ST.

STEPHEN’S COLLEGE

CSEC Agricultural Science (Single Award) Investigate Report

CROP INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT

Name of Student: Darren Ramnarine

Student Registration No.:

Name of School: St. Stephens College

Title of Project: The Effects of plant Spacing on Pak Choi growth and yield at St. Stephen’s
College, Trinidad, and Tobago.

Project Start Date: 16th May 2023

Project End Date: 27th June 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topics Pages
Introduction 3
Methodology 4-6
Plant Production Activities 7-9
Results 10-14
Graphs 15-16
Discussion 17-20
Conclusion 21
Recommendations 22
References 23
Cost Analysis 24-29
Crop Production Activities – Pictures 30

2
 INTRODUCTION

Background Information:

The ‘Brassica Rapa Subsp. Chinensis’ or commonly referred to as ‘Pak Choi,’ is a type of

green leafy vegetable primarily cultivated as a source of food for both humans and livestock. As

a result of his crop’s short-term harvest time, significant yield and its extreme tolerance of heat

and rain, it has become a popular choice of leafy vegetable amongst farmers and citizens in

tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones, including the Caribbean. Several common varieties

which are reared by Caribbean farmers include: Joi Choi, Gracious and Pak Choi White. Besides

being a valuable agricultural enterprise, which supports the livelihoods of farmers, Pak Choi has

been proven to be nutritionally beneficial to humans by providing Vitamins A, C and K and

supplying the human body with nutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Magnesium,

Potassium, Manganese, and Iron. In this experiment, the effects of spacing on Weight, Number

of Leaves and Mortality Rate of Pak Choi plants at St. Stephen's College will be investigated.

Problem Statement: At St. Stephen’s College, the effects of plant Spacing on Pak Choi growth

and yield is undetermined.

Hypothesis: Pak Choi plants grown at a larger plant spacing will have a greater yield.

Aim: To investigate the effects of plant Spacing on Pak Choi growth and yield at St. Stephen’s

College.

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 METHODOLOGY

Table 1. - Materials And Apparatus for Experiment

Materials Apparatus

24 – Pak Choi Seedlings Spade

1 Pound Of – NPK Fertilizer (12:24:12) Fork

1 Pound Of – Urea Fertilizer Shovel

1 Bottle Of – Fastac (200 ml) Hand Shovel

Plastic Bags Ruler

Spray Can

Watering Can

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Experimental Design: 16th May 2023. to 27th June 2023.

1. On 16th May 2023, two planting beds were created.

2. Both Beds were subjected to Secondary and Primary Tillage.

3. The two planting beds were labelled Control Bed and Treated Bed, respectively.

4. Twelve Pak Choi seedlings were planted on the Control Bed at a spacing of 25 cm within

horizontal rows and 45 cm between rows.

5. Twelve Pak Choi seedlings were planted on the Treated Bed at a spacing of 12.5 cm

within horizontal rows and 22.5 cm between rows.

6. An application of NPK Fertilizer (12:24:12) was added in the first week of the

experiment to each bed.

7. An application of Urea Fertilizer was added in the fourth week of the experiment to each

bed.

8. Plants were sprayed with diluted Fastac Pesticide regularly.

9. The Pak Choi Plants were cultivated using Crop Production Practices.

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Data Collection: Pak Choi plants in the Control Bed were labelled C1 to C12 and Pak Choi

plants in the Treated Bed were labelled T1 to T12. Over the experimental period of six weeks the

following data were collected in tables.

1. Average Number of Leaves Per Plant – The number of fully opened leaves on each

plant in both the Treated and Control Beds were counted and recorded. The respective

summations of leaves for each bed were calculated on a weekly basis, for an

experimental period of six weeks. The Average Number of Leaves per Plant was
!"#$% '()*+, -. /(%%0 -1+2+3 4+$5+6
calculated using the following formula: '()*+, -. 7%$2#6 8%95+

2. Average Fresh Weight – Upon harvesting the fully matured Pak Choi plants at the end

of the experiment's sixth week, the produce of the Treated and Control Beds was

weighed, and their values recorded.

