Berbon, Edmarc Thony B. Digamon, Gabrielle Carliese A. Faelangco, Hillary Charm G. Mationg, LJ Nicole N.

STE - A, 9 - Assertiveness

Introduction

The output of tomato plants has dropped due to the continual occurrence of typhoons, which

produced flooding and the emergence of pests and illnesses, which substantially impacted

tomato plant productivity, particularly their photosynthetic effect. Rain can assist plants in

photosynthesis, boosting their efficiency. However, too much rain might be detrimental to

their growth. Because of the loss in output caused by Typhoon "Egay" in August, the price of

tomatoes climbed to P230 per kilo. (Cariaso, 2023)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic fungi and microorganisms that

improve plant health. AMF grows well in wet conditions, absorbing water and exchanging

nutrients such as phosphorus, carbon, and water (Fallah et al., 2023). By enhancing soil

structure, water-input capacity, and photosynthetic efficiency, how can we determine if

arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) can boost plant growth and yield under monsoon

season. AMF protects soil roots by accepting and transferring nutrients and converting them

to glucose, thus increasing photosynthesis. (Hashem et al., 2019)

AMF and tomato plants are compatible materials since they both grow effectively

during wet seasons. AMF can neutralize the tomato plant's water intake, which will benefit its

photosynthetic activity. And the tomato plant can give the fungi's sugars, increasing its

energy source.
 Materials and Methods

Gathering of Materials

Tomato Plant

Tomato seeds will be used. The tomato plants will be kept in a greenhouse to encourage more

effective and quick growth. Since tomatoes grow best during the rainy season, the plant will

receive regular irrigation. To maintain equilibrium, the plants will be watered at the same

time every day; early in the morning is preferred. The plant's stem and root will receive

priority watering because they need it more than the leaves and the flowers do.

Water Condition

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's amount of dampness is the level of water conditions

mentioned. Dehydrated, Arid, Moist, Damp, Soggy, and Drenched and Saturated. For each

level, control groups will be created. The soil's AMF content will be treated using water that

is 20°C at the ideal temperature. At this temperature, the water in the substrate still retains a

significant amount of oxygen, and the pump mechanism in the roots is precisely activated.

Since the AMF depends on water for its wetness, the amount of AMF will be exactly

proportional to the amount of water.

Photosynthetic Activity

Two methods will be used to assess photosynthetic activity.

A. Photosynthetic activity will be determined using chlorophyll content spectrophotometer

readings. To gauge activity, a sample of leaves will be collected from each control group. We

will extract the pigments by cutting the leaf into little pieces and grinding them using a pestle

and mortar to release the pigments from the leaves. The leaf mixture will be filtered to

eliminate leaf waste as well as a clear extract containing the pigment, or chlorophyll. The

intensity of light on the pigment, or pigment content, will be measured by the

spectrophotometer. The Arnon equations will be used to compare the calculation of

chlorophyll content.

Chlorophyll a (μg/ml) = (12.7 x (A663) - 2.69 x (A645)) x V/D x 1000

Chlorophyll b (μg/ml) = (22.9 x (A645) - 4.68 x (A668)) x V/D x 1000

Where:

The absorbance values of the chlorophyll extract at 663 nm and 645 nm are A663 and A645,

respectively.

V denotes the extraction solvent volume (in milliliters). If the extract will be diluted during

the process, D is the dilution factor.

b. Iodine will be put into each plant's leaf sample. If the leaf turns blue-black, this indicates

that photosynthetic activity is occurring. If it gets brown, it is no longer functional. This is

due to the starch produced by the photosynthetic action. We'll bring water to a boil and

immerse the tomato leaf for 30 seconds. We will remove the leaf from the water and place it

in a test tube with boiling ethanol and alcohol. And fill that test tube halfway with boiling

water. The chlorophyll will break down and its green pigment will be removed by the

ethanol. Using tweezers, remove the leaf and place it in a petri dish with a few drops of

iodine. After a few minutes, the leaf will either turn blue-black or brown, which indicates its

photosynthetic activity.

Chlorophyll Concentration

Chlorophyll concentration is the main identifier of photosynthetic activity. The higher the

chlorophyll content, the higher the rate of photosynthetic activity. The same samples will be

used for the photosynthetic activity. However, we shall apply the formula:

Total Chlorophyll (mg/mL) = Chlorophyll a + Chlorophyll b.

Plant Height

The most basic and straightforward tools for measuring height are a ruler and measuring tape.

Compare the heights of each control group as well. We are going to measure each plant three
times and average the results to get the recorded height.

Biomass

The "average" plant will be weighed by the researchers. A weighing scale will be used to

measure the biomass. If the average plant weighs more than the average biomass of a plant, it

will be moved to another pot. Every day, the biomass of the plant will be monitored; a rise in

biomass indicates that the plant's photosynthetic activity is active. To acquire an exact

measurement, The researchers will weigh the plant in the pot and subtract the weight of the

pot to get the biomass of the plant.

Biomass = weight of the plant and pot - pot weight

Leaf surface area

The following formula will be used to compute leaf area:

Leaf area = l x w

Every day, the leaf area will be measured; if there is a rapid and large increase in the leaf

area, photosynthesis is working.

Leaf temperature

Infrared thermometers will be utilized as measuring devices. As the temperature rises, so

does the rate of photosynthesis. It will be measured every day. Because it is placed in a

greenhouse, there will be a considerable difference because they receive different amounts of

water and AMF, despite the fact that the plants remain in the same environment, receiving the

same amount of humidity and sunlight.

Data Analysis

The researchers will concentrate on obtaining numerical data based on the development,

photosynthetic activity, and moisture content of tomato plants. For both the treatment and

control groups, measure photosynthetic parameters at regular intervals (e.g., daily or weekly).

The rate of photosynthesis, chlorophyll concentration, and leaf temperature are examples of
parameters. The researchers will keep track of plant growth indicators, such as height to

figure out and contrast the average photosynthetic rates of plants with and without arbuscular

mycorrhizal fungi. The researchers will also assess plant growth data to determine if the

groups differ in size or health. The researchers will analyze the gathered data using graphs

and charts to determine if there are any notable discrepancies. The researchers will write a

summary of the results and their implications for boosting tomato plant photosynthetic

activity using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Safety Precautions

Safety procedures will be addressed and are vital, particularly during the experiment, to avoid

mishaps and protect the researchers and the organisms that will be employed, primarily

tomato plants. The research will be carried out in a greenhouse to safeguard the plants from

potentially dangerous and unsafe surroundings. At all times, the researchers will wear PPE,

such as a lab coat, gloves, eye protection, and appropriate apparel. These safety protocols and

safeguards will reduce the risks associated with the handling of AMF, other chemicals, and

equipment. By closely following ethical standards, the well-being of tomato plants will be

maintained. All required permissions and clearances will be obtained for plant experiments,

and no plants will be purposefully harmed or stressed. All tools and materials will also be

tested to ensure that they are fit for purpose. First aid and fire extinguishers are also easily

available for unexpected incidents and crises. The institutional review board (IRB) will

ensure that all ethical criteria and considerations are accepted in order to preserve the welfare

of the plants and the researchers who will be conducting the experiment.