Capstone Research Project I Boracay NHS I STEM 12 I S.Y. 2020-2021 I Group 3

Summary

The presentation explores the effectiveness of enhanced *Analyses aquaritis* as an alternative compost for plant growth, comparing it to commercial fertilizers. It addresses environmental concerns associated with chemical fertilizers and highlights the ecological benefits of using *Analyses aquaritis*, a seagrass commonly found in coastal areas. The study involved various treatments using mung beans to assess growth rates, leaf count, and leaf area over several weeks. Results indicate that while commercial fertilizers initially promote faster growth, *Analyses aquaritis* shows potential as a sustainable alternative for enhancing plant growth and soil health.

Takeaways

• 😀 The study investigates the effectiveness of enhanced seagrass, specifically *Enhalus acoroides*, as an alternative compost for plant growth compared to commercial fertilizers.
• 🌱 The researchers aim to determine if *Enhalus acoroides* can provide an eco-friendly solution for plant fertilization, mitigating the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment.
• 📊 The research uses mung beans as the test plant to measure growth rates and overall development across different treatments.
• ⚖️ A one-way ANOVA statistical method was employed to analyze the data collected from various treatment groups over a 21-day period.
• 📈 The results indicated significant differences in plant height across treatments, with *Enhalus acoroides* showing promising growth potential compared to soil-only treatments.
• 🍃 Although plants with commercial fertilizers exhibited faster initial growth, the alternative compost showed better long-term effects on plant height and leaf area over time.
• 🌊 Dead seagrass contributes to beach pollution; thus, utilizing it as compost can help improve coastal beauty and reduce waste.
• 🔬 The methodology involved collecting, washing, drying, and pulverizing seagrass before using it in composting, ensuring quality and effectiveness.
• 📅 Observations were made weekly to assess plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area, providing a comprehensive view of growth performance.
• 🤝 The researchers express gratitude to their advisor and the community for support, highlighting the importance of collaboration in academic endeavors.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the research study presented?

The main objective is to determine the effectiveness of enhanced aquaritis as an alternative compost for plant growth compared to commercial fertilizers.

What environmental issues are associated with the use of commercial fertilizers?

Commercial fertilizers can lead to chemical buildup in the soil, create more trash, and potentially harm people when consumed or exposed to chemicals.

What is 'analysed aquaritis' and where is it commonly found?

Analysed aquaritis is a seagrass commonly found in the back pitch of Bulabog during low tide, and is part of the hydrocarbon quea family, known as tape grass.

What specific plants were used to measure growth in this study?

Mung beans, commonly called mungo, were used to measure plant growth and development.

What were the five different treatment groups in the experiment?

The five treatment groups were: 100% soil, 75% soil and 25% aquaritis, 50% soil and 50% aquaritis, 25% soil and 75% aquaritis, and 100% soil with commercial fertilizer.

What method was used to collect data on plant growth?

Data on plant growth was collected every seven days over a 21-day period, measuring plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area.

What were the significant findings regarding plant height?

The study found significant differences in plant height among treatments, with those receiving commercial fertilizer yielding the tallest plants.

Did the study find significant differences in the number of leaves across treatments?

No significant differences in the number of leaves across the five treatments were found in both the first and second replications.

What recommendations were made based on the study's findings?

The study recommended exploring natural decomposition methods for composting aquaritis and conducting further research to validate its effectiveness as an alternative compost.

Who were acknowledged in the conclusion of the research study?

The researchers expressed gratitude to God, their panelists, research advisor, school principal, parents, and classmates for their support throughout the research process.