Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V (Bicol)
Federico Azuero Estipona Memorial High School
Laguinbanwa, Mandaon, Masbate

Determining the Growth and Yield Performance of Pechay Plant in Applying Aquaculture in
Aeroponics System as Compared to Aquaponics and Traditional
Planting Method

Researcher(s)
Absalon, Lance Clarence U.
Ampil, Mayrein A.
Dacena, Laira May
Garcia, Hasim V.
Mesa, Daeter John A.
Mitra, Eryl B.
Rutor, Krizia Mae
Villamor, Claudine Kate

GERALD REFIL
Research Adviser
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

Agriculture forms the largest sector of national economy in the Philippines. It’s strongly linked

with food security and sustainable agriculture. Due to huge demand on water resources and subsequently

food supply, many new trends in the farming innovative methods which includes a complex agricultural

production system have been evolved. In some instances, the supply for a particular source of food in the

Philippines is low due to drought, catastrophe and even plague the cost or price for specific food

becoming higher.

Vegetable cultivation has been practiced in developed cultures for ages. Vegetables are an

extremely important food source. Aside from providing our vitamin, mineral, and protein needs, they also

provide farmers with a reliable source of revenue (Chauburg, 1984 as cited by Torrefiel, 2006). Growing

vegetables generates a better income than other crops since growers can produce more harvests in a

shorter period of time from a small space.

In comparison to traditional planting method, hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics are three

of the modern agriculture system. Plants are nourished by nutrient-rich water rather than soil. These new

contemporary agriculture techniques require less water and space because they do not fertile land to be

effective. In addition to improved yields and water efficiency, these new modern systems can be

engineered to allow continuous production throughout the year when used in a controlled environment.

Into this regard, Filipinos are ensured to harvest a chemical free product that they harvested.
 Many recent advancements in agriculture have increased the ability to manage all agricultural

technology because it gives them more control over output, more sustainable operations and more

flexibility as the weather changes. Pechay (Brassica napus L.) is a popular vegetable in the Philippines

that belongs to the Brassica family. It is also regarded as one of Asia's earliest green veggies. As a result,

it plays a major part in both the Philippine economy and the Filipino people's nutrition. Pechay is mostly

used for its soft, young, yet completely developed leaves. The succulent petioles are frequently chosen.

Soups and stir-fried dishes contain it as a primary ingredient. Its green petioles and leaves are sometimes

used as garnish in Chinese cuisine.

Aeroponics is actually a subgroup of hydroponics, except that it uses no growing medium at all,

and the plant grow by misting rich nutrients water. Plant roots in this system are suspended in a dark

enclosure, while a nutrient-dense solution is sprayed on the roots at certain intervals. Aquaponics system

relies on the integrated relationship between the animals and the plants to maintain a stable aquatic

environment that experience a minimum of fluctuation in ambient nutrient and oxygen levels. So

aquaponics is the marriage of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soilless growing of plants)

that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food

source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water the fish live in. The third

participants are the microbes (nitrifying bacteria) and composting red worms that thrive in the growing

media. Those microbes are converting the ammonia from the fish waste first into nitrites, then into

nitrates and the solids into compost that are food for the plants.

Due to many debates as to which method of those three new farming system would come out on the top:

hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics. This paper will look at the outcome of applying aquaculture in

aeroponics. The paper will analyze and compare the combination of aquaculture with aeroponics and
aquaculture with hydroponics (aquaponics) as compared with the conventional. In this comparison, the

goal is to assess the impact and performance of growing Pechay plant in applying aquaculture in

aeroponics.

Statement of the Problem

Traditional agriculture can have a wide range of negative environmental consequences.

Historically, traditional planting method has been described as the practice of cultivating crops in the

open air, in soil and the application of fertilizers actively. The excessive and inefficient use of water as

well as the vast scale of conventional agriculture are some of the negative effects. The system requires a

lot of irrigation water and fertilizers.

Nowadays, traditional planting method does not meet the current and future demand of food.

Therefore, there is a real need for adapting new farming system that stimulates plants to grow faster and

has a better growth performance. This system should cover the fast-growing demand with less cost and

minimum consumption of natural resources. Traditional planting system have become a burden on the

planet, especially in terms of the land they occupy and the resources they consumed. Aquaponics

Hydroponics and Aeroponics are sustainable alternative to provide a product that requires less water and

less space that will increase the yield per unit area. Due to rising awareness of chemicals and

contaminants in the food supply, people are looking for safer alternatives. Fortunately, new requirements.

