ISSN 1023-1072

Pak. J. Agri., Agril. Engg., Vet. Sci., 2013, 29 (1): 56-69

FERTILIZER, FERMENTED ACTIVATORS, AND EM® UTILIZATION IN PECHAY (BRASSICA PEKINENSIS L.) PRODUCTION

1 Pet. R. L. Pascual,1 A. D. Jarwar2 and P. S. Nitural3

1Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Barili Campus, Barili, Cebu, Philippines

2 Rice Research Station, Thatta Sindh, Pakistan 3 Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muňoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted at the experimental area of Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Barili Campus, Barili, Cebu, Philippines during the year 2011, to evaluate the effect of using different fertilizers, fermented activators, and effective microorganisms (E.M. ) on the yield, root and shoot fresh and dry weight of pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.) and their short term effect on the nutrient content and pH of the soil. The experiment was laidout in a two-factorial arranged of the treatments in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Experiment comprises of the treatments as: Factor A – Fertilizer = F0 – Control (no fertilizer), F1 – Formulated Compost Fertilizer (30% Browns + 30% Greens + 40% Banana Bract at 2kg/m2 with 1.91% N - 0.52% P2O5 – 0.48% K2O), F2 - Commercial Compost Fertilizer (Vermi-Compost of Cebu Provincial Agriculture Office at 2kg/m2 with 1.84% N - 1.78% P2O5 – 0.17% K2O), F3 – Inorganic Fertilizer (14-14-14 – 0.06kg/m2) and Factor B – Fermented Activators and EM= E0 – Control (tap water), E1 – CGSAA alone (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E2 – FSCJ alone (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E3 – 1 Part CGSAA + 1 Part FSCJ (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E4 – Commercial E.M. (BIOEM at 5L/m2 two times a week). Results revealed that at harvest, pechay leaf length increased by 1.77 times (21.49 cm), number of leaves by 0.78 times (9.26), leaf area by 18.02 times (831.93cm3) and computed marketable yield by 32.96 times (9.17 t ha-1) when fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM than those unfertilized pechay without fermented activators application. Furthermore, commercial EM along with commercial compost fertilizer increased the shoot fresh weight of pechay. On shoot dry weight and root fresh and dry weight, compost fertilizer application alone is already enough. Conclusively, for pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.) commercial production, the use of commercial compost fertilizer together with commercial effective microorganism is recommended for higher growth and yield. Keywords: Fertilizer, Fermented activators, EM®, pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.).

INTRODUCTION Pechay (Brassica pekinensis L) is a major vegetable crop, is rich in vitamin C and contains significant amounts of nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber - both of which appear to lower the risk of various forms of cancer (Murray, 2005). However, in order to produce high yield, most growers use synthetically-based products, thus, the possibility of pesticides and chemical residue accumulation is very serious that poses threat to human health. According to Mendoza (2004), the main expenditure in a conventional farm in agrochemical inputs is 65% for fertilizer and 18.2% for pesticides. Considering the growth habit of crucifers, using organic fertilizer alone may be proved to be disadvantageous since organic fertilizer creates a slow-release situation of providing nutrients to the soil to be absorbed and used by plants for their growth and development over a longer period of time. Thus, other than using compost alone, additional known effects of fermented activators such as promotion of growth must be considered to make it at least at par with synthetically-based products.

