Growth and Yield Performance of the Different Varieties of Pechay (Brassica chinensis) as Affected by the Different Organic Fertilizers under MSU-Marawi Condition

Abstract

Most farmers traditionally use chemical or inorganic fertilizers in their farms because of its availability in the market. However, these types of fertilizers are expensive and develop soil acidity if continuously used. Organic fertilizers are now a promising method for sustainable farming in which most affordable compared to synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are produced from animal manures, crop residues, organic wastes through earthworm and other farm by-products. These improve the physical, chemical and microbial status of the soil. However, the use of organic fertilizers are not widely adopted by farmers due to low nutrient composition, bulky and require more time and labor for collection, storage, transport and application. Thus, this study aimed to determine the growth and yield performance of the varieties of pechay treated by the different organic fertilizers. Specifically it sought to determine and compare the effects of the different sources of organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of the different varieties of pechay; to determine which of the different sources of organic fertilizers gives the highest yield using the different varieties of pechay; and to determine which of the different treatment combinations (varieties of pechay and sources of fertilizers) gives the highest yield. The organic fertilizers used in the study were F₁ (carabao manure), F₂ (goat manure), and F₃ (vermicast). Twenty five (25) grams per hill as recommended rate was applied basally in each source of organic fertilizer. The experimental design used was a 2x3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).  The primary distinguishing feature of the RCBD is the presence of blocks of equal size, each of which contains all the treatments. It is composed of six (6) treatment combinations; two (2) varieties of pechay as factor A and three (3) different organic fertilizers as factor B and replicated three (3) times. The result of the study revealed that the highest yield was obtained in the treatment T₃ (V₁F₃ -Black Behi x vermicast) that differed significantly from the treatment T₄ (V₂F₁ -Haridigma x carabao manure).