Crimson Publishers Research Article

Wings to the Research

Urban Farming Using Upcycling Technique of

Brassica rapa L. Cv (Pechay Tagalog) in Ermita,
Manila, Philippines
Alma E Nacua1,2*, Ma Cristina R Macer2 and Allen Belle M Pascual2
Urban Biodiversity Laboratory, Philippines
1

Graduate School-University of the East, Philippines

2

ISSN: 2637-7659
Abstract
In Manila, vegetables are extremely overpriced especially due to various reasons such as overshooting
of gas price, high demand on peak seasons, drought, flood and when plants are infested with plague.
When people prepare food in the kitchen, loads of vegetable parts such as peels, unused leaves, roots,
and stem go in the trash bin as wastes, specifically Pechay. They cut the petiole with leaves and discarded
the stem without realizing it can be re-planted (upcycled). The aim of this paper was to observe Pechay
stem grow in a loam soil planted in used (recycled) fruit Styrofoam box and to upcycle the Pechay stem
and to observed other signs and symptoms of infection. The experimental design method was used. The
controlled variable was Pechay seed grown on the same type of container with loam soil. Out of 180
Pechay stems planted 128 survived with a 71% survival growth for Pechay grown from the stem while
98% survival rate of Pechay grown from seeds. Pechay stem gowned in a loam soil.

KeyWords: Recycling; Upcycling

*Corresponding author: Alma E Nacua,
Urban Biodiversity Laboratory, Philippines
Introduction
Submission: May 17, 2019
Increasing population throughout the Philippines leads most of the Filipino scientists to
Published: May 28, 2019 find ways to mitigate issues concerning scarcity in food. Overpopulation leads to competition
for the same source of food. In addition to this, in the Philippines when the supply for a partic-
Volume 4 - Issue 2
ular source of food is low due to drought, flood, catastrophe and even plague the cost or price
How to cite this article: Alma E N, Ma for the specific food becomes higher, leading to few number of Filipinos could only avail nutri-
Cristina R M, Allen B M P. Urban Farming tive type of foods. Therefore, those at the urban poor sector are the least to avail a high, quality
Using Upcycling Technique of Brassica and nutritive value of food. More worst they only get food that is within their limited budget.
rapa L. Cv (Pechay Tagalog) in Ermita,
Urban farming or gardening is one of the best tool to equip Filipinos against low nutritive type
Manila, Philippines. Mod Concep Dev
Agrono.4(3). MCDA.000587.2019. of food due to overshooting of prices. In urban farming, Filipinos are required to design their
DOI: 10.31031/MCDA.2019.04.000587 backyard or their available spaces in their house to construct a simple farm or garden. After
quite some time, they can eventually harvest the fruits of their labour as their own source
Copyright@ Alma E Nacua, This article is
of food. Into this regard, Filipinos are ensured on the safety of the food that they harvested.
distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International Brassica rapa L. Cv commonly called as Pechay and is popularly known as vegetable in Manila,
License, which permits unrestricted use Philippines. Pechay is a leafy, shallow-rooted, cool-season crop but can stand higher tempera-
and redistribution provided that the tures given it is exposed to enough moisture. [1]. It is an erect, biennial herb, cultivated as an
original author and source are credited.
annual about 15-30cm tall in vegetative stage. The leaves are ovate, spirally and widely spread
arranged. The petioles are enlarged and growing vertically forming a sub cylindrical bundle.
The inflorescence is a raceme with pale yellow flowers. Plant body consist of leaves, petiole,
stem and roots. It is known as one of the oldest green vegetables in Asia. Therefore, Pechay
plays an important role in the Philippine economy as well as in the nutrition of the Filipino
people. Pechay is known for its nutritional value. In a serving of Pechay it contains calcium
for strong bones, phosphorus for bone formation, digestion, excretion, and hormonal balance,
potassium for muscle control, regulating blood pressure and preventing hypertension, as well
as vitamin A for promoting growth, reproduction, and improvising vision and provides fiber
for good digestion. It keeps your digestive system healthy, promotes healthy blood sugar and
cholesterol and helps keep the blood pressure on an even keel [2].

