Prospecting the Sustainable Potential: Algae-based Biofertilizers for Enhanced Crop-Growth of Green Ice Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) and Soil Health in La Trinidad, Benguet

[In proceedings, 3rd Regional Student Research Colloquium]

Abstract

Due to the arising problem of soil degradation and health implications of synthetic or inorganic fertilizers, the integration of sustainable farming techniques such as the use of biofertilizers have emerged. This study was conducted to examine the efficacy and feasibility of an algae-based biofertilizer formulated from the mixed medium of filamentous algae, sugarcane molasses, and fermented rice bran as means of enhancing the crop growth of green ice lettuce and soil health in the agricultural area of La Trinidad, Benguet. Complete Randomized Design was used in the study in which the treatments were laid out with three replications. The experimental stage of the study was conducted at the Cordillera Organic Agriculture Research and Development Center and at the Benguet State University Soil Sciences Department. The application of the formulated algae-based biofertilizer was effective and feasible. In terms of plant growth, the results have shown that treatment application of T3 (60ml Algae-based biofertilizer diffused in 100ml of tap water) has the most significant effect, having a mean number of 13 leaves grown, 129.04 inches of plant height, and 140g in shoot weight; as compared to the control treatment T1 which has a mean number of 9 leaves grown, 117.26 inches of plant height and a shoot weight of 46.67g. In terms of soil health, the treatment application of T4 (90ml Algae- based biofertilizer diffused in 100ml of tap water) has the most significant effect, being the only treatment that has increased the organic matter content of the soil (OM) by 0.16%, highest increase in the content nutrient levels by 1.1983% in nitrogen (N), and water holding capacity (WHC) by 15.2%, as compared to all the other treatments. T3 (60mL Algae-based biofertilizer) followed closely with T4 as it has the highest registered increase of the potassium (K) content of the soil by 79.67 ppm. But despite having increasing the OM, content nutrient levels N and K, and the WHC of the soil, the effect of the mentioned treatments in the phosphorus (P) content and the pH levels of the soil was similar to all the other treatments (not significant) as it decreased the P content and only slightly increased the pH level of the soil. Furthermore, the control treatment which has the lowest effect in the soil only had improved the N levels by 0.66%, K by 30.33 ppm, and the WHC of the soil by 2.15%. Moreover, this study utilized a new approach in formulating an algae-based biofertilizer as compared to existing studies as it used macroalgae (filamentous algae) rather than microalgae cultures.