The Comparison of Organic Compost and Vermicompost in the growth of Madagascar

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Nina Mariz D. Pacilan

9 Air

Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

Maria Asuncion Village, Daro, Dumaguete City

 Introduction

As our citizens are trying to survive this pandemic, ways of survival have been applied

and planting is one of them. Madagascar periwinkle is a plant. The parts that grow above the

ground and the root are used to make medicine. Purified forms of some chemicals found in

Madagascar periwinkle are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be given

by injection for the treatment of cancer. Vinblastine and vincristine, are some chemicals that can be

taken out of Madagascar periwinkle, are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

for use in chemotherapy. Other chemicals in Madagascar periwinkle might also have anticancer

activity, but they have not been well studied (MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE: Overview, Uses,

Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews, 2020). Madagascar Periwinkle has a

lot of uses but also has some serious side effects if it is not properly handled. Water, light, nutrients,

and temperature are the things that affect the growth hormones of a plant, which will either make

them grow quickly or slowly (ECOgardener, 2018). A high-quality plant also needs a high-

quality soil and high-quality care.

Composting is a process of recycling various organic materials otherwise regarded as

waste products (Wikipedia contributors, 2019). It has a big impact for our environment because,

by composting wasted food and other organics, methane emissions are significantly reduced

(USA EPA,2020). It is efficient and eco-friendly, also can be a big benefit in planting. Based on

research, compost is a good way to help lessen waste such as food waste, garden waste, and

many more biodegradable wastes. Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help

plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of
what we throw away, and could be composted instead (Composting At Home, 2021).

Vermicomposting is a type of composting in which certain species of earthworms are used to

enhance the process of organic waste conversion and produce a better end-product (Zafar, 2020).

Organic Compost remains are decomposed by microbes, plant growth regulators are absent, and

has Thermophilic bacteria, while vermicompost remains are pulverized by earthworms, plant

regulators are present, and has Mesophilic bacteria (Brown, 2020). Both Organic Composting

and Vermicomposting are eco-friendly, since we are recycling waste, it can be a big help in our

environment and reduce pollution.

The purpose of this study is to conduct an experiment on the growth of madagascar

periwinkle using Organic Compost and Vermicompost to find out which compost works best.

The researcher aims to differentiate between the effect of organic compost and vermicompost to

the growth of Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). This experiment will be conducted

in the summer season, which is suitable for the Madagascar Periwinkle to grow and have an

accurate observation and results. Vermicompost from Aditha’s Farm, will be used in this

experiment. The Organic Compost that will be used in this study is from a researcher’s friend

who owns a local rice field farm. There will be 3 groups of plant pots, each pot will have one

germinated seed. Organic compost will be used for one group, vermicompost on another group,

and another will serve as our control group. Direct observation of the changes of the Madagascar

periwinkle during its growth will be taken down weekly. The data collected will be used to

analyze the research problem. The significance of this study is to help enhance the future

propagation of C. roseus for researchers that will be using C. roseus for its anti-cancer properties.

The central goal is to find out which compost works best for growing Madagascar Periwinkle.
The outcome of this experiment is to see whether compost can affect the growth of the

Madagascar Periwinkle. By knowing the outcome of the experiment, the researcher can conclude

which compost will have larger impact in the growth of Madagascar periwinkle.

Theoretical Framework:

Plant growth of C. roseus

Interventions

Organic Compost Vermicompost Control Group

Determinants

 Height of the plant

 Number of leaves
 Color of the leaves
 Number of flowers

Outcome

Healthier plants with a

strong stem and lovely
flowers
 Review of Related Literature

As time passes by, new studies are conducted that evolve and innovate our way of living.

These are the literatures that has inspired this study.

Vermicomposting

Masciandro et al (1997), investigated the effects of direct applications of vermicomposts

produced from sewage sludge into the soil as well ferti-irrigation with 8 humic extracts from

vermicomposts. They reported a greater growth index of garden cress (Lepidium sativum)

treated with vermicomposts than in control treatments with no vermicompost applications. Soil

analyses after the vermicompost applications showed marked improvements in the overall

physical and biochemical properties of the soil. .

Tomati et al. (1983, 1987, 1988, 1990) Grappelli et al. (1987) and Tomati & Galli (1995)

tested vermicomposts produced from organic wastes by the action of earthworms, as media for

growing ornamental plants and mushrooms. They concluded that the growth increases that

occurred in all of their experiments were much too large to be explained purely on the basis of

the nutrient contents of the vermicomposts. Moreover the growth changes observed included

stimulation of rooting, dwarfing, time of flowering, and lengthening of internodes. They

compared the growth of Petunia, Begonia, and Coleus after adding aqueous vermicompost

extracts, to adding auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, to soil and concluded that there was

excellent evidence of potential hormonal effects produced by earthworm activity and this

conclusion was supported by the high levels of cytokinins and auxins they found in the

vermicomposts. Since the process of vermicomposting increases microbial diversity and activity
dramatically, it is possible that vermicomposts could be a definitive source of plant growth

regulators produced by interactions between microorganisms and earthworms, which could

contribute significantly to enhancement of plant growth, flowering and yields (Aranco &

Edwards, 2005, p. 14).