When cooked, it has a sturdy fibrous leaf. Leaves can be eaten raw because of high
nutritional value. In the Philippines it is usually added in the soups or beef stews, some cook it
with fish sardines and sauté it with soy sauce, garlic, onions and tomatoes served with steamed

Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy 428

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 429

rice. In Manila, due to scarcity of food supply during calamity, it was Upcycling is often considered as a process in which waste materials
observed that prices of vegetables are overpriced. The low-income are converted into something of higher value and/or quality in
earner is directly affected, due to this they opt to buy low cost their second life. [3]. On this report study, we are looking forward
vegetables such as Pechay. It was a common practice that, when on the effectivity of upcycling technique on Brassica rapa stems,
people prepare food in the kitchen, loads of vegetable waste go in because often the stems go directly to the garbage bin. On Figure 1,
the trash bin. Same in the market, vendors get rid the discarded the first thing that humans do on wastes is to avoid it followed by
vegetable wastes such as plant leaves, roots and stems. Specifically, reduce, reuse and recycle. Which is true nowadays, humans tend to
on the case of Pechay, they cut the petiole with leaves and discarded use reusable plastic bag to avoid usage of plastics in supermarkets.
the stem but does not realize it can be re-planted (upcycled).

Figure 1: Waste Hierarchy Pyramid. EU.PNG. Online; accessed, 2015-04-30.

The waste can be termed as upcycled once its value is more es obesity, diabetes, and heart ailments. Gardening is also a good
than that of the original product. [4]. Once materials are being used exercise and developed diligence, patience, discipline to grow and
and consumed by humans part of it will be considered as waste. harvest vegetable of their own. The virtue of sharing their harvest-
Since, we could not return the used materials’ original economic ed vegetable to others too.
value, modern methods and techniques are being implemented
to make the used materials of high economic value or important Aim of the Study
again. Thus, upcycling is of greater importance nowadays due to Observe the growth of upcycled Pechay stem in a loam soil
increasing socio economic demands for raw materials with respect planted in recycled fruit Styrofoam box and to document traces of
to increasing human’s basic needs. This research was an output in infection in the Pechay leaves.
a Science technology and Society course of Universidad de Manila
for first semester School year 2018-19. Upcycling was a process of Material and Methods
transforming by- products, waste materials into a new product for
This was an example of a simple Experimental method de-
a better purpose. It was in the intention of this study to educate stu-
signed. A controlled observation was used to compare the growth
dents and to pass on this learning experience to their families and
of Pechay seeds to the experimented upcycled Pechay stems. The
respective communities. In General, students of UDM are from the
research compared the survival rate of Pechay seed and upcycled
middle-class family, some of them came from a poor family from a
Pechay stem. The morphological characteristic growth of Pechay
depressed area of Manila. Many lives by hand to hand existence to
were noted. The observation period covered for 2 months from
provide food on the table and sending their children to school even
September 1, 2018 to October 30, 2018. A research output of the
more difficult. There were few families belong to an Informal set-
students of Universidad de Manila under Science Technology and
tler of Manila were the average house was about 3 squares meters.
Society, for one semester equivalent to five (5) months an Outcome
Having no extra land to do urban farming was next to impossible
Based Education.
but with the used of recyclable container for gardening can be an
alternative. Almost any vegetable that will grow in a typical back- Procedure
yard garden will also do well as a container-grown plan. [5]. Urban
There were 50 used empty fruit box made of Styrofoam with
farming technique for example, Upcycling Pechay can grow vegeta-
22.4 inches’ length and 14.5 inches’ width and 4.2 inches’ depth
ble in a small space or even in a small container provided with soil
with holes for passageway of excess water (Figure 2). It was filled
and regular watering. Pechay for example brought nutritious food
with loam soil were seeds are planted. Watering of Pechay were
for local communities and provides health benefits. It also reduc-

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 430

done early in the morning to prevent sunscald. Fertilizer and pesti- height of plants (Table 1). The observable growing leaves coming
cide were not included. On Figure 3 found the controlled observa- out for the stem and increasing height of petiole each day were
tion Pechay seeds. On the other empty fruit boxes found on Figure measured in mm. After 14 days, the height of the plant increase and
4, Upcycled Pechay stem planted on loam soil. They were observed the foliage developed found on Figure 5.
each day for a growth characteristic: growing leaves and increasing

Table 1: Tabulated data of upcycled pechay stem.

Groups Number of Pechay Stem Number of Pechay Stem Survived Percent of Survival
PA 12 20 18 90%
HRDM 11 20 2 10%
MM 13 20 5 25%
ED 14 20 8 40%
ECO 11 20 15 75%
ECO 12 20 20 100%
BAC 12 20 20 100%
BAC 11 20 20 100%
BEN 11 20 20 100%
Total 180 128 71%

(A)oggle earth Map

(B) Pechay stem cuttings

Figure 2: (A) Geographical satellite view of the study site, Universidad de Manila (UDM) at the Second-floor
building of the Biodiversity laboratory, with the coordinates of Latitude 14.591910 and a longitude 12.981629.
(B) Pechay stem cutting used for upcyling.

