EFFECTS OF AMINO ACID-GROUNDWATER SOLUTION AS GERMINATION

PROMOTER OF Lycopersicon esculentum (PHILIPPINE TOMATOES)

An Experimental Research

Presented to
Asian Learning Center
Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

Guino, Melvin A. Fedillaga, Althea G..

March, 2023
 Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Setting

Introduction

The intervention and of use amino acids in agriculture as supplement and

potentially act as fertilizers mixed with solvents emerged in modern farming.

Additionally, a field technician from the Global Green Organic Fertilizer Inc.

explained that Amino Plus Foliar is a new artificially organic substitute for

watering plants which is now available in the market. It can boost the growth and

productivity of rice, corn, vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, and many other

crops like tomato and onion. Plants sprayed with this type of foliar and fertilizers

are more resistant to diseases and other stresses in the field like extreme

drought or flooding. When sprayed on crops, it effectively adheres to the plant’s

surface and provides quick

supplementation. (Manny Pablo, as cited by Yap, Jr., 2016).

Environmental stress conditions such as pest attack, phytotoxicity, low

humidity, high temperature, frost, and drought affects plant metabolism, lower

the volume and quality of crop production, thereby causing yield losses in seed

producing plants. To prevent this from happening, farmers are implementing the

use of amino acid fertilizers before, during, or after the occurrence of

environmental stress. This not only catalyzes the growth process but also

improves plant metabolism. The application of amino acid fertilizers will increase

with the rising prevalence of seed-borne diseases and changing climatic

conditions. However, there are limited to no present studies executing the use of

soluble amino acids as germination promoter. Although the use of amino acid

fertilizer is common to some countries like India, Canada and some countries in

Europe, there is still no concrete quantity representing those farmers that uses

amino acid fertilizer does not mean that it is not used in the country (Rao, 2016).
 Conventionally, Tomatoes currently have a higher consumption rate in

more developed countries which is both a vegetable and a fruit and is often

referred to as a luxury crop. It is a major crop that has achieved tremendous

popularity over the last century. It is grown practically in every country of the

world - in outdoor fields, greenhouses and net houses. This crop with varying

species is almost inevitably present in every food and in every dish around the

world. (Wener, n.d.). In fact, tomatoes are the most significant vegetable crop

with about 160 million tons produced in 2011, or about 15% of the entire totality

of vegetable production. With 159 kg per year, Asia is the world leader in

vegetable consumption, considering population growth, this has resulted in a

doubling of the per capita consumption of the vegetable from approximately 50

kg in 1963 to 102 kg in 2009. In the same period, tomato consumption increased

from 7.5 kg to 20.5 kg/year/ per capita, either fresh or processed, on world

average. (FAO Statistics, as cited by Garming, 2014).

The world’s massive consumption of this intricately grown crop proves

that its existence is a foremost sustenance. However, the major challenge that

puts it at risk is in the plant’s vulnerability to germination. Philippine tomatoes

(Lycopersicon esculentum) are one of the most difficult crops to manage. In fact,

according to Philippine Statistics Authority (2014), an average of 2.3 million

metric ton of tomatoes are lost annually because of non-germination,

environmental threats and spoilage during planting season. Such problem

causes the farmers to lose as much as P4 million because of a supposed

oversupply bringing down the farm gate price to Php. 2.50 to Php. 5 a kilo

depending on size (Chanco, 2018).

Local institutions such as the City Agriculture Office (CAO) of Calbayog

City attests to the crisis of enough knowledge to grow and cultivate tomatoes

more efficiently in the locality. From an interview to the Farm Superintendent II

of CAO, tomatoes are hot weather crop, they like heat and humidity making
them unable to germinate and yield crops during rainy season. That is why

almost all local farmers of the city uses multi-cropping technique to cultivate their

farms. Because of this, the city cannot produce enough supply that is demanded

by the market. In fact, according to the Annual Crop Consumption Report of the

Project Evaluation Officer IV of CAO, the city consumes a total amount of Php.

203 760.22 worth of market price of the tomato alone. The city only produces

around, Php. 14 540.00 worth of tomatoes. Thus, the office resorts to introduce

economic players to meet the demand. Calbayog City imports tomatoes from

Cebu impending a reasonable income from the tomatoes to the local farmers of

the city. Tomatoes are semihydrophilic, which means they must be watered

twice a day with approximately 1-

1.5 in3 (3-5 sprays) a week (Perez et.al., 2014).

Furthermore, the researchers aim to test its effect on the germination rate

and germination period of Lycopersicon esculentum (Philippine Tomato).

Statement of the Problem

This study sought to investigate the effects of amino acid-groundwater

solution to the germination rate and period of Lycopersicon esculentum

(Philippine Tomatoes).

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the most effective Amino acid-groundwater solution treatment

that yields the highest germination rate and germination period of

Lycopersicon esculentum (Philippine Tomato)

1.1. 100ppm

1.2. 200ppm; and

1.3. 300ppm?

2. What is the germination rate and germination period of the Lycopersicon

esculentum (Philippine Tomato) in the control set-up?

period between the control and experimental set-up?

4. Based on the findings, what can be proposed?

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