REVITALIZING DEGRADED SOILS: UTILIZING SOIL CONDITIONER FOR SUSTAINABLE PECHAY PRODUCTION

To test the effect of soil conditioner on acidity and pechay ( ) growth and yield performance, Brassica pekinensis this study was conducted at Indangan, Davao City for four months duration.A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with seven treatments and three replications.The treatments were: T = control; T = 1 2 RR NPK (140-60-30 kg/ha) based on soil analysis; T = RR NPK + 0.5 rr soil conditioner; T = RR NPK + rr soil 3 4 conditioner; T = RR NPK + 1.5 rr soil conditioner; T = rr soil conditioner; and T = 0.5 RR NPK + rr soil 5 6 7conditioner.Growth and yield data were analyzed using ANOVA and HSD tests.Results showed that the highest root length was NPK + 1.5 rr soil conditioner followed by NPK + rr soil conditioner by 95% more than control.It increased leaves by 1.5 times more, enhanced fresh weight three times higher, and leaf length by 42% more than control.The yield of 0.5 RR NPK + rr soil conditioner was higher by 100% than control.NPK + rr soil conditioner and NPK + 1.5 rr soil conditioner got the widest leaves by 100% than control followed by NPK + rr soil conditioner and rr soil conditioner.Moreover, height was increased by 0.5 RR NPK + rr soil conditioner by 54% compared to control.Hence, the application of soil conditioner with half RR NPK increased root length, leaf width and length, leaves, plant height, fresh weight and yield of pechay.The control and NPK applied treatments had pH of 5.2 after four weeks from treatment applications, while treatments with soil conditioner had pH of 5.3-5.9.This implies the significant role of soil conditioner in reducing soil acidity and restoring the productivity of the land.