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 431

loam soil planted in a recycled Styrofoam at the second floor of the

corridor of Universidad de Manila (UDM). Minimal Sunlight and a
few drops of rain from September to October 2018. Results show
on Figure 7 a successful full grown upcycled Pechay stem. It was
shown in Table 2, data gathered from Pechay seeds survived plant-
ed in loam soil for 60 days. Out of 180 seeds planted, there were
177plants developed into a full-grown Pechay and having 98.33%
survival rate. They were also planted in a loam soil in a recycled
Styrofoam placed along the corridor of UDM with minimal sunlight
and water. Figure 6 shows the Pechay plant planted though the seed
planting’ with a healthy full-grown leaf. Comparing the survival rate
of Pechay stem and Pechay seeds cultivated in the corridor of UDM,
Figure 3: Control variable (Pechay Seed).
these 2 samples were found successful. Both of the samples able to
adopt to the same environment; loam soil, type of water, recycled
fruit Styrofoam box. The possibility of growth and development of
Pechay are successful, however some samples of Upcycled Pechay
stems of HRDM, MM, Ed and Eco were not very successful compare
for the others groups of students (Table 3). It was because of some
protocol that was not strictly followed.

Figure 4: Pechay stem.

Figure 6: Pechay with its growth parts using

conventional way of plantings seeds.

Figure 5: Full grown upcycled Pechay Stem.

On Figure 6, it shows the controlled grown Pechay though the

conventional seed planting. Likewise, it also shows the growth parts
of Pechay; roots, stem and leaves. Leaf buds came out 3-4 days after
it was planted. Height of plants reached up to 127mm, and 12.7mm
size of the leaf blade from midrib to the margin were observed in
2weeks. While on Figure 7, the experimented upcycled stem of
Pechay. It shows the growth development in Pechay stem. Within
3-4days, leaves came out. Height reached to 254mm from roots to
leaf. Size of the leaf blade were measured to 76.6mm from midrib
to margin. On Figure 8, there is an observed V shaped suspected
infection found on the leaf of the Pechay both on the controlled and
experimented Pechay. While on Figure 9, there is a spotted infected
leaf on both controlled and experimented Pechay. This table shows
the data collected of grown Pechay stem. Out of 180 planted Pechay Figure 7: Full grown Pechay with its growth parts
stem, there were only 128 survived and with 71% survival rate in a using upcycling of Pechay’s Stem.

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 432

Figure 8: Dark brown becomes brittle. Suspected infection in a V shape.

Figure 9: Infected leaf spotted brown.

Table 2: Tabulated data of pechay through seed planting.

Groups Number of Pechay Seed Number of Pechay Seed Survived Percent of Survival

PA 12 20 18 90%
HRDM 11 20 19 95%
MM 13 20 20 100%
ED 14 20 20 100%
ECO 11 20 20 100%
ECO 12 20 20 100%
BAC 12 20 20 100%
BAC 11 20 20 100%
BEN 11 20 20 100%
Total 180 177 98.33%

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 433

Table 3: Comparison of number of upcycled pechay stem and pechay seed survived.

On Table 4, it explains that there were 90-100% survival rate Trichoderma is a genus of asexually reproducing fungi that is pres-
of Pechay seeds and 75% survival rate for the Pechay stem. Pechay ent in all types of soils. Trichoderma species have been recognized
plants grow in the acclimatized temperature between 20 °C to 34 °C as antagonists of soil-borne and foliage pathogens and as efficient
and watering were done once in the morning. However, 75% surviv- decomposers of cellulosic waste materials. Moreover, they have the
al rate of Upcycled Pechay stem were affected by other uncontrolled ability to increase plant growth and induce plant resistance [6].
circumstances like drooping of leaves, pale color, too much rains.

Table 4: Comparison of percentage of survival growth of pechay stem and pechay seed.

Discussion opment Management ((HRDM 11), Bachelor and Arts and Commu-
nication (BAC11, BAC 12), Marketing and Management (MM13) in
Science and Technology Society course of Universidad de Manila
collaboration with the researchers came up with this experiments.
came to an outcome based research output from Students of Public
Students brought in all the necessary material for planting, Pechay
Administration (PA12), Education (Ed 14), Economics (Eco 11, Eco
stems and seeds. Watering was done every morning. Based on the
12), Business Entrepreneurship (BEN 11), Human Resource Devel-
results and findings, Pechay seedlings grown and survived with

