NTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of dried papaya

leaves as an organic mulch to pechay.

Mulching is a simple process that increases filthiness fertility and

regulating some prenominal factors affecting boilers suit plant

arrest(1), it provides space yet equally profitable method of

enriching and fertilizing the soil planted with crops, it pose no or

little damage to the soil and crops (2 ). It is used to retard the

growth of weeds, protect roots and stem from sudden or extreme

temperature changes, reduce soil erosion by wind and water, retard

runoff of rainfall, prevents soil from puddling by breaking the

impact of raindrops, and keep flowers and fruits from being spattered

with mud during rainstorms (3 )

Dried papaya leaves can be also used as an organic mulch for pechay

as they provide all the nutrients required by the plant and also used

to add height and width to the pechay(4), the effect of papaya leaves

as mulch is that they bring the ph level of the soil to a more non-

subjective range which is the mouthful of the plants (5 )

Pechay contains small amounts of niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and

vitamin B-6. Niacin facilitates numerous metabolic reactions,

according to the 2009 textbook “Understanding Normal and Clinical

Nutrition.” Thiamine deficiencies cause beriberi, a sometimes fatal

disease of the nervous system. Riboflavin helps unlock the energy in

nutrients, and vitamin B-6 is a factor in cognitive functioning,

immune system health and hormone activity. These nutrients are all

members of the B vitamin family (Lorelie, 2013).

The most important health benefit of pechay is its vitamins and

minerals, which helps in keeping you healthy in terms of attaining

stronger bones and glowing skin. A serving of pechay also contains

Calcium for strong bones, Phosphorus for bone formation, digestion,

excretion, and hormonal balance, Potassium for muscle control, blood

pressure regulation, and hypertension prevention, Vitamin A for

promoting growth, reproduction, and the improvement of vision, Iron

which helps carry oxygen in the blood, magnesium for body’s

detoxification, Zinc for improving the immune system against

infection and even cancer, Vitamin C for glowing skin and Thiamin,

vitamin B-6 and folate for better functioning heart, muscles, and

body nervous system(Lorelie, 2013).

Mulches are loose coverings or sheets of material placed on the

surface of cultivated soil. It can be applied to bare soil or to

cover the surface of compost in containers. These break down

gradually to release nutrients into the soil and help improve its

structure(8).
The major reason gardeners use mulch is to snuff out weed seeds by

shading them. This allows the roots of desirable plants to access

soil, water, and nutrients without undue competition. It conserve

water. Organic mulches soften the impact of raindrops so that water

can effectively permeate the soil and all mulches, organic or other-

wise, limit evaporation of soil moisture. they promote healthy soil,

which, in turn, helps fend off disease. Mulches also regulate soil

temperature, acting as insulation to prevent the alternating freezes

and thaws that can heave plants out of the ground. It is especially

useful in keeping the roots of newly planted trees and shrubs growing

as long as possible into autumn. (Lee,)

Mulches soils retain moisture in summer, suppress weeds, improve soil

texture, deter some pests, protect plant roots from extreme

temperatures, encourage beneficial soil organisms, provide a barrier

for edible crops coming into contact with soil and give a decorative

finish.(10) It also gives your garden a neat, tidy appearance and can

reduce the amount of time spent on tasks such as watering and

weeding.(11)

Mulches free of viable weed seeds—such as leaves, good compost, and

wood chips—are best. Weed seedlings that sprout in any organic mulch

are easily done in if you periodically fluff up and flip over the

mulch with a pitchfork. (Lee)

Leaf mulch is most effective when pre-composted. This process helps

create a denser mulch that is less likely to blow away. It also

starts the decay process, preventing the mulch from tying up nitrogen

and other nutrients your tomato plants need to grow.(Palmer) A good

example of it is dried papaya leaves

Papaya, (Carica papaya), also called papaw or pawpaw, succulent fruit

of a large plant of the family Caricaceae. Though its origin is

rather obscure, the papaya may represent the fusion of two or more

species of Carica native to Mexico and Central America. Today it

is cultivated throughout the tropical world and into the warmest

parts of the subtropics. The papaya fruit is slightly sweet, with an

agreeable musky tang, which is more pronounced in some varieties and

in some climates than in others. It is a popular breakfast fruit in

many countries and is also used in salads, pies, sherbets, juices,

and confections. The unripe fruit can be cooked like squash.(Lotha et

al., 2019)

Papaya leaves has thick-stemmed and sparsely branched (pachycaul)

large herb up to 10 m tall. Trunk or stem conspicuously scarred.

Leaves up to 70 cm in diameter, soft hairs, seven deep lobes on every

leaf. Leaf stalks (petioles) can reach up to 1m long.()

Papaya leaves mulch help reduce erosion and conserve water. They also

help moderate soil temperatures and discourage weeds, helping pechay

plants grow larger and healthier. 

Papaya leaves are an especially good choice due to their large size

and potential insect-repellent abilities.

Papaya leaves contain a substance called papain, which discourages

insect attacks in live plants. Dry leaves tend to contain reducleveof

this substance, which can break down further in composted

material. (Palmer)

Papaya leaves (Carica papaya) comes from tropical trees with a

straight stem marked by scars where leaves have fallen directly from

it.() It contains many nutrients like calcium, carpain and vitamin C.

It is also slightly alkaline in pH level (7.5-8.5). ()

Papaya leaves are important because the studies by Matt Goasdone,

Jamie Dufault, and Andrew Charlton (students who made similar

experiment) have shown that neutral pH levels of soil are the most

favourable conditions for a tomato plant to grow in. (By: Giolo

Cadhit, Lorenzo Torres, Josh Banayad 2N n.d)

Papaya is a good source of nutrients and some phyto-chemicals such as

beta-cryptoxanthin and benzyl isothiocyanates. It is believed that

these phytochemicals may offer benefits on certain chronic conditions

such as cancers.It is alsolow in calories, fat free, cholesterol

free, and a good source of potassium, folate, and fiber. ()

Pechay is an erect, biennial herb, cultivated as an annual about

15-30 cm tall in vegetative stage. Ovate leaves are arranged spirally

and spreading. The petioles are enlarged and grow upright forming a
sub-cylindrical bundle. Inflorescence is a raceme with pale yellow

flowers.Its whitish chopped ribs and green shredded leaves are often

used to add nutrients, crunch and color to stir-fried dishes.Seeds

are 1 mm in diameter and are reddish to blackish brown in color.

Pechay is used mainly for its immature, but fully expanded tender

leaves. The succulent petioles are often the preferred part.(May

28,2019)

Pechay plant is also known as Chinese cabbage, mustard cabbage or pak

choi, pechay is a native of the Orient. This leafy green is tolerant

of many soil types and temperature zones, requiring little more than

full sun.( Fredericks) It is used as main ingredient for soup and

stir-fried dishes. In Chinese cuisine, its green petioles and leaves

are also used as garnish. It is a relatively bland vegetable related

to cabbage. Its whitish chopped ribs and green shredded leaves are

often used to add nutrients, crunch and color to stir-fried dishes.

(May 28, 2018)

Pechay contains other vitamins and minerals, including phosphorus,

zinc, sodium, copper, manganese, selenium, niacin, folate, choline,

beta-carotene, and vitamin K. It require little space.(Ware)