PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The researchers employed Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to six different

tables as the experimental framework to present mulch effectiveness data comparing the
BioPeelMulch and plastic mulch to 16 tomato plant replicates. Each table determines if the
BioPeelMulch are as effective in soil temperature regulation, even soil temperature
distribution, weed growth suppression, pH level maintenance, and plant growth improvement.
Each table comprises two blocks in the first column: Block A representing
BioPeelMulch treatment and Block B representing plastic mulch treatment. Each block
consists of 11 sub-blocks in the second column which correspond to the number of
observation days. The first row below the table name represents each of the eight plant
replicates per mulched plot. This organization ensures data alignment for later processing
using the Two-Factor ANOVA with replication test.

Procedure

A. Subjects of the Study

The study focuses on sixteen three-four-week-old hybrid cherry tomato plants

(Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) each having heights of 7-8 inches and are all
obtained from the plant market in Lingayen, Pangasinan which are categorized into two
treatment groups for analysis. Treatment A involved the application of BioPeelMulch or the
dried fruits and vegetable peels as biodegradable mulch while Treatment B utilized plastic
mulch. Each treatment group consisted of eight plant replicates to ensure reliable and
statistically significant results in evaluating the result of the mulching process.

The plant type was used because it only takes 7-8 weeks to mature and it is a summer
plant. This is a very important variable in the study because it answers the question as to

(BioPeelMulch) Dried Fruits and Vegetable Peels as Biodegradable Mulch 11

 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

whether or not the BioPeelMulch or the dried fruits and vegetable peel mulches are deemed
as effective in improving soil health and plant growth as compared to plastic mulch.

B. Procurements and Preparation of Materials

The study required various materials, including fruit and vegetable peels for the
BioPeelMulch, which were collected by the researchers from various households and fruit
and vegetable factories in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The fruit and vegetable peels used in the
study included mango, banana, cabbage, orange, apple, carrot, eggplant, onion, pineapple,
jackfruit, potato, squash, and garlic, with 50g per type of peel. Additionally, 10 banana leaves
were obtained to act as an additional layer for the BioPeelMulch. The plastic mulch,
measuring 3.5x2m, was purchased from CSI Lingayen.

The researchers purchased a 30cm ruler from CSI Lingayen, Pangasinan. The 4-in-
one soil tester, which evaluated soil temperature, moisture, sun availability, and soil pH level
for nutrient presence, was obtained from the Municipality of Agriculture.

The researchers selected a sandy loam plot measuring 3.1 meters long and 1.9 meters
wide from PNHS (Pangasinan National High School) for planting the hybrid tomato plants.
The plants received a consistent watering schedule of 400 ml of tap water using a measuring
cup twice daily to ensure optimal hydration and growth.

C. General Procedure

The researchers, along with their consultant, began by collecting and drying various
fruits and vegetable peels under the sun for 24 hours. Subsequently, they prepared and
cultivated the plot with an area of 3.1 by 1.9 meters removing any weeds around it, in which
the soil type was sandy loam. Then, they prepared the experimental units, the sixteen hybrid
tomato plants, and assigned eight of them to two different plots. Figure 1 shows the spacing
between each of the hybrid tomato plants which was 70 centimeters, from each side to the
plant was 50-60cm, and they were planted 4 inches (10 centimeters) below the surface.

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

Afterwards, the researchers had the dried peels scattered across the first plot around
the plants adding layers of dried peels as well as a layer of banana leaves to act as another
cover, and the second plot had plastic mulch covering the plot with holes for the plants. To
top it all off, a notice sign was placed on each of the plots that reads, “PLEASE HUWAG PO
GAGALAWIN/DIDILIGAN!” meaning “Do not intervene nor water the plants” and a
subtext that tells the reason for the notice. This sign was done in order to make sure that any
outside factors remain controlled so as to not intervene with the results of the experiment.

With the setup complete, the plants were monitored and watered everyday at 7:30 am
and 5 pm with 400 milliliters of water each day using a measuring cup designed for that.
Each plant was documented and photographed everyday to observe any changes that occurred
within the 11-day time period. This was shown in the Appendices section.

Plant stem height was measured in millimeters using either a ruler or measuring tape.
Each plant was individually marked at the base with a black marker on Day 0 to establish an
initial plant stem height. When measuring, only the length of the main stem, from the marked
line to the tip of the tallest branching stem, was recorded, excluding any intervening leaves
within that branch.

Soil temperature (in ℉) and pH values were assessed using a soil moisture meter
buried at depths of 4 inches and 1 inch from each of the plants, respectively. These
measurements were taken daily over the course of 11 days.

Finally, on the last day, any unwanted weeds that had grown within a 70x70cm area
around each of the tomato plant replicates of both peel and plastic mulch plots were rooted
and counted.

