Introduction

Plant stress is a state where a plant is growing in non-ideal growth conditions

and has increased demands put on it (springbriefs 2017).The effects of stress can lead

to problems such as deficiencies in growth, crop yields, permanent damage or death

if the stress exceeds the plant tolerance limits. Plant stress has two major factors

namely Abiotic stress and Biotic stress (Mosa, Ismael & Helmy, 2017). Abiotic

stress as defined by Biotechnology and Biology of Trichoderma are one of the most

important challenges facing crop production and can occur from a shortage of an

essential resource, excess amounts of toxic substances or due to change in

environments. Biotic stress is defined as stress that is caused in plants due to damage

instigated by other living organisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, parasites,

weeds, insects, and other native or cultivated plants (Newton et al., 2011).

Abiotic and Biotic stresses in plants are the primary problem that could hinder

an individual into cultivating a specific plant or crop. Plants are subjected to a wide

range of environmental stress which reduces and limits the productivity of agricultural

crops. Weeds, several pathogens such as white mold, Phytoptora, mildew, bacterial

rots, and insects such as wireworms and seed corn maggot are the primary problem in

cultivating Mung beans ( Vigna radiata) in the Philippines which causes biotic stress

in Mung beans. (Larrazabal 2010). Drought or excessive watering are the common

problems on growing Mung beans in the Philippines. The environment surrounding

the plant can also alter the plant’s growth and productibity. A study shows that the

yield of grain was decreased for Mung beans in Cd-polluted soul. Cadmium

accumulates in the roots, which causes water stress for the crop.

Mung beans, or more commonly known in the Philippines as Mongo, are

tropical crops which requires a temperature of about 30-35 C to grow, which makes
the Philippines the ideal place to cultivate these crops. Mung bean performs best in

fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.2 and 7.2 and will suffer in

poorly-drained, heavy soils. Plants in alkaline soils will display symptoms of nutrient

deficiencies. Mung bean planting should occur early enough that harvest will occur

before the rainy season and bloom or pod fill will occur before the hottest, driest part

of summer and late enough that all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures

are above about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Two plantings annually, one in spring and

another in fall, are often possible in warmer regions. Tilling or cultivating the top

several inches of soil breaks/ up the ground and controls weeds. Mung bean seeds

germinate best when planted 1 to 2 inches deep in moist soil.In 2018,

the production volume of mung beans in the Philippines was approximately 36.7

thousand metric tons. In the same year, the production value of mung beans in the

country was about 2.1 billion Philippine pesos.

A plant biostimulant is any substance or microorganisms applied to plants

with the aim to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic and/or biotic stress tolerance and

/or crop quality traits (Jardin, 2015). Normally, farmers would prefer using

commercial fertilizer which can cause inconvenience in the environment and for the

health. According to Manila Standard Business, such benefits prove to be much

desired by the farmers who are finding ways to increase their chances of recovering

their investment in farming and earning more. The farmers are seeing the potential of

using biostimulants on their crops Biostimulants are based from different methods.

Extraction of ethanolic extracts from plants was associated as a potential biostimulant.

Aratiles or commonly known as saresa in the Philippines contains ethanolic extract

from different parts of the tree. A Phytochemical screening of fruit yielded terpenoids,

flavonoids, saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, phenols and ethanol, methanol,

chlorofrom and water. The researchers seek solution to the problems that farmers are

facing today by providing an alternative solution that is efficient and effective.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the qualification of aratiles(Muntingia calabura) extract

as a biostimulant to enhance nutrition efficiency on Mung bean (Vigna radiata). It

seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the components of aratiles that can be an agent of biostimulation on

Mung bean?

2. What are the changes in the crop yield after the experiment was conducted?

3. Is there a significant difference in the initial and final application of the aratiles

extract to the enhancement of nutrition efficiency on Mung bean in terms of the

following extracts:

1. 100% water, 0% extract

2 0% water, 100% extract

3.70% water, 30% extract

4. 30% water, 70% extract

5. What recommendations can be drawn from the study?

Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant difference in the physical trait of the mung bean after the

initial and final aratiles extract experiment

Ho: There is no change in crop quality after the experiment was conducted.
Significance of the study

The accomplishment of this study will benefit the farmers, specifically mung

bean farmers. It will also benefit consumers who consume mung bean as their primary

source of energy throughout the day. The Department of Agriculture will also benefit.

The study will provide knowledge for the department to further improve and utilize

economically.

Scope and Delimitations

The study focuses on the effectivess of ethanolic extract from aratiles

(Muntingia calibura) leaves as a biostimulant for Mung bean (Viaga radiata) that

increases mung bean crop quality. The study is limited to the use of aratiles leaves.

METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the researchers intend to provide methodological and logistical

issues of the study. This includes the procedure in the conduct of the study, methods

of gathering data, testing, and statistical treatment that were used in the study.

This study focuses on determining th effectiveness of ethanolic ectract from aratiles

leaves as a biostimulant for mung bean. The objective of this study is to utilize the use

of aratiles leaves as a bostimulant for mung bean. Using different concentrations of

ethanolic and distilled water, the researchers conducted an experiment to determine

the significant effect of the ethanolic extract on the physical traits of mung bean.

I. Gathering of Materials

The aratiles leaves were collected from the researcher’s neighborhood. The

mung bean seed was collected from the local market on Tarlac city. The distilled

water and petri dish were bought from the medical supply store.
II. Extraction Process

III. Filtration Process

The solid residues are separated using different filtration methods.

IV. Evaporate to Dryness

V. Application to Mung bean

VI. Laboratory Testing

VII. Data collection

VIII. Statistical Analysis

Effectiveness of Ethanolic Extract from Aratiles (Muntingia calabura) as a

Biostimulant for Mung bean (Viaga radiata)

A Science Investigatory Project

(Life Science)

Proponents:

Rielle Dorothy S. Esteban

Jenny Grace G. Florendo

Hanna Pauline Y. Aquino

Tarlac National Highschool

S.Y. 2019-2020