Which plants will develop strong resistance and were are also much more consistent result in these

techniques. The researchers aim to know what could be the effect of applying aquaculture in aeroponics

in growing Pechay Plant.

This study focus to determine the growth and yield performance of Pechay plant in a combined method of

Aquaculture with aeroponics system as compared to Aquaponics and Traditional Planting Method,

specifically it aims to answer the following question:

 What methods gives the best result in terms of

a. Growth rate of plant

b. Number of leaves per replication

c. Weight of the plant

d. color of the leaves

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of combining aquaculture and aeroponics system in

the growth and yield performance of Pechay plant?

 Is combining aquaculture and aeroponics gives better yield and growth performance of pechay

than other methods?

 What is the effect of combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system in growing Pechay plant.

Significance of the study

This study will benefit the following norms:

Farmers:

This study could aid farmers in making informed decisions about farming strategies. They can be

guided in selecting appropriate farming strategies for farmers. They must consider which approaches are

exact and accurate in order to increase crop yield. Because they are the ones that rely on farmers, this

research will most likely benefit them.

This study can be a valuable resource for future researchers, especially because it is

frequently discussed. However, agriculture sectors are unaware of the full scale of

aquaculture, aeroponics, and hydroponics. Researchers can help people understand the

necessity of learning about new agricultural techniques that will lead to more sustainable

farming.

Agriculture Students:

Students from the College of Agriculture may profit from this research by widening their

perspectives on the recently discussed topic. This will also connect to key issues in their

studies of plant growth and animal behavior. This research will also be in addition to their

previous understanding of similar topics.

Biology Students:

Students enrolled in Biology classes will learn about water quality issues such as the

nitrogen cycle, ammonia, and nitrates. colonizing bacteria, nitrites Plant growth,

photosynthesis, and plant-consumer exchange are all botanical metrics. Animal cures and

diseases, animal production, and other experimental techniques are among the zoological

motives.
 STEM Students:

This will allow STEM students to use this research primarily in the field of science. To

gain information, comprehension, and experience in major subjects such as Biology, as well

as to make such topics more accessible. Finally, explain how this upgraded complicated

network will help the community.

Hypothesis

Null hypothesis

The following null was formulated and tested at 0.5 level of significance

H 0 1. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of Growth rate of Pechay plant.

H 0 2. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of number of leaves replication.

H 0 3. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of Weight of plant.

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of color of leaves.

Alternative Hypothesis

H 1 1. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of Growth rate of Pechay plant.

H 1 2. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of number of leaves replication.

H 1 3. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of Weight of plant.

H 1 4. The results of Combining Aquaculture and Aeroponics system has no significant difference

between Aquaponics and Traditional planting method in terms of color of leaves.

CHAPTER II

BACKGROUND

Literature Review

Definition of Terms

Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter focuses on what methods of data collection were used to receive the most suitable

information for this study. The methodologies will include area such as the research design, research

locale, data gathering procedure, instrumentation, statistical tools and scope and limitation.

Research Locale

The study will take place at Burgos’ residence, Laguinbanwa, Mandaon, Masbate. The place was

selected because it only about a minutes walking to reach the researcher’s school and for consistent

observation.

Research Design

Experimental research design is used in conducting this study which  relies on statistical analysis

to prove or disprove the hypothesis, making it the most accurate form of research. Experimental design is

the process of doing research in an objective and controlled manner in order to maximize precision and

reach particular conclusions about a hypothesis statement. The goal is to figure out what effect a factor or

independent variable has on a dependent variable.

Statistical treatment

The growth of the Brassica rapa, popularly known as Pechay, was measured in growth rate,

weight of the plant, number of leaves per replication and color of leaves. Three treatments were
employed, these were applying aquaculture in aeroponics (T 1), aquaponics system (T2) and traditional

planting method (T3). Nine replications were made and distributed following Randomized Control Block

Design (RCBD)

Randomization and Layout

Materials needed

27 plastic cups
Tilapia
Thermo chest Styrofoam
Misting nozzles
Water pump
Water filter
Pechay Plant
Water
Growing method

In growing pecha

REFERENCE

1. Michael A. Nichols (2004) Aeroponics - A production system and research tool