Corresponding author: petroey262301@yahoo.com

Hence the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different organic and in-organic fertilizers together with fermented activators and effective microorganisms and their interaction on the growth and yield of pechay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experiment was conducted at the experimental area of Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Barili Campus, Barili, Cebu, Philippines during the year 2011, to evaluate the effect of using different fertilizers, fermented activators, and effective microorganisams on the yield, root and shoot fresh and dry weight of pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.). The experimental material consists of two major components viz: composed and inorganic fertilizer and fermented activators together with commercial effective microorganisms. Each compost component was grouped together according to browns: low nitrogen content dried corn (Zea mays) stalks; greens: high nitrogen content kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) leaves and phosphorus and potassium source, banana (Musa balbisiana) bract. After collection of compost materials, they were shredded into particles having approximately 2-5cm in length to increase the surface area of the materials. The lignocellulosic waste combination of 30% Browns + 30% Greens + 40% Banana Bract served as the test compost for study. Pascual (2011) reported that the lignocellulosic waste combination of 30% Browns + 30% Greens + 40% Banana Bract produced the highest percent nitrogen and phosphorus in the compost product. Swamp cabbages with green leaves were used while those that show yellow discoloration were discarded. These were cut approximately 50 cm from the tip. For golden snail, only the live ones were used for fermentation. The compost activators were prepared through anaerobic fermentation using swamp cabbage alone, golden snail alone and 1 part swamp cabbage + 1 part golden snail (w/w). The freshly collected swamp cabbages were chopped to about 10cm while fresh golden snails were crushed. From these materials, 2.0 kg each of chopped swamp cabbage alone, crushed golden snail alone and 1.0 kg of chopped swamp cabbage + 1kg of crushed golden snail were placed in three individual identical buckets and added with 0.67 kg molasses. Then it was covered and allowed to ferment for one month. The fermented extract produced was diluted with water and molasses at a ratio of 1L extract: 1L molasses: 48L tap water following the procedure of Salapare (2008). Commercial EM was available in a dormant state and required activation before application. Activation was done by the addition of 45L of water to 3L of dormant EM according to the specified dilution of the commercial EM. The solution was placed in a clean plastic drum (50L capacity) covered and allowed to ferment for one week. The commercial EM (BIOEM) contained lactic acid, photosynthesis bacteria, yeast, sugar cane molases and water. BIOEM is said to promote germination, root formation, flowering, fruiting and the maturity of plants. It also improves the soil physical, chemical and biological condition and accelerates composting. Its main company (EM-BIO) is based in Hungary. An area of 236 m2 was used, which was divided into three equal blocks of 59m2 representing the replications. The area has clay soil with an initial nutrient analysis of N – 0.11%, P2O5 – 0.12%, K2O – 0.12% and pH – 8.0. Each block was further subdivided into 20 equal plots each with a dimension of 2m x 1m. A distance of one meter was provided between blocks and 0.5m between plots. Five rows with a distance of 40cm in between rows were made in each plot with 20cm per hill to make 25 plants per plot. A two-factorial experiment arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The treatments were as follows:

