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Antipolo Immaculate Conception School “SODIUM POLYACRYLATE IN DIAPER GEL AS STAND-IN ORGANIC FERTILIZER” An Investigatory Project Proposal Presented to Mr. Rene s. Ferrer In Partial Fulfilment Of the Requirements for the Fourth Grading Period in Science X Academic Year 2015-2016 STEPHEN JUSTINE S. DELIMA CRISTINA M. LEGASPINA 1

“SODIUM POLYACRYLATE IN DIAPER GEL AS STAND-IN ORGANIC FERTILIZER”

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A presentment by Claire Fernandez Perez, Antipolo Immaculate Conception School, 2016.

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Page 1: “SODIUM POLYACRYLATE IN DIAPER GEL AS STAND-IN ORGANIC FERTILIZER”

Antipolo Immaculate Conception School

“SODIUM POLYACRYLATE IN DIAPER GEL AS STAND-IN ORGANIC FERTILIZER”

An Investigatory Project Proposal

Presented to Mr. Rene s. Ferrer

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the

Fourth Grading Period in Science X

Academic Year 2015-2016

STEPHEN JUSTINE S. DELIMA

CRISTINA M. LEGASPINA

CLAIRE F. PEREZ

JAMES EDWARD E. ZERRUDO

2016

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ACKNOWLEDEGEMENT

The researchers were indebted to and would like to extend their

warmest and heart-felt gratitude and appreciation to the following

individuals who helped them in making this study successful:

Classmates, for sharing their expertise, invaluable support, and

generosity in helping the researchers pursue this investigative paper.

Mr. Rene Ferrer, for his guidance, encouragement, and for unselfishly

sharing her professional expertise, patience and dedication in giving inputs

in turning this paper into a worthwhile one and to pursue this study.

Family & Friends, for their generous guide to the researchers in

creating a very significant study and patience in the culmination of genuine

values and discipline in making this paper.

Among all, to the Almighty Heavenly God, for providing the

researchers the knowledge, strength, wisdom and clarity which made

this study successful.

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DEDICATION

To our loving parents, for their patience when we became

“impossible” as we write this paper, and inspiring us when things seem to

reach the point of being “impossible”.

Above all, to the Almighty God, for giving us Strength of Mind,

Courage and Perseverance.

To you we give all what we are, and what we will be!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fly leaf.............................................................................................................................1

Acknowldegement..........................................................................................................2

Dedication.......................................................................................................................3

Table of Contents...........................................................................................................4

Abstract...........................................................................................................................5

Chapter I

Introduction..........................................................................................................6

Background of the study.....................................................................................9

Conceptual Framework of the Study...............................................................10

Research Paradigm...........................................................................................11

Significance of the Study..................................................................................13

Hypotheses of the Study...................................................................................14

Chapter II

Conceptual Literature........................................................................................15

Related Study.....................................................................................................18

Chapter III

Methodology.......................................................................................................23

Chapter IV

Documentation...................................................................................................29

Chapter V

Conclusion and Recommendation...................................................................36

Chapter VI

Bibliography.......................................................................................................38

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ABSTRACT

The increasing impacts on the environment due to agricultural

practices in the country have gradually affected the quality of the soil in

terms of structure and biological equilibrium, which has required the

development of alternative practices to minimize and mitigate those

impacts, parallel to the improvement on the yield per cultivated area and

economical benefits for producers and farmers. In addition, the amount of

food that society of today require for processing and supply of the industry

has encouraged the creation of new options for agricultural practices,

tending to be:

i) less invasive to the environment

ii) cheaper than conventional techniques

iii) able to increase efficiency at low costs

iv) able to obtain better characteristics on harvests and

v) ease of use and implementation with no excessive technical

requirements.

As a result, technologies such as bio fertilization have emerged in

order to minimize environmental impacts and take advantage of the

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resources available in the field. The main scope of this paper is to assess

researches performed with the use of bio fertilization, mentioning their

advantages and limitations, reviewing some results on efficiency and

benefits acquired in recent years and highlighting their potential for better

agricultural practices community-wide.