3. Plant Mortality – The Plant Mortality between the Control and Treated Beds was

determined by counting the number of Pak Choi plants that were present in each bed,

each week and recording each bed’s population. Furthermore, plants that died were

corresponded with their unique labels and the week in which they died.

4. Other Observations - Throughout the experimental period, both the Treated and

Control Beds were observed. Any significant observations were determined and recorded.

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 PLANT PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES

● Land preparation

1. Land was cleared of all unwanted vegetation and debris using a cutlass.

2. Using a garden fork primary tillage was done to break up the soil into large clumps.

3. Secondary tillage was then done using garden hoe and cutlass to break up soil into

aggregates, to form a fine tilth.

4. Two raised beds were then formed with drains on either side for drainage.

● Transplanting

1. With the assistance of a hand shovel, a hole approximately five centimetres in depth was

dug into the planting bed.

2. The desired Pak Choi seedling to be planted was held firmly at the base of its stem and

gently lifted out of the seedling tray.

3. The Pak Choi seedling was placed into the hole with its leaves above the ground and was

moulded with the surrounding soil.

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Figure 1.- Spacing Used in Treated and Control Beds

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● Pesticide Application

1. A volume of five millilitres of ‘Fastac’ pesticide was mixed into one gallon of water.

2. The diluted pesticide mixture was applied to the surface of the Pak choi plants using a

Knapsack Spray Can.

● Fertiliser Application

1. ‘NPK’ (12:24:12) and ‘Urea’ fertilisers were applied to the surface of both the Control

and Treated beds in weeks one and four respectively using the row application method.

● Harvesting and Packaging

1. The mature Pak Choi plant to be harvested was tilted to the left to expose its stem.

2. Using a sharp knife, the stem of the Pak Cho plant was cut at ground level.

3. All dry, dead, yellow leaves were removed from the harvested Pak Choi and using a

scale, the weight of the cleaned Pak Choi was obtained and recorded.

4. The harvested Pak Choi was washed under running water and packaged into plastic bags

to be sold.

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 RESULTS

Average Number of Leaves Per Plant

Table 2. - Average Number of Leaves Per Plant in The Treated and Control Beds
Time Average Number of Leaves Per Plant

(Weeks After Transplanting) Treated Bed Control Bed

1 3 3

2 5 5

3 6 6

4 8 7

5 10 9

6 13 12

In accordance with the results above, the Average Number of Leaves in the Treated bed

for weeks 1 through 6 were calculated to be 3 leaves, 5 leaves, 6 leaves, 8 leaves, 10 leaves and

13 leaves for the respective weeks. In the Control bed the Average Number of Leaves were

calculated to be 3 leaves, 5 leaves, 6 leaves, 7 leaves, 9 leaves and 12 leaves for the same

experimental period. From week 4 to week 6 there was a deviation of 1 leaf when the Average

Number of Leaves of the Treated Bed were compared to the Average Number of Leaves of the

Control Bed.

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Average Fresh Weight

Table 3. - Average Fresh Weight for Treated and Control Beds

TREATED BED CONTROL BED

Plant Number Fresh Weight of Plant Number Fresh Weight of

Harvested Crop Harvested Crop
(g/plant) (g/plant)

T1 250 C1 300

T2 300 C2 200

T3 650 C3 500

T4 200 C4 X

T5 200 C5 300

T6 X C6 400

T7 300 C7 200

T8 200 C8 400

T9 300 C9 300

T 10 300 C 10 X

T 11 250 C 11 200

T 12 X C 12 200

Average Weight 295 Average Weight 300

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 Based on the results above, the Average Fresh Weight of the Pak Choi plants in the

Treated Bed was calculated to be 295 grams. The Average Fresh Weigh of the Pak Choi plants in

the Control Bed was calculated to be 300 grams. It was observed that the Pak Choi plants in the

Control Bed had an Average Fresh Weight of 5 grams more than the Control Bed. Additionally,

the ranges of the weight’s values for the Treated and Control Bed are 200 grams to 650 grams

and 200 grams to 500 grams respectfully.

