Kakawate/Madre Cacao (Gliricidia Sepium) Bark and Leaves Extract as an

Organic Fertilizer to Plants

In Fulfillment of the Requirements in Research III

A Science Investigatory Project Presented to

Engr. Gerson D. Dumpasan

Aubrey A. Montegrande
Researcher

SY 2014 – 2015
 Abstract

This study entitled the Kakawate/Madre Cacao (Gliricidia Sepium) Bark and

Leaves Extract as an Organic Fertilizer to Plants. It was conducted to established

the efficacy of Kakawate or Madre Cacao as an ideal organic fertilizer to bell pepper

(experimental plant). Furthermore the study aimed to reduce the usage of expensive

chemical fertilizers that are unfriendly to our Mother Nature. To come up with the result,

the researcher looked for three small bell pepper plants and the researcher measured

the selected plants before and after. Then, the researcher computed the results to be

able to identify the changes and effectiveness of the extract.

Research showed that kakawate/Madre Cacao tree is rich in nitrogen, one of the

compound that helps to enhance the growth of specific plants. Based on the data

obtained, a conclusion was reached that Kakawate/Madre Cacao bark and leaves

extract can be organic fertilizer to plants.

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 Acknowledgement

The researcher would like to thank to the following persons whose unyielding

support, assistance, and suggestions made this paper possible:

First of all, the researcher was very thankful to our Almighty God who guided

her and gave this opportunity to explore some things and help her realize that nothing is

impossible.

To Engr. Gerson D. Dumpasan our Research adviser and STE Administrator,

who shared his knowledge and idea about writing Science Investigatory Project.

To the researcher parents, Mr. Angelito Montegrande and Mrs. Salome

Montegrande whose gave their moral and financial support.

To her Friends and Classmates whose comfort her and help her to fulfil this

kind of project.

THE RESEARCHER

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 Table of Contents

Title Page i

Abstract ii

Acknowledgement iii

List of Figures iv

List of Graphs iv

List of Appendices iv

Chapter I: INTRODUCTION 1-2

Chapter II: METHODOLOGY

Location of the Study 3

Research Design 3

Collection of Samples 3

Preparation of Equipments 3

Preparation of Treatments 4

Application / Experimentation 4

Statistical Treatments 4

Chapter III: Results 5-6

Chapter IV: DISCUSSION

Discussion 7

Conclusion 7

Recommendation 7
BIBLIOGRAPHY 8

Appendix A 9

Appendix B 10
List of Figures

Fig. 1 Before (p.9)

Fig. 2 After (p.9)

Fig. 3 Pounded Leaves with water (p.9)

Fig. 4 Leaves Extract (p.9)

Fig. 5 Bark Extract (p.9)

Fig. 6 Pounded Bark with water (p.9)

Fig. 7 Cans (p.10)

Fig. 8 Measuring Cup (p.10)

Fig. 9 Extract Storage (p.10)

Fig. 10 Extract Storage (p.10)

Fig. 11 Big can (p.10)

Fig. 12 Stick (p.10)

Fig. 13 Bark (p.10)

Fig. 14 Leaves (p.10)

List of Tables

Table 1.Collected data before and after the intake of Madre Cacao Extract (p.5)

Table 2: Contingency Table (p.5)

List of Appendices

Appendix A (Extract & Results) (p.9)

Appendix B (Equipment's & Ingredients) (p.10)

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 Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Restoring the soil nutrient is one concern in sustainable agriculture. It aims to

reduce inputs from the used of inorganic materials which lead to increase in yield.

Organic fertilizer help us to maintain a good environment for generation passed by.

Gliricidia Sepium shown that Kakawate/Madre Cacao is a leguminous tree that

can reduce environmental risks associated with chemical fertilizers and also minimizes

the usage of chemical fertilizers that are expensive and also environmental unfriendly.

Recent studies showned that Kakawate/Madre Cacao can be used as organic

fertilizer to plants. According to Diouf 2008, Kakawate/Madre Caco is a nitrogen-fixing

tree that has a potential of restoring and maintaining soil fertility.It has also phosphorus

and potassium that is also an ideal for growth enhancer. As years passed by, people

and other companies started to use this kind of organic fertilizer like MBLRC (Mindanao

Baptist Rural Life Center) used primarily Kakawate/Madre Cacao leaves for their crops.

Even Department of Agriculture, declares that Kakawate/Madre Cacao can be used as

bio-organic fertilizer to plants.

Various experiments conducted at different countries in order just to prove the

effectiveness of Kakawate/Madre Cacao extract towards fertilizing plants.

Based on the statement of Marilyn Sta. Catalina (DA executive director) that

“Leaves are rich in nitrogen an important soil nutrient. Hence, the discarded leaves can

be applied to the field as an organic fertilizer” has encouraged the Department of Soil

Science and Dr. Gina Pangsa of Farming System and Soil Resources Institute to

conduct an experiment to know the results of this kind of theory. According to their

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experiment, Kakawate/Madre Cacao has a potential to be as bio-organic fertilizer. It is

also known that the growth rate of eggplant (experimented plants used) was faster and

the fruits were heavier than the ordinary. According also to Raboy 2005 that

Kakawate/Madre Cacao can also be used as an organic fertilizer to plants.

