The Effectivity of Brown Seaweed (Sargassum)

as a Natural Fertilizer

JOSEPH RUEL P. RED

RENCE AARON G. PRIVADO
Researchers

PAOLO ANDREW PANTOJA

Adviser
RATIONALE
Seaweeds are macroscopic marine algae attached to the bottom of relatively shallow coastal
waters and are among the fishery resources in the sea. They grow on solid substrates such as rocks,
dead corals, and pebbles in intertidal, shallow, and deep-sea areas up to 180 meters deep, as well as
estuaries and backwaters.

The use of seaweed as manure in farming practices  dates back to the Romans and was also
practiced in Britain, France, Spain, Japan, and China. There are also records of seaweed culture for
manure in Ireland and South Africa. Seaweeds are used directly or after composing or burning to create
a meal.

Seaweed fertilizers have been proven to improve seed germination and plant growth. They have
also been proven to increase crop yield, improve growth, induce resistance to frost, fungal, and insect
attack, and induce resistance to frost, fungal, and insect attack, as well as increase nutrient uptake from
soil.

We currently use large amounts of chemical fertilizers to compensate for soil nutrient
deficiencies. It has been observed that the widespread use of chemical fertilizers has an effect on soil
and plants over time. According to recent research, seaweed fertilizers are preferred not only for their
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content but also for the presence of trace elements and
metabolites. As a result, the researchers intend to use brown seaweed (sargassum) to create a natural
fertilizer and test its efficiency and effectiveness in enhancing plant growth. Furthermore, making a
natural fertilizer for improving plant growth is a cheap and simple process.

OBJECTIVES
General Objectives:

Determine the effectiveness of brown seaweed fertilizer in improving plant growth.

Specific Objectives:

1. Determine the efficiency of brown seaweed fertilizer as fertilizer by experimenting on

two tomato plants.
 2. Record the growth of the tomato plant with and without the use of the seaweed
fertilizer

HYPOTHESIS

Null Hypothesis (H0)-The seaweed fertilizer is not as efficient and effective as commercial fertilizers.

Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)-The seaweed fertilizer is efficient and effective as commercial fertilizers.

METHODOLOGY

A. STUDY AREA
The research will be carried out at Landy National Highschool in Landy Santa Cruz
Marinduque. In addition, the other materials will be harvested in the same area.

B. Gathering of materials
Before experimenting, the researchers will gather the necessary materials. 2 kg of
brown seaweed, a mortar and pestle/blender, containers, and two young tomato plants will be
collected.

C. Preparing the Main Materials

The seaweeds will be placed in a bucket or any other container and cleaned of any salts
by running water. After washing, the researchers will dry the seaweeds in the sun for 15-20
hours before putting them into a dry sealed container.

D. Making the fertilizer

The sun-dried brown seaweed (Sargassum) will be crushed and mixed with 5 cups of
water, filtered, and placed in a 1L bottle or another sealed container

E. Testing the fertilizer

The fertilizer will be put to the test on two young tomato plants, and the researcher
will note both the growth of the tomato plant receiving 20ml of fertilizer-infused water and the
growth of the tomato plant receiving also 20ml of fertilizer-free water.
REFERENCE
i. Lisa Chinn (2020). The Effects of Seaweed Fertilizer on the Growth of Plants. Retrieved
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ii. Darren Chan (2019). Advantages of seaweed fertilizer for plants. Retrieved on
November 15, 2022, from https://agfuse.com/article/advantages-of-seaweed-fertilizer-
for-plants

iii. Ali O, Ramsubhag A, Jayaraman J (2019). Biostimulant Properties of Seaweed Extracts in

Plants: Implications towards Sustainable Crop Production. Retrieved on November 15,
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iv. Hashmath Inayat Hussain, Naga Kasinadhuni, Tony Arioli (2021). The effects of seaweed
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https://en,wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaweed

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https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seaweed.html

viii. What is seaweed? Everything you need to know about seaweed. Retrieved on
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ix. What are fertilizers? – Types, Uses, and Advantages of Fertilizers. Retrieved on
November 15, 2022, from https://byjus.com/biology/fertilizers
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