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 434

98% survival rate. However, the physiological growth characteris- etary value. The successful result of this study as shown on Tables
tic of leaf buds was observed in the average between 3-days from 3 and 4 only ensures the urban sector of the Filipino people that
the time it was planted. It took time to observed the growth charac- upcyling is not only for their own consumption but likewise it could
teristic of the Pechay seedlings. The weeks waiting period, Pechay be of great source of income for them with just limited space and
grown from seedlings increased the height for about 76.2mm and low to none at all consumption of energy.
leaf grown wide of 38.1mm from midrib to the leaf margin. On the
Comparing Pechay seedlings to the upcycled Pechay
study of Gonzales [7], wherein they observe the response of Bras-
stem.
sica rapa on different levels of compost fertilizer, the sample culti-
vated in the garden soil with no input of fertilizer shows the least Growth characteristic of the upcycled Pechay was a lot better in
response amongst any other type of soil. Conclusively due to addi- terms of height and size of the leaf blade. Upcycled Pechay grown
tional fertilizer and compost materials added to other experimental taller with the height of 254mm and 76.6mm size of the midrib in
soil. On this study same results show that under a typical garden 2weeks only with a 71% survival rate. The upcycled Pechay were
soil, Brassica rapa seeds flourish but within a minimal growth re- harvested after 8 weeks and weighted to 500grams. On the study of
sult. Upcycling is well integrated on this research study because we Bercero [12] on the growth performance of pechay on Household
reused the stems of Brassica rapa without degrading the material derived composts shows that a typical soil with no input of com-
it is made from [8]. The entire process requires the recreation of post or fertilizer, Brassica rapa seeds survived but with the least
used materials or also known as waste materials to recreate and response compared to other experimental soil with different types
giving it another new life or function without having to spend much of compost embedded on the soil. Thus, Pechay or Brassica rapa
in getting new materials [9]. On this research study, we planted a survives even if the soil is not accompanied with rich compost soil
used and is considered as waste stem of Brassica rapa and success- substances.
fully produced a full-grown Brassica rapa as reflected on Figure7
Pechay infection and unwanted visitors (Diamondback
without spending too much from it. This technique is not only for
moth (DBM), Stray cats)
food consumption but likewise could become a potential source of
income to most of those belonging to the urban poor sector. On this However, there are other notable observed infection occurred
research study from the considered waste stems of Brassica rapa, on the Pechay leaves through marginal veins of the leaf blade even-
we successfully reproduced a full grown Brassica rapa as shown tually turn into yellow, movement usually in a V shaped suspect-
on Table 4 and Figure 7, this is coherent on the definition of up- ed to be black rot (Xanthomonas campetris) due to warm, humid
cycling on the interview of kay Thornton & Reiner Pilz [10] which weather. Found in Figure 8 and 9. Black rot is a vascular disease
explains that upcycling is a process of keeping its original form as in which pathogenic bacteria invade the xylem, colonise the meso-
much as possible and adding more value, whereas Braungart and phyll and ultimately spread throughout the plant. X. campestris pv.
McDonough [11] explains upcycling as the process that maintains campestris survives in seeds, soil and especially, in plant debris and
or upgrades materials’ value and quality in their second life, that cruciferous weeds around the field, for long periods [13]. Diamond-
is successfully exhibited on the results of this research study-that back moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) larva they thrive on leaves and
on the second life of Brassica rapa stems its value is much greater finished of the entire peachy leaves at UDM.
than it is considered as waste in the garbage bin. In addition to this,
The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidop-
the high survival percentage of upcycling of Brassica rapa stems as
tera: Plutellidae) is one of the most destructive insect pests of cru-
shown on Table 4 challenges the scientists today to become more
ciferous plants worldwide [14]. Diamondback moth, the life expec-
innovative and observant on the possible positive impact of upcy-
tancy of an adult is 16 days for female and 12 days for male moths.
cling to the increasing number of wastes in the environment. The
Females lay their eggs up to 10 days and 95% start laying on the day
invented products from upcycling would also pave way to increas-
of emergence [15]. The preferred site for Diamondback moth ovi-
ing the ethical standards on scientists regarding waste manage-
position on Brassica napus seems to be the lower first, second and
ments. On this research study, it likewise challenges the scientists
third true leaves [15]. Unwanted visitor like the stray cat that litter
to research other plants that has the same positive response with
in the Pechay plant box, Traces of cat feces were found on the soil
upcycling.
and Pechay plants were uprooted. Pechay plants must be guarded
With the rich biodiversity of the Philippines both flora and fau- and protected against cats and dog that they destroy of contami-
na, the upcycling process offers different raw materials to Filipinos, nate the vegetables as they can be a carrier of a food borne disease
thus encouraging their creative and critical thinking in producing called Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), Harvested Pechay leaves
an innovative and inventive outcome [9], this encourages the Fili- has to be washed thoroughly with running water and to be cooked
pinos specifically on the urban poor to survive in this “survival of well, uncooked peachay is not recommended. Toxoplasmosis can
the fittest” type of environment that we have today through using be transmitted to humans by three principal routes. First, humans
their individual creative thinking skills. On the thesis study of [3] can eat raw or inadequately cooked infected meat or eat uncooked
the most frequently mentioned perceived benefit of upcycling was foods that have come in contact with contaminated meat. Second,
‘economic benefit’, true enough, the ones who will have a greater humans can inadvertently ingest oocysts that cats have passed in
gain on upcycling process are those who sees its economic or mon- their feces, either in a cat litter box or outdoors in soil (e.g., soil
from gardening or unwashed fruits or vegetables) [16-19].

