CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.

) APPLIED WITH VERMICOMPOST

AND SUPPLEMENTED WITH INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISMS

TISHIANIE OLLADO JUNIO

SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND

NATURAL, RESOURCES, CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY
OF AGRICULTURE, SAN JOSE, PILI CAMARINES SUR
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE IN

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

(Horticulture)

FEBRUARY, 2022
 INTRODUCTION

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is also known as

“Pipino” in tagalog. It is monoecious annual vegetable

belonging to the cucurbitaceous family with trailing vines

up to 5 cm long that roots in the ground and grows up

trellises.PCARRD, 2016).Cucumber is a warm season grown

year-round locally. The optimum temperature for growth is

about 30oC, while the optimum night temperature is 18-21oC.

The soil should be fertile and rich in organic matter with

a soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 (Cucumber Production

Guide, Business Dairy PH, 2020).

Cucumber production in the year of 2013-2015

continuously increased from 12.5 thousand metric tons to

12.9 thousand metric tons by an average of 1.45% yearly.

The volume of cucumber production average 12.7 thousand

metric tons per year. There are no imports recorded during

the year 2013-2015. On the other hand, the export of

cucumber was minimal at less than 1 metric ton in 2015

(PSA,2013-2015).

The use of organic fertilizer both solid and liquid

form should be assessed due to its relative advantages.

Vermicompost is optimal organic manure for better growth

and yield of many plants. It can increase the production of

crops and prevent them from harmful pests without polluting

the environment. Application of vermicompost increased

growth, improved plants nutrient content, and improved the

quality of the fruits and seeds (Olle, 2019). Indigenous

microorganism have a positive indirect impacts on plants

growth but affecting adversely the density of pathogen,

dynamics and metabolic activities of soil borne pathogens,

mainly through antibiosis, lysis,competition and

hyperparasitism (Russo,2012 as cited by Abdullah, 2013).

Incorporation of moderate amounts of organic materials

such as vermicompost into the field is an established

agricultural practice generally recognized to have

beneficial effects on the soil physical, chemical, and

microbiological properties. These properties include

greater plant water-holding and cation exchange capacity,

lower bulk density of soils, and inducer of beneficial

microorganisms (Ren-Shin Chong, 2005 as cited by

Regaspi,2018).

This study focuses on determine the effect of using

vermicompost and IMO on the growth and yield of cucumber.

Specifically, this study aims to:

1. To evaluate the effect of vermicompost, IMO and their

combinations on growth and yield of cucumber.

 2. To identify which of the treatments will give the

optimum yield to cucumber production.

3. To assess the economic viability of cucumber using

vermicompost and IMO.

The findings of this study will provide valuable

information to the students, to the future researchers, to

the agricultural extension workers, vegetable growers and

growers who would venture on organic production of

cucumber.

The study will be limited only on the effects of

vermicompost and IMO on the growth and yield of cucumber.

This study will be conducted at Cawayan, Sta. Maria

Iriga City, Camarines Sur from February to April, 2022.

 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Studies using vermicompost

Moraditochaee et al. (2011) in their study showed that,

the effects of vermicompost application and nitrogen usage

to eggplant had the highest fruit yield, number, fruit

length and plant height.

According to Khandaker et al. (2017, in his study

entitled the Effects of Vermicompost gave the highest plant

height, highest number of flower buds, gave positive

effects in the number of fruits produced, weight of fruit,

length of fruit, diameter of fruits and seed number of

fruits. It is concluded that supplementing vermicompost can

improve growth, yield and quality of chilli.

According to Bahrampour ,2013 as cited by Ahirwar

(2015) entitled the effect of vermicompost on growth, yield

and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) var.

Super Beta) in a field condition revealed that addition of

vermicompost had positive effect on growth, yield and

elemental content of plant as compared to control.

 In the study conducted by Chanda et al., 2011 as cited

by Ahirwar (2015), the treatments with vermicompost gave

the better results with regard to fresh weight of leaves,

dry weight of leaves, dry weight of fruits, number of

branches and number of fruits per plant from other

fertilizers treated plants.

Lazcano et al., 2011 cited by Ahirwar (2015) in their

study reported that applying vermicompost has a positive

effect on crop yield and quality. These effects were not

general, indicating the complexity of the organic

amendment–plant interactions and the importance of

controlling genetic variation when studying the effects of

vermicompost on plant growth.

On the study by Ahirwar et al. (2015), Effect of

Vermicompost on Growth, Yield and Quality of Vegetable

Crops, it showed the vermicompost had positive effect on

seed germination.

