INTRODUCTION

Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), is one of the most important vegetables in the

Cordillera Region. It is grown for their tender and green pods, or seeds. They are

excellent sources of protein and vitamins. They are easy to grow and do not require

intensive management. It is relatively cheap and available in the region. This is

popularly known as Baguio beans in the Philippines and common beans in other

countries.

Legumes in can be used as good substitute on major sources of protein like fish,

meat and dairy products when these become expensive and unavailable. They can

contribute to the energy and body building nutrients in the human diet.

Other varieties of legumes provide valuable green fodder for cattle, or yield the

raw materials for many kinds of manufactured products.

Farmers experience problems on soil fertility and occurrence of plant disease.

Thus, application of inorganic fertilizer and application of pesticides are often carried out

to attain maximum yield. However, the continuous application of such will destroy the

soil structure and pollute the water source and environment. The application of organic

fertilizer may therefore be a good alternative since it will not only reduce inputs of

farmers but also improve soil tilt, soil structure, aeration and water holding capacity.

When the organic residues are in the process of becoming soil/humus, they supply

some essential nutrients to the plants, serve as the principal source of nitrates, organic

phosphates, organic sulfates, borates, molybdates and chloride, increase the cation

exchange capacity; and make phosphorus and most macronutrients more readily available

to plants over a wide range pH range.

Aside from these, organic production increase seed yield, minimize harvest losses

and prolong shelf life of snap beans. Also, lesser expenses in production is assured to the

farmer. Such production may reduce costs to 50% than that of using chemicals.

The study was conducted to determine the performance of beans under organic

production.

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REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Snap beans

Some beans plants are low and bushy, while others are climbing vines. They have

compound leaves, each of which is made up of three leaflets. (World Book

Encyclopedia, 1992)

PCARRD (1989) as cited by Bay-an (2002) stated that snap beans grow best in

areas with temperature between 15ºC to 20ºC. Planting snap beans should be scheduled

during typhoon free months, as these cannot stand adverse weather conditions. In

Benguet, typhoons usually occur between the months of June to November. Hence

planting should be done from December to April to avoid the onslaught of adverse

weather.

Effects of organic production to plant growth

Ayban (2002) said that soils having high organic matter are more productive than

those with low organic matter. It is on this premise that application of different fertilizers

derived from different organic matter will likewise supply food nutrients to the plants at

varying degrees depending upon the crops to be fertilized and the source of organic

matter.

Koshina (1990) as cited by Tawang (2003) found that nutrient elements from

organic fertilizer are released slowly which is particularly important in avoiding salt

injury, ensuring a continuous supply of nutrients during the growing season and

producing products of better quality.

Bay-an (2002) claimed that chicken dung, garden compost and PCM fertilizer

when applied to pole beans, increased seed yield, induce taller plants, high pod

production and high ROI. Also, snap beans fertilized with different organic fertilizer

were moderate to highly resistant to bean rust and pod borer.

Donahue (1971) as cited by Mabazza (1997) said that the organic matter supplies

some or all nutrients needed by growing plants, as well as many hormones and

antibiotics. These nutrients are released in harmony with the needs of plants when

environmental conditions are favorable for rapid growth and the same condition favors a

rapid release of nutrients from organic matter. Organic matter contains a large part of the

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total reserves of Boron and Molybdenum, 6 to 60% of the Phosphorus reserves, up to

80% of the Sulfur and practically all of Nitrogen.

Planting marigold with in a plot is as effective as controlling snap bean pest and

disease like beetles, pod borers, aphids and bean rust using insecticide. (Kumanab, 2002)

Tawang’s (2003) study showed that the pods fertilized with different organic

composts could minimize harvest losses and prolong the shelf life of bush bean. On the

other hand, plants fertilized with BSU composts registered the highest ranking on the

weight of marketable pods, total yield of pods per plot and computed yield per hectare.