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Mortality Rate

Table 4. - Mortality Rate of Plants in Treated and Control Beds

Time Number Of Plants Surviving

(Weeks After Transplanting) Treated Bed Control Bed

1 11 12

2 10 10

3 10 10

4 10 10

5 10 10

6 10 10

In accordance with the results above, the number of Pak choi plants surviving in the

Treated and Control Bed in week 1 of the experiment were 11 and 12 plants respectively as 1

plant perished in the Treated Bed and no plants perished in the Control Bed. In week 2 of the

experiment the number of Pak Choi plants surviving in the Treated and Control Beds were 10

plants and 10 plants respectively as 1 additional plant perished in the Treated Bed and 2 plants

succumbed in the Control Bed. From week 3 through week 6 no plants perished in both beds.

Based on observations it can be noted that two Pak Choi died in each bed.

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Other Observations

1. It was observed that the leaves of the Pak choi plants in the Treated Bed were darker in

colour than those present in the Control Bed.

2. It was observed that the leaves of the Pak choi in the Treated Bed were larger than those of

the Control Bed.

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 GRAPHS

Figure 2. - Average Number of Leaves Per Plant for Treated and Control Beds

Figure 3. - Average Fresh Weight of Treated and Control Beds

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Figure 4. - Mortality Rate of Treated and Control Beds

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 DISCUSSION

Average Number of Leaves Per Plant

In the 6th week of the experiment, it was observed that the Pak Choi plants in the Treated

Bed had an Average Number of Leaves of 13 leaves per plant, and the Pak Choi plants in the

Control Bed had an Average Number of Leaves of 12 leaves per plant. It can be determined that

the Pak Choi plants in the Treated Bed, planted at a smaller spacing of 12.5 centimetres within

horizontal rows and 22.5 centimetres between rows, had an Average Number of Leaves of 1 leaf

per plant, more than the Pak choi plants present in the Control Bed at a larger spacing of 25

centimetres within horizontal rows and 45 centimetres between rows. The results acquired from

this experiment were unlike findings determined in a study conducted by (Akinfasoye et

al.,2008), in which Spinach plants grown at a larger spacing of (25 cm within horizontal rows

and 25 cm between rows), developed an Average Number of Leaves of 16 leaves per plant, a

difference in the Average Number of Leaves of 1 leaf per plant, when compared to the Spinach

plants grown at a smaller spacing of (15 cm within horizontal rows and 15 cm between rows),

which had an Average number of Leaves of 15 leaves per plant. This difference in results

obtained at St. Stephen’s College may have been due to the occurrence of ‘Leaching’ in the

Control bed. According to (Lehmann et al.,2003), Leaching is the downward movement of

dissolved nutrients in the soil profile with percolating water. During the experimental period, the

region experienced a substantial amount of rainfall which may have leached away nutrients such

as Nitrogen, which is essential for stimulating healthy leaf growth (Tajer,2022). This factor was

exploited as the Control bed had more space between each plant, increasing the surface area of

soil exposed to rainfall, increasing the amount of nutrients lost to leaching.

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Average Fresh Weight

At the end of the experimental period, it was calculated that the Treated bed had an

Average Fresh Weight of 295 grams for each crop harvested and the Control Bed had an

Average Fresh Weight of 300 grams for each crop harvested. It can be deduced that the Control

Bed had an Average Fresh Weight of 5 grams more for each Pak Choi harvested than the Treated

Bed. This observation may be due to the reduced rate of competition amongst the Pak Choi

plants in the Control bed, resulting from the larger spacing at which the seedlings were planted.

This allowed the plants an unrestrained and uncompromised access to all essential micro and

macro nutrients, water, and sunlight. This contrasts when compared to the Treated Bed with an

increased rate of competition due to the smaller spacing at which the seedlings were planted.