Factor A – Fertilizer = F0 – Control (no fertilizer), F1 – Formulated Compost Fertilizer (30% Browns + 30% Greens + 40% Banana Bract at 2kg/m2 with 1.91% N - 0.52% P2O5 – 0.48% K2O), F2 - Commercial Compost Fertilizer (Vermi-Compost of Cebu Provincial Agriculture Office at 2kg/m2 with 1.84% N - 1.78% P2O5 – 0.17% K2O), F3 – Inorganic Fertilizer (14-14-14 – 0.06kg/m2) and Factor B – Fermented Activators and EM= E0 – Control (tap water), E1 – CGSAA alone (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E2 – FSCJ alone (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E3 – 1 Part CGSAA + 1 Part FSCJ (at 5L/m2 two times a week), E4 – Commercial EM (BIOEM at 5L/m2 two times a week). The fermented activators and EM were applied one week after activation. The remaining activated fermented activators and EM, however, were used only up to 30 days and were replaced with a newly activated fermented activators and EM. For activated EM, a rule of thumb is 30 days longevity. However, its peak efficacy occurs at about 14-16 days (www.futuretechtoday.com). Seeds of Pavito variety of pechay from East-West Seed Company were used in this study. The area was alternately plowed to 30cm depth and harrowed using tractor. After thorough land preparation, 60 beds each measuring 2m x 1m were prepared using garden hoe and spade. Each bed was raised to about 20cm high with leveled surface to ensure that there was no mixture/contamination among treatments upon application. Five rows with a distance of 40cm apart were prepared for each plot with 20cm and 10cm provision at both ends, respectively. Two seedlings per hill, one-week old were planted in the assigned bed following the distance of planting of 40cm between rows and 20cm between hills. Planting of seedlings was done three weeks after the incorporation of compost fertilizer. Irrigation according to the treatments (Factor B) with the use of sprinkler was done immediately after transplanting. Thinning of seedlings was done one week after transplanting, leaving one vigorous plant per hill. One week after emergence of radish, irrigation at 5L/m2 or 1 sprinkler load/2m2 following the treatments (Factor B) and supplemented with tap water was done every morning and afternoon to sustain soil moisture. From the second week until harvest, irrigation was done once a day. Weeds were immediately controlled by hand-pulling. In case of severe pest/disease damage/infection (>50%), the plots were immediately treated with Hot Pepper spray weekly at a rate of 50 ml stock solution/L of water. The stock solution of hot pepper fruit extract was prepared by blending one part of hot pepper fruits with two parts of water by volume and strained in cheese cloth. The different compost fertilizer materials were applied by incorporating them into the top 15cm layer of the bed for pechay and fertilized with compost fertilizer immediately after the plots have been prepared. Four kg of each compost fertilizer was applied based on the 20t/ha application for plots requiring compost fertilization. Inorganic fertilizer (Urea ) was side-dressed at 10g plant-1 one week after transplanting for pechay to be fertilized with inorganic fertilizer according to the treatments of the study (Factor A). Harvesting was done when pechay reached maturity at four weeks after transplanting. Data on the following characters were gathered Leaf length (cm) , number of leaves, leaf area (cm2), computed marketable yield (tha-1), shoot and root fresh weight (g/plant), shoot and root dry weight (g/plant) and dry matter yield (g/plant). Soil nutrient and microbial analysis

Approximately 100g of fresh composite soil samples after harvest was collected and brought to the Bureau of Soils, Mandaue Experimental Station, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines for soil nutrient analysis and Technolab Analytical Group, Inc., Cebu City, Philippines for soil microbial analysis. The percent organic matter was analyzed using Walkey-Black Method, the available phosphorus using Vanadomolybdate Method and the extractable potassium using Flame Photometer Method. The pH of the soil was also analyzed. Statistical analysis Data were subjected for statistical analysis of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Comparisons among means were done using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) to determine the specific significant differences among treatment means.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Yield and yield components Data on the yield and yield components of pechay at harvest revealed that the length, number and area of leaves and the computed yield were significantly affected by the fertilizer, fermented activators and EM applied (Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Their appearance is shown in Figure 1. Regardless of fermented activators and EM application, pechay fertilized with formulated and commercial compost fertilizer produced the longest leaves (18.18 cm and 17.89 cm, respectively), more number of leaves (8.27 and 8.44, respectively), largest leaf area (582.32 cm2 and 602.82 cm2, respectively) and highest computed yield (6.53 tha-1 and 6.35 tha-1). For the effect of fermented activators and EM, pechay applied with Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone and commercial EM (BIOEM) produced the longest leaves (15.99cm and 17.17cm, respectively), most number of leaves (7.28 and 7.63, respectively) and largest leaf area (449.53 cm2 and 466.76 cm2, respectively). However, the number of leaves for both pechay applied with both Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone and commercial EM (BIOEM) was not significantly different from those applied with 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino Acid + 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice and tap water. In terms of computed yield, pechay applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) produced the highest computed yield at 5.07 tha-1 and was followed by pechay applied with Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone with 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino Acid + 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice at 4.54 tha-1 and 4.32 tha-1, respectively. For the combined effects of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM, the longest leaves were observed on pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) at 21.49 cm. However, this was not significantly different from pechay fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) at 20.19cm, Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone (19.27cm) and tap water (19.93cm). This means, that for increasing the length of leaves, the use of formulated compost fertilizer is already enough and fermented activators and EM are not anymore necessary. On the quantity of leaves, application of fermented activators and EM using commercial EM (BIOEM) at 8.66 and 9.26, Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone (8.40 and 8.33) and 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice + 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino (7.93 and 8.46) were not significantly different from pechay applied with tap water (9.29 and 8.73) when grown in formulated compost and commercial compost fertilizer, respectively. This means, that for number of leaves of pechay at harvest, using fermented activators and EM is not practical when they are grown in commercial or formulated compost fertilizer. Table 1. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on the length of leaves (cm) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 7.74j 12.54ghi 10.75ij 13.34f-i 12.07hi 11.29c F1 19.93abc 15.89d-g 19.27a-d 15.62efg 20.19ab 18.18a F2 16.67b-f 16.60c-f 17.97b-e 16.74b-f 21.49a 17.89a F3 10.36ij 11.32i 15.95d-g 11.71hi 14.94e-h 12.86b Mean 13.67b 14.09b 15.99a 14.35b 17.17a

