The Effect of Salic Acid (SA) on the Growth of Alugbati

Abstract

This study, conducted from July 9, 2024, to August 16, 2024, at Upper San Raymundo, Shiek Mustafa Compound, Jolo, Sulu, investigated the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on the growth of Alugbati (Basella rubra Linn.). The experiment employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with two treatments replicated four times. Treatment 1 served as the control without hormone application, while Treatment 2 was treated via foliar application at a concentration of 10 mL Salicylic acid per liter of water. Results measured over 30 days showed that Treatment 1 (Control) obtained a higher mean height of 88.75 cm, whereas Treatment 2 yielded a mean height of 59 cm. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a computed F-value of 0.11, which is less than the 1% and 5% tabular levels of significance, indicating that there was no statistically significant difference in plant height between the control and the salicylic acid-treated plants. Consequently, the study concludes that Alugbati can successfully survive and grow without the application of growth-regulating hormones.