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Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Background of the Study

All people want to have a healthy environment in their yard at

home. People are vigilant in selecting the right fertilizer for the crop to

further improve its growth and have a larger mass as expected. Instead of

using such chemical-based fertilizer in growing their plants, people looked

for an alternative organic fertilizer in order to achieve a healthy

environment. Chili Pepper is one of the basic ingredients for making spices

and as a human, it’s quite expensive to buy this in the market instead of,

let’s be practical in spending our money so we planted chili pepper in our

garden.

Among the soil nutrient elements, phosphorus is the second most

essential after nitrogen. Many studies showed that application of

phosphoric fertilizers generally had a great impact on crop yields because

phosphorus deficiency limited the response of plants to other nutrients,

especially on highly weathered and leached soils of both tropical and

temperate regions of the world where soil acidity caused infertility and

general limitation to crop production. According to Jones (2005), soils from

the forest of Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zones were deficient in

phosphorus and application of phosphate fertilizers to build up the soil.

Phosphorus reserve was imperative if the annual and long-term

requirements of phosphorus by crops have met. (Retrieved from

https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2005.1785.1791 last October 2018)

Plant nutrients are necessary for plant growth especially in chili.

Carbon and oxygen were absorbed by the leaf from the air, while other

nutrients were absorbed by the roots. If essential elements needed by the

plants were not enough to sustain its growth cycle, signs of nutrient

deficiency can be observed through the leaves. Two types of plant

nutrients are the macro-nutrients and the micro-nutrients. The macro-

nutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue

in quantities from 0.2% to 4.0% on a dry matter weight basis. Micro-

nutrients are present in plant tissue in quantities measured in parts per

million, ranging from 5 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.2% dry weight.

(Retrieved from http://aquaponicsphilippines.com/plant-nutrients/ last

October 2018)

Organic farming only uses natural fertilizers and pesticides, this

includes bone meal from animals and pyrethrin from flowers. It prohibits

the use of synthetic petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides on crops and

live stocks. In Mindanao, the municipality of Dumingag has been leading

the way in the implementation of organic farming and have produced

many success stories on their continuing implementation of the ecology-

friendly program. “Organic farming produces a fruits and vegetables that

are free from synthetic pesticides and its harmful effects to the human

body. This explains why organic products are sold at a higher price than

regular produce”, explained Dumingag Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga, Jr.

(2015). (Retrieved from http://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/kapatagan-

lgu-champions-organic-farming/amp/ last October 2018)

This study aimed to grow chili pepper plant faster and healthier.

The calcium infusion from bone meal helps plants develop strong and

healthy cells and seeds. Farmers, students, gardeners, and the researchers

will benefit this study.

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of this research was to examine the effects of

applying bone meal as chili pepper plant measure enricher. Specifically,

this study sought to find answers to the following questions:

1. What is the average length of chili pepper plant before

intervention in the following set-ups:

a. Control set-up; and

b. Experimental set-up?

2. What is the average number of leaves of chili pepper plant before

intervention in the following set-ups:

a. Control set-up; and

b. Experimental set-up?

3. What is the average length of chili pepper plant after intervention

in the following set-ups:

a. Control set-up; and

b. Experimental set-up?

4. What is the average number of leaves of chili pepper plant after

intervention in the following set-ups:

a. Control set-up; and

b. Experimental set-up?

5. Is there a significant difference in terms of the average length and

number of leaves in both control and experimental set-up after

intervention?
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6. Is there a significant between control set-up and experimental set-

up after four weeks of intervention?

Hypotheses

1. There is no significant difference on the measure of chili pepper

plants between pre-test and post-test in both the control and

experimental set-up.

2. There is no significant difference on the measure of chili pepper

plant after the intervention when analysed according to set-up

(control experimental).

3. There is no significant difference on the growth of chili pepper

plant after the intervention when analysed according to

experimental set-up.

Review of Related Literature

This presented a review of some researchers and publications for the

purpose of providing a background of the perceptions under study.

