed by some crops in French Guyana. In 1730, the British

colonizers carried the coffee to Jamaica and, then it was extended to Central and South

America (Sánchez and Anzola, 2013).

The coffee tree is a shrub that grows in tropical regions of the world and belongs

to the family Rubiaceae. This plant contains 500 genus and 8000 species. The most

known genus is Coffea L. and it has 10 civilized species. At least, 50 species are

native ( Federacion Nacional, 2010 ). Commercially , two species are explored,

Coffea arabica ( Arabica ) and Coffea canephora ( Robusta ). The first specie has

availability around 75% of world’s production and grows in high altitudes from 600 to

2000 m. The second specie provides 25% of world’s production, grows in altitudes

below 600 m and is more resistant to plagues (Mussatto et al., 2011 a; Sánchez and

Anzola, 2013 ). Countries as Brazil, Vietman , Colombia, and Indonesia are the

largest world producers of coffee , these countries take up the first, second, third,

and fourth place, respectively, in the world coffee production. In 2015, South

America produced 42.7%, Asia and Oceania 33%, Africa 12.1%, and Mexico and

Central America 11.7% of the total production.

Properties of native coffee

14
 Coffea arabica (Native Coffee) Coffea arabica was first described by Linnaeus in

1753. The best known varieties are ‘Typica’ and ‘Bourbon,’ but from these ,

many different cultivars have been developed, such as ‘Caturra’ ( Brazil and

Colombia ), ‘Mundo Novo’ (Brazil), ‘Tico’ ( Central America), the dwarf ‘San

Ramon’, and the ‘Jamaican Blue Mountain’. Arabica plant is a large bush with dark-

green oval leaves. It is genetically different from other coffee species, having four

sets of chromosomes rather than two. The fruits are oval and mature in 7–9 months;

they usually contain two flat seeds (the coffee beans) – when only one bean develops, it

is called a peaberry. Compared with robusta, arabica trees are generally less vigorous

and productive with a higher cost of production and produce beans that contain about

half the amount of caffeine. Arabica coffee produces a beverage with a typical sweet

aromatic taste that can be consumed alone or blended with C . canephora . ‘Catuai’

and ‘Mundo Novo’ are the most traditionally cropped cultivars of C . arabica, but

many others are also economically important worldwide. Since arabica coffee is often

susceptible to attack by pests and diseases, resistance is a major goal of plant-breeding

programs. Arabica coffee is grown throughout Latin America, in Central and East

Africa, in India, and to some extent in Indonesia.

Description of Pechay

Pechay (Brassica rapa) belongs to the Brassiceae family and one of the most

widely known vegetable in the Philippines. It plays an important role in the Philippine

economy and as well as the nutrition of the Filipino people. This vegetable is high in folic

acid and rich in vitamin k. It also have a good calcium source that keeps the bones strong.

15
Whether it will be serve in salad or to beadded in a smoothie (Renee, 2018).Pechay

(Brassica rapa) is an erect, biennial herb, cultivated as an annual about 15-30 cm tall in

vegetative stage. Ovate leaves are arranged spirally and spreading. The petioles are

enlarged and grow upright forming a sub cylindrical bundle. ... Pechay is a good source

of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B.

Properties of Pechay

Pechay (Brassica pekinensis L) is a major vegetable crop, is rich in vitamin C and

contains significant amounts of nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber -

Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) is a popular vegetable in the Philippines. Also known as snow

cabbage, Chinese chard or Chinese white cabbage is consumed both as raw and cooked.

Ideally, it is eaten raw to prevent possible loss of its nutritional value when heated. It is

an excellent source of income and a hobby even for limited space adopting the very

popular vertical gardening with the use of recycled containers as potting media (Prado, et.

al., 2013). Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) is a major vegetable crop, rich in vitamin C and

contains significant amounts of nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber -

both of which appear to lower the risk of various forms of cancer (Murray, 2005). This

vegetable is high in folic acid and rich in vitamin k. It also have a good calcium source

that keeps the bones strong. Whether it will be serve in salad or to be added in a smoothie

(Renee, 2018).

16
Related Studies

Biochar as a soil amendment enhances plant growth and reduces need

for water and fertilizer. This is because more moisture and nutrients remain in the

soil and don’t leach into the groundwater. Scientists believe that soil improved

by biochar is more efficient, retaining critical nutrients such as magnesium ,

calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen . Additionally, nutrients present in the soil are more

available to plants, making good soil even better (Mary H. Dyer, et. al.)

