Rice Husk, Sunflower Seed

Protein and Cornstarch as an

Alternative Seedling Pot
BAUTISTA
JACINTO
RUIZ
 CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS
BACKGROUND
Introduction

 Our huge appreciation for plastic, combined with an

unquestionable conduct affinity of progressively over-expending,
disposing of, littering and along these lines dirtying, has turned into
a mix of deadly nature.
 Packaging waste structures a significant piece of city solid waste
and has caused expanding environmental concerns, bringing
about a reinforcing of different directions went for decreasing the
sums produced.
 Research has appeared only five nations are the world's
greatest polluters, and they are all in Asia. Sea Conservancy
says that China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and
Vietnam are the world's most noticeably bad polluters, in
charge of 60% of worldwide plastic waste (Earth Day
Network, 2018).
 Biodegradable plastics with functionalities and
processabilities similar to traditional petrochemical-based
plastic have been produced for packaging applications
(European Bioplastics, 2018).
 The study aims to produce a biodegradable seedling bag
with rice husk and sunflower seed protein that would help to
lessen the use of plastic. This would be very beneficial to
everyone and to the environment.
Research Paradigm
Input Process Output

Rice husk, Data gathering Load Ability and

sunflower 1. Observation Acceptability of
seed protein 2. Survey using Rice husk
and Questionnaire sunflower seed
cornstarch 3. Data analysis protein, cornstarch
1. Load ability and water as an
test alternative seedling
2. Likert Scale pot

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Statement of the Problem
The researchers conducted a study to find out the effectiveness of using rice
husk sunflower seed protein and cornstarch as an alternative seedling pot.

Specifically it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How effective is the use of rice husk, sunflower seed protein, cornstarch
and water as a seedling bag in terms of:
1.1. Load ability
1.1.1 0.25 meter high
1.1.2 0.50 meter high
1.1.3 1 meter high

1.2. Acceptability
1.2.1 Appearance
Significance of the Study

 Horticulturist
 Government
 Environment
 Future Researcher
Scope and Delimitation

The study focused on producing a biodegradable seedling pot

using rice husk, sunflower seed protein and cornstarch an only
investigated its potential by measuring its load ability and
acceptability as an alternative seedling pot.
The researchers only produced a biodegradable seedling pot for it
to be used as an alternative to plastic seedling pot.
This study was conducted to Grade 12 students from STEM Strand
of Tapinac Senior High School located at Donor Street, East Tapinac,
Olongapo City for the second semester of school year 2018-2019.
 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

 Germination and Reproduction of Plants

 Why are seeds first grown in nurseries, then transplanted to
fields?
 Plastic: Effect to the Enviroment
 Disposing Rice Husk
 CHAPTER III
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Research Method and Design

The researchers used an experimental design. According to

Adi Bhat (2008), experimental research design is a systematic
and scientific approach to research in which the researcher
manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures
any change in other variables. Under the pre-experimental
design, one-shot case study will be applied. A group, or various
groups, are kept under observation after factors are considered
for cause and effect.
Duration and Locale of the Study

The study was conducted on the following locale: (a) residence

#846 Sampaguita St. Sta. Rita, Olongapo Ciy and (b) Tapinac Senior
High School located at Donor Street, East Tapinac, Olongapo City.
The research will be conducted for the second semester of school
year 2018-2019.
Research Instrument
The researchers gathered the data using survey questionnaire and observation
process.

The researchers will use the following materials to produce the product:
1. Rice husk
2. Sunflower seed protein
3. Cornstarch
4. Water
5. Molder
6. Oven
7. Weights
8. Meter stick
9. 2 strings of yarn
General Procedures

1. Planning from the beginning up to the end of the product

2. Gathering of materials
3. Mixing of cornstarch, rice husk, sunflower seed protein and
water
4. Assembly of mixture in molder
5. Assembly of molder in oven
6. Baking of mixture for 30 minutes at 338°F
7. Preparing the product for testing
8. Measuring the load ability of the seedling pot
9. Measuring the acceptability of the seedling pot
3. Mixing of the cornstarch, rice husk, sunflower seed
protein and water
7. Preparing the product for testing
Statistical Treatment
The following statistical tools were used in the analysis and interpretation of
data:

Mean. The mean was used to determine the durability of the seedling pot
Mean = Σx
N
Where:
Mean = average of
Σx = sum of values
N = total number of respondents
Likert Scale. the Likert scale was used for the acceptability of the seedling
pot
For interpretation of the acceptability of the seedling pot, the following
categories were used:
Scale Range Verbal interpretation
5 4.50 - 5.00 Strongly Agree = Totally Acceptable
4 3.50 - 4.49 Agree = Acceptable
3 2.50 - 3.49 Undecided = Neutral
2 1.50 - 2.49 Disagree = Unacceptable
1 1.00 - 1.49 Strongly Disagree = Totally Unacceptable
 CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1.1 Load Ability
1.1.1. 0.25 meter high

Trial Height of the Amount of weights

seedling pot from (g)

the ground (m)

1 0.25 m 250 g

2 0.25 m 500 g

3 0.25 m 1000 g

4 0.25 m 1250 g

Table 1. Seedling pot at 0.25 m high

 This table shows that the seedling pot can withstand
up to 1250 g of weight at the height of 0.25 meter from the
ground. The solidifying effect of the cornstarch-water mix
may be related to a phenomenon known as shear
thickening in which impacts and other stresses cause
certain fluids to change properties (Yale University, 2017).
1.1.2. 0.5 meter high

Height of the
Amount of weights
Trial seedling pot from
(g)
the ground (m)