Studies using Indigenous Microorganism (IMO)

In the study conducted by Ali, (2020), applying

indigenous microorganisms had illustrated that the main

effect of IMO gave maximum plant height, number of

branches, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant,

weight of seeds/plant, hundred seeds weight and grain

yield.

According to the study of Abdullah et al. (2013)

entitled Growth and Yield Performances of (Abelmoschus

esculentus) Inoculated with Different Concentration of IMO

concluded that indigenous microorganism significantly

enhanced the yield, plant height, leaves number, fresh

weight, and dry weight of okra. It showed the benefits of

indigenous microorganism in promoting soil fertility and

then can increased growth and yield of crop production.

The study of Le Thi Xa et al. indicated that IMOs can

be used to enhance the decomposition rate of some

agricultural waste products in the composting process.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Site

This study will be conducted at Cawayan, Sta. Maria,

Iriga City, from February to May 2022 with the total area

of 325 square meters. The topography of the area is sloppy.

The soil type is clay loam and the previous crops planted

are banana and pechay. The district’s yearly temperature is

28.42ºC (83.16ºF) and it is 1.2% higher than Philippines’s

averages. Santa Maria typically receives about 95.79

millimeters (3.77 inches) of precipitation and has 175.6

rainy days (48.11% of the time) annually.

Test Crop

Cucumber Mega C F1 will be used as the test crop of

this study. This variety is a high yielding, uniform, firm,

heavier and better tasting. It matures 36-40 days after

sowing. The fruit is oriental/ medium mottled green in

color, diameter 4-5, length 20-22 and average weight is

0.25-0.30 kg. (EAST-WEST SEED Co. Inc., 2020)

Soil Sampling and Analysis

Composite soil sample will be collected randomly. Ten

randomly selected sample will be mixed and air dried. This

will be brought to the Regional Soils Laboratory, Del

Rosario, Naga City for the analysis of pH, Nitrogen,

Phosphorus, Potassium and fertilizer recommendations.

After harvest, soil samples from every treatment per

replicate will also be collected to check the remaining

nutrients from the soil.

Experimental Design and Treatments

Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)will be used in

this study. There will be three blocks, each block is

composed of seven plots representing the treatments (Figs.

1 and 2).

The treatments will be as follows:

T1 – Control

T2 – Recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer

T3 – 100% Vermicompost

T4 – 100% Indigenous Microorganism

T5 – 50% Vermicompost + Indigenous Microorganism

T6 – 75% Vermicompost + Indigenous Microorganism

 T7– 100% Vermicompost + Indigenous Microorganism

Fertilizer Materials

The fertilizer materials to be used in the study are

the following.

a. Inorganic Fertilizer. This will be based on the

results of Soil Analysis.

b. Vermicompost. It is a kind of compost utilizing

various species of worms especially African night

crawler. Vermicompost is composed of mud press,

cattle manure with a ratio of 3:1. Vermicompost will

be taken will be from the Organic Agriculture Center

(OAC) at Central Bicol State University of

Agriculture compound, San Jose, Pili Camarines Sur.

c. Indigenous Microorganism.

Indigenous microorganism (BIM) is 50% lactic acid

bacteria and the rest is 50% of the other

microorganisms cultured were the plant and soil help

plant growth and makes them healthier. As it is

applied to the soil or the leaves, these beneficial

bacteria aid in the decomposition process, thus

allowing more food to be available and assimilated by

the plant (Lamber, 2019). The growth, yield and

quality attributes of cucurbits for the application

of nitrogen and phosphorus gave earliness in recorded

germination, days of first pistillate flower anther

days to first picking (Vishwakarma,2007 as cited by

Kumar,2018), increased the length of vine, branching

and per plant fruit yield (Reddy, 2004 as cited by

Kumar, 2018), and gave the maximum core diameter of

fruits in cucumber (Kade,2009 as cited by Kumar,

2018).This concoction will be made at home by using

cool cooked rice and putting inside the bamboo pole

for decomposition to increase the beneficial

microorganism. Keep it under the bamboo forest for 3-

5 days. After keeping the cooked rice growing molds,

white colored molds collect. Weight the recovered

rice and molds and add molasses in equal weight 1:1.

The fermenting process takes at least a week to

complete.
 R1 R2 R3
1m

1m R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

R1T2 3.5m R1T2 R1T2

2m

R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

1m

R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

32.5m

R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

R1T2 R1T2 R1T2

1m 1m

10m
Fig.1 Experimental Layout
Total Area: 325 m2
Distance Between Row: 1m
Distance Between Plot: 1m
Plot Size: 2m x 3.5m
Planting Distance: 0.5m x 0.5m
 0.25m
x x x x
0.25m

x x x x
0.5m
0.5m

x x x x

x x x x

3.5m
x x x x

x x x x

0.25m
x x x x
0.25m
Sample Plant
2m

Fig.2 Sample plot and Sample Plants

Statistical Analysis

The Analysis of Variance (ANNOVA) for RCBD will be used

to determine the statistical significance of the study.