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan
D. Schematic Diagram

(Treatment A)
B)
BioPeelMulch
Plastic mulch

60cmmeters
70cm
1.9 Plot B
Plot A
1.9 meters

60cm
70cm
1.9 meters
Unwanted
Soil Figure
weed
Ruler/Measuring
Temperature
Plant
PlantpH
Soil Data
Stem
level
1: Flow
for Tape diagram of the mulching procedure and the data gathering processes
count
(in ℉)
Counting
Mulch
11 days
Length
Comparison
Technique
(in mm) Test
400mL water
twice a day

3.1 meters 4-in-one Soil 3.1 meters

Tester

70cm 70cm 70cm 70cm

50cm 50cm 50cm

50cm

(BioPeelMulch) Dried Fruits and Vegetable Peels as Biodegradable Mulch 11

 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

E. Data Gathering Procedure

a) Soil Temperature Regulation Test

SOIL TEMPERATURE OF PLANT SUBJECTS (in ℉)

DAYS OF
MULCHES Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant
OBSERVATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PEEL Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PLASTIC Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Table 1: Soil temperature (in ℉) of plant subjects during 11 days of observation

Table 1 shows the organized raw soil temperature data gathered throughout Days 0-10.
The data will be in terms of Fahrenheit (℉) as this gives a more accurate representation of
data than Celsius. The data shown is merely the raw data gathered with the use of the 4-in-1
soil tester.

(BioPeelMulch) Dried Fruits and Vegetable Peels as Biodegradable Mulch 11

 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

Table 2: Change in soil temperature (in ℉) after one day

CHANGE IN SOIL TEMPERATURE OF PLANT

DAYS OF SUBJECTS (in ℉)
MULCHES
OBSERVATION Plan Plant Plant Plant Plan Plant Plant Plant
t1 2 3 4 t5 6 7 8
Day 0 to Day 1
Day 1 to Day 2
Day 2 to Day 3
Day 3 to Day 4
Day 4 to Day 5
PEEL
Day 5 to Day 6
Day 6 to Day 7
Day 7 to Day 8
Day 8 to Day 9
Day 9 to Day 10
Day 0 to Day 1
Day 1 to Day 2
Day 2 to Day 3
Day 3 to Day 4
Day 4 to Day 5
PLASTIC
Day 5 to Day 6
Day 6 to Day 7
Day 7 to Day 8
Day 8 to Day 9
Day 9 to Day 10

On the other hand, the data shown in Table 2 will be used for the comparison of
values between the peel mulch and the plastic mulch. The data shown is the change in soil
temperature after one day meaning the difference of temperature between a day and the day
before that. This will be done in order to assess the capabilities of peels as mulch in
regulating soil temperature and be compared to the effectiveness of plastic mulch in
regulating soil temperature.

b) Weed Growth Suppression Test

Table 3: Number of weeds growing within an area of plot per plant subjects

NUMBER OF WEEDS GROWING

MULCH
Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant
TREATMENTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PEEL MULCH
PLASTIC MULCH

(BioPeelMulch) Dried Fruits and Vegetable Peels as Biodegradable Mulch 11

 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

Table 3 shows the number of weeds growing near the plants with an area of 70cm² of
plot. This will be done in order to test the ability of the peel mulch to effectively suppress
weed growth and compare its effectiveness in weed growth suppression to the plastic mulch.

c) Soil pH Test

Table 4: Soil pH values of plants subjects during 11 days of observation

DAYS OF PLANT SUBJECTS

MULCHES Plan Plant Plant Plant Plan Plant Plant Plant
OBSERVATION
t1 2 3 4 t5 6 7 8
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PEEL Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PLASTIC Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Table 4 shows the organized raw pH level data table of the soils of all individual plant
subjects throughout the 11-day observation. This raw data will be used for interpretation
because the closer the pH level is to 6-7.5, the healthier the soil. If the sum and means of the
peel mulch is higher than the sum and means of the plastic mulch, it means that the peel
mulch gives more nutrients to the soil than the plastic mulch.

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

d) Change in Plant Stem Length Test

Table 5: Plant stem lengths (in millimeter) of plant subjects during 11 days of
observation

PLANT SUBJECTS
DAYS OF
MULC Pla Pla Pla Pla Pla Pla Pla Pla
OBSERVAT
HES nt nt nt nt nt nt nt nt
ION
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PEEL Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
PLASTI
Day 5
C
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Table 5 exhibits organized raw plant stem length data in millimeters that was obtained
during the experimentation process. It shows the unconverted values of plant stem length as
this data was gathered using a 30cm clear ruler.