He also revealed that BSU compost gave the highest ROI.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

The materials used for this study are pole and sitting bean seeds, trellises and

organic fertilizers such as mushroom compost, sunflower leaves, horse manure and

chicken manure.

An area was thoroughly cleaned, cultivated and made into plots. Five out of 25

plots were used in this study each measuring 1m x 12 m. Two to three seeds were

planted per hill at a depth of 2-3 inches and were spaced 25 cm per hill and 25 cm per

row. Each plot was treated with different organic fertilizers.

Treatment per plot are as follows:

Plot1 – Mushroom compost

Plot2 – Sunflower leaves

Plot3 – Sunflower leaves

Plot4 – Chicken manure

Plot5 – Horse manure

The plants were irrigated at an average of 2-3 times a week. Weeds removed

from plots were placed on top of the plot for mulching and fertilizer. Insect pests such as

pod borers, caterpillar and cabbage looper were manually removed each time the crop is

irrigated. Leaves affected with rust were removed. African marigolds growing near the

plots were not removed to serve as repellants.

The data to be gathered are as follows:

1. Number of days to emergence – This is determined by counting the number of

days from date of planting to the time at least 50% of the seeds have emerged.

2. Number of days to flowering – This is determined by counting the number of

from date of emergence to the time at least 50% of the plants in the plot have

fully opened flowers.

3. Number of days to first harvest – This was taken by counting the number of

days from emergence to first pod formation.

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4. Number of days to last harvest – This was taken by counting the number o

days from emergence to the last harvest of pods.

5. Weight of marketable pods – This is gathered by getting the weight of pods

which are straight, tender, and free from insect damage and diseases.

6. Weight of non-marketable pods – This is gathered by getting the weight of

pods which are abnormal in shape and having 20% or more insect and disease

damage.

7. Total yield per plot – The over-all total weight of marketable and non-

marketable pods.

8. Reaction of plant to insect pest and diseases – Rated according to the

following scale:

Scale Description Remark

1 No infection Highly resistant

2 20-30% infection Moderately resistant

3 31-40% resistant Resistant

4 41-60% infection Susceptible

5 Higher than 60% Very susceptible

9. Production cost – All the expenses incurred in this study were recorded.

The total sales from different treatments and return in

investment (ROI) were computed using the formula:

ROI= Gross sales-Total expenses x 100

Total expenses

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Table 1. Number of days to emergence and flowering

Number of days to

emergence

Number of days to

flowering

Plot1-mushroom compost 10 days 38 days

Plot2-sunflower leaves 9 days 38 days

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 8 days 37 days

Plot4-chicken manure 8 days 38 days

Plot5-horse manure 9 days 39 days

Table 1 shows number of days to emergence and to flowering. Figures show no

significant difference in number of days to emergence and number of days to flowering.

Bean plants in plots with sunflower leaves and chicken manure have the least number of

days to emergence (8 days) and bean plants with mushroom compost emerged 2 days

later (10 days). Plot 3 has the least number of days to flowering that is 37 days while plot

5 has the most number of days to flowering (39 days).

Results show that fertilizers applied influence the number of days of emergence

and flowering but no significant difference.

Table 2. Number of days to first and last harvest

Number of days to first

harvest

Number of days to last

harvest

Plot1-mushroom compost 49 days 88 days

Plot2-sunflower leaves 48 days 86 days

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 47 days 84 days

Plot4-chicken manure 48 days 87 days

Plot5-horse manure 48 days 87 days

Table 2 shows the number of days from emergence to first and last harvest. Plot 3

has the least days to first and last harvest. Plot 1 gave the most number of days to first

and last harvest.

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Results suggest that fertilizers may affect number of days from emergence to first

and last day of harvest but a minimal degree.

