Joseph Benjamin B. de la Torre, Hannah Paula V. Doromal, Michael Patrick M. Padernal (February 2002)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study using Pretest- Posttest Control Group Design in a Randomized Complete Block Design, aimed to determine and compare the effects of sludge, obtained from molasses, and that of commercial fertilizers on the growth and fruiting of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). The effects of sludge, both treated and untreated, and the commercial fertilizers were compared in terms of height gain, number of branches, and weight of fruit of the test plant. It was hypothesized that there is no significant difference in the initial and final height and number of branches when enriched with treated sludge, untreated sludge, and commercial fertilizers. It was also hypothesized that there exists no significant difference in the height gain, number of branches, number of fruits, and total weight of fruit of the tomato plant when enriched with treated sludge, untreated sludge, and commercial fertilizers. Results were statistically treated. For the descriptive statistical analysis, man and standard deviation were be used, while the Oneway Analysis of Variance(ANOVA) and Scheffe test, both set at 0.05 alpha level of significance, were used inferential statistical tools. Results showed that the tomato plants grown in treated sludge, untreated sludge and commercial fertilizers showed no significance difference in terms of height gain, number of branches, number of fruit, and total weight of fruit. Both treated and untreated , therefore, can be a good substitute to commercial fertilizers. Although the control setup yielded the highest number of fruit and the greatest total fruit weight, the soil was characteristics only to the PSHSWC soil, and not conclusive to all soil types from other various sources