According to Ana Cervera, et. al. with their title Impact of spent coffee

grounds as organic amendment on soil fertility and lettuce growth in two

Mediterranean agricultural soils ( October 2017 · Archives of Agronomy and Soil

Science ). They said in their conclusion study Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) have a

great potential to increase soil fertility and further investigations are needed in order to

improve the use of SCG as amendment.

These studies are similar to the present study, however, it differs from the others

in terms of variables, respondents and research instruments. The researchers would

like to compare and know the effectiveness of charcoal and coffee as growth

enhancer for pechay seeds.

17
 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study utilized the quantitative-experimental research design to

describe and quantify the acquired data. It basically used four-group design for the

acceptability of the products and four-group design for the effectivity of the product.

Treatments Mixture (Composition)

Treatment-1 10 Pots of Control Group

Treatment-2 10 Pots of Soil and 75ml of Charcoal mixed in

soil per pots with pechay seeds

Treatment-3 10 Pots of Soil and 75ml of Spent Coffee mixed in

soil per pots with pechay seeds

Treatment-4 10 Pots of Soil 75ml of Mixing Spent Coffee and

Charcoal mixed in soil per pots with pechay seeds.

Materials and Equipment

1 pack pechay seeds , forty(40) pots of soil, one (1/2) kilogram of Charcoal, one

(1) kilogram of Spent Coffee ground, and 40 Pots..

18
Preparation of Materials

The needed materials were prepared in the work place. Then, preparation for

charcoal was crushed until it makes look like powder then mixed it to the soil and then

put it to sunlight for 1hour . And for the native coffee was heated first by putting some

water then take the spent coffee. And after that, the spent coffee are directly put to the

soil garden and then scratch it into the top couple inches of soil. And after that ,

the pechay seeds were o put in soil in smaller amounts before it were transferred to

its designated pots.

Treatment 1 had a control group of 10 pots of soil only with pechay seeds on each

pots of soil and measure the height and counting the number of leaves in each pechay in

every seven ( 7 ) days with a total of sixty four ( 64 ) days for ten (10) weeks of

collection data .

Treatment 2 had a mixture of one 75ml of charcoal in each pots of soil there

are ten (10) pots soil in a total, then the pechay seeds put it in each pots of soil and

measure the height and counting the number of leaves in every 7 days with a total (64)

sixty four days for ten (10) weeks of collection data.

19
 Treatment 3 had a mixture of seventy five ( 75ml ) cups of spent coffee in

each pots of soil there are ten (10) pots of soil in a total, then the pechay seeds put it in

each pots of soil and measure the height and counting the number of leaves of each

pechay in every seven ( 7 )days with a total sixty four( 64 ) days for ten (10) weeks of

collection data .

Finally, Treatment 4 had a seventy five(75ml ) mixing of charcoal and spent

coffee on each pots of soil and measure the height and counting the number of leaves in

each pechay in every seven ( 7 ) days with a total of sixty four ( 64 ) days for ten (10)

weeks of collection data .

The researchers tested each treatment to 4 set-ups. set up 1 had a soil only and

set up 2 had a mixture of soil and charcoal with pechay seeds and set up 3 had a

mixture of soil and spent coffee with pechay seeds and set up 4 with a mixing of

charcoal and spent coffee put on soil with pechay seeds.

Collection of Data

There were four (4) treatments. Each treatment was tested by the researchers to

the soil. Each soil has a pechay seeds

The parameters of the products were the height and number of leaves. These

were rated by the researchers from the first week (April 7, 2021) until the last week (June

12, 2021) of the experiment.

20
Evaluation of Data

To determine the growth rate of pechay plant in terms of height, the following
height ranges with corresponding interpretation was used:

Height Range (inches) Interpretation

6.00 above Tallest
4.00-5.99 Taller
2.00-3.99 Tall
0-1.99 Less tall

To facilitate interpretation of data, the following range for the number of leaves
was used:
Leaves Interpretation
12.00 above Leafiest
8.00 - 11.99 Leafier
4.00 – 7.99 Leafy
0 – 3.99 Less Leafy

To determine the significant difference on the growth rate of petchay plant using

charcoal and coffee among treatments along tested variables, the Analysis of Variance

(ANOVA) was used with

21
 Chapter IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Figure 1
Growth Rate of Pechay Plant in terms of Height (inches)

The figure 1 above illustrates the growth rate of pechay plant in terms of height in

inches among the different setups. As illustrated, the setup-1 obtained the highest mean

height of 4.42, interpreted as “taller”. Followed by the setup-2 which obtained a mean

height of 4.20, also interpreted as “taller”. Then, setup-3 obtained a mean height of 4.00,

means “taller”. While, the control group obtained the least mean height of 3.17, means

22
“tall”. Hence, this table implies that setup-1 is more effective as growth enhancer for

pechay plant in terms of height.