C.V. (%) - 12.61 Table 2. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on the number of leaves of pechay

at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 5.19g 5.76d-g 5.03g 7.10b-f 6.06d-g 5.83b F1 9.29a 7.06b-f 8.40ab 7.93abc 8.66ab 8.27a

F2 8.73ab 7.43bcd 8.33ab 8.46ab 9.26a 8.44a F3 5.66fg 5.70efg 7.36b-e 5.00g 6.53c-g 6.05b Mean 7.22ab 6.49b 7.28ab 7.12ab 7.63a

C.V. (%) - 12.45 Table 3. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on the leaf area (cm2/plant) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 43.73k 171.16ghi 85.83jk 187.40gh 117.26ij 121.08c F1 716.90b 260.99f 673.93b 560.23c 699.53b 582.32a F2 563.13c 385.69e 572.06c 661.30b 831.93a 602.82a F3 93.56jk 130.96hij 466.30d 106.20jk 218.33fg 203.07b Mean 354.33b 237.20c 449.53a 378.78b 466.76a

C.V. (%) - 9.58 However, for leaf area (Table 3) and computed yield (Table 4) of pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM (BIOEM), largest leaf area (831.93 cm2) and computed yield (9.17 t/ha) were obtained which were statistically different from the rest of the fermented activators treated pechay. Such yield (9.17 t/ha) is a little lower than the expected yield of 10 t/ha (PCARRD, 2000). Moreover, using formulated compost fertilizer applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) yielded a leaf area of 699.53cm2 and yield of 7.91 t/ha. However, this was not significantly different compared to those treated with tap water or Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone. This yield is generally higher than that reported by Dacumos (2009) on pechay fertilized with RM-CARES and applied with neem tree extract of 3.83t/ha and Quiambao (2009) of 3.5t/ha. This means that when commercial EM and commercial compost fertilizer are not available, the use of formulated compost containing 30% Browns + 30% Greens + 40% Banana Bract alone or applied with Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice alone for pechay production is already a very good alternative. Table 4. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on the computed marketable yield

(t/ha) of pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 0.27j 1.23ij 0.56ij 2.15h 1.04ij 1.05c F1 7.59b 3.12g 7.34bc 6.91cd 7.91b 6.53a F2 4.90e 3.98f 6.04d 7.65b 9.17a 6.35a F3 0.67ij 1.28hi 4.23ef 0.79ij 2.17h 1.83b Mean 3.36c 2.40d 4.54b 4.32b 5.07a

C.V. (%) - 13.13 Table 5. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on shoot fresh weight (g/plant) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 2.73j 12.34ij 5.62ij 21.58h 10.42ij 10.54c F1 75.94b 31.26g 73.45bc 66.91cd 79.14b 65.34a F2 49.06e 39.89f 60.42d 76.50b 91.70a 63.53a F3 6.78ij 12.88hi 42.37ef 7.96ij 21.76h 18.35b Mean 33.63c 24.09d 45.46b 43.24b 50.77a

