I. Background Pechay (Brassica rapa L.

Efficacy Test Report
Efficacy Test of BIONUTRI as Soil Conditioner for Pechay (var. Pavo)
I.
Background
Pechay (Brassica rapa L.) belongs to the green leafy vegetable and has been
used in Asian cooking for centuries. The leaves are delicious and crispy, and are
excellent sources of Vitamin A, folic acid and essential elements such calcium
and potassium, and fiber.
BIONUTRI is a natural plant nutrient which is low in sodium, yet rich in
magnesium, chloride, a source of chloride and magnesium nutrients. It is in ionic
form that can easily absorb by the plants.
Natural mineral contents:
Minerals
Specifications
Chloride
Magnesium
Sulfate
Sodium
Potassium
Chemical analysis:
Component
Magnesium Chloride
(MgCl2)
Sulfate (S04)
Potassium (K)
Sodium (Na)
Water (H2O
220-350 mg/ml
75-110 mg/ml
5-50 mg/ml
<4 ml/ml
>1mg/ml
Amount used in the
formulation
285 mg/ml
93 mg/ml
28 mg/ml
2 mg/ml
1 mg/ml
Typical/normal (%)
30.0
Range (%)
29.0 - 31.5
0.4
0.3
0.3
66
0.3 - 0.8
0.1- 0.5
0.1 -0.7
64 - 69
Heavy metals contents:
Lead (Pb)
Aluminum (Al)
Mercury (Hg)
Arsenic (Ar)
Cadmium (Cd)
<0.5 ppm
<1 ppm
<0.1 ppm
<1 ppm
<0.5 ppm
Microbial test for pathogens
E. Coli
Salmonella
Negative
Negative
Total Coiliforms
Total Plate Count
<300/g
<10,000/g
Product Advantage:
1. Balance and complete
2. Pure and concentrated
3. Macro, micro and trace minerals has functional properties that improve
immune system of plants
4. Convenient and economical
Because of its important and high mineral contents needed by the plants, it may
be suitable as a soil conditioner. A soil conditioner (as cited in FPA Memo
Circular No. 96-08) is any organic or inorganic material, natural or synthetic, that
is applied to the soil to modify certain soil physical properties, such as structure,
moisture retaining capacity, shrinking and swelling capacity or resistivity to
crusting and to improve soil chemical and biological conditions.
II.
Objectives
1. To determine the effect of BIONUTRI Soil Conditioner on yield of
pechay.
2. To determine if the application of BIONUTRI alone or in
combination with conventional inorganic fertilizer can significantly
increase the yield of pechay.
III.
IV.
Researcher
Dr. Nemesio U. Trillana
Consultant, Kits Farm
Bacolor, San Fernando, Pampanga
FPA Researcher Accreditation No. PNT- 220
Materials and Methods
1. Test crop: Pechay seeds of the variety Pavo was used.
2. Site Description:
The field efficacy was conducted in Barangay Upig, San Ildefonso,
Bulacan. The area is flat, has adequate irrigation facilities, accessible,
has the same previous cropping, fertilizer and cultural treatment
history. The area was planted previously with ampalaya. The soil type
is clay loam with a pH of 6.8, 0.58 % of organic matter, available P and
K of 96 ppm (Olsen P) and 0.76 cmol (+) kg soil respectively (based on
soil chemical analysis).
3. Test fertilizer:
BIONUTRI (Brand name)
4. Method and time of application of the product BIONUTRI
a. Seeds application
The seeds were wrapped with clean cloth and soaked in water for
T1,T2 and T3 and in diluted solution of BIONUTRI overnight (as in
Ragdoll method of germinating the seeds) for T4,T5 and T6. On the
following day in the morning, all the seeds were air-dried and sown into
the sowing media in the seedling trays.
:
b. As foliar spray after transplanting
Fifteen milliliters (15 ml) BIONUTRI was mixed into 16 liters of
water in knapsack sprayer. Applications were done at 7, 14 & 21
days after transplanting for T4, T5 and T6.
c. Reference fertilizer ( conventional fertilizer)
The conventional fertilizer recommendation based on soil analysis
was 6 bags of Urea (46-0-0).
Basal application of 1/3 (2 bags
Urea) of the requirement and sidedress application of 2/3 (4 bags
Urea) were applied into equal doses at 7 days and 14 days after
transplanting.
d. Treatments
T1-
control (no fertilizer, no BIONUTRI)
T2- recommended rate of conventional fertilizer (RRCF)
T3- ½ RRCF
T4- ½ RRCF + recommended rate of BIONUTRI
T5- BIONUTRI
T6- RRCF + BIONUTRI
The test was laid out in a randomized complete block design
(RCBD) with the treatments replicated at 3 times. Plot size was 4m
x 5m or 20 sqm. Data were analyzed for ANOVA and Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT) for treatment comparisons.
5. Recommended cultural practices
a. Land Preparation
The experimental area was plowed, harrowed and divided into 3 blocks
with 6 plots each. Eighteen (18) plots of 30 cm high and 4m x 5m in
size were constructed.
b. Raising of Seedlings and transplanting
The seedlings were sown and raised in the seedling trays for 10-14 days, after
which they were transplanted in plots of 4m x 5m at a distance of 20 cm x 20 cm
for yield assessment.