Bone Meal. According to Jeng, A.S, Haraldsen, T.K., Grønlund, A. et

Al. (Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst (2006) 76: 183.) meat and bone dinner (MBM)

contains obvious measures of aggregate nitrogen (~8%), phosphorus (~5%)

and calcium (~10%). It might along these lines be a valuable compost for
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different harvests. This paper indicates results from both pot and field

probes the N and P impacts of MBM. In two field explores different

avenues regarding spring wheat, expanding measures of MBM (500, 1000,

2000 kg MBM ha−1) demonstrated a straight yield increment identified

with the N-supply. A comparable try different things with grain gave

positive yield increment for 500 kg MBM ha−1 and no further yield

increment for bigger measures of MBM. Supply of additional mineral P

gave no yield increment when 500 kg MBM ha−1 or more was connected.

Meat and bone dinner as P compost was examined in nursery tests

utilizing spring grain and rye grass as test crops. N applications were 100

N kg ha−1 to grain and 200 kg N ha−1 to rye grass, either from mineral

compost or accepting that 80% of aggregate N in MBM was powerful. Four

distinctive P lacking soils were given expanding measurements of MBM

and contrasted and compound NPK compost 11-5-18, mineral N manure (0

kg P ha−1) and a control (0 kg N ha−1, 0 kg P ha−1). In grain there was no

noteworthy yield distinction between the NPK treatment and MBM

treatment with measure up to N supply, and both had critical higher yield

than the treatment getting a similar measure of mineral N without P-

supply. The positive yield reaction of MBM was considerably bigger in rye

grass. Both in grain and rye grass a noteworthy lingering impact of P from

MBM connected the prior year was discovered when the medicines got a
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similar measure of mineral N compost (0 kg P ha−1). The pot tests

affirmed the accepted N impact of MBM. At the point when MBM is

utilized by the N request of the harvests, the P supply will be more than

adequate and leftover P will be left in the dirt. Since a piece of this

lingering P was used by the harvests of the next year, it isn't prescribed to

apply P-manure the year after MBM application. (Retrieved from

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10705-005-5170-y last

August 2018)

Chili Pepper Plant. Capsicum annuum, bell, sweet, or chili pepper—

with cultivated varieties including bell, sweet, chili, and paprika peppers

—is a perennial herbaceous plants in the Solanaceae (nightshade family),

which originated in Central and South America and the Caribbean and

was domesticated over 5,000 years ago. Peppers from C. annuum have been

developed into numerous varieties that are now cultivated around the

world for sweet and hot varieties of green and red bell peppers and chili

peppers, that are one of the world’s most widely used spices, with dried

forms including paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. (Retrieved from

http://eol.org/pages/581098/details last August 2018)

Capsicum annuum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in)

by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost

tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds

ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both

male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and

heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral

and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.

It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. (Retrieved from

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Capsicum+annuum last

August 2018)

According to archaeological research, wild ancestors of this species

evolved in Bolivia and southern Brazil and were first domesticated about

6,100 years ago. While the species is quite tolerant of weather extremes it is

especially productive in warm and dry climates and cannot survive in very

cold conditions. They can be grown as perennials where temperatures

remain between 60F and 85F all year round. (Retrieved from

www.worldofchillies.com last August 2019)

Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

This study was anchored in the theory of Liebig (1840), who was

often described as the “father of the fertilizer industry” he recognized that

plants could benefit from substituting chemical fertilizers for the natural

products being used at the time and was credited for developing the first
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nitrogen-based fertilizer. There were a set of nutrients that were essential

for plant growth to occur: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were the

major nutrients; calcium, magnesium, and sulfur were the secondary

nutrients; the micronutrients were boron, chlorine, copper, iron,

manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. All of these nutrients played specific,

sometimes overlapping and sometimes different, roles within the plant. If

any of them are deficient the plant will be affected. Plants showed

deficiency symptoms if they don’t have enough of the essential nutrients

available for uptake.