Further test using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) will

be used to determine the differences among treatments.

Cultural Management Practices

Land Preparation. A thorough land preparation will be

done by plowing, harrowing and pulverizing. This will be

followed by digging and making plots with a measurement of

2m x 3.5m per treatment per replication.

Laying Out. The experimental will be laid out manually

using hoe and bolo. Each plot will measure 2m x 3.5m. The

distance between plot is 1m. This will be separated by 1m

between blocks to facilitate data gathering and other farm

operations.

Labelling. Putting a label using bamboo sticks to the

respective treatment per replication will be done before

planting.

Fertilizer Application. Liquid fertilizers will be

applied through a week after emergence at a weekly interval

until fruiting. The volume will increase as the plant grow

bigger at a dosage of 2 tbsp./1 liter of water.

 Vermicompost. It will be applied basally at planting.

The amount of vermicompost to be applied will be based on

the result of vermicompost and soil analysis of Phosphorus

content.

Indigenous Microorganism. It will be applied through

soil drench at weekly interval in the afternoon 4:00 PM to

5:00 PM with a ratio of 2tbsp/1 liter of water and at

weekly interval thereafter until a week before the last

harvesting (Table 1).

Table 1: Frequency of IMO Application

Weeks Indigenous Microorganism

1st week 50ml/plant

2nd week 100ml/plant

3rd week 150ml/plant

4th week 150ml/plant

5th week 200ml/plant

6th week 200ml/plant

7th week 250ml/plant

Planting. Cucumber seeds will be sown directly to the

plots. There will be three seeds per hill at a distance of

0.5m x 0.5m apert from rows and hills respectively.

 Thinning. Seven days after germination of seedlings,

weak seedlings will be thinned out leaving only the

vigorous plant.

Trellising. Bamboo slats will be use as trellis for the

vines to climb up with 2.5 meters high. Trellis materials

will be set up two weeks after emergence following the A

type trellis at the center of each plot and Fence type at

the outer rows.

Weeding. The control of weeds will be done manually

with the aid of bolo to eliminate weeds when necessary.

Watering. Watering will be done early in the morning

until the plants reached its maturity. No watering will be

employed to treatments a day after application of IMO to

minimize leaching.

Pest and Disease Management. Organic pesticides will be

used when occurrence of pest or disease will be observed.

Harvesting. Harvesting will be done 50 days after

sowing with a 3 days interval until no marketable fruits

will be produced. Matured fruits will be those that have

reached its full size and the color turns to medium mottled

green. Pruning shears will be used during harvesting.

Data to be Gathered

1. Growth Parameters

a. Days to emergence – it will be done by counting the

number of days from sowing up to 50% of the sample

will emerge.

b. Days to flowering – this will be determined by

counting the number of days from emergence up to the

time when 50% of the plants per treatment per

replicate produced male and female flowers.

c. Days to fruit set – the number of days from

transplanting until 50% of the plants set fruit.

d. No. of female/male flowers – it will be counted and

recorded weekly per treatment per replicate.

e. Ratio of female/male flower – this will be determined

by dividing the total number of male flowers to the

total number of female flowers.

2. Yield Parameters

a. Number of marketable fruits per treatment – all

marketable fruits that will be harvested per plant in

all primming will counted and recorded. Marketable

fruits are those clean, no damage due to insect pest

and disease and not deformed.

 b. Weight of marketable fruits per treatment – weight of

all marketable fruits from each treatment will be

weighed and recorded per harvest

c. Number of non-marketable fruits per treatment – fruits

which are damaged, deformed, and undersized will be

considered non marketable. This will be counted and

recorded per harvest.

d. Weight of non-marketable fruits per treatment – the

non-marketable plants will be weighed and recorded per

harvest.

e. Yield (tons/ha) – this will be the weight of

marketable fruits per treatment computed on a per

hectare basis. The formula:

Yield (kg)/plot x 10,000m2/ha

Yield (t/ha)=
Harvesting area(m2) 1,000kg/ton

Agrometeorological Data

The weekly average daily rainfall (mm), average daily

temperature (C) from planting to harvesting will be

gathered at PAGASA, CBSUA Pili, Camarines Sur from February

to April 2022.