This reduced spacing restricted and limited the amount of nutrients, water, and sunlight available

to each plant. Comparable results were obtained in a study conducted by (Moniruzzaman, 2006)

in which lettuce plants grown at a spacing of 40 centimetres by 40 centimetres exhibited a fresh

weight of 336.3 grams, 119.2 grams increase when compared to the fresh weight of lettuce

cultivated at a spacing of 40 centimetres by 20 centimetres. These trends can be justified by a

study conducted on “Effects of Different Rates of Nitrogen and Interrow Spacing on Growth

Performance of Lettuce” by (Gashaw et al., 2020) in which it was confirmed that “with the

increase of interrow spacing, the fresh weight of plants will increase.”

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Mortality Rate

In the 6th week of the experiment, it was observed that two Pak Choi plants had perished

in the Treated Bed when planted at a spacing of 12.5 centimetres within horizontal rows and 22.5

centimetres between rows. Similarly, two Pak Choi plants had perished in the Control Bed when

planted at a spacing of 25 centimetres within horizontal rows and 45 centimetres between rows.

It can be determined that 2 Pak Choi plants perished in both beds. From the results acquired from

the experiment it can be determined that varying spacing has no significant and lasting effect on

the Mortality Rate of Pak choi plants as the results obtained from the experiment are insufficient

to suggest that it does. The deaths of the plants in both beds can be attributed to changing

weather conditions, diseases, and especially water stress. During the growth period of the Pak

choi, variable and unpredictable weather fluctuations from torrential rainfall to drought-like

periods may have caused the young seedlings to succumb to the water stress. This can be

supported by a study conducted by (Alvar-Beltran et al., 2022), in which it was stated ‘Although

Pak Choi is not affected by heat stress conditions, water stress has an adverse effect on crop

growth.’ This adverse effect on growth can usually result in the death of the plant.

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Other Observations

During the experimental period, significant differences were noted in both the coloration

and size of Pak choi plant leaves between the Treated Bed and the Control Bed. In the Treated

Bed, where plants were grown with a smaller spacing of 12.5 centimetres within horizontal rows

and 22.5 centimetres between rows, the leaves displayed a darker hue and were notably larger

compared to those in the Control Bed, which were grown with a larger spacing of 25 centimetres

within horizontal rows and 45 centimetres between rows. This disparity in coloration and size is

likely attributable to a higher concentration of nitrogen in the soil of the Treated Bed. The

reduced planting space in the Treated Bed minimises the leaching of nutrients from the soil by

rainfall, thereby maintaining a higher nitrogen concentration than the Control Bed. This

observation is supported by findings from (Green,2023), who emphasised “Nitrogen is a key

element in the structure of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis”. The

elevated nitrogen levels in the soil of the Treated Bed enhance the absorption rate of nitrogen by

Pak choi plants, resulting in increased chlorophyll production and, consequently, greener foliage.

Additionally, research by (Lieffering et al.,2014) indicated that the presence of additional

nitrogen in the soil leads to an increase in individual leaf area or a larger leaf due to a “greater

number of larger cells being produced in the leaf”. The higher nitrogen concentration in the soil

promotes the synthesis of proteins within the plants, contributing to increased cell division and

expansion. This, in turn, leads to the development of larger leaves. In contrast, the lower

concentration of nitrogen in the soil of the Control Bed may have led to a reduced absorption rate

of nitrogen by the Pak choi plants, resulting in the production of less chlorophyll and smaller

leaves of a lighter shade of green.

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 CONCLUSION

To conclude it was determined that plant Spacing influences the growth and yield of Pak Choi

Plants at St. Stephen’s College. This was noted as Pak Choi plants cultivated in the Control Bed

at a spacing of 25 cm within horizontal rows and 45 cm between rows exhibited higher a Fresh

Weight but sustained a lower Average Number of Leaves than the Treated Bed which was

cultivated at a spacing of 12.5 cm within horizontal rows and 22.5 cm between rows. However, it

was determined the lower Average Number of Leaves in the Control Bed was attributed to

external factors such as excessive rainfall and leaching. Additionally, at the end of the

experimental period the Mortality Rate of Plants in both Beds were the same. Therefore, it is that

increasing the spacing at which Pak Choi plants are grown will increase their yield and growth.

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