INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Agriculture has been the traditional backbone of the Philippines’ economy and
farming is still by far the most common form of employment in the country. The major
agricultural land utilization by area harvested is devoted to rice, corn, coconut, fruits and
vegetables (Amongo, 2011). Among the provinces in CAR, Benguet is known as the
major producer of vegetables. One of the popular vegetable crops produced by the
farmers in Benguet is romaine lettuce.
Romaine (Lactuva sativa), also known as “Cos”, is a lettuce that produces
elongated heads. It is exceptionally crisp, slightly bitter, and is characterized by long,
narrow leaves with thick ribs. The name romaine suggests the lettuce was discovered in
Rome, and the lettuce does well growing in the Mediterranean climate. Romaine lettuce
is being cooked and is being eaten raw, and it is one ingredient of sandwich wraps and
salads. It has high demand due to its health benefits and nutrient richness.
Producing romaine lettuce with a variety of green tower organically will sustain
the good quality of the crop. Organic farming is preferred as it battles pest and weeds in a
non-toxic manner, involves less input costs for cultivation and preserves the ecologic
balance while promoting biological diversity and protection of the environment. Organic
agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.
Mokusaku is one of the few organic produced that can enhance vegetable production.
Mokusaku, also known as 'wood vinegar', is a liquid produced from a composting

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mixture of wood, coconut shell, bamboo, grass, and other plants. It can be used as
pesticide, insecticide, or soil conditioner.
Application of organic fertilizer improves the physical, chemical and biological
properties of the soil with direct impact on moisture retention, root growth, nutrient
conservation, etc. The cost of inorganic fertilizers can be reduced by using traditional
application of organic manures such silkworm litter as manure. Silkworm waste compost
contains approximately 2.00-2.24% N, 0.93-1.00% P, and 1.5-1.8% K besides Zn, Fe, Mn
and Cu as micronutrients. Rajendran (2012) stated that application of silkworm manure is
better compared to biogas slurry fertilizer.
As Susan Patterson stated, addition of molasses to organic liquid fertilizers,
compost tea, alfalfa meal tea and kelp provides food for the healthy microbes in the soil.
The greater amount of microbial activity in the soil, the healthier plants will be. She also
add that adding molasses at a rate of 1 to 3 tablespoons to 1 gallon of organic liquid
fertilizer gives the fertilizer a tremendous boost. The addition of molasses to these
fertilizers helps to balance out the carbon nitrogen ratio and provide a good balance of
vital nutrients to plants and the soil.
With the application of silkworm manure, increases plant nutrient and Vitamin C
contents, decrease the plant nitrate content, improve the soil pH value, and increase the
soil available nutrients, organic matter contents and soil enzymes activities (Chen et al.,
2011).
Today, several countries are producing silk on a commercial scale, mostly in Asia
that is also the traditional source of the world. In the Philippines, the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) established silkworm production projects in the region.
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Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is in line with this project
wherein they are the source of silkworms being grown by the farmers in CAR to produce
cocoons for making silk.
With the growing production of silkworms and cocoons in the region can made
the production of organic fertilizers through silkworm manure possible. According to the
PhiFIDA in La Trinidad, Benguet, a ten thousand silkworms can produce 250 kg of
manure in just one to two months until the silkworms form cocoons. But because it is not
known as fertilizer, this manure are just being thrown. So a research were conducted to
address this problem and the manure capability as organic fertilizer.
According to Bhardwaj, et al. (2012), drip irrigation delivers water directly to
plants through small plastic tubes. International Development Enterprises (IDE) states
that through drip irrigation, water losses due to run-off and deep percolation are
minimized and water savings of 50-80% are achieved when compared to most traditional
surface irrigation methods. In addition, Sela, G. stated that drip irrigation allows for
flexibility in the application of fertilizers, since fertilizers can be easily applied through
the irrigation water (fertigation). This way nutrients are delivered with the irrigation
water, directly to the active root zone of the plants.
Statement of the Problem
Farmers practice in Benguet is chemical-based farming. Farmers are not
considering the negative effect of the chemicals to the soil, to the environment and to
human health. Because of continues and inappropriate application of chemical fertilizers,

