Example of Theisis Outline

1. EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC
MULCHING MATERIALS ON THE
GROWTH AND YIELD
PERFORMANCE OF TOMATO
(LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL)
FARHANNA MOKAMAD BARAGUIR
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Crop Science

2. INTRODUCTION
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), known as “Kamatis” in the Philippines, are a popular ingredient
in cooking. Despite being a fruit botanically, they are mostly used as a vegetable in culinary contexts. They
can be eaten raw, but they are also used in a wide range of recipes, sauces and drinks, giving the dishes a
characteristic sweet and sour taste.
Tomatoes are a vital vegetable crop in the Philippines, with widespread cultivation throughout the country
for both local consumption and export. In third quarter of 2022, tomato production saw a notable rise of 6.1%
year-over-year, totaling 29.65 thousand metric tons. Northern Mindanao had the highest production with
22.58 thousand metric tons, representing 76.2% of the national production. Cagayan Valley followed with
3.4% of the production, and SOCCSKSARGEN with 6.1%.
Mulching is a multifunctional technique that is able to control the nutrient level, absorbency, temperature,
and water level of the soil (Petrikovszki, Körösi, Nagy, Simon &Zalai, 2016). For mulching to be effective
in agriculture, it needs to meet certain basic requirements. Mulch should effectively suppress weed growth
and promote root development (Manzello, Suzuki, Kagiya, Suzuki and Hayashi, 2014). Additionally, it
should aid in conserving soil moisture, improving nutrient availability and regulating soil temperature
(Manzello, Suzuki, Kagiya, Suzuki and Hayashi, 2014) .

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
General Objective
The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of different organic mulching materials on the growth and
yield performance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill).
Specific Objectives;
• To evaluate the growth performance of tomato as influenced by different organic mulching materials.
• To determine which organic mulching materials would give optimum yield of tomatoes in terms of plant height,
number of leaves, number of marketable fruits, weight of marketable, and total weight of fruits.
• To find out the economic profitability of Tomato on different types of mulching materials use.
Scope and Limitation
This study will be limited only to the effect of different organic mulching materials on the growth and yield
performance of tomato.
Time and Place of the Study
This study will be conducted at Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Philippines in the months of February-May
2023.

4. METHODOLOGY
Materials
• The following materials will be used in this study will as follows; tomato seeds, rice straw, grass cuttings, shredded
leaves, newspaper, plow, harrow, pen, record book, and other materials that will be use in conducting this study.
Methods
• This experiment will be laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five (5) treatments and
wil be replicated four (4) times.
The experiment is designed to have 20 plots having treatments (T) as follows;
TREATMENT
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
DESCRIPTION
Control (no mulch application)
Rice straw (5.08 cm thickness)
Grass cuttings (5.08cm thickness)
Shredded leaves (5.08 cm thickness)
Newspaper (5.08 cm thickness)

5. METHODOLOGY
Land Preparation
An area of 20.40 x 16.50m will be used in the study. The plots will be further divided into four parts for
replication measuring 3 x 3m . There will be plowed to pulverize the soil using hoe and harrowed with a rake
to level the soil and making sure there is no weeds present in the plots.
Mulching
• Mulch 5 weeks after transplanting to retain moisture, keep soil from splashing the lower leaves, and
control weeds. The mulch will be watered thoroughly to help it settle and prevent it from being blown away.
Transplanting
The tomato seedlings will be prepared for transplanting into the experimental plots five weeks after being
sown. Plots will be already set up for the easy transfer of the tomato seedlings. Twenty tomatoes with a plant
distance of 60 cm by 60 cm will be placed in each plot.

6. METHODOLOGY
Watering
Water in the early morning so that plants have sufficient moisture to make it through a
hot day. Water generously the first few days that the tomato seedlings or transplants are in
the ground. Then water with about 2 inches (about 1.2 gallons) per square foot per week
during the growing season. Deep watering encourages a strong root system. Avoid
overhead watering and afternoon watering. Water at the base/soil level of a plant to avoid
splashing water on the leaves (which invites disease).
Weed Control
Weeds reduce crop yield and increase production and may attract insects and diseases
that attack the crops. Eliminating those weeds will be done to ensure greater survival rate
and allows the plant to grow rapidly.

7. DATA TO BE GATHERED
Plant Height (cm)
The measurement of plant height (cm) will be taken from the base of the plant up to the growing tip of
tomato plants using tape measure. Ten sample plants will be randomly selected and measured in every
replication.
Days to Flowering
This will be determined by counting the number of days from transplanting to 50% flowering of sample
plants.
Days to Maturity
The number of days will be counted from flowering to harvesting of 50% sample plants when fruits have
already attained physiological maturity or breaker stage.
Number of Fruits
Counting of harvested fruits will be done from the first harvest up to the third harvesting.
Weight of Fruits
Weighing of fruits will be done using digital weighing scale after harvesting.