A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF THE SYNERGY OF ORGANIC LIQUID

FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS (CALPHOS, FISH AMINO ACID AND FERMENTED FRUIT JUICE

USING SABA (Musa acuminata balbisiana) ON Kangkong Tsina LP (Ipomea aquatic)

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to the World Food Summit (FAO, 1996) moving into the following

century, one of the main global concerns is food security, even when it is not seen as a

global priority. The attainment of food security is linked with agricultural stagnation and

safeguarding the natural resource base. Soil fertility depletion is one of the fundamental

biophysical root cause for declining food production. Remedy of other causes is not

effective unless soil-fertility depletion is addressed as it directly affects rice and wheat

production (Sanchez, 1997).

Optimum plant growth is dependent on the balance and supply of soil nutrient.

Natural reserves for plants in soil are largely in forms that are unavailable to plants.

They are dependent on the release through biological activity or chemical process.

Management of crop growth is beneficial with the integration of fertilizer use to achieve

balance of nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) (Chen, 2006).

To realize the balance of nutrient management for crops, fertilizers are used,

namely chemical and organic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers can give immediate soluble

nutrients to plants with direct and fast results but over application can result in

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irreparable damage to the over-all system such as pollution of water resources, crop

susceptibility to disease attack and reduction in soil fertility. Organic fertilizers, on the

other hand, enhance soil biological activity which improves nutrient mobilization from

organic and chemical sources and decomposition of toxic substances. In addition,

organic fertilizers enhance root growth due to better soil structure. The main concern

however, is the large volume of needed organic fertilizer for crop growth (Chen, 2006).

Soil fertility tests in the Philippines have been conducted in rice systems. The

present recommendations for P fertilizer has been found to be enough for current yields

of 5-6 tons per hectare but sustaining higher yields will require long-term phosphorous

balance and soil phosphorous-supplying capacity (Dobermann, 1996). Additionally, in a

related study of Dobermann, 1997, the most important constraints to sustaining and

increasing rice yields is high potassium loss per hectare. The rice and corn production in

the Philippines has registered an output loss of 4.31% and 3.24% respectively for 2015

(PSA, 2016).

The research conceptualized the focus on the impact of fertilizer on soil fertility.

This mainly is because the approaches for specifying fertilizer recommendations are

frequently not appropriate to the variations between different soil types (Dobermann,

1996) and the lack of adequate soil fertility test at regional scales (Dobermann, 1997).

The study uses the organic fertilizers (CalPhos, Fertilized Fruit Juice and Fish

Amino Acid) with locally abundant resources especially in Nailon, Bogo City. These are

the sea-shells, banana and fish remains which are the main sources of the nutrients.

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Focusing on the impact of these organic fertilizers to soil fertility (available N,P,K) aims

for productive and sustainable food production.

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study determines the effect of the synergy of organic liquid fertilizers

(CalPhos, Fish Amino Acid and Fermented Fruit Juice using Saba (Musa acuminata

balbisiana)) on soil fertility (through plant growth parameters: height of the plant,

length of the leaves and width of the leaves) compared to the commercial complete

fertilizer (14-14-14).

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the effect of the synergy of organic liquid fertilizers (CalPhos, Fish Amino Acid

and Fermented Fruit Juice) on the growth characteristics of plants such as height of the

plant, length of the leaves and width of the leaves?

2. Is there a significant difference in the growth parameters of the plants with the

synergy of organic liquid fertilizers (CalPhos, FAA and FFJ) than that of commercial

complete fertilizer (14-14-14)?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

1. The application of the synergy of organic liquid fertilizer (Calphos, FAA and

FFJ) has no effect on the available levels of NPK in soil samples (through plant growth

parameters: height of the plant, length of the leaves and width of the leaves).

2. The application of the synergy of organic liquid fertilizer (Calphos, FAA and

FFJ) significantly increases the available levels of N,P,K in soil samples (through plant

growth parameters: height of the plant, length of the leaves and width of the leaves).

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SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In this study, a single variety of Kangkong Tsina LP or Water Spinach (Ipomea

aquatic) is used. The study duration will cover only from June to September 2017 and

the experimental set-up will be performed in only one locality (Jovencio N. Masong

National High School; Panabilan, Nailon). The study will only depend on the amount of

rainwater on the experimental period. The source of the organic fertilizers is only

Jovencio N. Masong with the 4Ms club. Discrete morphological character in Kangkong

such as leaf coloration will be excluded in the dependent variables. Management

practices which include cultivation activities, plant growth maintenance and supervision

will be facilitated with the same set of students.

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Organic liquid fertilizer such as CalPHos, Fish Amino Acid and Fermented Fruit

Juice has been introduced to farming in the recent years. Studies have been done on the

potential effects of organic fertilizers to the crop and soil fertility.

Kaur et al. (2005) compared the change of chemical and biological properties in

soils receiving farmyard manure, poultry manure and sugarcane filter cake alone or in

combination with chemical fertilizers for seven years under a cropping sequence of

pearl millet and wheat. Results showed that all treatments except chemical fertilizer

application improved the soil organic C, total N,P and K status. Increase in microbial

biomass C and N was observed in soils receiving organic manures only or with the

combined application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers compared to soils

receiving chemical fertilizers.