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The growing need for supply of agronomic products for food and

consumer goods processing by the modern society has caused substantial

increases in agrarian activities in recent decades. As a result, the need for

implementation of methods that allow, among other things, to improve the

efficiency of crops, mitigate adverse impacts on the soil, reduce the use of

chemical fertilizers, and increase revenues per cultivated area, have been

addressed. For this reason, the implementation of conservative agriculture

(CA) models has been a cornerstone of farming practices globally (Benitez

et al 2002; Morte et al 2003). The CA focuses on reducing adverse impacts

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on the environment, increasing crop yields and inputs, and implementing

sustainable techniques for development of agriculture.

Biological fertilization is based on the use of natural inputs including

fertilizers, decaying remains of organic matter, crops excess, domestic

sewage, animal manure, and microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria

(Chirinos et al 2006). They are used to improve fixation of nutrients in the

rhizosphere, produce growth stimulants for plants, improve soil stability,

provide biological control, biodegrade substances, recycle nutrients,

promote mycorrhiza symbiosis, and develop bioremediation processes in

soils contaminated with toxic, xenobiotic and recalcitrant substances (Morte

et al 2003; Corpoica 2007; Rivera-Cruz et al 2008; Alvarez et al 2007).

Additionally, the use of bio-fertilizers can improve productivity per

area in a relatively short time, consume smaller amounts of energy, mitigate

contamination of soil and water, increase soil fertility, and promote

antagonism and biological control of phytopathogenic organisms (Chirinos

et al 2006; Corpoica 2007; Porcuna et al 2002). The aforementioned aspects

are translated into profitable benefits for farmers as a result of lower costs

associated with the process of fertilization and higher crop yields (Fundases

2005; Gonzalez et al 2002). In this sense, biologic fertilizers application can

bring benefits from an economic, social, and environmental point of view.

However, the implementation of fertilization techniques requires feasibility

studies, monitoring of environment variables involved in metabolic

processes, acquisition of biological inputs, capital investment, time, and

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trained personnel (Plaster 2000; Vanegas 2003; Alegre 2000; Fresco 2003).

In order to achieve a sustainable agriculture is necessary the

implementation of plans, programs, projects and initiatives directed toward

the minimization of environmental impacts and consequent benefits for

farmers and producers.

As a result of recent investigations performed to effectively assess the

implementation of biological fertilizers under varying conditions, a review

on their benefits and limitations is required to provide a valid background

for academics, farmers and producers to perform future research

complementing current work that deeply assess economical, environmental

and social aspects related to the agricultural expansion worldwide. This

paper focuses on the review of current research resulting from the use of

biological fertilizers in different regions of the world to obtain a framework

that facilitates the development of future investigations in the agricultural

sector and, consequently, promote the reduction of environmental impacts

associated to the permanent use of chemical fertilization. Firstly in this

article, an introduction to bio fertilization techniques is addressed to

understand the fundamentals that explain their functioning. Next in the

paper, benefits and limitations of bio fertilizers are mentioned followed by

current researches’ results from the use of the techniques in various

geographical backgrounds. Finally, conclusions and recommendations

complete the paper.

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Background of the Study

Many are of sure cognizance that fertilizers are used for proper and

healthy growth of plants, but are they really healthy? What exactly are

fertilizers? Well, a fertilizer is a substance, be it synthetic or organic, which

is added to the soil in order to increase the supply of essential nutrients that

boost the growth of plants and vegetation in that soil. With the rapid

increase in population globally, the demand of food and agricultural yield

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has been rising tremendously. This is the reason why statistics show that

almost 40-60% of agricultural crops mainly from lowlands and highly

urbanized areas such as Metro Manila are grown with the use of different

types of fertilizers. Not only this, more than 50% people feed on crops that

are grown as a result of using synthetic fertilizers. On the other hand, there

are organic fertilizers that consist of manures and animal wastes.