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua

 MCDA.MS.ID.000587. 4(3).2019 435

Conclusion 6. Cumagun CJR (2012) Managing plant diseases and promoting

sustainability and productivity with trichoderma: The Philippine
Based on the data gathered, upcycled Pechay stem cultivated in experience. J Agri Sci Tech 14: 699-714.
a loam soil in 8 weeks’ observation period has a 71 percent survival 7. Gonzales MRL, Caralde RA, Aban MA (2014) Response of Brassica
rate at the UDM second floor building. Infection occurred on the Napus. L to different levels of compost fertilizers. International Journal
of Scientific Research and Publications 5(2).
Pechay leaves through marginal veins of the leaf blade eventually
turn into yellow, movement usually in a V shape suspected to be 8. Goldsmith B (2012) Trash or treasure? Upcycling becomes growing
black rot (Xanthomonas campetris). As of today we may neglect the green trend.

economic importance of Brassica rapa, but its scientific contribu- 9. Ali NS, Khairuddin NF, Zainal Abidin S (2013) Upcycling: Re-use and
tion as it grows easily under normal condition, with or without fer- recreate functional interior space using waste materials. In DS 76:
Proceedings of E&PDE 2013, the 15th International Conference on
tilizers and compost embedded on the soil paves way for a fast and Engineering and Product Design Education, Dublin, Ireland, pp. 798-
easy recording of data and results. It is suggested that vegetable 803.
cuttings for example Pechay (Brassica rapa) can be re planted in 10. Kay T, Reiner pilz (1994).
any recyclable container for urban gardening.
11. Braungart M, McDonough W (2002) Cradle to cradle: Remaking the way
we make things. New York, USA.
Acknowledgement
12. Bercero DM, Aranico EC, Tabaranza ACE, Amparado RF (2014) Growth
The researcher would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to performance of pechay (Brassica rapa) in household derived compost.
the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) for DARE TO Fund- 13. CABI (2015) Plutella xylostella.
ing for providing UDM a Biodiversity Laboratory for the facility in
14. Wei SJ, Shi BC, Gong YJ, Jin GH, Chen XX, et al. (2013) Genetic structure
data processing of the experiment, and to the UDM administrator and demographic history reveal migration of the diamondback moth
for allowing the Science and Technology Society students and the plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from the southern to
researchers to conduct the experiments. northern regions of China. PLoS One 8(4): e59654.
15. Silva R, Furlong MJ (2012) Diamondback moth oviposition: Effects of
References host plant and herbivory. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
143(3): 218-30.
1. Kelly WT (1999) Specialty crops: Chinese cabbage and related oriental
crops. Commercial vegetable production p. 8. 16. Hussain MA, Stitt V, Szabo EA, Nelan B (2017) Toxoplasma gondii in the
Food Supply. Pathogens 6(2): 21.
2. Renee Janet (2018) The nutrients of pechay.
17. Brown A (2012) Reduce reuse upcycle.
3. Sung Kyungeun (2017) A review on upcycling: current body of literature,
knowledge gaps and a way forward. Venice, Italy 17(4). 18. Singh D, Raghavendra BT, Singh Rathaur P, H Singh, Raghuwanshi R, et
al. (2014) Detection of black rot disease causing pathogen Xanthomonas
4. Vats Shameek (2016) Upcycling of waste.
campestris pv. campestris by bio-PCR from seeds and plant parts of cole
5. Masabni, Joseph G (2010) Vegetable gardening in containers. Agri life crops. Seed Sci & Technol 42(1): 36-46.
Extensio Texas AM system, Texas, United States.
19. WtERT “Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council”.

For possible submissions Click below:

Submit Article

Mod Concep Dev Agrono Copyright © Alma E Nacua