C.V. (%) - 13.13 Table 6. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on root fresh weight (g/plant) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 0.19j 1.06hij 0.43ij 1.57gh 0.94hij 0.84c F1 4.93a 1.74fgh 3.41bcd 3.28b-e 2.90cde 3.25b F2 3.54bc 2.41efg 3.70bc 4.04ab 4.90a 3.72a F3 0.58ij 0.84hij 2.50def 0.45ij 1.33hi 1.14c Mean 2.31a 1.51b 2.51a 2.33a 2.52a

C.V. (%) - 22.86 Table 7. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on shoot dry weight (g/plant) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 0.19l 1.06jk 0.46kl 1.46ij 1.12ijk 0.86c F1 6.28ab 2.31gh 5.72bc 5.03cde 5.51bcd 4.97a F2 4.27e 2.87fg 4.78de 5.78bc 6.70a 4.88a F3 0.58kl 1.12ijk 3.23f 0.72jkl 1.91hi 1.51b Mean 2.83c 1.84d 3.55ab 3.25b 3.81a

C.V. (%) - 15.05 Table 8. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on root dry weight (g/plant) of

pechay at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 0.02l 0.32h-k 0.09l 0.54fg 0.38ghi 0.27b F1 1.52a 0.36g-j 0.86de 0.91cd 0.94cd 0.92a F2 1.00cd 0.54fgh 0.85de 1.10bc 1.27b 0.95a F3 0.14jkl 0.23i-l 0.66ef 0.10kl 0.46fgh 0.32b Mean 0.67ab 0.36c 0.61b 0.66ab 0.76a

C.V. (%) - 19.59 Table 9. Effect of fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application on dry matter (DM/plant) of pechay

at harvest.

Fertilizer Fermented activators and E.M. Mean E0 E1 E2 E3 E4

F0 0.21m 1.39jkl 0.56lm 2.01hij 1.52ijk 1.14c F1 7.82a 2.68gh 6.59bc 5.95cde 6.46bcd 5.90a F2 5.28e 3.42fg 5.64de 6.89b 7.98a 5.84a F3 0.74klm 1.35jkl 3.90f 0.83klm 2.38hi 1.84b Mean 3.51c 2.21d 4.17b 3.92bc 4.59a

C.V. (%) - 13.63 Means followed by a common letter are not significantly different from each other at 5% level using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) Legend: F0 - Control (no fertilizer) E0 - Control (tap water) F1 - Formulated compost fertilizer E1 – CGSAA alone F2 - Commercial compost fertilizer E2 – FSCJ alone F3 - Inorganic fertilizer E3 – 1 Part CGSAA + 1 Part FSCJ E4 - Commercial EM

Figure 1. Growth and development of pechay (Brassica pekinensis L), at harvest as affected by fertilizer,

fermented activators, and EM application (left to right – F0, F1, F2 and F3 and top to bottom – E0, E1, E2, E3 and E4

Figure 2. Percent OM, nutrient content, pH and microbial population (cfu/ml) of composite soil samples at

harvest as affected by fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application (treatments from left to right – F0E0, F1E0, F2E0, F3E0, F0E1, F1E1, F2E1, F3E1, F0E2, F1E2, F2E2, F3E2, F0E3, F1E3, F2E3, F3E3, F0E4, F1E4, F2E4 and F3E4)