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 Chapter II

METHODOLOGY

Location of the Study

This study was conducted and observed at researcher residence, Northern Plain

Subdivision Panabo City.

Research Design

This study was using Quantitative and Correlational research design, which is

more on observation and case-control study. This kind of experimental study was laid

out in three treatments, which is observed for 1 week and 3 days.

T0- Water (10 mL) taken once a day

T1- Leaves Extract (10 mL) taken once a day

T2- Leaves and Bark Extract (10 mL) taken once a day

Collection of Samples

The researcher gathered three young small bell pepper plants. The plants were

replanted again in each different cans.

Preparation of Equipments

In order to conduct the experiment, the researcher first prepared the equipment's

needed. First the researcher gathered three cans and made a hole at the bottom of it,

for the pot of the bell pepper plants. Second, the researcher find a big can for the clean

leaves and bark extract in ready for pounding using a clean wood stick to produce an

extract of it. Lastly, the researcher find 2 clean jar/container for the storage of extract.

Also, the researcher used a rice cooker cup to measure each extract.

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Preparation of Treatment

The researcher had theorized that the leaves and bark of Kakawate/Madre

Cacao could be as an organic fertilizer to plants to help reduce the usage of expensive

and environmental unfriendly chemical fertilizers. In order to prove the theory,

researcher gathered fresh leaves and bark of Kakawate/Madre Cacao. First the

researcher washed the leaves and put it on a clean can and another can for the bark.

Then, pound it for 3 minutes after pounding, the pound leaves and bark of

Kakawate/Madre Cacao put in the clean container or glass jar with tap water for 24

hours.

Application/Experimentation

Three treatments was produced and laid out in the study. The following three

treatments were tested in three separated bell pepper plants (experimental plants). To

start up with, first treatment T0 (Water) was tested. Second, testing treatment T 1

(Leaves Extract). Lastly testing the last treatment T 2 (Leaves and Bark Extract).

Afterwards, the length of the stem was measured using tape measure to determine the

changes of growth rate of plants after the intake. Finally, after conducting the

experiment the measurements of each plant were tallied and shown in table form.

Statistical Treatment

Researcher used the statistical tool, Chi-square goodness of it. The variables to

be tested are the changes of measurement of the growth of bell pepper plants observed

for one week and three days.

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 Chapter III

RESULTS

Chi-square test goodness-of-fit was used as the statistical tool to determine if

there is a relationship with the bark and leaves extract to the growth of bell pepper taken

once a day.

Table 1.Collected data before and after the intake of Madre Cacao Extract

Growth Enhancer Growth of Plant Growth of Plant

Leaves Extract 12 cm 15 cm

Bark and Leaves Extract 12 cm 16 cm

Table 2: Contingency Table

Bark & Leaves

Water Leaves Extract Extract

Observed, O 13.5 15 16

Expected, E 14.8 14.8 14.8

The expected frequency for each cell is obtained by dividing the total observed

cases by the number of categories, In this problem, the expected frequency for each

cell is 44.5÷3= 14.8

∑(O−E)2
Formula of Chi-Square, X2
E

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Compute the Chi-Square Test

Water Leaves Extract Bark & Leaves Extract

(13.5−14.8)2 (15−14.8)2 (16-14.8)2

The computed chi-square = 0.217

The table value of chi-square = 5.99

Conclusion/Generalization:

Since the computed chi-square=0.217 is less than the table value=5.99.

Therefore the null hypothesis is accepted.

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 Chapter IV

DISCUSSION

Discussion:

The findings of this study entitled “Kakawate/Madre Cacao (Gliricidia sepium)

Bark and Leaves Extract as an Organic Fertilizer” showed that it is an application as an

organic fertilizer to plants. Based on the conducted experiment the plant that has taken

the bark and leaves extract had grew faster than the plant that has taken only water and

leaves extract. This study is not only proved the theory but it can also help and support

our environment for a better future.

Conclusion:

I conclude that the Kakawate/Madre Cacao Bark and Leaves Extract can

enhance the growth of plants especially the bell pepper plants because of the nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium, compounds that is ideal for enhancing plant growth.

Recommendation:

The researcher recommended that in order to enhance and faster growth of the

plant, it should take the bark and leaves extract in fertilizing plants. The researcher also

recommended further research like conducting experiment on bigger plants, because

this study was conducted in small growing plants.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://balita.ph/2010/05/25/kakawate-leaves-as-pesticide-bio-organic-fertilizer/

http://www.bar.gov.ph/chronicle-home/archives-list/405-june-2003-issue/3072-

kakawate-and-its-many-uses

http://agriculture-system.blogspot.com/2010/03/kakawate-its-potential-as-bio-

organic.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/gliricid.html

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 APPENDIX A

(Extract & Results)

BEFORE AFTER

POUNDED LEAVES w/ WATER

LEAVES EXTRACT

BARK EXTRACT POUNDED BARK w/ WATER

(Equipment's & Ingredients)

CANS MEASURING CUP

EXTRACT STORAGE EXTRACT STORAGE BIG CAN

STICK BARK LEAVES

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