Figure 1
Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of Number of Leaves

The figure 1 above illustrates the growth rate of pechay plant in terms of the

number of leaves among the different setups. As illustrated, the setup-1 obtained the

highest mean of the number of leaves of 14.30, interpreted as “leafiest”. Followed by the

setup-2 which obtained a mean of 13.10, also interpreted as “leafiest”. Then, setup-3

obtained a mean of 12.80, means “leafiest”. While, the control group obtained the least

mean of 8.80, means “leafier”. Hence, this table implies that setup-1 is more effective as

growth enhancer for pechay plant in terms of the number of leaves.

23
 Table 1
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on the Growth of Pechay Plant
in terms of Height

Leaves Sum of Squares Df Mean Square F Sig.

Between Groups 171.300 3 57.100 40.948 .000

Within Groups 50.200 36 1.394

Total 221.500 39

The Table 1.1 above shows Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on the Growth of

Pechay Plant in terms of Height. As shown, the ANOVA confirmed that there is a

significant difference on the Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of height since the

probability value obtained is 0, means highly significant. Therefore, the hypothesis tested

on height is hereby rejected. Further, the Post Hoc Tests on the Growth of Pechay Plant

in terms of height is shown in table 1.2 below.

Table 1.1
Post Hoc Tests on the Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of Height

24
Leaves
Tukey HSD
95% Confidence Interval
Mean Difference
(I) Treatment (J) Treatment (I-J) Std. Error Sig. Lower Bound Upper Bound
*
Control Group T-1 -5.50000 .52810 .000 -6.9223 -4.0777
*
T-2 -4.30000 .52810 .000 -5.7223 -2.8777
*
T-3 -4.00000 .52810 .000 -5.4223 -2.5777
*
T-1 Control Group 5.50000 .52810 .000 4.0777 6.9223
T-2 1.20000 .52810 .124 -.2223 2.6223
*
T-3 1.50000 .52810 .035 .0777 2.9223
*
T-2 Control Group 4.30000 .52810 .000 2.8777 5.7223
T-1 -1.20000 .52810 .124 -2.6223 .2223
T-3 .30000 .52810 .941 -1.1223 1.7223
T-3 Control Group 4.00000* .52810 .000 2.5777 5.4223
*
T-1 -1.50000 .52810 .035 -2.9223 -.0777
T-2 -.30000 .52810 .941 -1.7223 1.1223
*. The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.
Table 2.1
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on the Growth of Pechay Plant
in terms of Number of Leaves

Height Sum of Squares Df Mean Square F Sig.

Between Groups 8.943 3 2.981 3.891 .017

Within Groups 27.577 36 .766

Total 36.520 39

The Table 2.1 above shows Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on the Growth of

Pechay Plant in terms of number of leaves. As shown, the ANOVA confirmed that there

is a significant difference on the Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of number of leaves

since the probability value obtained is 0.017, means highly significant. Therefore, the

hypothesis tested on height is hereby rejected. Further, the Post Hoc Tests on the Growth

of Pechay Plant in terms of number of leaves is shown in table 2.2 below.

Table 1.2
Post Hoc Tests on the Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of Number of Leaves

25
Height
Tukey HSD
95% Confidence Interval
Mean
(I) Treatment (J) Treatment Difference (I-J) Std. Error Sig. Lower Bound Upper Bound
Control Group T-1 -1.25000 *
.39141 .015 -2.3042 -.1958
T-2 -1.03000 .39141 .058 -2.0842 .0242
T-3 -.83000 .39141 .166 -1.8842 .2242
T-1 Control Group 1.25000 *
.39141 .015 .1958 2.3042
T-2 .22000 .39141 .943 -.8342 1.2742
T-3 .42000 .39141 .708 -.6342 1.4742
T-2 Control Group 1.03000 .39141 .058 -.0242 2.0842
T-1 -.22000 .39141 .943 -1.2742 .8342
T-3 .20000 .39141 .956 -.8542 1.2542
T-3 Control Group .83000 .39141 .166 -.2242 1.8842
T-1 -.42000 .39141 .708 -1.4742 .6342
T-2 -.20000 .39141 .956 -1.2542 .8542
*. The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.
Chapter V

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

This study aimed to determine the acceptability of charcoal and native

coffee as growth enhancer and determine which are the best growth enhancer for pechay

seeds. Specifically, it sought to answer the following question: What is the growth of

pechay in terms of number of leaves and height among four (4) treatments: Treatment-1:

charcoal on soil with pechay seeds, Treatment-2: Native Coffee on soil with pechay

seeds, Treatment-3: Pechay seeds with no growth enhancer, and Treatment-4: Pechay

seeds with Mixing coffee and charcoal on soil? And is there a significant difference on

the growth of pechay in terms of number of leaves and height among four (4) treatments?

