ABSTRACT

This study aims to compare the growth of mung beans in two types of soil, loam and clay, over a
period of 15 days with measurements taken every 5 days. Mung beans are chosen due to their
nutritional value and quick growth. Loam soil, commonly used by gardeners, will be compared
to clay soil, which is known for its moisture retention and nutrient-rich properties. The study will
involve planting mung beans in both types of soil and monitoring their growth using materials
such as a shovel and ruler. Observations will be recorded at regular intervals, and after two
weeks, the growth of mung beans in loam and clay soil will be compared. It's suggested to
conduct the study in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse and consider using
pesticides for optimal results.

INTRODUCTION

One of life's essentials is food (National Geographic Society, n.d.). Even without
clothes or a roof over their heads, a person could survive provided they were fed a
nutritious meal. That explains why our innate need to seek out and acquire food has
existed throughout human history (Singh, 2014). Over 8 billion people are on the planet
this year, thanks to years of population growth (Worldometer, 2023). According to
Gopinath et al. (2017), this indicates that agriculture needs hectares of land and a
significant amount of water each day. However, the abuse of dangerous pesticides,
climate change, and the reduction of arable land brought about by the growth of urban
areas complicate the need for food supplies (OECD, n.d.). This suggests that there
could be food crises in society. 10% more people—238 million—than in 2022—across
48 countries are suffering from severe food insecurity in 2023 (ECHO, 2023).

One in ten Filipino households experience food scarcity, per survey data (Cruz, 2022).
Deforestation and harsh weather have been the main causes of the deterioration in
Philippine agriculture in recent decades (Philippine Institute for Development Studies,
2021).

Legumes, particularly mung beans, are emphasized as a nutritious and affordable food
source with various health benefits. Mung beans, or Vigna radiata, are an annual plant
with a strong taproot that grows quickly and can be either erect or semi-erect. Mung
beans are uses from popular cuisines like mung beans salad, mung bean soup and
mung bean curry. Mung bean also have health benefits which they are rich in nutrients
and antioxidants.
Soil is the important part of planting plants and it is fundamental medium that holds
plants in their growth. In addition, soil controls the atmosphere, lessens flooding, filters
and purifies our water, and is essential for the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Because it
absorbs and stores enormous amounts of carbon, it is also essential for combating
climate change. Soil is emphasized as a critical component for plant growth, with
different soil types impacting plant health and productivity.

The most common type of soil is loam soil. In addition to holding nutrients and having a
texture that allows water to be retained long enough for plant roots to reach it, loam
soil drains well, allowing water to eventually seep out and prevent plant roots from
becoming wet and rotting.

Clay soil is another kind of soil. It is mostly composed of very small amounts of organic
matter and extremely fine mineral particles, with a diameter of only 0.002 mm (sand
particles have a diameter of 0.05 to 2.0 mm). Because there is little space between the
mineral particles, the resulting soil does not drain at all and is extremely sticky.

Planting produce is one way to aid the proliferating food scarcity. In growing plants, a
medium is needed, which is soil. Loam soil is basically a combination of most soil types,
whereas clay, is a material containing clay minerals,
Thus, the researcher decided to investigate which of the two main soil types is best
suited in growing mung beans.

The significance of food security, the nutritional benefits of legumes like mung beans,
and the importance of soil quality for agriculture. It also thing to see specific challenges
faced by the Philippines in maintaining agricultural sustainability.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study is which among the clay and loam soil is suited for planting
mung beans. This study determines the growth of the mung beans and recording the height of
the plant every 5 days in the 15 days experiment.

SIGNIFICANCE
The critical importance of food, agriculture, and soil in human life and society. It is significance
food as a basic necessity for survival and outlines challenges in food production, such as
urbanization and climate change. Food insecurity, especially in vulnerable populations, is
identified as a pressing issue requiring comprehensive solutions, soil is recognized as vital for
agriculture, providing essential nutrients and supporting plant growth, with different soil types
impacting plant growth and water retention.

METHODOLOGY

1. The researcher prepared for a research project by gathering necessary materials.

2. He filled one pot with loam soil and the other with clay soil.
3. Next, they made a hole in each pot to plant mungo bean seeds and covered them with
soil.
4. The researcher watered the seeds daily and recorded measurements every five days to
track the progress of the experiment.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

During the investigation, loam soil grew faster than clay soil. At day 5, loam soil grew 10 cm
while in clay only 7 cm. At day 10, loam soil grew at 18 cm while clay is 13 cm. And the last day
loam soil grew at 23 cm while clay is 17.

CONCLUSION
The mung beans in loam soil grew faster than those planted in clay soil. Every observation day, the researcher found
that the height measurements of the mung beans in loam soil exceed that of clay soil. Due to the plentiful of
moisture that loam soil contains, water found its easy way to the legumes’ roots. As loam soil drains so well, proper
aeration is too, attained, keeping the plants well oxygenated. Clay soil, with its intact structure, deprived the legume
of its needed water and air, which resulted to its slower growth. In the end, loam soil is the best soil type in planting
not only legumes like mung beans, but also any other crops, as demonstrated by this research.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Food. (n.d). National Geographic Society. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/food/
Singh, P. (2014, December 4). The Importance of Food. GD Goenka University.
https://www.gdgoenkauniversity.com/studentblog/the-importance-of-food/

Current World Population. (2023, July 16). Worldometer.

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/#:~:text=The%20World%20Population%20in%202023,the
%20world%20population%20was%207%2C909%2C295%2C151.

GopinGopinath, P., Vethamoni P. L., Gomanthi M., 2017. Aeroponics Soilless Cultivation System for Vegetable
Crops.

Opportunities and Threats in Agriculture. (n.d.). OECD https://www.oecd.org/agriculture/understanding-the-global-

food-system/opportunities-and-threats-for-agriculture/

Global Food Crisis: What You Need to Know in 2023. (2023, October 16). ECHO.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-food-crisis-what-you-need-know-2023

Cruz, M. (2022, December 12). WFP Philippines- Food Security Monitoring. World Food Programme- October
2022. https://www.wfp.org/publications/wfp-philippines-food-security-monitoring-october-2022

Philippine Agriculture: Current State, Challenges, and Ways Forward. (2021, December 27). Philippine Institutefor
Development Studies. https://www.pids.gov.ph/publication/policy-notes/philippine-agriculture-current-state-
challenges-and-ways-forward

Mission: Establish thousands of resilient agricultural communities. (2017, July 24). Alliance Biodiversity & CIAT.
https://alliancebioversityciat.org/stories/mission-establish-thousands-resilient-agricultural-communities

Mung bean (n.d.) The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

https://www.britannica.com/plant/mung-bean

Understanding Clay Soil and How to Improve It (2023 December 4) Colleen Vanderlinden

https://www.thespruce.com/understanding-and-improving-clay-soil-2539857

What Is Loam Soil? (2023 March 18) Marie Iannotti

https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-loam-1401908
PHOTO CREDITS

Day 1

DAY 5

CLAY LOAM

DAY 10

CLAY LOAM

DAY 15

CLAY LOAM
CLAY LOAM