Cost and Return Analysis

Cost and Return Analysis will be computed after

harvesting to evaluate the economic yield obtained and the

prevailing market price to determine the profitability of

the different treatments studied. Cost and return analysis

will be computed using this formula below:

Net Income______ X 100

ROI =
Total Cost of Production
 LITERATURE CITED

Abdullah, N. S., Wan Zulkifli, W. M. S., Abdul Aziz, N.,

Yusop, M. A. S., Mohammed, A., & Rosli, F. (2013).
Growth and yield performances of (Abelmoschus
esculentus) inoculated with different concentration
of IMO.

AHIR, C. S., & HUSSAIN, A (2015). Effect of Vermicompost

on growth, yield and quality of vegetable crops.
International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and
Agriculture,1 (8), 49-56.

Ali, S. S. (2020). Production of Indigenous Microorganism

organic fertilizer and its impact on growth and yield
component of Chickpea (Cicer areitinum L.).
Agricultural Science, 4(1), 1-13.

ANGELICA M. REGASPI (2018). Cucumber Fertilization using

Vermicompost supplemented with Liquid Organic
Fertilizers. Unpublished and undergraduate thesis.
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili,
Camarines Sur.

HANS LAMBER (2019). Plant and Soil. An International

Journal on Plant-soil Relationship.

KHANDAKER, M. M. RROHANI F. DALORIMA, T., AND MAT, N.

(2017). Effect of Different Organic Fertilizer on
Growth, Yield and Quality of Capsicum annum L. Var.
Kulai (Red Chilli,Kulai)Bioscience Biotechnology
Research Asia, 14(1), 185-192.

Kumar, B. L., & Gopal, D. V. R. (2015). Effective role of

indigenous microorganisms for sustainable
environment. 3 Biotech, 5(6), 867-876.

Le Thi Xa, N. K. N., & Tecimen, H. B. ORGANIC MATERIAL

DECOMPOSITION CAPACITY OF INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISM
COMMUNITIES FROM DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS IN SOC
TRANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM.

Maral Moraditochaee, Hamid Reza Bozorgi and Nesa

Halajisani (2011). Effects of Vermicompost
Application and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Fruit
Yield and Several Attributes of Eggplant (Solanum
 melongena L.) in Iran. World Applied Sciences Journal
15 (2): 174-178.

Margit Olle (2019). Vermicompost, its importance and

benefit in agriculture.

Muthaura, C., Musyimi, D. M., Ogur, J. A., & Okello, V. S.

(2010). Effective microorganisms and their influence
on growth and yield of pigweed (Amaranthus dubians).

https://businessdiary.com.ph/6054/cucumber-production-
guide/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hamid-Reza-Bozorgi-2/
publication/
267411117_Effects_of_Vermicompost_Application_and_Nitrogen_
Fertilizer_Rates_on_Fruit_Yield_and_Several_Attributes_of_E
ggplant_Solanum_melongena_L_in_Iran/links/
54bd0e010cf218d4a169438f/Effects-of-Vermicompost-
Application-and-Nitrogen-Fertilizer-Rates-on-Fruit-Yield-
and-Several-Attributes-of-Eggplant-Solanum-melongena-L-in-
Iran.pdf
 APPENDIX

Preparation for Indigenous Microorganism

Materials:

3 kgs. Commercial rice; 5kgs. Molasses

Steps on how to ferment:

1. Wash the rice properly.

2. Cook it normally (not too wet or too dry)

3. Cool the cooked rice naturally

4. Transfer the cooked rice to a tray

5. Use wooden ladle to transfer rice

6. Put some cooked rice inside the bamboo pole (1/4 full

of rice)

7. Cover it with the two layered manila paper then tie

with rubber bands

8. Wrap the bamboo pole with a clean cellophane then tie

with rubber bands

9. Write markings on the masking tape bearing the name

and date of fermentation and paste it on the top of

the cellophane

10. Keep it under the bamboo forest for 3 to 5 days

 11. Open the bamboo pole and inspect the growing

molds, black colored molds discard, white colored

molds collect

12. Weight the recovered rice and molds, and add

molasses in equal weight

13. Put the mixture in the plastic container, wipe

the mouth; cover with a double layered manila paper,

and put the proper markings. Ferment it after 1 week

14. Drain the liquid from the mixture, filter and

place it in another container

(do not close the cap tightly; loosen the cap of

approximately 1 complete twist)

15. Completely close cap after 7 days or when there

are no bubbles going up

16. The concoction is ready to use after extraction.

Dosage: 2 tablespoon of IMO mix with 1 liter of clean

water.