Lailanie Concha Grade 12- Barrion

Chapter 1

Introduction

The distinctiveness of microorganisms and their unpredictable nature have gained them a major role in

the field of science. In natural farming, foreign microorganisms are rejected, as well as those artificially

produced ones. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and other agricultural enhancers have

increased the production of agricultural products, yet concerns have been raised regarding the adverse

effects of these fossil fuel-derived agricultural inputs on the quality of the soil and in the environment.

The current state of the soil quality in our locality have been slowly falling-off. And the results are

awfully felt by our local farmers. Some of the harmful effects caused by artificial fertilizers includes

chemical burn, increased air pollution, groundwater contamination, soil acidification, and mineral

depletion of soil. This soil deterioration is caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and other artificial soil

enhancers which, if used continuously, will totally destroy our agricultural lands to the extent that it

cannot support farming and gardening any longer. This led to many research that aims to discover an

alternative approach in farming.

“Indigenous Microorganisms”, also known as IMO, refer to the group of beneficial microbes native to

the local area. These microorganisms have the potential in biodegradation, soil fertility, and are plant

growth promoters. These microorganisms also increase the availability of nutrients to host plants and

increase water-holding capacity. It improves aeration to the plant roots so that the exchange of gases

takes place effectively.

As mentioned above, IMO has a lot of benefits to offer. In these benefits, lies two major functions of

IMO to the soil.

“The first function is to decompose and convert complex organic compounds such as dead plants and

animals, into simple compounds such that material circulation is made possible.”

“The second function is to synthesize complex compounds and organic compounds. It produces a wide

variety of such compounds including antibiotics, enzymes and lactic acids.” (Rooftop Ecology,

2009)

IMO in each stage of composting, are isolated and potential microorganisms are selected to produce bio

fertilizer.

There are 4 types of IMO cultivation:

IMO 1 – Cultured in simple wooden box of rice

IMO 2 – Mixed with brown sugar and stored in a crock

IMO 3 – Further propagated on rice bran wheat mill run

IMO 4 – Mixed with clay soil or ant hill soil

The entire process may take 1 to 4 weeks depending on the type of IMO one wishes to collect. The

researchers aim to collect the second type of IMO, IMO 2, which is expected to last more or less 2

weeks. It will then be applied to the eggplant seedlings to test its effectivity in the growth and fruit yield

by the plants.

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of the study was to determine the effect of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) to the

growth and vegetable yield of eggplants. Specifically, it attempted to answer these questions:
 1. What are the lengths of the plants treated with Indigenous Microorganism and the plants with

no treatment?

2. What is the quality of the leaves of the plants treated with Indigenous Microorganisms and

those which are not treated with Indigenous Microorganisms in terms of the leave’s color and

length?

3. What is the number of vegetables yielded by the plants treated with Indigenous Microorganisms

and those which are not treated with Indigenous Microorganisms?

Purpose of the Capstone Project

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Indigenous Microorganisms to the growth

and vegetable yield of eggplants. This will pave a way for farmers to effectively use the organic method

of farming without spending too much but will help them gain higher profit. Once this study is

accomplished, we can recommend farmers to use this method in growing crops with the number of

benefits it can offer.

Through this research project, we can make microorganisms, generally deemed to be one of the

essential constituents in sustainable agriculture, at home.

Service Learning Component

For sure, one has heard the adverse effects of artificial soil enhancers to the agricultural yield of our

local farmers. Farming cannot be done without soil. Therefore, soil fertility should be maintained and

preserved by our local farmers in order for them to continue cultivating crops. But the use of these

chemical-laden products has caused an imbalance in the soil.

IMO creates the most favorable environment to maintain and preserve the richness of the soil which

supports a quality growth for crops and plants. These are environmentally safe, eco-friendly and healthy

that creates better quality of crops, guaranteed to be safe from the harmful effects of the commercial

fertilizers with the absence of toxic chemicals.

Through this research project, the researchers aim to help our local farmers in the development of a

new method of farming. A new method that is 100% guaranteed to be natural and safe. It also costs

lower than purchasing commercialized fertilizers. The potential of microorganisms to contribute to the

improvement of soil aeration, increase water-holding capacity and provide more nutrients leads to

stronger, healthier and more nutritious products.

The continuous application of IMO to agricultural lands also contribute to the restoration and recovery

of the soil. Thus, it is expected that if the study is proven effective and be implemented in our locality,

agriculture will be more successful in the future without putting the environment at risk.

Significance of the Capstone Project

The adverse effects of artificially or mechanically derived microorganisms and fertilizers has affected the

quality of the soil and caused a decline in the agricultural production of farmers. That is why,

environmental restoration through indigenous microbes in a native manner to produce bio fertilizers are

important and is the primary concern of the researchers.

IMO helps plants from diseases provide nutrients for plants. It also keeps the soil moist and provide

antibiotics to the soil to help them recover from previous infestation or pollution.
Indigenous microorganisms are not limited to a single culture of microbes but a combination of different

beneficial microorganisms, a group of good bacteria living together. IMO application recovers the soil’s

loaminess, fertility and even attracts earthworms which will lead into a more productive farming.

If this IMO cultivation, conducted by the researchers, are proven effective then it can be used by our

local farmers as an alternative to commercial fertilizers with lower cost, better quality and zero waste

emission.