Table 3. Weight of marketable and non-marketable pods

Weight of marketable

pods (kg)

Weight of non-

marketable pods (kg)

Plot1-mushroom compost 4.6 2.4

Plot2-sunflower leaves 3.6 2.3

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 3 2.8

Plot4-chicken manure 6.25 1.8

Plot5-horse manure 3.8 2

Pods were considered marketable if they are straight, tender and free from insect

pest damage and diseases. Table 3 shows that bean plants fertilized with chicken manure

produced the highest yield in pods.

Non-marketable pods were those pods that are deformed and damaged by pests.

Bean plants fertilized with horse manure gave the lowest weight on non-marketable pods,

which significantly varies from that applied with sunflower leaves.

Table 4. Total yield per plot

Total yield per plot (kg)

Plot1-mushroom compost 7

Plot2-sunflower leaves 5.9

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 5.8

Plot4-chicken manure 8.05

Plot5-horse manure 5.8

The total yield of snap beans was computed by getting the sum weight of

marketable and non-marketable pods. This is shown in Table 4. The figure shows a

significant difference in the total yield of snap beans applied with chicken manure against

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the yield of the rest of the plots. Beans applied with horse manure and sunflower leaves

shows no significant difference to the total yield.

Fertilizers applied may have affected the total yield per plot of snap beans.

Table 5. Reaction of snap beans to insect pests and diseases per plot

Reaction to insect pests and diseases

Bean rust Cutworm Pod borer Aphids

Plot1-mushroom compost 3 3 3 2

Plot2-sunflower leaves 2 3 3 2

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 2 3 3 2

Plot4-chicken manure 2 3 3 2

Plot5-horse manure 3 3 3 2

Table 5 shows the reaction of snap beans to bean rust, cut worm, pod borer and

aphids per plot based on the scale given. Figures show that all bean plants under the five

treatments are resistant to cutworm and pod borer and are highly resistant to aphids.

Bean plants treated with chicken manure and sunflower leaves are highly resistant to

bean rust while those that were treated with mushroom compost and horse manure are

resistant.

This suggests that fertilizers applied have the same effect on bean plants regarding

its reaction to pod borers, cutworms and aphids. The difference lies on the reaction of

plants to bean rust.

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Table 6. Cost and Return Analysis

Expenses Gross

income

Net income ROI (%)

Seeds Labor

Plot1-mushroom compost 20 60 115 35 43.75

Plot2-sunflower leaves 10 50 90 30 50

Plot3 -sunflower leaves 10 50 75 15 25

Plot4-chicken manure 10 60 156.25 86.25 123.21

Plot5-horse manure 22 50 95 23 31.94

*Computations based on Php25.00/kilo of pod.

A simple cost and return analysis for 5x60 m2 area is shown in Table 6. This

analysis is necessary to determine the return on investment (ROI). All treatments gave a

positive ROI. This suggests that any of the treatment will surely generate profit. Snap

beans fertilized with chicken manure obtained the highest ROI of 123.21%. This is

significantly different to the ROI of other bean plants applied with mushroom compost,

sunflower leaves and horse manure.

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SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

The study was conducted at Balili experimental area Benguet State University, La

Trinidad, Benguet.

Five plots were thoroughly prepared for this study each measuring 1x12 meters.

Two to three seeds were planted per hill with a distance of 25cm per hill and row. Each

plot was treated with organic fertilizers: mushroom compost, sunflower leaves, chicken

manure and horse manure.

The different treatments have no significant effect on the difference of number of

days to emergence and flowering, and number of days to first and last harvest. Bean

plants with chicken manure produced the highest yield of marketable pods, yield per plot

and ROI.

Conclusion

Bean plants with chicken manure gave the highest yield on marketable pods, yield

per plot and ROI. Based on results, snap beans perform well when applied with organic

fertilizer. It produces higher yield when applied with chicken manure.

Recommendation

Based on the data, chicken manure is recommended among the other treatments

used in this study. Chicken manure gave the highest marketable pods, total yield and

ROI over the other treatments.

