Effect of Different Mokusaku Sources on the Growth and Yield of Celery (Apium graveolens L. var. tall utah)

Abstract

This study was conducted evaluate the effect of mokusaku as fertilizer on the growth and yield of celery; to determine the best source of mokusaku on the growth and yield of celery; and to assess the benefit cost ratio of applying mokusaku on the growth and yield of celery. Based from the results of the study, broad leaf as source of mokusaku produced the highest weight of marketable plants, taller plants, and it also made the plants more resistant to insect pests and diseases. Likewise, broad leaf as source of mokusaku had the highest total yield, computed yield and return on cash expenses among the different treatments used. Application of coconut as source of mokusaku produced the highest weight of non-marketable plants. On the initial height of plants, taller plants were obtained from those plants applied with santol wood as source of mokusaku. Plants applied with santol and coconut as sources of mokusaku also produced higher number of leaves per plant. Plants treated with coconut as source of mokusaku were the most vigorous plants with a rate of five at 45 days after planting. Application of 75 ml/li of water produced the highest weight of marketable and non-marketable plants, taller plants and higher number of leaves produced per plant, highest total and computed yield compared to the other treatments. Plants that were applied with lower concentration of mokusaku were recorded to be the most resistant to leaf blight infection.