Bio-Waste Utilization of Tibig (Ficus nota) as a Cos-Effective and Eco-friendly Fertilizer for Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis) Cultivation
Rovelyne M. Manzano
Discipline: food and beverage studies (non-specific)
Abstract:
The rising costs of synthetic
fertilizers and increasing
environmental concerns underscore
the necessity of developing sustainable
and cost-effective alternatives for crop
production. This study evaluated the
potential of fermented bio-waste
derived from Tibig (Ficus nota), an
indigenous and underutilized tree
species in the Philippines, as an
organic fertilizer for Bok Choy
(Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis). The
primary objectives were to determine
the nutrient composition of the
Fermented Tibig extract and assess its
efficacy in enhancing growth
performance and yield across two Bok
Choy cultivars—Green Stem and Dark
Green Stem—under varying
concentrations (15,000 ppm, 30,000
ppm, and 45,000 ppm). The
experiment was conducted from March
to April 2025 at Quirino State
University, Maddela Campus, using a
factorial design under controlled
conditions. Results indicated that the
Dark Green Stem cultivar exhibited
superior performance in terms of plant
height, leaf number, leaf area, and
biomass yield. Although statistical
analysis revealed non-significant
differences in most parameters, a
significant effect (p<0.05) was
observed in leaf area, favoring
treatments with lower Tibig
concentrations. These findings suggest
that fermented Tibig bio-waste
presents a promising, environmentally
sound, and economically viable
alternative to commercial fertilizers,
with potential applications in
sustainable vegetable production
systems.
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