RESPONSE OF LADIES FINGER (Abelmoschus esculentus) APPLIED WITH TERMITE MOUND PERIMETER SOIL AS SOIL AMENDMENT

Rael C. Tejada

Abstract

This study examined the response of ladies finger in terms of growth and yield with parameters or height, yield, and profitability when applied with different amounts of termite mount perimeter soil as amendment . Termite mound perimeter soil was applied two weeks after the germination of seeds and was repeated four times with an interval of two weeks.

The experimental treatments were as follows: Treatment 1 – Control, Treatment 2 – 250 g of termite mound perimeter soil per hill, Treatment 3 – 500 g of termite mound perimeter soil per hill and Treatment 4 – 750 g of termite mound perimeter soil per hill.

Results of the study showed that ladies finger plants in Treatment 4 attained the highest weekly rate of growth average showing a mean of 13.14 cm/week, average final height having a mean of 109.50 cm and total yield with a mean 3,613.60 g.

Considering the cost and return on investment, Treatment 4 also obtained the highest with 29.07% ROI followed by Treatment 1, 2, and 3, with 28.11%, 26.60% and 26.51%, respectively.

This study revealed that ladies finger responded to the application of termite mound perimeter soil in terms of growth and yield. The application of 750 g of termite mound perimeter soil performed best in terms of cost and return analysis and is therefore recommendable for use as soil amendment.