Abstract:
Non-conventional organic fertilizers from animal wastes such as swine manure, carabao manure
and caramanure tea though readily and abundantly available in the backyard, remained untapped
for crop production especially vegetable production including pechay. The objectives of the
study were to determine the growth and yield, and profitability of organic pechay (Brassica
rapa) production using different bio-organic fertilizers from animal wastes. The four
experimental treatments include swine manure, carabao manure, caramanure tea and control (no
fertilizer). These treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
three replications. The effect of different bio-organic fertilizers on productivity was measured in
terms of plant height, number of leaves, width of leaves, length of leaves and weight of
marketable plants, while profitability were determined in terms of gross and net return and return
on investment (ROI). Results revealed that all agronomic characteristics of pechay were
significantly affected by the different manures applied. The data showed that the growth and
yield of pechay applied with swine manure were significantly better than those plants applied
with carabao manure, caramanure tea and control. Cost and return analysis indicated that among
the different manures, swine manure resulted in positive net return of Php 52,375.00 per hectare
and the highest ROI (Return on Investment) of 53.65%, while the rest of the treatments resulted
in negative net return and return on investment (ROI). Based on these findings, among the
different bio-organic fertilizers from animal wastes tested in this study, swine manure can be
used as alternative to in-organic fertilizers and as a stand-alone source of nutrients in organic
pechay production.
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