:
c. Fertilizer Application
The recommended rate of commercial fertilizer application for
pechay based on the result of soil analysis was followed. The
conventional fertilizer recommendation based on soil analysis was
6 bags of Urea (46-0-0). Basal application of 1/3 (2 bags Urea) of
the requirement and sidedress application of 2/3 (4 bags Urea) we
applied into egual doses at 7 days and 14 days after transplanting.
d. Irrigation and Drainage
A manual sprinkler method of watering was employed everyday or
whenever necessary.
e. Harvesting and handling
The harvesting was done at 28 days after transplanting.
6. Parameters gathered at harvest
The following data were gathered:
1. Average weight per plant of pechay (in grams harvested in
4 sq.m. sampling area)
2. Yield (marketable clusters) in ton per hectare. The
marketable size of pechay clusters were picked up and the
total yield for every picking schedule was obtained. Yield
was expressed in terms of tons/ha.
V.
Results and Discussion:
BIONUTRI applications on seeds resulted to better seeds
germination and more vigorous seedlings than just soaking in tap
water (Figure 1).
Table 1 showed that the application of BIONUTRI with full rate of RRC (T6)
gave significantly the highest average weight per plant corresponding to 131
grams. The positive combined effects of BIONUTRI were observed when it
is added both with full rate of RRC (T6) and with half rate of RRC (T4).
BIONUTRI alone (T5) performs well with significantly heavier weights of
pechay than the conventional fertilizer at both half (T3) and full rate dose
(T2)).
Table1. Average weight of pechay ( grams) as affected by BIONUTRI.
Treatment
T1- Control
T2 – RRCF
T3 – 0.5 RRCF
T4 – 0.5 RRCF + RRBN
T5 – RRBN
T6 – RRCF + RRBN
Replication
1
2
35
34
90
89.5
69
68
128.7
128.
92.3
92.
130
130
Mean*
3
35
89.
69
130
93
132
RRCF – Recommended Rate of Conventional Fertilizer
RRBN - Recommended Rate of BIONUTRI
*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different as 5% alpha.
34.67 F
89.5 D
69.0 E
128.9 B
92.43 C
131 A
In terms of yield, the data in Table 2 showed that the highest yield of 26.2
tons per hectare was observed in T6 (RRCF+ RRBN). The positive combined
effects of BIONUTRI were observed when it is added both with full rate of
RRCF in T6 and with half rate of RRCF (T4).
The heavier weights of pechay resulted to higher yields per hectare can
attributed to BIONUTRI applications on seeds resulted to more vigorous
seedlings than just soaking in water as observed before transplanting (Figure
1) and its applications alone and combined with half and full dose of
conventional fertilizers at 7, 14 and 21 days after planting produced better
harvest of more vigorous and bigger leaves (Figures 1 and 2).
The BIONUTRI as an organic soil conditioner has a product advantage of the
following:
1. Balance and complete
2. Pure and concentrated
3. Macro, micro and trace minerals has functional properties that improve
immune system of plants
4. Convenient and economical
Table 2. Yield of pechay (in tons per hectare) as affected by BIONUTRI.
Treatment
T1- Control
T2 – RRCF
T3 – 0.5 RRCF
T4 – 0.5 RRCF + RR BN
T5 – RR BN
T6 – RRCF + RR BN
1
7
18.1
14
25.3
18.4
26.2
Replication
2
6.8
17.7
13.7
25.74
18.46
26.0
Mean*
3
7
17.9
13.7
26.3
18.6
26.4
6.93 F
17.9 D
13.8 E
25.78 B
18.49 C
26.2 A
RRCF – Recommended Rate of Conventional Fertilizer
RRBN - Recommended Rate of BIONUTRI
*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different as 5% alpha.
VI.
Conclusion:
BIONUTRI applications on seeds resulted to better seeds germination
and more vigorous seedlings than just soaking in water; and its
applications at 7, 14 and 21 days after planting alone and in
combination with half and full dose of conventional fertilizers produced
significantly better harvest of more vigorous and bigger leaves.
Figure1.Germination of pechay seeds and seedlings vigor as affected by soaking
overnight in BIONUTRI and tap water before sowing.
Figure2. Pictures of the standing crop in the field at different treatments
before harvest.
Figure3. Pictures of the harvested samples of pechay plants at different
treatments.
VII.
References:
1. AVRDC. Vegetable Production Training Manual.1985. 154-184.
Tainan, Taiwan.
2. Dufault, R.J. 1985. Relationship among nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium fertility regimes on celery transplant growth. Hort
Science 20, 1104-1106.
3. Kratky, B.A. and Mishima, H.Y. 1981. Lettuce seedling and yield
response to pre-plant and foliar fertilization during transplant
production. Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Science
106, 3-7.
4. Masson, J.,Tremblay, N. and Gosselin, A. 1991. Nitrogen
fertilization and HPS supplementary lighting influence vegetable
transplant production. Journal of the American Society of
Horticultural Science 116, 594-598.
5. Siemonsma, J.S., and Kasem Piluek. 1993. Plant Resources of
Southeast Asia No. 8 –Vegetables. Pudoc Scientific Publishers,
Wagenigen, the Netherlands. 130-134.
Field Experimental Lay-out
R1T4
R2T2
R3T3
R1T6
R2T5
R3T2
R1T5
R2T4
R3T1
R1T1
R2T3
R3T4