Liebig’s suggest using bones as a fertilizer base, bone meal was

considered the oldest phosphorus fertilizer. Bone meal was a natural

fertilizer source of phosphorus and calcium that was slowly broken down

and released over time in a form that is readily available for plants. It also

helped to increase winter hardiness in plants through the development of

strong root systems. The most essential function of phosphorus within

plants was in energy storage and transfer almost every metabolic reaction

in plants uses phosphorus in one form or another.

Control Group
Pretesting of (No application of
Control and grounded animal
Experimental bone)
Group in terms
Water only Chili Experimenta
of:
Pepper tion for four
- Length Experimental (4) weeks
- Number Group Plant
of leaves
- ½
tablespoon
Post-testing of Control and
of grounded
Experimental Group in terms of:
animal bone
meal - Length
- 1 tablespoon - Number of leaves
of grounded
animal bone
meal
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Analysis of the Results

Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

Calcium was involved in cell elongation and division resulting in

healthy cell formation and was crucial in transport of nutrients within the

plant. A calcium deficiency within the soil, or within the plant, caused

plant growth to cease.

The study followed a conceptual paradigm model which provided

an understandable way of viewing the diagram and getting its meaning.

The illustration was followed starting from left to right showing first

the pre-testing of the chili pepper plant in control group and experimental

group in terms of length, number of fruits and number of leaves. After pre-

testing, the application of water excluding the bone meal to control group,

chili pepper plant and the application of different kinds of bone meal to
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chili pepper plant (experimental group). Experimentation was done in four

weeks every two consecutive days of checking and postesting of the

control group and experimental group in terms of length and number of

leaves. And the analysis of the results was followed immediately after

experiments were done.

Significance of the Study

This study contains a different and more natural way of improving

the growth of Chili Pepper plant which would be beneficial to the

following:

Farmers. The results of this study will provide the farmers an

efficient way of growing their chili. This study will give them a little

knowledge and realization whether is it really affective, of using the bone

meal as their essential fertilizer.

Gardeners. For those choosing to grow their own chili plant, these

data would give them knowledge just as the same as the farmers. The

gardeners would be able understand that it would be really efficient to use

bone meal as an alternative fertilizer.

Future Researchers. They will have a basis on having bone meal as

an alternative fertilizer. If they are planning to plant their own chili plant,

this can be used as their data.

Students. The outcome of this study will give them some

information about the bone meal and it would be really affective to use for

the chili plant.

Department of Agriculture. This examination would be an

extraordinary help in advancing the utilization of bone meal for the

characteristic and qualities of chili plants.

Definition of Terms

The terms in this study were defined conceptually and

operationally.

Bone Meal. A mixture of coarse and finely ground animal bones. It

is often made from beef bones, but can be the bones of any commonly

slaughtered animal. (maximumyield.com, 2018). In this study, it was

primarily used as a fertilizer, particularly in organic gardening, as it was

an excellent source of phosphorus and protein. In addition, it was

accustomed as an enhancer for Chili Pepper plant.

Fertilizer. A natural or synthetic, chemical-based substance that is

used to enhance plant growth and fertility. (maximumyield.com, 2018). In

this study, it was worked into soil to increase its capacity to support plant

growth.

Organic. Are things that are grown or made without the use of

artificial chemicals. (MerriamWebster.com, 2018). In this study, it was

referred to the fertilizer that was being put into the chili pepper plant.

Growth. The process of increasing in physical size. (English Filipino

Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it referred to the maximum growth of the

Chili Pepper plant.

Fruit. The sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that

contains seed and can be eaten as food. (English Filipino Dictionary, 2018).

In this study, it was referred to the maximum number of fruits that the

Chili Pepper plant has produced.

Leaves. A usually green, flattened, lateral structure attached to a

stem and functioning as a principal organ of photosynthesis and

transpiration in most plants. (www.thefreedictionary.com, 2018). In this

study, it was referred to the maximum number of leaves that the Chili

Pepper plant has produced.