Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Brgy. Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur

Davao del Sur State College (DSSC)

Concept Paper

Undergraduate Thesis 1

Prepared by:

Limbo, Leonill N.

3 – BSABE – B

APRIL, 2025
Proposed Title of Research Interest

Synergistic Effects Seaweed Fertilizer and Coconut water on Tomato (Solanum

lycopersicum L.) Growth

Area of Study (Field of Specialization)

Land and water conservation engineering

The Problem and its background of the study

Seaweed fertilizer improves soil health by enhancing water retention, developing

microbial activity, and mitigating environmental problems such as water pollution and soil

degradation. The plants then grow healthier and more quickly, with all the benefits provided

by chemical fertilizers, but without any problems caused to the environment. Seaweed is an

excellent source of micro and macro-elements required for plant nutrition. They help to

enhance the biochemical constituents of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, fibers, ash, phenol,

and dietary fiber in plants. Soil fertilization by seaweeds improves seed germination, shoot

and root elongation, water, and nutrient uptake, frost and saline resistance and resistance

toward phytopathogenic organisms (Ahmed, Gheda, & Ismail, 2020). Bio fertilization and

organic fertilizers including seaweed extracts are being used more often to boost plant

productivity (Korkmaz and Çiçek, 2024). The recent increase in organic farming methods has

eased the use of seaweed as an organic or biofertilizer in agriculture (Kumari et al., 2022).

Coconut water contains several nutrients and growth hormones which play a role in

cell division, stem meristem formation, root growth, nutrient mobilization, and seed

germination (Blakeslee et al., 2019). The use of inorganic fertilizers can be reduced by

adding natural organic materials, such as coconut water (Robert, 2019). The nutrients

contained in coconut water can replace or reduce artificial fertilizers in planting media, as
well as supply growth hormones (growth regulators) at the same time. Fulfilling the

nutritional needs of plants is expected to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizer (urea). Several

research results show that coconut water has an effect on plant growth (Rosniawaty, 2020).

Coconut water is an organic material containing nutrients and growth hormones in

liquid form, so its application can be through the soil or the leaves. The advantage of

application through the leaves is that nutrients can quickly enter the plant compared to

application to the soil, which takes time to absorb, Furthermore plants can absorb

essential elements through their leaves, stomata, and epidermis (Patil and Chetan

2018).

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the world's most frequently grown and

consumed horticultural crop. In addition to mild salt sensitivity, tomatoes are vulnerable to

abiotic stimuli such as saline-alkali, which inhibit their growth (Masmoudi 2021). The

cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, was originally domesticated in Western South and

Central America (Blanca et al., 2015). Botanically classified as a fruit (specifically a berry),

the tomato is commonly consumed as a vegetable. Although it is a tropical plant, it can adapt

to various climates worldwide. The leading tomato-producing countries include China, the

USA, India, Turkey, Egypt, and Italy (Costa and Heuvelink, 2018). Tomato farming has

expanded significantly as a result of the crop's rise in popularity over the past 50 years. Its

productivity has improved significantly over the past several years by roughly 10% as a result

of the fact that it is an important source of vitamins and minerals for many countries.

Additionally, it has just come to light that it is a significant source of lycopene, a

carotenoid with antioxidant characteristics that may help prevent diseases like cancer and

cardiovascular disease. (Bertin & Génard, 2018).

This research must be undertaken in order to address the issue and generate new

solutions. Environmental stresses common in fields, such as water scarcity, soil flooding,
high salinity, and extreme temperatures (cold and heat), can elicit plant responses at the

molecular, biochemical, physiological, and even morphological levels, ultimately reducing

plant growth and crop production (Kumar et al., 2021). However, a crop encounters obstacles

throughout its life cycle, including biotic stress from pathogens and abiotic stress from

changing environmental conditions (Compant et al., 2019). These environmental stressors,

ranging from severe temperatures to heavy metal poisoning, can affect the composition of the

plant and rhizosphere microbiomes influence plant health (Hiruma, 2019).

Objectives of this study

The aim of this study is to have a better production of tomato

.Specially, it aims to:

 To assess the growth parameters in terms of

a. Number of leaves

b. Plant height

c. Length of roots

 To determine the physiological effects of Elkhorn Sea Moss and Coconut Water on

tomato plants.

 To measure the fruit yield and quality in terms of

a. Size of fruit yield

b. Weight

c. Number of days to first flowering

Research Locale and Respondent

 This research will be conducted in Municipality of Matanao, Davao del Sur. The

respondent will the farmers that producing fresh tomato in the market.

Literature Review

This part of the study present a collection of literature and related researches which

are pertinent to the subject of investigation of the study.

Seaweed Fertilizer

Numerous research have shown that seaweed or algae biostimulants can increase

plant growth and yield (Kapoore et al., 2021). Furthermore, they are well recognized for their

ability to improve soil quality, defend against abiotic and biotic stress, and increase plant

resilience to pests and diseases (Kaur, 2020). Seaweed extract has been reported to increase

essential nutrient content and enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants, thereby elevating

their nutritional value (Ali et al., 2021). The bioactive compounds in seaweed extract act as

growth regulators, influencing physiological processes like photosynthesis, nutrient uptake,

and enzyme activity, leading to increased shoot height, leaf area, and overall plant vigor (Ali

et al., 2021). According to the White Paper by the European Biostimulants Industry Council

(EBIC), seaweed extracts play a significant role as biostimulants by promoting plant growth

and enhancing resilience to stress through the activation of specific biochemical pathways,

such as those involving hormones and polysaccharides, which contribute to improved nutrient

uptake and root development (Gupta et al., 2023).

Coconut Water

The use of organic fertilizer is an important intensification approach. Organic

fertilization is a strategy that is directly linked to the concept of sustainable agriculture (Lin et

al., 2019 and Shah et al., 2021). Commonly used chemical fertilizers have various adverse
effects on the soil, including harm to its physical and biological characteristics (Pahalvi et al.,

2021). The coconut water content has the potential to be used as a natural supply of nutrients

and PGR that are environmentally benign, inexpensive, and readily available (Mintah et al.,

2018). These findings suggest that the consumption of coconut water, particularly in

fermented form, is critical for plant development and productivity (Darmawan et al., 2020).

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

1. Treatment 1 (T1) = Urea Growth Parameters

2. Treatment (T2) = Coconut a. Number of leaves

Water Only
b. Plant height
3. Treatment (T3) = Elkhorn Sea
c. Length of roots
Moss Only
Fruit yield and quality
4. Treatment (T4) = Synergistic
a. Size of fruit yield
Effect of Elkhorn sea moss and
b. Weight
Coconut water
c. Number of days to first
flowering
 References

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