ABSTRACT

This study generally aimed to compare the three different mulching materials for growing
eggplant in terms of population of weeds, insect count and number and weight of damaged and
undamaged fruits.
Two hundred forty eggplants (Domino F1) were used in this study. A total of 117 square
meters was used to plant 240 eggplant seedlings. The experiment was laid out in Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated into four blocks. Three mulches
were evaluated namely: Treatment 1-Rice straw, Treatment 2-Black plastic, Treatment 3-White
old sack, Treatment 4-Unmulched (control).
After three to four weeks of sowing, the eggplant seedlings were transplanted to the
experimental plots using bamboo sticks. There were fifteen eggplants with a plant distance of
50cm by 50cm in each plot. The data were gathered every two weeks. For gathering the data on
weeds, it was pulled out and counted manually. In insect count, simple random sampling was
used as well as in the number and weight of eggplant fruits.
The results clearly demonstrated that the Treatment 2 (black plastic) was the most
effective mulch for growing eggplant in terms of controlling of weeds, insect count, number and
weight of eggplant fruits using ANOVA at 5% level of significance. However, Treatment 1 and
Treatment 3 were not significantly different.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“MOTIVATION WILL ALWAYS BEAT MERE TALENT”. To accomplish

great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. Let us

strive on to finish the work we are in.

This research paper entitled “Comparison of different mulching materials for

growing eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)” will never be possible without the help of

those people who shared their knowledge and insights about this study. The researchers

wish to express their sincerest appreciation to the following who extended their unselfish

help for the completion of this Research Paper.

Mrs. Felerma G. Urbano, their research adviser, for her continuous guidance,

encouragement and pieces of advice that gave meaning to this research, for sharing her

knowledge in writing the research paper.

Mrs. Aurea C. Roxas, Research Professor in Entomology at CLSU for suggesting

this study to the researchers, for her patience and expressive ideas and recommendations

and for her time in answering the questions of the researchers.

Ms. Criselyn Aquino Research Assistant of Mrs. Aurea Roxas at CLSU for her

suggestions, ideas and criticism about this study.

Mrs. Zoraida Bartolome, CLSU Librarian, for helping the researchers to locate

the books that are needed in improvement of this study and for giving important

reminders in making this research paper.

Their classmates for giving time in helping them and sharing opinions about

some in formations in their study.

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 The researcher’s parents for giving moral, understanding and financial support

when they did this research.

For all those people who helped the researchers a lot but not mentioned about they

avow their genuine gratitude.

Finally, the researcher’s wish to express their gratitude to the FATHER

ALMIGHTY for His endless guidance and providence. Without him this research will

not really be possible.

The Researchers

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………………....…..…i

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….……..ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………….…………..iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................v

LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………….…..…vii

LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES…………………………………………………..…..viii

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study……………………………………………….……….……1

Statement of the Problem……………………………………………...……………...2

Hypotheses………………………………………………………....……………….....3

Significance of the Study…………………………..……………………….………...3

Scope and Limitations…………………………………..…………………………….4

Review of Related Literature…………………………………..………………...…...5

Review of Related Studies…………………………………..………………………..9

Definition of Terms……………………………..……………………………...……11

Research Paradigm.……………………………………..…………………..….…...11

METHODOLOGY

Collecting and Sowing of Eggplant Seed…………………………………….……..13

Land Preparation…………………………………………………………...….…....13

Preparing and Setting the Mulching Materials…………………………...…..…….14

Transplanting of Eggplant on Prepared Plots……………………………….......….14

Data Gathering………..………………………………………………………....….15
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 Statistical Analysis…………………………………………………….……………17

Flow Diagram………………………………………………….………….…..........18

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION……………….....……………………………..…..….19

CONCLUSIONS…………………………………………………………………….....23

RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................23

LITERATURE CITED………………………………………………………….…......24

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………….……....25

DOCUMENTATIONS………………………………………………………….…...…31

CURRICULUM VITAE..................................................................................................57

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title Page

1 Population of weeds per plot as affected by different treatments 19

2 Population of insects based from 10 sample plants per plot as affected 20

by different treatments

3 Number and weight of damaged and undamaged fruits based from 10 21

sample plants per plot as affected by different treatments

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 LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES

Table No. Title Page

1 Mean of the Data Gathered in Population of Weeds per Plot. 26
2 Means of the Data Gathered in Population of Insects based from 10 26
Sample Plants per Plot.

3 Means for number and weight of damaged and undamaged fruits 27

based from 10 sample plants per plot.

4 ANOVA for the Data Gathered in the Population of Weeds per 28

Plot.
5 ANOVA for the Data Gathered in the Population of Insects per 29

Plot.
6 ANOVA for Number and Weight of damaged and undamaged 30

fruits based from 10 sample plants per plot.

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