Exploring the Impact of Natural Plant Extracts on

Germination and Early Growth of Common Crops

for Sustainable Agriculture
GROUP 1 Joshua Balbag, Lyka Joyce Ramos, Jillian Nicolas

Background of the Study

Agriculture, despite accounting for a small portion of the global economy, is crucial
for providing affordable food, feed, energy, and population security to billions of
people, making it a vital sector in our economy. As the world's population grows,
food production demands increase, necessitating sustainable, efficient agricultural
practices to improve crop yield and quality while reducing synthetic chemical use. As
we pursue agricultural innovations, natural plant extracts are proving to be a
promising solution.

Natural plant extracts refers to the use of extracts derived from plants for various
applications in farming. These extracts have shown potential in controlling
phytopathogenic microorganisms, insects, and weeds, as well as inducing resistance
and promoting plant growth. Plant extracts contain secondary metabolites that
inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens associated with seeds, leading to an increase
in seed germination and overall seed yield (Almeida et al., 2021). A study on Moringa
oleifera leaf extract (MLE) showed that its foliar application significantly improved
tomato plant growth and stress tolerance. The extract promoted shoot and root
growth, increased chlorophyll content, and improved the plants' ability to withstand
drought stress (Raja et al., 2022). Additionally, (Ayaz et al., 2022) explore the
extraction techniques and biological activities of citrus essential oils, which contain
bioactive compounds like limonene, linalool, and citral. They discuss the impact of
extraction methods on oil quality and composition, and highlight their potential
applications in pest control, food preservation, and pharmaceutical
industries.Overall, the Natural plant extracts offer a sustainable, eco-friendly
alternative to synthetic chemicals for seed treatment, offering potential benefits in
disease control, plant growth, and crop yield.

However, the research's findings, despite their applicability to various crops and
agricultural systems, still face a significant comprehension gap due to their focus on
specific plant species or extracts.This study aims to address the gap in research on
plant extracts' effects on crop species by systematically investigating their impact on
germination and early growth across common crop plants. With increasing global
food demand and environmental concerns, finding sustainable ways to improve crop
yield and quality is crucial, and natural plant extracts are eco-friendly alternatives to
synthetic chemicals.

Statement of the Problem:

This study aims to investigate the relationship between natural plant extracts and the
germination and early growth of common crop plants, considering the importance of
sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The study will
measure the impact of various plant extracts on germination rates, seedling height,
leaf development, and overall plant health of common crop plants, contributing to
our understanding of eco-conscious cultivation methods.

To address the research problem, the following questions will be explored:

1. What are the diverse effects of different natural plant extracts on the
germination rates of common crop plants, such as tomatoes, onions and beans?

2. How do these plant extracts influence the early growth stages of crop plants,
including parameters like seedling height, leaf development, and overall plant
health?

3. Are there specific concentrations of plant extracts that optimize germination

and growth, and do these concentrations vary among crop species?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the utilization of natural plant

extracts and enhanced crop performance in terms of germination and early growth
stages?

Hypotheses:
In accordance with the research problems, the following hypotheses are formulated:

Question 1

(H0): There is no significant difference in the germination rates of common crop

plants (tomatoes, onions, and beans) when exposed to different natural plant
extracts.

(H1): There is a significant difference in the germination rates of common crop

plants (tomatoes, onions, and beans) when exposed to different natural plant
extracts.
Question 2

(H0): The use of natural plant extracts does not significantly influence the early
growth stages of crop plants, including parameters like seedling height, leaf
development, and overall plant health.

(H1): The use of natural plant extracts significantly influences the early growth
stages of crop plants, including parameters like seedling height, leaf development,
and overall plant health.

Question 3

(H0): There is no specific concentration of plant extracts that optimizes germination

and growth, and the concentrations do not vary among crop species.

(H1): There are specific concentrations of plant extracts that optimize germination
and growth, and these concentrations vary among crop species.

Question 4

(H0): There is no significant relationship between the utilization of natural plant

extracts and enhanced crop performance in terms of germination and early growth
stages.

(H1): There is a significant relationship between the utilization of natural plant

extracts and enhanced crop performance in terms of germination and early growth
stages.