On the other hand, the data shown in Table 6 will be used for the comparison of
values between the peel mulch and the plastic mulch. The data shown is the change in plant
stem length in millimeters after one day meaning the difference of plant stem length between
a day and the day before that. This will be done in order to assess the capabilities of peels as
mulch in boosting plant growth and be compared to the effectiveness of plastic mulch in that
aspect.

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

Table 6: Change in plant stem length (in millimeters) after one day

CHANGE IN PLANT LENGTH (in millimeters)

DAYS OF
MULCHES Plant Plant Plan Plant Plant Plant Plan Plant
OBSERVATION
1 2 t3 4 5 6 t7 8
Day 0 to Day 1
Day 1 to Day 2
Day 2 to Day 3
Day 3 to Day 4
Day 4 to Day 5
PEEL
Day 5 to Day 6
Day 6 to Day 7
Day 7 to Day 8
Day 8 to Day 9
Day 9 to Day 10
Day 0 to Day 1
Day 1 to Day 2
Day 2 to Day 3
Day 3 to Day 4
Day 4 to Day 5
PLASTIC
Day 5 to Day 6
Day 6 to Day 7
Day 7 to Day 8
Day 8 to Day 9
Day 9 to Day 10

- Risk Assessment
Before conducting the research experiments and tests, the researchers will ensure that
they are aware of any potential dangers or hazards. To ensure the tomato plants remain
healthy, the researchers will take care to handle them carefully and monitor them two times a
day. Proper handling of materials will be done by the researchers to protect and not affect
them while conducting an experiment on the tomato plants subjected to two mulch treatments
in a tropical environment where unwanted pests can thrive. The introduction of new materials
(fruit and vegetable peels) into the ecosystem will carry the danger of unintended
environmental impact. This could change the makeup of the soil, have an impact on microbial
communities, and encourage the spread of invasive species.
Everyday, the health of the plants and soil will be thoroughly observed to ensure that
these effects are kept to a minimum. To ensure that the researchers are not impacted by pests,
pest control procedures will be carried out on the experimental area while the researchers are
present.

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

Safety precautions in making biodegradable mulch will include wearing appropriate

protective gear such as gloves and masks to prevent exposure to potentially harmful
materials. Careful handling and storage of raw materials to avoid accidents or spills will be
essential. Lastly, Proper disposal of waste materials in accordance with environmental
regulations will help mitigate any adverse impacts on health and the environment.

F. Data Processing Procedure

To assess the impact of both the BioPeelMulch and plastic mulch on the subjects, a
comprehensive experimental setup will be established, comprising four distinct tests: Soil
Temperature Regulation and Even Distribution Test, Soil pH Maintenance Test, Weed Growth
Suppression Test, and Increase in Plant Stem Length Test.

The statistical tests used in this study are the Two-Factor Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) with Replication and T-Test for Uncorrelated Groups. The ANOVA test was used
in the Soil Temperature Regulation and Even Distribution Test, Soil pH Maintenance Test and
Increase in Plant Stem Length Test while the T-test Two-Sample Assuming Unequal
Variances was used in the Weed Growth Suppression Test. For soil temperature regulation
and even distribution test, the statistical tool used is a soil moisture meter; for soil pH
maintenance test, the statistical tool used is also a soil moisture meter; for weed growth
suppression test, the weeds were pulled out to count the weeds; and for an increase in plant
stem length test, the statistical tools used were a measuring tape and ruler.

The t-test for two uncorrelated samples is employed when comparing two sample
means from unrelated groups. The test was used in the weed suppression test as it involves
two uncorrelated variables: the 16 plant subjects with eight of them subjected to either two
treatments, BioPeelMulch and plastic mulch.

With Two-Factor ANOVA With Replication method, testing both of the aforementioned
components is possible with. It can also investigate the interactions between the components
that affect the outcome which is being measured with this method. There are two replications
of the test. This makes it possible to analyze if the two elements' interaction has an impact on

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 PANGASINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan

the outcome that is being measured. For this interaction test, the null hypothesis is that there
is no change in the measured outcome when the interaction between the two components is
varied. The null hypothesis for each of the other two variables under test is distinct as well.
(Patel, 2015). The ANOVA test was used to analyze the means of soil temperature, soil pH,
and plant stem height values for eight plant replicates. These replicates were grouped by one
factor, which is the peel mulch, and another factor consisting of the means of the values of
the other eight plant replicates, which is the plastic mulch. Additionally, factors like the plant
replicates and number of days also play a part in analyzing the means using this test.

The data will be processed using Microsoft Excel’s implemented Data Analysis for
easy and accurate calculations and analysis. The findings derived from this data processing
procedure will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the efficacy of dried fruits and
vegetable peels as biodegradable mulch in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

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