RESEARCH

PLAN

Nash Aaron G. Fraginal

Kim Alison Faith M. Bernal

Rainheart Kim Y. Gajudo

11 – STEM A

Mr. Romeo Tan TIII

Research Adviser

MAY 2023
Rationale

Creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly urban environment will begin at home

and involve the community in the future. Urban gardening, while not yet widely practiced,

will aim to improve living conditions in urban areas, especially in the face of increasing

pollution. It will also offer financial benefits to residents who will be able to harvest basic

goods from their own back or front yards, reducing the need to visit grocery stores and

markets.

In future urban planning, the introduction of easily accessible organic fertilizers like

rice wash will be intended to encourage people from urban communities, who may have

limited knowledge of gardening, to use organic fertilizers for better results. These organic

fertilizers will contain substances believed to be beneficial for plant growth and quality.

According to Ko (2020), organic fertilizers will be soil amendments made from plant

materials with lower levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and some

micronutrient residues compared to synthetic chemical fertilizers. Rice wash and commercial

liquid fertilizers will have varying percentages of NKP. Rice wash will contain 16.306%

phosphorus, 0.015% nitrogen, and 0.02% potassium. Plant growth will be influenced by

various factors such as sunlight, water, and more. The future study will aim to determine

whether the N-P-K content present in these fertilizers contributes to plant growth and quality.

In the future, numerous studies will compare organic and inorganic fertilizers,

including rice wash and commercial liquid fertilizers, in experiments and case studies. Both

types of fertilizers will be acknowledged as effective, with commercial liquid fertilizer often

considered superior in the gardening community, while rice wash will be embraced as a

natural alternative. Despite some mixed reviews, rice wash is expected to be commonly used.

The forthcoming study will provide valuable insights, especially to urban communities,
regarding gardening practices and the effects of commercial liquid and rice wash fertilizers,

including their N-P-K content, on plant growth and quality.

Engineering Goals

The engineering goal of the researchers is to show how effective rice wash is as an

organic fertilizer compared to commercial liquid fertilizer.

The researcher desired to have the following outcome measures:

 Cost-Effectiveness: Rice wash appeals to urban gardeners looking for a cost-effective

substitute because it is widely accessible and frequently regarded as a cheap or even

free option. Depending on the brand and type picked, commercial fertilizers may cost

more.

 Ease of Use: Rice wash is easy to access and use, requiring minimal preparation.

Commercial fertilizers may require more careful handling and measurement.

 Preservation Times: The more days of preservation the more effective the rice wash

is.

 Environmental Impact: Rice wash is considered an eco-friendly choice as it reuses

kitchen waste and reduces environmental impact. Commercial fertilizers may have a

higher carbon footprint due to production and transportation.

This research promotes urban households and communities to engage in gardening using

readily available rice wash and commercial liquid fertilizer, reducing waste and fostering

sustainability. It addresses the challenge of maintaining a sustainable and green urban

environment, potentially contributing to eco-friendly communities. Furthermore, this study

was expected to benefit the following:

Students. Awareness and additional knowledge towards the use of chicken manure

and rice wash fertilizers, which is more efficient, and its importance to society.
 Community. This study highlights the potential to create a greener urban environment

using available resources. Recognizing the value of urban gardening can help address

environmental issues, with plants contributing to cleaner and greener communities.

Environment. This study will greatly contribute to reducing pollution and heat in the

environment if each house is surrounded by green plants.

Farmers. This study is beneficial for farmers because it plays an important role in

providing crops with the nutrients they need to grow and be harvested for nutritious food and

it is less expensive which will lessen the cost allotted for fertilizer.

Future Researchers. The outcome of the study may be used as reference data in

conducting further or new research related to this study. This study will also serve as their

guide that will help them to have an overview of urban gardening fertilizers.

Ethics and Safety

The experiment in the research project will involve working with plants. Before

experimenting, it is crucial to ensure that all materials to be used are in good condition.

Additionally, it is advisable to seek assistance from experienced individuals, such as elders or

experts, to ensure the experiment is conducted safely and effectively.

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like safety gloves, goggles, and a

laboratory gown is essential. This protective gear serves to safeguard oneself from various

risks, including exposure to chemicals, and helps prevent contamination of the experiment by

limiting contact with skin cells and bacteria on the hands.

Furthermore, it is important to maintain focus on the project and avoid engaging in

activities that could pose harm. It's crucial not to pretend or act as if you have more

knowledge about the experiment than you do.

fertilizer to determine its effectiveness compared to commercial fertilizer. Given the nature of

these materials, it is imperative to observe safety practices to protect the researchers from

physical or chemical hazards.

Overview of the Methodology

Research Method

The study employed an experimental method to assess the effectiveness of rice wash

compared to commercial fertilizer in terms of Water Spinach height and the number of

leaves. Water Spinach sprouts were used as the plants for this study. Each setup had the same

number of sprouts per pot, which was one sprout. Furthermore, each setup utilized the same

amount and type of soil, consisting of three (3) cups of loam soil per pot. All setups received

the same quantity of rice wash, specifically five (5) sprays per pot. The rice washing used in

every setup was the initial wash from various preparations.

The researchers utilized a total of six (6) setups, with one (1) plant in each setup.

There were two (2) setups for the experimental group, two (2) for the control group, and two

(2) for the commercial group. Set-up A was designated for daily rice wash, while Set-up B

used rice wash preserved for three days. Set-ups C and D received no fertilizer at all. Set-up

E utilized daily preserved commercial fertilizer, while Set-up F used commercial fertilizer

preserved for 3 days. The plants in all setups were watered twice a day, in the morning and

afternoon.

Observations of the plants were conducted over three weeks per trial, totaling nine

weeks. Photographs were taken to document the observations and collect data regarding plant

height and the number of leaves. The height of the Water Spinach plants was measured using
a meter stick, with measurements in centimeters (cm). The number of leaves was counted

manually. The experimentation took place at the researchers' homes, and data tables were

used to record the height and number of leaves of the Water Spinach plants.
 Statistical Tools

In the investigation, the researchers will use means and tables. The study's purpose

will be to determine if the hypothesis that using rice wash as fertilizer is more effective than

commercial fertilizer on water spinach holds true. It will also be observed to see whether

preservation times affect the water spinach's growth. The researchers will compare the height

growth of all the set-ups. The table will also be utilized by the researcher to compare all the

set-ups in order to determine which one has the best growth.

The data collected will be summarized, analyzed, and interpreted using inferential

statistical tools. This study will utilize the following inferential statistical tools;

T-test Independent Sample Mean

Where:

x̄ 1 = Sample Mean of First Sample

x̄ 2 = Sample Mean of Second Sample

s21 = Sample Variance of First Sample

s22 = Sample Variance of Second Sample

n1 = Sample Size of First Sample

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