Search

Sargassum polycystum is among the seaweed species in the Philippines that are considered coastal waste after drifting on the shorelines. Although there has been a report on the potential of S. polycystum as a biostimulant for certain crops, its utilization as a hydroponic nutrient solution is not yet thoroughly analyzed. Thus, a study utilizes various ratios of S. polycystum seaweed extract (SE) mixed with commercial hydroponic nutrient solution (CHNS) to the growth and yield of green leaf lettuce grown under the Kratky method of hydroponic system. Treatments are 100% CHNS and percentage replacements of CHNS with SE (25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively). The result shows a 10.53% increase in lettuce plant height grown under 25% and 50% SE compared to 100% CHNS. A similar result is also observed in the lettuce leaf width (14.29%), leaf length (7.14%), and plant weight (22.41%). Regarding root length, replacing 50% SE resulted in longer root length (44.83%) and more leaves (10%) compared to lettuce plants grown under 100% CHNS. However, replacement of SE beyond 50% is detrimental to leaf length and comparable to all growth and yield parameters with 100% CHNS. Regarding the return on investment, 50% SE replacement has the highest return of 98.62% compared to 100% CHNS, with 49.87% only for a projected six cropping cycles. Hence, a 50% replacement of CHNS with SE from its recommended rate can be suggested for more profitable production of green leaf lettuce under a hydroponic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth, egg quality and cost-benefit ratio was determined in this study wherein 120 ready-to-lay quail birds were used. The birds were distributed to six treatments, namely: T0 - control ration based on commercial feeds (quail layer mash); T1 - 10g fresh Trichanthera gigantea leaves (FTL); T2 - 10g fresh Moringa oleifera leaves (FML); T3 - 5g FTL and 5g FML, T4 - 7g FTL and 3g FML and T5 - 3g FTL and 7g FML. The egg weight, eggshell thickness, albumen and yolk weight, breadth and length, of the Japanese quail birds were gathered every two weeks. Furthermore, the body weight was measured every two weeks while feed consumption and number of eggs produced were recorded daily. The average body weight and the number of eggs produced significantly differed on week 8; T0 had the highest body weight and eggs produced, while T2 had the lowest body weight and eggs produced. Moreover, T5 had the thickest eggshells among the treatments. However, there were no significant differences in egg weight, albumen, yolk, breadth, length, and feed consumption. Furthermore, the inclusion of fresh T. gigantea and M. oleifera leaves of 3g and 7g (T5) positively affected the eggshell thickness. Moreover, it shows T5 show potential return of utilization in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]