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 Further, the researchers hypothesized that there is no significant difference on the

growth of pechay in terms of number of leaves and height among four (4) treatments.

This study utilized the quantitative-experimental research design to

describe and quantify the acquired data. It basically used four-group design for the

acceptability of the products and four-group design for the effectivity of the product.

Findings

Based on the results, the following are the prominent findings of this study:

In terms of heihgt, the setup-1 obtained the highest mean height of 4.42,

interpreted as “taller”. Followed by the setup-2 which obtained a mean height of 4.20,

also interpreted as “taller”. Then, setup-3 obtained a mean height of 4.00, means “taller”.

While, the control group obtained the least mean height of 3.17, means “tall”. Hence, this

table implies that setup-1 is more effective as growth enhancer for pechay plant in terms

of height.

In terms of number of leaves, the setup-1 obtained the highest mean of the number

of leaves of 14.30, interpreted as “leafiest”. Followed by the setup-2 which obtained a

mean of 13.10, also interpreted as “leafiest”. Then, setup-3 obtained a mean of 12.80,

means “leafiest”. While, the control group obtained the least mean of 8.80, means

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“leafier”. Hence, this table implies that setup-1 is more effective as growth enhancer for

pechay plant in terms of the number of leaves.

The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) confirmed that there is a significant

difference on the Growth of Pechay Plant in terms of height since the probability value

obtained is 0, means highly significant. Therefore, the hypothesis tested on height was

rejected.

The ANOVA confirmed that there is a significant difference on the Growth of

Pechay Plant in terms of number of leaves since the probability value obtained is 0.017,

means highly significant. Therefore, the hypothesis tested on height was rejected.

Conclusion

Based from the results and findings of this study, the researchers concluded that

the plant growth enhancer (PGE) made from spent coffee and charcoal is effective on the

growth of pechay plant in terms of height and number leaves. Hence, the growth of

pechay plant differ in terms of height and number of leaves wherein the three (3) setups

involved in this study were more effect than the control group.

Recommendations

Based from the findings and conclusion of this study:

1. Local farmers shall use charcoal and spent coffee on their farms since this

type of fertilizer is organic and inexpensive.

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 2. Common housewives shall charcoal and spent coffee for their gardening at

home since it is less expensive than the commercial fertilizer.

3. Further research shall be conducted on the use of charcoal and spent coffee as

fertilizer or plant growth enhancer using other plants.

References

USDA ( Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE ), Importation of Soil Amendments or Plant Health Enhancers,
(Including Fertilizers, Compost, Sludge, and Other Materials Used to Enhance Plant
Growth. Last Modified: Jan 27, 2021.

Functional Ecology / Volume 28, Issue 3 / p. 766-775, Stimulation of boreal tree seedling
growth by wood‐derived charcoal: effects of charcoal properties, seedling species
and soil fertility. Nathalie Pluchon , Michael J. Gundale, Marie‐ Charlotte Nilsson,
Paul Kardol, David A. Wardle First published: 25 November 2013
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12221 Citations: 27

Abdollahi, A. Hosseini, in Encyclopedia of Toxicology, "Charcoal" (Third Edition) ,

2014

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Valentina Aristizábal-Marulanda, ... Carlos A. Cardona Alzate, in Handbook of Coffee
Processing By-Products , 2017

Coffee : Types and Production L.R. Batista, ... R.F. Schwan, in Encyclopedia of
Food and Health , 2016

ISSN 1023-1072

Pak. J. Agri., Agril. Engg., Vet. Sci., 2013, 29 (1): 56-69

FERTILIZER, FERMENTED ACTIVATORS, AND EM® UTILIZATION IN PECHAY

(BRASSICA PEKINENSIS L.) PRODUCTION 1Pet. R. L. Pascual,1 A. D. Jarwar2 and

P. S. Nitural3 1Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Barili Campus, Barili, Cebu,
Philippines 2 Rice Research Station, Thatta Sindh, Pakistan

3 Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muňoz, Nueva Ecija,
Philippines

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