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the soil fertility decline and the soil diseases were born which causes the decrease in crop
yield.
Inorganic fertilizer cost in the province of Benguet is ranging from Php. 1,100 to
Php. 1,500. Application of nitrogenous fertilizers for a longer period of time also lead to
the increase of salts in the soil, change pH of the soil solution as well as soil biogeny of
those microbes that are important for soil fertility (Tilman et al. 1998). The intensive use
of chemicals in the conventional agricultural production is one of the factors that affect
the reduction in biodiversity, nitrogen leaching, soils and water contaminations (Kennedy
et al. 2004). As such, fertilization is present day crop production though imminent but
identified as dangerous from the aspect of pollution of the environment (Kennedy et al.
2004).
Silkworm manures are just thrown by the farmers yet it is beneficial to the soil
fertility. Fertigation is also a practice of farmers in Benguet but usually using synthetic
fertilizers. So to maintain the soil fertility, silkworm manure tea will be used to fertigate
crop like romaine. Sivanappan (2002) added that fertigation systems add the correct
amount of fertilizer according to the plants’ nutrient deficiencies.
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study is to determine the effects of different
concentrations of the silkworm manure tea on the growth and yield of drip-fertigated
romaine lettuce.
It specifically aims:
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1. To evaluate the effect of different concentration of silkworm manure tea on the
growth of romaine lettuce based on weekly plant height, and weekly leaf
proliferation.
2. To evaluate the effect of different concentration of silkworm manure tea on the
yield of romaine lettuce based on plant height, harvested weight, and marketable
yield.
3. To perform a simple cost analysis of the drip fertigation system.
Significance of the Study
The importance of the study is to introduce the silkworm manure to use to
fertigate plants, and will strengthen more the culture of organic farming and to lead
farmers to lessen the application of synthetic fertilizers. Silkworm manure could be used
as a nitrogen source in replacing chemical fertilizers for vegetable crop production
(Madan, 1989).
Using organic fertilizer could improve soil fertility, reduction in dependency or
utilization of inorganic fertilizer and possible additional income for vegetable growers.
Also, utilization of silkworm manure could increase the income of silkworm growers.
Fertigation method helps in achieving saving in irrigation water, increased water-
use efficiency, higher quality products, increased crop yields and higher fertilizer-use
efficiency (Qureshi et al., 2001).

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Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study was limited only on the growth and yield of drip-fertigated romaine
lettuce as affected by different concentration of silkworm manure tea.
Time and Place of the Study
This study was conducted at Barangay Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet from
February 2019 to April 2019.

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INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

farmers in Benguet is romaine lettuce.

Romaine (Lactuva sativa), also known as “Cos”, is a lettuce that produces

elongated heads. It is exceptionally crisp, slightly bitter, and is characterized by long,

Mokusaku, also known as 'wood vinegar', is a liquid produced from a composting

pesticide, insecticide, or soil conditioner.

Application of organic fertilizer improves the physical, chemical and biological

contains approximately 2.00-2.24% N, 0.93-1.00% P, and 1.5-1.8% K besides Zn, Fe, Mn

and Cu as micronutrients. Rajendran (2012) stated that application of silkworm manure is

better compared to biogas slurry fertilizer.

As Susan Patterson stated, addition of molasses to organic liquid fertilizers,

add that adding molasses at a rate of 1 to 3 tablespoons to 1 gallon of organic liquid

vital nutrients to plants and the soil.

cocoons for making silk.

PhiFIDA in La Trinidad, Benguet, a ten thousand silkworms can produce 250 kg of

address this problem and the manure capability as organic fertilizer.

According to Bhardwaj, et al. (2012), drip irrigation delivers water directly to

water, directly to the active root zone of the plants.

Statement of the Problem

Farmers practice in Benguet is chemical-based farming. Farmers are not

human health. Because of continues and inappropriate application of chemical fertilizers,

amount of fertilizer according to the plants’ nutrient deficiencies.

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to determine the effects of different

1. To evaluate the effect of different concentration of silkworm manure tea on the

2. To evaluate the effect of different concentration of silkworm manure tea on the

3. To perform a simple cost analysis of the drip fertigation system.

Significance of the Study

The importance of the study is to introduce the silkworm manure to use to

as a nitrogen source in replacing chemical fertilizers for vegetable crop production

Using organic fertilizer could improve soil fertility, reduction in dependency or

Fertigation method helps in achieving saving in irrigation water, increased water-

efficiency (Qureshi et al., 2001).

Scope and Limitation of the Study

lettuce as affected by different concentration of silkworm manure tea.

Time and Place of the Study

This study was conducted at Barangay Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet from

February 2019 to April 2019.

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