Chapter Three

METHODOLOGY

Source of Materials

In this study, the researchers prepared three compost using pure garden soil, food

waste and fish waste. The fish waste and food waste were gathered at the public market.

The pure garden soil on the other hand, was gathered at Barangay Loma, Biñan City,

Laguna. In preparing the compost, two basins were used as container for the compost and

two plastic sheets to cover it that prevented too much water from seeping in during rainy

days. The nine plastic pots, six polybags, two gallons of water and 60 okra seedlings

we're also gathered at the market. Other materials such as shovel which was used for the

regular mixing of the compost, chopping board and knife which were used to chop the

food waste in smaller pieces for better decomposting, mask, gloves and weighing scale

were provided by the researchers.

Procedures

Procurement of Different Sources of Organic Materials

The researchers gathered the organic materials such as fish waste and food waste

at the local market at Biñan City, Laguna. Two (2) basins were filled with soil. Fish

waste was mixed into the first basin and food waste into the second container. These were

covered with plastic sheets. Data Gathering To test the significance of this study, the

researchers need data from the growth parameters of the okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

plant before and after the application of the three treatments. This includes the height (in
centimeters) which was measured using a ruler, the number of leaves and okra fruits that

was counted manually, the weight of the okra fruits which was weighed using weighing

scale (in grams) and the color and appearance of leaves. Aside from these growth

parameters, the researchers also need the percentage results from the soil analysis before

and after the application of treatment, particularly the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and

Potassium) percentage present in the soil. All these data are recorded in the record book

provided by the researchers.

Composting Process

These piles were prepared using different raw materials. It was covered with

plastic sheets of decomposition process. It was mixed twice a week to prevent

overheating and aerate the piles for faster decomposition process. It was watered

regularly to add moisture. Finally, it was harvested after two months.

Seedling Production

During the two-month composting process, they prepared sixty (60) okra

seedlings in six (6) polybags.

Transplanting

After the germination process, the seedlings were sown in 1:1 ratio. These

seedlings were transferred in nine (9) plastic pots. Each plastic pot had a designated area

at the back of the Grade-10 building.

 Watering

The researchers watered each plant with 200ml of water. They did that every day

during early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Experimental Design and Treatment

The researchers made fish waste compost for the growth of okra plant. This study

had three treatments with three replications in each in order to test the efficacy of the

compost. Treatment 1 (T1) was the control group wherein the researchers used pure

garden soil. In treatment 2 (T2), they used pure fish waste compost. Lastly in treatment 3

(T3) the compost had pure food waste. They prepared three garden plots with three okra

plants each. Each treatment had their designated area at Jacobo Z Gonzales Memorial

National High School. The researchers conducted draw lots to randomly choose where

each okra plant would be located.

They also make sure that each plant received the same amount of sunlight and

water. They also used Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). It was the standard

design for agricultural experiments where similar experimental units were grouped into

blocks or replicated. It was generally more precise than Completely Randomized Design

(CRD).
 1 2 3

T1 T1R1 T1R2 T1R3

T2 T2R1 T2R2 T2R3

T3 T3R1 T3R2 T3R3

Statistical Analysis

This study aimed to compare three composting materials to identify which one ws

the best composting material for plants. The researchers used two-way ANOVA

(Analysis of Variance) test of significance to get the mean scores of the three treatments.

Since the study has three independent variables, the two-way ANOVA can examine the

interaction between them which lead to accurate results. Lastly, the researchers were

aiming to determine if there was a statistically significant difference among the three

treatments so they used two-way ANOVA.