The improvement in yield and yield components due to organic matter application is supported by the study of Alisbo (2005) where plant height, number and weight of marketable fruits and total number and weight of fruits responded positively to applications of hog manure as soil organic matter amendment. Dick and Gregorich (2004) also reported that application of organic matter remains the key component in the development and maintenance of a high-quality soil because it affects many soil properties like buffering capacity, soil consistence, and soil erodibility, and provides a healthy environment for the community of soil microorganisms. Allison (1973) listed the effects of organic fertilizer as follows: involved in N fixation, humus formation, improving soil physical condition, conservation of nutrients, supplies carbon dioxide as a nutrient, controls erosion and plant diseases. On the other hand, the shortest leaves (11.29cm), lowest leaf area (121.08cm2) and yield (1.05 t/ha) were observed on those not applied with fertilizer. With regard to microbial inoculation, they are known to improve the physical properties of the soil such as drainage, water holding capacity, porosity, rooting depth, decreased compaction and bulk density (Corales and Higa, 2002). This was also reported as one of the beneficial effects of BIOEM – improves the physical and biological conditions of the soil. Concerning Fermented Swamp Cabbage, according to Carandang (2003), its basic characteristic is it grows very fast and for a natural farmer, these kinds of plants have natural growth promotant, thus, its auxiliary buds are a good material to ferment. These fermented plant extracts also improve soil fertility, control pests and diseases and increase microbial diversity and ecology. Furthermore, organic fertilizers, (solid or liquid) is considered to contain essential elements and substances such as plant nutrients, vitamins, antibiotics, and a complex of black humus which contains billions of microorganism, egg and larvae of soil fauna (Ruiz, 1983, as cited by Sigua, 1998). Fresh and dry weight and dry matter The shoot and root fresh and dry weight and dry matter as affected by fertilizer, fermented activators and EM application are presented in Tables 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Fresh and dry weights of shoot and roots and dry matter were highest in pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer. However, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight and dry matter of pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer was not significantly different from those fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer. On the other hand, percent dry matter of pechay fertilized with inorganic fertilizer was significantly lower compared to those applied with compost fertilizer. Such result is attributed to the physical properties clay soil where moisture is locked in the soil causing limited nutrient mobility, thus, lower shoot and root dry weight were observed. Furthermore, regardless of fertilizer, commercial EM (BIOEM) application resulted to heavier fresh and dry shoot, and root weight and dry matter. On the other hand, for their combined effects, heaviest shoot fresh weight was obtained from pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) at 91.70g. This was statistically higher than other fermented activators treated pechay. Pechay fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) followed at 79.14g. However, it was not significantly different from those fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer without the application of fermented activators. For root fresh weight, application of fermented activators and EM whether commercial (4.90g) or 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino Acid + 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice (4.04g) when fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer is not anymore necessary as it is not significantly different to pechay fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer without the application of fermented activators and EM (4.93g). Thus, for root fresh weight, the use of formulated compost fertilizer is already enough. Such was also exhibited on the shoot and root dry weight where fertilization of formulated compost fertilizer alone is already enough to elicit favorable response in pechay. Moreover, for dry matter, the highest value was obtained when pechay was fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer and applied with commercial EM. This, however, was not significantly different from pechay irrigated with tap water only and fertilized with formulated compost. Dry matter data are essential as dry matter production generally increases as the plant grows and develops making it a very reliable index of plant development compared to other parameters which are greatly dependent on moisture content. For the current study, such result can be greatly attributed to the limited mobility of water due to the physical properties of clay soils. Its effect, however, on pechay fertilized with compost was not greatly exhibited due to the inherent benefits of using compost in

