CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In today’s times, the Philippines is facing challenges towards its growing population and
detrimental effect of climate change. On top of these challenges is the food insecurity in the
country that greatly affects the inflation rate. According to the report of Philippine Statistics
Authority on July 2022, the inflation in the country is at 6.1 percent, thus resulted to reliance on
food importation to sustain and ensure sufficient food supply and stabilize prices in the market.
Now, the country’s agricultural system have high demands to make use of all available
technologies to increase food production. With this, farming communities are encouraged to
adapt the new techniques to address the rising problems of food production particularly the high
value crops like Pechay.
The introduction of a hydroponics system in the local farming industry has been made
and plays an important role in sustaining and improving efficient production output. The
automated soilless culture system controls operation and favorable conditions for the crops
during production to produce safe and high-quality vegetables. By adapting this new farming
technique, problems with the current traditional practices of growing crops in the open field and
other existing greenhouses could be addressed (Velasquez, 2022).
Today, hydroponics is gaining popularity because it allows farmers to produce plants
while using less space and less water compared to traditional soil gardening and can be done in
both urban and rural area (https://www.thegrowcer.ca/blog/hydroponic-farming). However,
hydroponics farming is not just a method where plants like Pechay must be floated in the water.
Plants also need other macronutrients that soil can has but do not have water. Thus, most
hydroponics farmers uses liquid nutrient solution. Nutrient solution to hydroponics is just like
fertilizers to soil. Essentially, a Hydroponic nutrient solution is a liquid filled with all of the
necessary nutrients so that plant roots can come into contact for its growth. However, most
nutrient solution is in inorganic forms. Inorganic fertilizer is synthetic, comprised of minerals
and synthetic chemicals.
Use of excessive quantity of synthetic fertilizers are harmful for human health. It is
contaminating the surface water via runoffs and its consequent effects. High levels of nitrates
and nitrites in chemical fertilizer may cause some disease like hemoglobin disorders, Alzheimer's
disease and diabetes mellitus (Kamal Ravi Sharma, 2020). Hence, the use of organic fertilizers
for hydroponics were introduced and popularized resolving medical health issues and concerns
of consumers on the use of inorganic. Most organic hydroponic nutrients are made of compost,
manure, bone meal, blood meal, fish meal, and other completely natural ingredients.
One of the most popular crops where farmers used organic hydroponic farming is Pechay.
Pechay (Brassica napus L. subsp. chinensis var. Black Behi) is considered as a high value and a
highly demanded leaf vegetable in the Philippines. It is easy to plant but kind of difficult to
culture since it attracts most of insects and pests that affects its growth and yield, so farmers used
chemical substance during cultivation. Several researchers are on studies to find an organic
nutrient solution that can be used as substitute to commercially available solution to increase
crop production while being environment- friendly and healthy at the same time.
Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves resemble spinach and are similar in flavor, this plant is
actually a type of climbing vine. Alugbati is unique compared to other leafy green plants as it's
able to survive in both temperate and very hot environments. This allows it to be grown and
commonly consumed worldwide. Alugbati contains different vitamins and minerals including
potassium and phosphorus in which plants need to grow.
(https://www.livestrong.com/article/517905-health-benefits-of-alugbati/)

This study aims to determine the effect of varied concentrated Alugbati (Basella alba)
leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay (.
Hence, the researcher wants to investigate the effects of Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves
extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay which can help the public save
money as vegetable prices rise, and to reduce the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers that are
harmful to human health.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of Alugbati (Basella alba)
leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay. Specifically, this study
aims to:
1. Know and determine the effect of varied concentration Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves extract
as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of the following variables:
 a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
2. Determine are the differences between the effect of varied concentration of Alugbati (Basella
alba) leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of the
following variables:
a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
3. Determine which is the best treatment among the varied concentration of Alugbati (Basella
alba) leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of the
following variables:
a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
4. Help hydroponics farmers save money instead of buying commercial hydroponic nutrient
solution by using Alugbati leaves extract.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the effect of varied concentration of Alugbati (Basella alba)
leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay. It aims to answer the
following questions:
1. Is there an effect of varied concentration Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves extract as hydroponic
nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of the following variables:
a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
2. Are there any significant differences between the effects of varied concentration of Alugbati
(Basella alba) leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of
the following variables:
a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
3. Which is the best treatment among the varied concentration of Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves
extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay in terms of the following
variables:
 a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.
4. Is there a significant difference on the effect of commercially available hydroponic nutrient
solution with the effects of varied concentration of Basella alba leaves extract on the growth of
Pechay in terms of the following variables:
a. Number of leaves; and
b. Plant height.

Statement of Hypothesis
Ha: There are significant differences between the effect of commercially available
hydroponic nutrient solution with the effects of varied concentration of Basella alba leaves
extract on the growth of Pechay.
H0: There are no significant differences between the effect of commercially available
hydroponic nutrient solution with the effects of varied concentration of Basella alba leaves
extract on the growth of Pechay.

