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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Problem and its Background

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economies of many Asian countries.

According to the International Labour Organization, about 60% of the total

employment in South Asia and 30% in East Asia and the Pacific is in the agricultural

sector.Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata) was introduced to the Philippines

in the 1980s as a potential source of protein for low-income farmers. These snail

specie is a freshwater gastropod mollusk that is considered as a major agricultural

pest of rice farming. These invasive species cause extensive damage by eating young

seedlings, resulting in complete destruction.

The use of chemical fertilizers in rice fields has been linked to environmental

degradation and health issues (Sunadi et al.,2023). Exploring alternative and

sustainable methods of fertilization is crucial. A study of Wang, J. et al. (2020)

suggests that GAS residue (i.e., crushed, whole GAS) can be used to neutralize acidic

soils at it was also shown to improve soil total organic carbon (TOC) and soil nutrient

content.

Furthermore, shell meat of Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata)

contains many nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, lime and other

nutrients that can be absorbed by plants, making it suitable for the manufacture of

liquid organic fertilizer called (LOF) or and microorganisms local (MOL) (Siregar et
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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

al., 2017). Another study found that adding golden apple snail residue to soil can

increase the soil nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) content by 10 times and enhance microbial

biomass and enzyme activity (Wang et al., 2020).

This study aims to explore the potential of using Golden Apple Snails as a

biofertilizer in rice fields.While we acknowledge certain limitations, such as different

rice varieties that may respond differently to the biofertilizer, and the study may not

cover a broad range of rice varieties, limiting the applicability of the findings., the

significance lies in transforming a pest into a valuable resource, our findings aim to

offer local farmers a sustainable alternative to expensive inorganic fertilizers.

Moreover, this study seeks to evaluate whether using these snails in a controlled

manner can reduce their negative impact on rice crops and promote sustainable

agricultural practices (Zulkifli et al., 2012).

This study explores the potential of using Golden Apple Snails as more

efficient biofertilizer for local farmers, offering a sustainable alternative to expensive

inorganic fertilizers. By understanding the use of these invasive species, farmers are

able to transform pest into a valuable resource, providing an environmentally friendly

and profitable solution to enhance rice crop fertility.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The study's main purpose is to investigate the effect of the pulverized Golden

Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) as a Biofertilizer.

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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following research questions;

1. What is the result of growth in different of golden apple snail as

alternative biofertilizer to pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis)

2. What is the effect of golden apple snails on the yield of Pechay (Brassica

rapa subsp. Chinensis)

3. What is the significant difference of various concentrations of golden

apple snail (pomacea canilucalata) 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% extract as

alternative biofertilizer to pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis)

1.3 Hypothesis

Golden Apple Snail can be an effective biofertilizer that will enhance the growth

and yield of the Pechay plant.

1.4 Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Different Concentrations of Golden

Growth and Yield of pechay
apple snail (pomacea canilucalata)
(Brassica rapa)
Extract: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%

extract of Golden apple snail

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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

Figure 1. The paradigm shows the relationship between varying concentration of Golden

apple snail (pomacea canilucalata) extract as independent variables and the

growth

and yield of the Pechay (Brassica Rapa)

1.5 Significance of the Study:

The results of the study that will be conducted may hopefully benefit the

following:

1. Environment. Through this study, instead of eliminating the golden apple

snail with the use of pesticides, they will be harvested and used as a Biofertilizer

on plants specifically rice crops. Thus, this study can help to reduce the pest and

prevent the use of pesticides that harm the environment.

2. Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The findings of this

study will give this organization an idea of having an alternative biofertilizer in

the country and can lead to another research-related field. Thus, this study will

allow the existence of other research and investigation on the properties and

possible usage of other pests in rice crops that can be beneficial in innovating the

biofertilizer industry in the Philippines.

3. Agriculture/Community. Golden apple snails can affect the agricultural

product of a community. Thus, this study is beneficial to this sector since the
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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

researcher will be utilizing Golden apple snail as an alternative biofertilizer as the

main variable in this study.

4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The

findings of the study will benefit this organization because it gives alternative

biofertilizers to plants. Therefore, it promotes the elimination and utilization of

golden apple snails as another type of biofertilizer.

5. Farmers. This study can be beneficial to farmers because it aims to create

an alternative biofertilizer using golden apple snails, which can also reduce the

number of these invasive species.

6. Researchers. This study will help broaden the knowledge of the

researchers in alternative biofertilizers by allowing them to investigate and gather

factual and concise data needed. Thus, this study will enhance the researchers’

skills in writing academic research that is important for their future studies.

7. Future Researchers. This study will benefit future researchers as this will

provide a background related to their study and may be used as additional

literature for their research. Thus, making it easy for them to cite sources and

understand their topics better.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation

This research study's main goal is to determine how well pechay (Chinese

cabbage) responds to the use of pulverized Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) as

a biofertilizer. This study looks at applying various concentrations of Golden Apple Snail
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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

extract—25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, to be exact. The purpose of the study is to assess

the effects of these various concentrations on the growth and development of pechay

plants.

The experiment was conducted at New Lucena National Comprehensive High

School, which gave the researchers a controlled setting in which to watch and gauge how

the biofertilizer affected the selected plant species. The study's focus on pechay as the

target plant restricts the application of the biofertilizer to this particular crop, and

extrapolating the results to other crops should be approached with caution. These

delimitations help define the boundaries of the study and provide a clear understanding of

the context in which the research is conducted.

1.7 Definition of Terms

For purpose of clarification, the following key terms are hereby defined:

1. Golden apple snail (pomacea canilucalata). a large amphibious

freshwater gastropod native to tropical South America, is a major agricultural and

ecological pest, feeding on rice, crops, and native wetland plants (Nemesis, n.d.).

In this study, the Golden apple snail (pomacea canilucata) will be used as a

alternative biofertilizer

2. Pechay (Brassica rapa). Pechay is a vegetable plant with green leafy

leaves, is small in size, has white stalks of the leaves, and is usually called bok

choy. These vegetables grow in tropical countries (What is Pechay, n.d.)

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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo

In this study, pechay (Brassica rapa) will be used as a subject for the Pulverized

golden apple snail (pomacea canilucata)

3. Biofertilizer. Biofertilizers are substances that contain microorganisms,

which when added to the soil increase its fertility and promote plant growth

(Admin, 2021).

In this study, the researchers is aiming to create a alternative biofertilizer

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NEW LUCENA NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROGRAM IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Brgy. Poblacion, New Lucena, Iloilo