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LITERATURE CITED

AGAYAO, M.C. 2002. Seed Production of Bush Bean in a Farmer’s Field as Affected by

Different Organic Fertilizers. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State University,

La Trinidad, Benguet. p.5

AGUSTIN, M.K. 2002. The Effect of Planting Method of Marigold in Controlling Pest of

Snap Beans. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State University, La Trinidad,

Benguet. p. 4

AYBAN, A. 2002. Effect of Different Organic Fertilizers on the Tuberlet Production of

Potato Derived From Rooted Stem Cutting. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet

State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. p.2

BABKEG, P.D. 1997. Evaluation of Organic Fertilizer for the Control of Bacterial Wilt

(Pseudomonas solanacearum) on Potato. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State

University, La Trinidad, Benguet. p. 16

BAO-AN, B.M. 200. Seed Production of Promising Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Genotypes. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State University, La Trinidad,

Benguet. pp. 4-5

BAY-AN, M.C. 2002. Nodulation and Seed Production of Pole Snap Beans Grown in a

Farmer’s Field Applied with Organic Fertilizer. BS Thesis (Unpublished),

Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. pp. 2-3.

MABAZZA Jr., F.B. 1997. Production of Six Promising Garden Pea Lines as Affected

by Organic Fertilizer. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State University, La

Trinidad, Benguet. pp. 4-5

PANDEY, R.K. 1991. A Primer on Organic Based Rice Farming. International Rice

Research Institute. pp. 31-33

TAWANG, L.D. 2003. Harvest and Shelf Life of Bush Bean Applied with Different

Organic Composts. BS Thesis (Unpublished), Benguet State University, La

Trinidad, Benguet. pp. 14, 21 and 23

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APPENDIX

Asexual reproduction – Any process of reproduction that does not involve fusion of cells.

Clone – A group of cells or organisms derived from a single ancestral cell or individual

and all genetically alike.

Cross fertilization – Fertilization of an organism by the fusion of a female gamete from

one individual with a male gamete from a different individual.

Roguing – A careful systematic evaluation of a seed production field and the removal of

all undesirable plants.

Genotype – genetic makeup or constitution of an individual with reference to the traits

under consideration.

Heritability – measure of inheritance

Heterosis –superiority displayed by a hybrid.

Heterogeneity – being with different characteristics

Homozygosity – being or having both genes of a pair dominant or recessive

Hybrid – an individual resulting from a cross between two genetically unlike parents

Inbred line – a cross between two pure lines, which are positively transgressive of the

parents in respect of the complex character.

Mass selection – selection of plants or animals that displays desired characteristics from

each generation and breeding them.

Phenotype – the appearance or discernable character of an individual, which is dependent

upon genetic makeup

Selection – choosing of plants with desirable traits for further propagation and discard

plants that are inferior for that trait

The method of harvesting used for snap beans is hand picking. Snap beans at

harvest time is tender and in acceptable market size. Pods should not be hard

when thumb pressed otherwise these should not be harvested for pods but should

be left alone in the field until drying is just enough for seed production.

It is important to harvest crops in the right time to minimize susceptibility to

decay. Produce not harvested at the right time may result to poor marketable

quality thus leading to loss in profit.

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Handle harvested crops properly so as to avoid any injuries. While harvesting,

avoid putting too much stress on the plant so that it could still produce yield for

next harvest. Avoid harvesting practices that may puncture the produce.

Potatoes can be harvest when foliage begins to dry out. Also days from planting

to maturity can be computed. Sweet potato foliage also starts to dry out.

Harvest crops properly. Avoid too much digging to minimize punctures on tubers

and roots. Let it dry under the sun to preserve good quality. Store in low

humidity places. Put in durable packaging materials. Avoid too much piling

during transportation.

Good quality Poor quality

Qualities Smooth, marketable size,

clean

Has punctures, filthy, small in

size, undesirable shape

Marketing

operations

Washed, harvested with

caution, harvested at right

time

Harvested too soon or too

late, punctured while

harvesting, not cleaned well

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