improving soil physical properties. On the other hand, the heavier shoots of pechay when applied with commercial EM (BIOEM) and compost fertilizer are supported by that of Alisbo (2004) where hog manure treated with effective microorganism significantly increased the weight of marketable fruits of pepper. Soil chemical and microbial properties Figure 2 shows the OM (%), P (ppm), K (ppm), pH and population of microorganisms in composite soil samples as affected by fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM application. Results reveal that the highest populations of microorganism were obtained in soils fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer and applied with 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino Acid + 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice (2.5 x 105 cfu /ml). It is also the same 1 Part Crushed Golden Snail Amino Acid + 1 Part Fermented Swamp Cabbage Juice that had the most number of microorganisms (1.77 x 109 cfu/ml) in all the fermented activators, thus, might have effectively contributed to the population of microorganisms in the soil. According to the Gardeners Network (2008), fermented amino acid promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms and makes the soil less compact. Also, organic farming practices that increase inputs of animal manure or compost, often increase microbial populations and activity above the level observed under conventional management using chemical fertilizers (Kircher et al., 1993). Moreover, organic fertilizer, as stated by Sigua (1998), stimulates and increases microbial population in the soil and serves as valuable soil conditioner. However, no clear consistency can be seen in the population of organism in the soil as affected by fertilizer, fermented activators, and EM and the yield it produced. On the same figure (Figure 2), nutrient analysis of soil after the harvest of pechay revealed that the highest amount of nutrients was on pechay fertilized with commercial compost fertilizer for percent organic matter (7.26%) and pechay fertilized with formulated compost fertilizer for phosphorus (128 ppm) without the application of fermented activators and EM. CONCLUSION The use of commercial EM along with commercial compost fertilizer improved all the yield and yield components of pechay except for its number of leaves where application of compost fertilizer (formulated and commercial compost fertilizer) alone is already enough. Furthermore, commercial EM along with commercial compost fertilizer increased the shoot fresh weight of pechay. On shoot dry weight and root fresh and dry weight, compost fertilizer application alone is already enough. Therefore, for pechay production, the use commercial compost fertilizer together with commercial effective microorganism is recommended for optimal growth and yield.

REFERENCES Alisbo, E. D. 2005. Hog manure with and without effective microorganisms as fertilizer for hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). Unpublished undergraduate thesis, Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. p 55. Carandang, G. 2003. Grow your own beneficial indigenous microorganism. Retrieved on May 12, 2010 at http://www.whatcom.wsu.edu/aq/compost/. Corales, R. and T. Higa. 2002. Effects of microbial inoculation in rice straw utilization in rice production. Phil Rice Bulletin Vol. 6 (2): 28-35. Dacumos, C. C. 2009. Organic fertilizer and pesticide usage for mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and pechay (Brassica chinensis L.) production. Unpublished dissertation. Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. p 217. Dick, W. A. and E. G. Gregorich. 2004. Developing and maintaining soil organic matter levels. In managing soil quality. Challenges Modern Agriculture, ed P. Schjonning, S. Elmholt, and B. T. Christensen Cambridge, MA: CAB International.

Kircher, M. J., A. G. Wollum II and L. D. King. 1993. Soil microbial populations and activities in reduced chemical input agro-ecosystems. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 57:1289-1295. Mendoza, T. C. 2004. Evaluating the benefits of organic farming in rice agroecosystems in the Philippines. J. Sustainable Agric., 24 (2): 93-115. Murray, M.N.D. 2005. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York: Atria Books. Pascual, P. R .L. 2011. Optimal Proportions of Lignocellulosic Waste in Compost Production. Part of a dissertation in Crop Science. Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. p 201. PCARRD. 2000. Pechay Production Guide. Department of Agriculture, Region IV-B. Retrieved on January 26, 2011 at http://www.darfu4b.gov. ph/pechay. html. Quiambao, A. C. 2009. Cost and return for one hectare pechay production. Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture. Institute of Economics and Management. Pampanga Ahricultural College. Retrieved on October 14, 2011 at http:// wwwopenacademy.ph. Salapare, E. V. 2008. Fermented golasiman (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract as compost activator in rice straw decomposition. Unpublished masters thesis, Institute of Graduate Studies, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. p 106. Sigua, L.V. 1998. Effect of rice hull and bio-organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in a Maligaya clay loam soil. Unpublished masters thesis. Institute of Graduate Studies, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. p 85. The Biology Place. 2007. How to calculate leaf surface area. Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved on January 20, 2011 at http://www.phschool.com/science/biology. The Gardeners Network. 2008. Organic Gardening – Liquid Fish Fertilizer and Fish Emulsion. Retrieved on January 26, 2011 at http://www.gardenersnet.com/ organicgardening/fishfertilizer.htm.

(Received June 23, 2012; Accepted July 15, 2013)