Conceptual Framework of the Study

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Research Paradigm

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The study intends to get the level of satisfaction while using the

diaper gel polymer as a substitute organic fertilizer purposive for crops and

certain fruit-bearing plants standing mostly on household backyards.

Specifically, it tries to seek answers the following sub-problems:

1. What are the components present in diaper gels being responsible for

massive absorption of nutrients in soil?

2. What is the level of satisfaction of using the diaper gel as stand-in

organic fertilizer in the following variables:

1.1 speedy growth

1.2 plant potency

1.3 yielded crops or fruit

1.4 congeniality to other soil types

1.5 affordability

1.6 hypo-allergenic

1.7 environment-friendly

1.8 economical

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3. What is the Antipolo City Sanitation and Health Services Officer’s level

of satisfaction on the use of diaper gel polymer as a substitute organic

fertilizer.

4. Is there a significant difference between the level of satisfaction of

the consumers, as to City Sanitation and Health Services Office in

utilizing stand-in polymer based organic fertilizer?

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Significance of the Study

The use of organic fertilizer in sustainable gardens and farms will

quickly gain its popularity which is evident in the number of increased acres

of organic agriculture, chiefly in Cordillera Administrative Region and urban

Manila as well, having 59 million in 2015 to nearly 81 million in 2016,

especially as their mitigating effects on the environment are demonstrated

through more and more studies. While the use of synthetics amendments is

both dangerous and expensive and might as well be not considered

sustainable.

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Hypotheses of the Study

NULL HYPOTHESIS

There is no significant difference on the level of satisfaction of

the consumers, as to Antipolo City Sanitation and Health Services Office

in utilizing stand-in polymer based organic fertilizer.

ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS

There is a significant difference on the level of satisfaction of

the consumers, as to Antipolo City Sanitation and Health Services Office

in utilizing stand-in polymer based organic fertilizer.

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE AND

RELATED STUDY

Conceptual Literature

Mother nature has always taught us to balance out everything, and

still continues to do so. If you eat a lot, your body naturally bloats up and

tells you to exercise and come back to shape. When you exercise too much,

your body tells you to slow down and relax. If there is rain, you also get the

Sun, each and everything works fine till a balance is maintained. And we all

know the consequences of imbalance. A classic example for the same would

be the rise in global warming due to various reasons, including

deforestation. Same is the case with fertilizers. The problem is that humans

tend to use too much of fertilizers in the soil because they have to cater to

the global demand of food. As mentioned already, more than half of the total

yield production is out of synthetic or inorganic fertilizers which contains

components like nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and so

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on. These chemicals and minerals, although help in boosting the growth of

plants, they also have their drastic side effects in the long run. Mentioned

below are some key points defining the effects of using fertilizers on the

environment.

Depletes the Quality of the Soil

Though this may sound ironic to you, the fact is that using too much of

fertilizers in the soil can alter the fertility of the soil by increasing the acid

levels in the soil. Which is why it is recommended to get a soil test done at

least once in every 3 years so that you can keep a track whether or not you

are using the right amount of fertilizers. The levels of soil pH varies from 0-

14, wherein 0 is considered to be the most acidic and 14 being the most

basic. 7 is considered to be neutral. The ideal soil pH varies from plant to

plant and can be altered by bringing in some changes. Bottom line for using

too much of fertilizers in the soil is that, though it may seem to work

currently, there are high chances that you may not use it for plant yielding

in the long run. Alters the Biology of Water Bodies

When you use too much of fertilizers in the soil, it leads to

eutrophication. Fertilizers contain substances like nitrates and phosphates

that are flooded into lakes and oceans through rains and sewage. These

substances prove to become toxic for the aquatic life, thereby, increasing

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the excessive growth of algae in the water bodies and decreasing the levels

of oxygen. This leads to a toxic environment and leads to death of fish and

other aquatic fauna and flora. Indirectly, it contributes to an imbalance in

the food chain as the different kinds of fishes in the water bodies tend to be

the main food source of various birds and animals in the environment. You

would be surprised to know that more than 50% of the lakes in the United

States are eutrophic!

