The Effect of Liquid Fertilizers Made of Mangifera indica (Mango), Musaacuminata balbisiana (Banana) and Citrus maxima (Pomelo Peelings in the Growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (Lady Fingers)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil acidification, resulting in reduced crop yields because of a decrease in organic matter in the soil. Too much utilization of chemical fertilizer can also result in decreased growth, defoliation, wilting and plant death in extreme cases. Hence, much study is needed on organic fertilizer. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foliar application of liquid fertilizer fromMangiferaindica(mango), Musaacuminatabalbisiana(banana) and Citrus maxima (pomelo) peelings in the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (lady fingers).

METHODS

The fruit peelings underwent pyrolysis to produce liquid fertilizer. Two (2) concentrations of liquid fertilizer (50% and 100%) and commercial fertilizer were tested. Sixty (60) lady fingers were placed randomly in each plant pots. Four ml of each liquid fertilizer was used as foliar spray. Lady fingers were treated with liquid fertilizer that had 100% concentration (Set-up A), 50% concentration (Set-up B) and with Commercial Liquid Fertilizer (Set-up C).

RESULTS

Results indicated that in terms of area of the leaves, 50% concentration of liquid fertilizer was the greatest with 172.2 cm2. The controlled group and the 50% concentration of liquid fertilizer has an equal number of leaves and number of branches per plant. The lady fingers treated with the liquid fertilizer of 100% concentration has the heaviest average weight of fresh and dry weight with 15 grams and 12 grams respectively. It also showed that N-P-K analysis of liquid fertilizer showed high phosphorus and potassium content.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the effect of liquid fertilizer (50 % and 100 %) and commercial liquid fertilizer in terms of the height of plants, area of leaves, number of leaves, number of branches, fresh weight and dry weight of lady fingers. Thus, the liquid fertilizer from fruit peelings can be an alternative liquid fertilizer and promote proper waste disposal.