1 0.5 m 250 g

2 0.5 m 500 g

3 0.5 m 1000 g

4 0.5 m 1250 g
Table 2. Seedling pot at 0.5 meter high.
 This table shows that the seedling pot can withstand up to
1250 g of weight at the height of 0.50 meter from the ground. The
solidifying effect of the cornstarch-water mix may be related to a
phenomenon known as shear thickening in which impacts and
other stresses cause certain fluids to change properties (Yale
University, 2017).
1.1.3. 1 meter high

Height of the
Amount of weights
Trial seedling pot from the
(g)
ground (m)

1 1m 250 g

2 1m 500 g

3 1m 1000 g

4 1m 1250 g

Table 3. Seedling pot at 1 meter high

The table shows that the seedling pot can withstand up to 1250 g of
weight at the height of 1 meter from the ground. The solidifying effect
of the cornstarch-water mix may be related to a phenomenon known
as shear thickening in which impacts and other stresses cause certain
fluids to change properties (Yale University, 2017).

In this study, it also observed, the higher the amount of cornstarch in a

mixture can create a well-formed seedling pot and increase its
loadbility. According to Arvanitoyannis and Biliaderis (1999), methyl
cellulose provides a homogeneous dispersion with the starch and it is
less hydrophilic, allowing the starch to enhance its weak barrier to
moisture. For the authors, the hydrophilic character of the blend
increases with a higher content of plasticizing elements (water or a
blend of water-sugar-glycerol). However, despite the enhancements,
films are still not very resistant to moisture.
1.2. Acceptability
Statement Mean
1. The seedling pot has a pleasing appearance. 4.35
2. You prefer using the biodegradable seedling pot than the plastic seedling 4.50
pot.
3. The seedling pot is capable to hold soil and seedlings. 4.10

4. Seedling pot is acceptable to use as an alternative for plastic pots. 4.35

5. The seedling pot is convenient to use. 4.35

6. The seedling pot can be use as a fertilizer. 4.10
7. Seedling pot has ability to resist water. 3.55
8. Seedling pot is eco-friendly. 4.50
9. The seedling pot has the capacity to handle any kind of weather. 3.45

10. The Seedling pot can be directly planted to the ground. 4.45

Table 4. Measuring acceptability of the seedling pot

 CHAPTER V
CONLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
Statement of the Problem
The researchers conducted a study to find out the effectiveness of rice
husk, sunflower seed protein, and cornstarch as an alternative seedling
pot.
Specifically it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. How effective is the rice husk, sunflower seed protein, and
cornstarch as a seedling pot in terms of:
1.1. Loadability
1.1.1. 0.25 meter high
1.1.2. 0.5 meter high
1.1.3. 1 meter high
1.2. Acceptability
1.2.1 Appearance
Summary of Findings
The study determined the effectivity of Rice Husk, Sunflower Seed
Protein and Cornstarch as an alternative seedling pot. This study
specifically assess the load ability of the seedling pot at the maximum
of 1250 grams of weight and distance (a) 0.25 meter (b) 0.50 meter
and (c) 1 meter high from the ground. It also shows the acceptability
of the seedling pot in terms of appearance, preferable to use,
capability to hold soil and seedlings, acceptability to be an alternative
to plastic pot, convenience of using the alternative seedling pot, ability
to use as fertilizer and eco-friendliness of the seedling pot. This study
used Rice Husk, Sunflower Seed Protein, Cornstarch and Water to make
the product. Forming of the seedling pot undergo in baking process.
The study was conducted in 846 Sampaguita St., Sta. Rita,
Olongapo City and Donor St., East Tapinac, Olongapo City.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions
were made. The use of Rice Husk, Sunflower Seed Protein and
Cornstarch as an Alternative Seedling pot is effective in terms of its
loadability and acceptability. The researchers investigated The
loadability of the seedling pot and it is evaluated that the seedling
pot can withstand up to 1250 grams of weight and up to 1 meter high
hanging from the ground. The appearance, capability to hold soil
and seedlings, acceptability to be an alternative to plastic pot,
convenience of using the alternative seedling pot and ability to use
as fertilizer was determined to be acceptable. The preferable to use
as an alternative to plastic pots and eco-friendliness of the seedling
pot was totally acceptable.

In this study, it also observed that the higher the amount of

cornstarch and water will increase the loadability of the seedling pot.
 Young plants are not strong enough to dig their roots into the
ground. This is why they are placed in pots for looser soil (Weijermars,
2018). Because of lack of area for outdoor farming or planting, most
farmers build an indoor farm this includes greenhouses, hoop houses,
vertical farms, container farms, and even some home growing system
(Kopf, 2017). With the use of cassava starch, sunflower proteins,
cellulose fibers and baking all the ingredients together, researchers
creates biodegradable food packaging trays (Salgado,2008).
According to Cha et al. (2001), a blend with 95% of hydroxypropylated
corn starch with a high content of amylose and 5% of PVOH is used as
a commercial alternative to the polystyrene. For Glenn et al. (2001-b),
a blend of starch with PVOH, expanded by means of wafer
technology, leads to a decrease from 25 to 32% in water absorption.
According to the authors, cross-linked agents decrease this absorption
by 80%. Chandra and Rustgi (1998) affirmed that the isocyanide is a
good cross-linking agent.
Recommendation
The researchers investigated the load ability and
acceptability of a seedling pot made of rice husk, sunflower
seed protein and cornstarch.
The researcher recommends to the future researcher to improve
the product regarding to the:
• Efficiency of using the seedling pot
• Investigate the effects of the rice husk, sunflower protein and
cornstarch to the plants
• Significant difference of the existing plastic seedling pot to
the rice husk, sunflower seed protein and cornstarch as an
alternative seedling pot.
• Knowledge about the longevity of the alternative seedling
pot.