Effects on Human Health

The nitrogen and other chemicals present in the fertilizers can also

affect the ground waters and waters that are used for the purpose of

drinking. One of the most common result for this can be the development of

blue baby syndrome which occurs in infants whose incapable enough of

standing through sensitive air conditions.

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Related study

With the advent of the so-called Green Revolution in the second half of

the 20th century—when farmers began to use technological advances to

boost yields—synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides became

commonplace around the world not only on farms, but in backyard gardens

and on front lawns as well.

These chemicals, many of which were developed in the lab and are

petroleum-based, have allowed farmers and gardeners of every stripe to

exercise greater control over the plants they want to grow by enriching the

immediate environment and warding off pests. But such benefits haven’t

come without environmental costs—namely the wholesale pollution of most

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of our streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and even coastal areas, as these

synthetic chemicals run-off into the nearby waterways.

When the excess nutrients from all the fertilizer we use runs off into

our waterways, they cause algae blooms sometimes big enough to make

waterways impassable. When the algae die, they sink to the bottom and

decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other

aquatic species can’t survive in these so-called “dead zones” and so they die

or move on to greener underwater pastures.

A related issue is the poisoning of aquatic life. According to the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Americans alone churn through 75

million pounds of pesticides each year to keep the bugs off their peapods

and petunias. When those chemicals get into waterways, fish ingest them

and become diseased. Humans who eat diseased fish can themselves

become ill, completing the circle wrought by pollution.

A 2007 study of pollution in rivers around Portland, Oregon found that

wild salmon there are swimming around with dozens of synthetic chemicals

in their systems. Another recent study from Indiana found that a variety of

corn genetically engineered to produce the insecticide Bt is having toxic

effects on non-target aquatic insects, including caddis flies, a major food

source for fish and frogs.

The solution, of course, is to go organic, both at home and on the

farm. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic farmers and

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gardeners use composted manure and other natural materials, as well as

crop rotation, to help improve soil fertility, rather than synthetic fertilizers

that can result in an overabundance of nutrients. As a result, these

practices protect ground water supplies and avoid runoff of chemicals that

can cause dead zones and poisoned aquatic life.

There is now a large variety of organic fertilizer available

commercially, as well as many ways to keep pests at bay without resorting

to harsh synthetic chemicals. A wealth of information on growing greener

can be found online: Check out OrganicGardeningGuru.com and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture’s Alternative Farming System Information

Center, for starters. Those interested in face-to-face advice should consult

with a master gardener at a local nursery that specializes in organic

gardening.

Chemical Fertilizer vs Organic Fertilizer

Nitrogen fertilizers break down into nitrates upon application.

Nitrates are necessary for the plants growth but an excess will leach into

groundwater supplies and can contaminate sources miles away. Because

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nitrogen leaches through the soil more quickly, over-application is

abundant. These chemical fertilizers have a hugely negative effect on plant

and aquatic life, as well as human health.

Numerous studies have shown the negative effects chemical fertilizers

have on our environment and health. One study from Stanford University is

a great example of the difference between the use of chemical and organic

fertilizers.

According to its findings, soil fertilized with organic fertilizer

contained naturally occurring microbes that turned any excess nitrogen into

a benign gas, dinitrogen. These microbes are found less frequently and

were less active in soil fertilized with chemicals. The more leaching of

nitrogen, the greater application is applied, the fewer microbes and the

more poisoning of land and water.

And when comparing chemical fertilizers vs organic fertilizers it's

important to mention one study from the University of California, Berkeley

that states sustainable farming can indeed "feed the world", despite what

proponents and manufacturers of chemical fertilizers would have us believe.

