Thesis (BS Agriculture major in Horticulture) -- Mariano Marcos State University-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Batac City

Bibliography : leaves 44-47

This study was conducted on October 23, 2023-March 21, 2024 under a rainout shelter
at Barangay 16-N Quiling Norte, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, (between 18° 075203
North latitude and 120° 562468 East longitude), using Completely Randomized Design
(CRD) with six treatments and four replications. It aimed to determine the effect of the
different concentrations of fermented seaweed extract (Sargassum spp.) on the growth
and yield performance of eggplant variety, Calixto F1. This study focuses on six
treatments: T1- Control or No Fertilizer, T2- Inorganic Fertilizer Recommended rate,
T3- IF + 5 ml/L Sargassum sp. extract, T4- IF + 10 ml/L, T5- IF + 20 ml/L, and T6- IF
+ 30 ml/L. Growth parameters included plant height, number of leaves per plant, and
number of branches per plant. Yield parameters included days to flowering, number of
flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length and diameter, fruit weight,
and total yield. The experiment also involved determining soil chemical properties such
as pH, organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and texture,
with soil sampling conducted before and after the experiment. Analysis was done using Analysis of Variance for CRD in the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR) software. Treatments mean comparison was
performed using Least Significant Difference Test. Growth performance of eggplant revealed significant differences in plants treated with seaweed extract and inorganic fertilizer compared to the control. The
tallest plants were those treated with IF + 10 mL Sargassum sp. extract and IF + 5
mL Sargassum sp. extract alone. However, the application of IF + 10 mL Sargassum
sp. extract produced the most branches and leaves from 49 to 70 days after
transplanting (DAT). Significant differences revealed in eggplant yield performance between
plants treated with seaweed extracts and inorganic fertilizer. The highest number of
fruits was observed on flower days, with IF +10mL Sargassum sp. extract producing
the highest total yield of 954.90 grams. No significant differences were found in fruit
weight, length, and diameter. The study found that the application of seaweed extracts and inorganic fertilizer
did not significantly alter soil pH, OM, P, and K levels. This could be due to the
efficient utilization of nutrients by plants, particularly the fermented Sargassum sp.
extract.