Effects of Vermicast and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Yield of Spring Onion

Alverastine, Analee S.

Antiporta, Irish G.

Bocabal, Cheenee Marie D.

Sabacajan, Argeloiza Angeline

Chapter I

Introduction

The use of inorganic fertilizer has now become a setback worldwide. Although

inorganic fertilizer can hasten the growth of the crops but due to its chemical

composition it destroys more than it helps. And with this reason, people tend to go back

in using organic fertilizer. And one of the most largely populating techniques of organic

fertilizer is the use of vermicast.

Vermicasting, also called vermicomposting, is the processing of organic wastes

through earthworms. It is a natural, odourless, aerobic process, much different from

traditional composting. Earthworms ingest waste then excrete casts – dark, odorless,

nutrient- and organically rich, soil mud granules that make an excellent soil conditioner.

Earthworm casts are a ready-to-use fertilizer that can be used at a higher rate of

application than compost, since nutrients are released at rates that growing plants

prefer. (Ndegwa, et.al. 1999)

Vermicasting can be done on a small scale by homeowners with household

organic wastes, on a large-scale by farmers with manure or by the food industry using

organic wastes such as fruit and vegetable cull materials. Through proper design,

Vermicasting is a method of waste handling that: (a.) is clean, socially acceptable, with

little to no odor (b.) requires no energy input for aeration, (c.) reduces the mass of waste

by 30%, (d.) produces a valuable vermicast byproduct, (e.) even generates worms as

fishing bait.

Indeed vermicast is the way to go for better production of crops but only few

studies are conducted on what reasons are behind the vermicast fertilizer. One of the

reasons for making this study is to be able to prove the effectiveness of the vermicast

over the use of inorganic fertilizer. Spring onions are one of the simply planted crops

and would not take long to be harvested and are perfect for this study.

The spring onion (Allium fistulosum) has been the favorite onion of China and

Japan for centuries. Its origins are believed to be in Siberia and Mongolia. All spring

onion types are characterized by slightly enlarged bulbs. The type grown in Australia

does not produce offshoots; it has straight, hollow leave and a distinct white 'stem'

consisting of a collection of leaf bases. The 'stem' is the main edible part of the plant

and is used mainly in salads. The best soil for this crop is slightly acid, with a pH

between 5.3 and 5.8. Spring onions mature in 8 to 10 weeks in summer and 12 to 14

weeks in winter.

Statement of the Problem:

a. What is the different yield of spring onions between vermicast and inorganic

fertilizer?

b. Which of the treatments provide improved yield on spring onions?

Objectives:

a. To determine the different yield of spring onions between vermicast and

inorganic fertilizer.

b. To identify the best treatment that can enhance the yield of spring onions.

Importance of the Study:

The outcome of this study can be useful as baseline data for students, farmers,

researchers and also to those who are willing to engage in vermicomposting as

fertilizer. in addition, this also serves as guide in determining the effectiveness of the

various treatment applications in terms of spring onion yield.

Scope and Limitation:

This study covers only on the effect of the various treatments between vermicast

and the application inorganic fertilizer on spring onions. The analysis of the soil as

media is not covered in the context of this study.

Research Hypothesis:

a. Ho: There is no significant difference on the yield of spring onion between

vermicast and inorganic fertilizer.

b. H1: There is a significant difference on the yield of spring onion between

vermicast and inorganic fertilizer.

c. Ho: There is no significant difference in the three treatments on the yield of

spring onions.

d. H1: There is a significant difference in the three treatments on the yield of spring

onions.

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Selection of Species

Spring onion was selected as the study species due to its fast-growing

characteristics. This species is also commonly planted not only in the Philippines but

throughout the world. Considering the time-constraints of this study spring onion was

chosen.

Location and Duration

The study will be conducted during the month of January to February 2011 at the

Greenhouse of the College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State

University, Marawi City.

Nature of Fertilizer used

The fertilizers that will be used in the study is the vermicast and a complete

fertilizer. Vermicast nutrient content varies with earthworm feed type, but feeding waste

to earthworms does cause nitrogen mineralization, followed by phosphorous and sulfur

mineralization after ingestion. The slow-release granules structure of earthworm casts

allows nutrients to be released relatively slowly in sync with plant needs. A complete

fertilizer includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in appropriate forms for

increasing fertility.

Preparation of the Experimental Materials

In conducting the study certain equipments will be needed. Devices that will be

used are (35) plastic pots, (4) trowel, (4) garden gloves.

Treatment Application

Thirty-five (35) seedlings will be used as experimental units in this study. Five

seedlings will be used in Treatment 1 (T1) with 50g of vermicast as its fertilizer. Five

seedlings will be used in Treatment 2 (T2) with 100g of vermicast in it. Another five

seedlings will be used in Treatment 3 (T3) with 150g of vermicast. Five seedlings will be

used in Treatment 4 (T4) with 50g of inorganic fertilizer. Five seedlings will be used for

Treatment 5 (T5) with 100g of inorganic fertilizer. Five seedlings will be used for

Treatment 6 (T6) with 150g of inorganic fertilizer. And lastly, five seedlings will be used

for the Control group (T0) with pure garden soil.

Experimental Design and Lay-out

The experimental design of the study will be Completely Randomized Design

(CRD). The experiment will be conducted at the Greenhouse of the College of Forestry

and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State University, Marawi City. The total numbers

of experimental units will be thirty-five seedlings.

T6,R3 T3,R2 T0,R4 T2,R1 T6,R5

T0,R5 T1,R5 T0,R3 T3,R2 T2,R1

T3,R1 T2,R4 T3,R1 T4,R3 T1,R4

T3.R4 T1,R2 T3,R5 T5,R3 T5, R2

T6,R1 T5,R2 T6,R5 T0,R4 T1, R5

T4,R3 T6,R2 T1,R3 T5,R5 T4,R2

T5,R5 T0,R1 T4,R5 T4,R1 T1,R1

Legend:

R-Replication

T-Treatment

Data Gathering

After the application of the vermicast and complete fertilizer to the seedlings, the

yield of the spring onion will be measured. A weighing scale will be used to measure the

yield of the spring onion, measurement will be done after two months of planting. Data

gathered will be entered in a tabulation paper.

Data Analysis

Data in the yield of the spring onion will be subjected to Analysis of Variance

(ANOVA) to determine the effects of the application of vermicast and inorganic fertilizer.

References:

Ndegwa, P.M., Thompson, S.A., Das, K.C. 1999. Effects of stocking density and feeding

rate on vermicomposting of biosolids. Biores. Technol. 71 (1), 5–1.

John Burt, 2007. Farmnote, Growing Spring Onions

Chaoui, I.H., Zibilske, L.M., Ohno, S. 2003. Effect of earthworm casts and compost on

microbial activity and plant nutrient uptake. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 35, 295–302.