Significance of the Study

To prevent the excessive use of inorganic form nutrient solutions used on the production
of Pechay on hydroponics and prevent Alugbati from being unnoticed because it is a vine plant
that looks like a grass, the researcher created a hydroponic nutrient solution out of Alugbati
leaves extract.
If this study will become successful, farmers will be able to use Alugbati leaves extract to
as hydroponic solution not only for Pechay but for other plants grown hydroponically. This study
will benefit farmers financially because it only requires Alugbati leaves which can be found
anywhere and even planted in home’s backyard. Aside from this, this study will help
hydroponics be popular among students, teachers and other farming enthusiasts to try it and
make planting a hobby. This may result to increased crop production and abundance supply of
organic leafy vegetables because many will produce their own food supply.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

 This study will used experimental method and is limited only on the effect of varied
concentration of Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves extract as a hydroponic nutrient solution on the
growth of Pechay (Brassica napus L. subsp. chinensis var. Black Behi).  The growth parameters
of this study mainly focused on the Pechay height and number of true leaves.
The Alugbati leaves will be collected on researcher’s residence while the pechay variety
to be used in this study was Black Behi from East-West company. A total of sixty (60) plants of
pechay will be used corresponding to the number of treatments and number of replications per
treatment. Each hydroponic box measured 1,536 (in3) cubic inches with five(5) holes enough for
five(5) pechay plants containing a mixture of eight (8) liters of water and treatment solution. This
study have four (4) treatments including the SNAP Nutrient Solution A&B as control (T0), the
first treatment (T1) 50 ml Alugbati leaves extract, the second treatment (T2) 100ml Alugbati
leaves extract, and the third treatment (T3) 150ml Alugbati leaves extract.
General materials including the commercially available nutrient solution A&B for
hydroponics named SNAP Hydroponics Nutrient Solution which is developed and manufactured
by University of the Philippines Los Baños. Styrofoam boxes and cups collected from local fruit
shops, coco peat as growing media, improvised germination tray, measuring tool such as ruler
and beaker or measuring cup, blender, and extraction cloth.
This study shall be observed for a maximum of forty five 42 days. The Pechay after 14
Days After Emergence (DAE) must have 3-4 true leaves before transplanting it in the
hydroponics box. The growth parameters shall be collected first before soaking the Pechay in the
hydroponics box. After putting it in the hydroponic box with treatment solution, the next
collection of data is set to the 21st, 35th and 42nd days old of the Pechay respectively.
In the collection of data, each Pechay in the box will be measured from the base of stem
to the leaves with highest point using ruler and mean shall be calculated from it to show the
growth of the plants in each treatment. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used to
show if there are significant difference on the treatments used in this study.
This study will be conducted safely at the researcher’s residence. The location of the
hydroponics set-up must receive enough sunlight but also be covered from rain. In case of rain, a
wide black canvas will be used as cover for the hydroponically grown Pechay.

Conceptual Framework
 The plant goes by the names Alugbati and Malabar Spinach. It is called Basella alba in
the science world, Alugbati is also an excellent source of iron, calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin
A. It contains high protein and great source of phosphorus and potassium in which all plant need
to grow (Zamubec Alomar C. Adlawan).

Fig. 1. Operational Paradigm of the Study

Independent Variable Dependent Variable Outcome

T0 = 2ml each of SNAP

The Effect of
Solution A & B Effective in terms Varied
T1 = 50 ml Alugbati leaves of:
extract Concentration of
T2 = 100 ml Alugbati leaves  Height of the Alugbati Leaves
extract plant Extract as
T3 = 150 ml Alugbati leaves Hydroponic
 No. of true
extract Nutrient Solution
leaves
on the Growth of
With 8000ml tap water in all
hydroponics boxes where treatment
Pechay
will be placed

The diagram shows the variables used in the study. The varying concentrations of Alugbati
(Basella alba) leaves extract as hydroponic nutrient solution on the growth of Pechay with
controlled SNAP Solution A and B. The solution was tested on Pechay to determine which
treatment is effective in terms of, the no. of its true leave and its height.

Definition of Terms
 Alugbati – Malabar spinach is the English name, a green leafy plant, Basella alba is the
scientific name, the plant used in the study.
 ANOVA – Analysis of Variance is an statistical tool to analyzed whether the result is
significant or not.
 Basella alba – Scientific name of Alugbati or Malabar Spinach.
 Concentration – Is the abundance of the amount of solution .
 Effect – The result of solution on the growth of pechay.
 Extract – Refers to the juice of Alugbati.
 Hydroponic – Refers to the planting method used in the study.
 Leaves – Is the plant organ used in the study in making hydroponic nutrient solution.
 Nutrient – Refers to the substance that Pechay need.
 Pechay – Refers to a leafy vegetable used to test the solution.
 Solution – Refers to the mixture that used to water Pechay.
 Treatment – Refers to the level of concentrations of Alugbati leaves extract.
 Varying – Refers to the different level of concentrations of Alugbati leaves extract.