Vermicompost, which is not harmfull to the environment, and is increasing in

agricultural production in terms of both gaining to the soil and benefiting the waste. This

research was carried out in 2019 in Bayburt ecological conditions in order to determine the

impacts of different doses of solid (250, 500 and 750 kg da-1 ) and liquid (0, 250, 500 and 750

ml da-1 ) vermicompost fertilizers on the flowering and maturation period (days), stem diameter

(cm), table diameter (cm), plant height (cm), thousand weight (g) seed yield (kg da-1 ), seed

internal rate (%) oil ratio (%) and oil yield (kg da-1 ) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). In the

experiment, it was determined that all parameters were statistically significant compared to

p<0.01. The highest seed (218.7 kg da-1 ) and oil yield (75.9 kg da-1 ), which are the most

important parameters in oil sunflower, were obtained in 750 kg da-1 solid and 750 ml da-1

Liquid vermicompost application (K3S3). As a result, the use of solid and liquid vermicompost

application in oil sunflower together will be beneficial in obtaining the highest healthy, high

quality seed and oil yield, Gül, V., Çoban, F. and Öztürk, E. (2021).

Traditional composting

According to (Marschner, 2014) generally, the effect of soil type was greater than that of

compost type. It is concluded that the effect of composts on soil properties and plant growth is

strongly affected by soil properties. There are few studies in which the effect of several composts

applied as on soil properties and plant growth has been studied under controlled conditions. The
experiments showed that compost properties, particularly particle size and nutrient concentration

determine the effect of compost on soils. Finer composts have greater effects than coarse-

textured composts. Nutrients released from composts may derive from the nutrients already

available in the composts or may become mobilised after compost application. Compost effects

were modulated by soil type and changed over time.

Madagascar Periwinkle propagation

The theoretic basis of the standardization production of Madagascar

periwinkle(Catharanthus roseus) was provided through the study. The dynamic change of main

agronomic traits and the content of total alkaloids of madagascar periwinkle were measured with

the randomized block design. The results showed that the dynamic change of agronomic traits

was a parabolic growth. The plant height and the number of the first lateral branch had a faster

increment from the middle or last ten-day of April, with the growth rate of the plant height: 11.9

cm/10 days and the number of the first lateral branch: 6.4 branches/10 days. The rapid growth

period of terrestrial stem, number of leaf and dry/fresh weight of the plant was from last ten-day

of May or the first ten-day of June, with the growth rate of terrestrial stem: 1.17 cm/10 days; the

number of leaf: 24 leaves/10 days and the dry or fresh weight of the plant: 2.27 g or 15.30 g/10

days. The rapid increasing time of total alkaloids content appeared in the second ten-day of June,

with the increasing rate: 1.70 mg/10 days. In conclusion, there was a parabolic line in the process

of madagascar periwinkle growth, with firstly, slow; then rapid and finally slow growth. The

content-increasing of total alkaloids was slow at beginning of growth period and a rapid from the

middle of June (Ying-bo, 2009).

 Methodology

Research Design

This is an experimental research study that will use visual observation, direct

measurement and data collection as research tools while conducting the experiment.

Materials and Methods

An open field experiment with three groups of pots with one germinated seed will be

carried out at a residential garden. Each group will consist of 5 pots. The sizes of the pots will be

12 to 16 in (30 to 41 cm). After the seed germinates and the second set of true leaves will appear,

application of either organic or vermicompost in each pot in every group can be started.

Application of either organic or vermicompost in each pot in every group will be started and the

germinated seed will be placed. Each pot will contain 200 grams of compost for Group A, 200g

of vermicompost for Group B, and untreated soil for Group C. The vermicompost will be coming

from Aditha’s farm . They used Eudrilus eugeniae worms or also called African nightcrawlers.

The Organic Compost that will be used in this study are from a local rice field farm. They used

food waste, cow manure and rice husk as raw materials of their compost.

The seed germinated pots will be placed randomly in 2 rows and will have access to

direct sunlight. Each pot in every group will be exposed for 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and will

be watered regularly. Every day the soil should be checked to avoid dryness of the soil for the

plants to grow healthy and firm. At this point observation will take place. After 6 weeks of
observing, the researcher will compare and analyze the data gathered and will conclude on the

results for the difference between using organic compost and vermicompost in Madagascar

Periwinkle.

Data collection

The height of the plant, number, and color of leaves, will be recorded in the experiment.

The height of the plant, will be measured using a ruler. Observation will be used in determining

the color of the leaves and counting for the number of leaves. The width of the flower will be

measure with measuring tape.

Randomized Posttest-Only Control Group Design

A OC 1 OC 2
B VC 1 VC 2
C CG 1 CG 2

Legends

A, B, and C Labels of pot

OC 1 Experimental Group treatment (soils in pot a

receives organic compost treatment)

VC 1 Experimental group treatment (soils in pot B

receives vermicompost treatment)

CG 1 Control group treatment (receives no

treatment)
OC 2 Posttest Experimental Group (measured

height, number of leaves, color of leaves and

width of the flower will be observe and write

down)
 VC 2 Posttest Experimental Group (measured

height, number of leaves, color of leaves and

width of the flower will be observe and write

down)
CG 2 Posttest Control Group (measured height,

number of leaves, color of leaves and width of

the flower will be observe and write down)

Data analysis:

The average results will be taken from the data collected in every factor of each group.

These computed data will be compared to each experimental group, A an B, and to the control

group C using mean data analysis.

Conclusion
 The purpose of this study is to conduct an experiment on the growth of Madagascar

periwinkle using Organic Compost and Vermicompost to find out which compost works best.

The observed outcome of this experiment will help evaluate the growth of the Madagascar

periwinkle using different composts. The result of this experiment may have an impact in the

future propagation of dwarf sunflowers and other ornamental plants by gardeners and

horticulture enthusiasts.
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