An experiment conducted to evaluate the fertilization strategy on cabbage

growth, nutrient availability and nutrient accumulation in a strongly acidic soil by Tzen

and Chen (2004) showed that the yield of cabbage in all treatments with compost

addition was higher than that of the chemical fertilizer treatment. It suggested that the

P-based compost application with the urea supplement was the best fertilizer

management strategy for the soil and would avoid the accumulation of nutrients, salts

and heavy metals.

Bokhtiar & Sakurai (2005) reported that the application of organic manure in

combination with chemical fertilizer has been reported to increase absorption of N,P,

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and K in surgar cane leaf tissue in the plant and ratoon crop, compared to chemical

fertilizer alone.

A study conducted by Chand et al (2006) evaluated the influence of the organic

and chemical fertility buildup and their combination application and nutrient uptake in a

mint and mustard cropping sequence. Results indicated that integrated supply of plant

nutrients through farmyard manure and fertilizer NPK, along with Sesbania green

manuring, played a significant role in sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.

A study conducted by Fisher (2011) compared the effects of animal manure,

composted mushroom growing medium and processed fertilizer on the effects of

nutrient content in three organic farms. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were also planted in

the soil from each farm for the estimation of productivity. The soil amended with animal

manure was the only treatment that resulted in increases in nutrients, nutrient holding

capacity and bean weight. Soils amended with processed fertilizer showed little

difference from controls.

Lengnick and King (2009) compared the phosphorous status of soils managed

organically and conventionally. The efficiency of concentrated superphosphate and rock

phosphates were used. The addition of Rock Phosphate increased the Calcium

phosphate. Organic management resulted in greater total soil P, organic P and Ca

phosphate (CaP) while conventional management resulted in greater Al and Fe

phosphate (AlFeP) and occluded AlFeP (OcP), and the addition of Rock Phosphate

increased the Calcium Phosphate.

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 Various studies have proven the great potential of organic fertilizers on crop and

soil sustainability. In connection to the past research on the effect specifically on the

effects of organic phosphate to the soil, it showed increase in the P levels in soil. There

were no researches regarding the effects of fish amino acid and fermented fruit juice

using banana, with the goal of maximizing productivity and sustainability to available

resources in Nailon, Bogo, the researchers find the substantial need to conduct the

research.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Length of the Leaf the measurement (in centimeters) of the longest leaf of the plant

from its attachment from the stem until its end point

Width of the leaf the measurement (in centimeters) of the widest portion of the leaf

Height of the plant the measurement (in centimeters) of its heights from the ground

until the highest stem

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESEACH LOCALE/RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The experiment will be conducted in a farm at Panabilan, Nailon, Bogo City. This

is adjacent to Jovencio N. Masong National High School starting August 5, 2017. The

surrounding vegetation where the soil sample is collected for the study site includes

sugarcane, medium-sized trees and perennial gasses.

EXPERIMENTAL SOIL

Soil sample will be collected from the same source at Panabilan, Nailon, Bogo

City. Prior to experimentation, the soil sample will be sterilized by sun drying to

minimize any harmful insects or microorganisms. The soil sample will be sent to the

Department of Agriculture Regional Soils Laboratory for testing and base line data of

nutrient levels.

ORGANIC LIQUID FERTILIZER

Organic Liquid Fertilizer (CalPhos, Fish Amino Acid and Fermented Fruit Juice) is

processed in Jovencio N. Masong National High School. These were formulated by the

teacher and student researchers with the cooperation of the 4Ms club and under the

supervision of the personnel from the City of Bogo Department of Agriculture. These are

fermented and stored away from sunlight and in a favorable environment free from

contamination.

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RESEARCH PROTOCOL

The following statements are the step-by-step process for the preparation of

soil, application of organic liquid fertilizer and data collection with testing.

Soil Preparation

The land area will be tilled five days prior to the planting period. Samples will be

sent to the Soils Laboratory for Chemical and Physical Analysis. Texture Class,

Mechanical Analysis will be to determine the texture of the soil. Further, pH, Organic

Mater, available P and K will also be tested. 600 grams of soil will be places in durable

plastic containers with proper drainage. Two Kangkong seeds will be planted 2 cm below

the surface of the soil and 4 cm away from each other.

Preparation of Organic Fertilizer Solution

30 mL of each fertilizer will be mixed with one liter of clean water to form a

solution. A ratio of 1-1-1 will be mixed for the three fertilizers CalPhos, FAA and FFJ. The

same amount of fertilizer solution will be applied to each experimental plant/area.

Cultivation and Testing Stage

The positive control and the experimental group will be applied with the organic

fertilizer 50 mL of solution once every 5 days. Data of plant growth will be gathered

every three days with the use of a vernier caliper.

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EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Negative Control Water only

Positive Control Commercial complete fertilizer (14-14-14)

Experimental Synergy of Calphos, Fish Amino Acid and Fermented Fruit Juice

DATA ANALYSIS

All growth parameter data will be encoded in a tabulated form (MS Excel 2007)

and will be analyzed using parametric statistics (mean+standard deviation).

Comparison of growth parameters (height of the plant, length of the leaves and

width of the leaves) across different fertilizers in the control and experimental group

will be analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to determine which among the

compare groups were statistically significant (p<0.05).

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