Locally Produced Organic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) at Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Abstract

Chemical fertilizers are widely used to increase crop yields, but their prolonged application leads to soil degradation, high production costs, and health and environmental concerns. While organic farming practices are promoted globally, there is limited research on the effectiveness of locally produced organic concoctions specifically under the soil and climatic conditions of Tawi-Tawi, a region where farmers rely heavily on imported inputs. This study evaluated the influence of three locally prepared organic fertilizers—Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), and Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO)—on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Conducted from September 5 to November 3, 2022, at the experimental area of Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, the experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated three times: T₁ (Control, no fertilizer), T₂ (FFJ, 2 tbsp/L water), T₃ (FPJ, 2 tbsp/L water), and T₄ (IMO, 2 tbsp/L water), applied three times weekly. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results showed that IMO significantly enhanced vegetative growth, producing the tallest plants (43.87 in) and largest stem diameter (2.40 in). FFJ performed best in reproductive development, yielding the highest harvest (1.75 kg/week) and marketable yield (1.73 kg/week), as well as the longest and thickest pods. All organic treatments outperformed the control group significantly. This study demonstrates that locally produced organic fertilizers are viable, low-cost alternatives to commercial inputs. It provides region-specific data that validates their efficacy, supporting sustainable farming practices and reducing production costs for smallholder farmers in Tawi-Tawi and similar tropical coastal areas.