INTRODUCTION
A lot of farmers in the whole world use fertilizer due to its benefits on growing plants and crops. According to Food and Agriculture Organization, Fertilizer consumption (% of fertilizer production) in Philippines was 1,297.15 as of 2016. Its highest value over the past 14 years was 7,391.18 in 2010, while its lowest value was 179.90 in 2002 [1].
Fertilizers are substances that enhance the plants and supply the nutrients that a plant need and also enhances its soil fertility. There are these following nutrients why fertilizers are effective in increasing crop production and enhancing soil fertility: (a) Nitrogen, (b) Phosphorus, and (c) Potassium (macronutrients) and other nutrients (micronutrients) are added in smaller amounts. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions: the three primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The three secondary macronutrients: calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg) and the micronutrients or trace minerals: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and selenium (Se). The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.2% to 4.0% (on a dry matter weight basis) [2].
Since coconuts and oranges had been very useful to people since then, medications, cleanser, food, coconut trunks as house foundation and et cetera, the researchers thought of the idea in utilizing coconut husk ash together with pulverized orange peeling as an alternative fertilizer in pechay plants because coconut husks contains potassium and orange peels contains calcium and are great for compost. It brings in phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Also, orange peels contain a chemical called d-Limonene which allows them to work as an all-natural insecticide too [6]. It damages the nervous systems of pests such as aphids and ants which ultimately end up killing them. From a statement by Travis, D. on 2017, “It is a good idea to break your peels down into small pieces so they will compost faster, otherwise they can take a lot of time.” The researchers came up in making a fertilizer due to the increasing prices of synthetic fertilizer and also due to the inadequate crops or plants that is being produced by farmers.
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DISCOVER
to see the related literature and studies, click the links below
Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land) - Country Ranking
Philippines is known to be an agricultural country which means that the use of fertilizers all over the country is indeed high. Fertilizers are known to provide nutrients for the soil and is a key ingredient in order for the plant to grow stronger and healthier. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization the Philippines is the 57th country in the world and the 22nd country in Asia for the most fertilizer consumption made in a year.
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Link: https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indicators/AG.CON.FERT.ZS/rankings
Study on Use of Fruit Peels Powder as a Fertilizer
Fruit peels are known to have the nutrients needed for plant growth which are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Fruit peels were collected from fruit juice vendors, collecting 15-20 kg of fruit peels per vendor, the fruit peels were used to compare plant growth by drying it for several days and was able to obtain fruit peel powder by grinding. Different formulations were made in order to compare the plant growth, wherein each formulation was mixed with water in different quantities. After getting the results it was stated that fruit peels can be feasibly used as a soil fertilizer having no cost bearing and aids in converting waste into a reusable source.
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Coconut coir dust ratio affecting growth and flowering of potted petunia hybrids
Coconut coir dust is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut which is used in brush, doormats, mattresses, and etc. This research process was conducted to investigate the difference of the growth and flowering of petunia hybrid, which seems to decrease the number of branches, leaves, number of flowers, percentage of flowering, and flowers dry weight compared to the treatment without the non-coir dust base. The results may be associated with physical properties of mixed media which suggests that the coconut coir dust ratio can’t quite be recommended as a renewable potting mixed media for petunia hybrids.
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Response of Pechay (Brassica napus L.) to Different Levels of Compost Fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are known to be a good source of nutrients for the soil which improves the soil’s physical chemical, and biological characteristics. The study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of pechay applied with different levels organic fertilizer. The study used randomized complete block design (RCBD) which contained which was replicated three times. Significant differences were found between treatments in the leaf area and the fresh weight of the pechay. Different characteristics of pechay were increased with different percentages of the compost fertilizer applied to the soil, implying that compost application greatly influences the growth and development of a pechay plant.
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Link: http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0215/ijsrp-p3818.pdf
How to measure growth rate of plants
Organic fertilizers are known to be a good source of nutrients for the soil which improves the soil’s physical chemical, and biological characteristics. The study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of pechay applied with different levels organic fertilizer. The study used randomized complete block design (RCBD) which contained which was replicated three times. Significant differences were found between treatments in the leaf area and the fresh weight of the pechay. Different characteristics of pechay were increased with different percentages of the compost fertilizer applied to the soil, implying that compost application greatly influences the growth and development of a pechay plant.
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Link: http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0215/ijsrp-p3818.pdf