It produces as high harvest rates, using less inputs and virtually eliminates

the pollution or contamination that leads to health and environmental

issues.

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Most Sustainable Organic Fertilizer

There are many kinds of organic fertilizer and the options can be

overwhelming. But as mentioned before, organic doesn't always mean

sustainable. The best tip to keep in mind for home gardening is to avoid

purchasing your amendments from the store. Purchasing a garden

amendment still contributes to waste, instead of eliminating it.

Alternatively, creating a closed-cycle within your home or community

accomplishes two tasks at once.

Compost: You really can't get enough of this. Made from your own

yard and kitchen scraps, compost creates a fully closed-cycled system

within your home. Little is wasted and its benefits are unsurpassed as both

a soil amendment and mulch. Compost in greater amounts can also be

acquired from local farmers or for free from communities with a composting

program.

It contains a lower nitrogen level, so use it in conjunction with the

techniques below. It can be applied as frequently and as thickly as you'd

like or feel you need, but twice a year (spring and fall) and one inch thick is

generally preferred. Read more about home composting here.

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Grass clippings: They decompose quickly and provide the soil with

nitrogen and other nutrients (between 2-5% depending on the season). They

also diminish weeds and act as mulch, conserving water. They can be

acquired for free from neighbor's lawns but avoid clippings from weedless

lawns, as they likely contain herbicides that can damage your soil's

microbial activity.

Add approximately a two inch layer of grass clippings in the spring,

when the nitrogen levels are at their highest and slightly more in the fall

when levels are lower. For fertilizing lawns, simply remove the bag from

your mower (or use a push mower) to leave the clippings on the ground.

Manures: High in nitrogen, animal waste from cows, horses,

chickens, or pigs are a great amendment to the soil and give sustainable use

to an otherwise smelly by-product. Trust me when I say many animal

owners will be more than happy to have you shovel out their pens or

corrals, making manures readily available and practically free. Horse

manures are used less frequently as they are more likely to contain seeds

from alfalfa or hay, which may sprout and take over your yard. However,

I've used them without issue and since alfalfa can act as a cover crop, it can

be beneficial in small amounts.

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CHAPTER III

METHODDOLOGY

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Procedure

DIAPER GEL

1. For this project you’ll need one of these disposable diapers. New

or gently used, it doesn't really matter.

2. Now most people know that a diaper can hold quite a bit of liquid,

but you might be surprised to see how much.

3. We tried putting over 4 cups of water in this thing, and you can see

that in just a few seconds, all the fluid is completely absorbed,

without a drop left in the bowl.

4. To see what's inside, let's go ahead and rip it open, and dump the

contents into a bowl.

5. We can see that if we add a bit more water and mix it together,

we've got ourselves an amazing, fiber rich hydrogel.

6. We tried packing some of this stuff into an airtight bag and

freezing it overnight, to make an improvised ice pack that won't

leak.

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HYDRO SOIL

1. Now, we used food coloring to change the color of the gels, but when

working with plants it's best to leave it clear. This way, the plants

won't turn funny colors as they grow.

2. One adult sized diaper makes over 12 cups of hydrogel, and the small

pieces of cotton wadding break apart and mix right in.

3. Now we're going to need some all purpose potting soil that you can

get at any home improvement store, and a large mixing bowl to dump

it in.

4. Add equal parts of dirt and gel, then begin working the two together

until they're thoroughly mixed.

5. Now we’ve got a super absorbent, super soil that's light and fluffy,

and perfect for your potted plants.

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POTTED PLANTS

1. In the event of an extreme overwatering like this, you might expect

that the plants would drown, or begin to rot.

2. But with the hydrogels infused in the soil, we can see how the excess

water is quickly absorbed, keeping the soil damp and fluffy, and

possibly saving the plants as a result.

3. Now the reason this mixture will hold so much liquid is because of

these super-absorbent water crystals.

4. They'll hold over 500 times their weight in water, and if you want to

separate them out, try ripping apart the wadding in the diaper, and

shaking it upside down over a piece of paper. The cotton fluff should

blow away, and you'll be left with just the crystals.

5. Go ahead and throw a little soil into the pot first, then help the plant

get comfortable.

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6. To hold it firm in place, just keep packing more soil until everything

sits tight.

7. We can finish up by giving the plant a bit more water, and now with

the super crystals in your soil, your plant can go twice as long

between waterings, saving you time, and resources.

8. This diaper gel can work on your existing plants as well. As the gel

expands and contracts, it will naturally aerate the soil as it does.

9. Just grab a knife and a spoon, and gently nestle them down between

the roots, and spread them apart to form a gap.

10. Now we dropped some gel down to the roots, work the soil back

together, and continue around the pot until all your water-gel is used

up.

SEED STARTERS

1. If you're looking for a lazy way to get your seeds started, just dump

them into a batch of the grow dough, and give it all a good mix, or you

could even just sprinkle the seeds on top.

2. Fill a container of your choice, add a bit of water, and find a place that

you can set it and forget it.

3. Over the course of a week, the seeds will automatically sprout and

begin to grow, without any extra effort, or any extra water.

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4. For one final idea, you can help preserve your fresh cut flowers, by

adding sugar, vinegar, and a bit of bleach to some warm water.

5. This will create a homemade flower food, and when you add your

slush powder, you'll see it absorbs the solution and slowly grows up to

60 times its size.

6. By agitating the gel you can create an awesome effect that looks like

crushed ice.

7. Not only does it look cool, but it's slowly releasing water as the

flowers need it, and feeding them at the same time. The gel is

completely non-toxic.

GARDENING

It's biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, so it's a great option

for working into your garden.

Not only will this save you on watering costs, but it will also last quite

a few seasons before it needs to be replaced.

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Well now you know how to take an ordinary diaper, and convert it into

an extraordinary super soil, that will help keep your plants happy, and

hopefully keep you happy as well.

CHAPTER IV

DOCUMENTATION

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DIAPER GEL

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HYDRO SOIL

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POTTED PLANTS

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SEED STARTERS

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GARDENING

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

A. Biological fertilization techniques are pertinent strategies for an

efficient and rational use of agricultural resources with minimal

generation of adverse environmental impacts that may affect water

resources, ecosystems or the quality of human life. In addition,

biological fertilizers provide a wide range of possibilities for the

development of conservative agriculture in different geographic,

economic, and cultural backgrounds.

B. Current researches clearly show that bio fertilization techniques

require less chemical inputs on the soil and facilitate the

incorporation of residues that would otherwise go to dumping sites

and landfills, which represents relevant reductions on the

environmental impacts associated to agriculture activities nationally.

C. Limitations of biological fertilization require future research focused

on identifying the options available to tackle the issues and offer valid

frameworks for development of environmentally friendly practices

around the world that allows improvements on the efficiency and

consequent supply of product for the industry in the global economies.

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D. Although several options for application of bio fertilizers are available,

feasibility studies should be carried out by producers and farmers to

effectively select the best option that offers better results and allows

minimizing environmental impacts.

E. Bio solids, animal manures, green manures, composting, microbial

inoculants and seaweeds extracts are techniques widely used in

today’s agriculture, however, their implementation still requires

research, investment, and technological development to fully

understand their impacts on the soil, flora, fauna and, ultimately, on

human health.

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CHAPTER VI

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alegre C y Morales F 2000 Concepción y manejo del suelo en agroecología.

Lima, Perú.

Alfonso E, Leyva A y Hernández A 2005 Microorganismos benéficos como

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We kiss the soil as if we placed a kiss on the hands of a mother, for the homeland is our earthly mother. We consider it our duty to be with

our compatriots in this sublime and difficult moment.

Delima, SJ.Legaspina, C.

Perez, MC.Zerrudo, JE.

20!6researchers

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