Effect of Combined Hydrogels and Trichoderma harzianum on the Moisture

content of the Drought Soil

A Science Investigatory Project

Submitted to the Science and Technology Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
In Research I

Submitted by:
Paj Keifel Guliman
Mariane Echalar
Vohn Archie Edjan
Rachel Espinosa

Submitted to:
Mrs. Aloja D. Tiu
Research I Teacher

Negros Occidental High School

Bacolod City
March 2016
 2

ABSTRACT
The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of combined hydrogels

and Trichoderma harzianum on the moisture content of drought soil. Specifically, this

study aims to find out if hydrogels and T. harzianum can be used as an alternative soil

moisturizer and to determine the average moisture content of the soil after the application

of hydrogels and T. harzianum as compared to the control group.

The experiment has four set-ups namely; Set-up A (drought soil with 100 grams

of hydrogels and 10 grams of T. harzianum), Set-up B (drought soil with 150 grams of

hydrogels and 15 grams of T. harzianum), Set-up C (drought soil with 250 grams of

hydrogels and 50 grams of T. harzianum), and Set-up D (Control group). Hydrogels were

prepared by ripping off 5 disposable diapers. The amount of hydrogels and T. harzianum

was mixed with the soil in the corresponding set-ups.

Results showed that the higher the amount of hydrogels and T. harzianum mixed

with the soil, the higher the moisture content of the soil. 3.92 is the average moisture

content of Set-up A, 4.15 is the average moisture content of Set-up B, 5.02 is the average

moisture content of Set-up C and 3.30 is the average moisture content of the control

group for three weeks. Therefore, the researchers conclude that hydrogels and T.

harzianum can be used as alternative soil moisturizers.

 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page 1
Abstract 2
Table of Contents 3
Introduction 4
Research Objectives 5
Research Hypothesis 5
Materials and Method 5
Experimental Design 5
Materials and Equipment 6
Procedure 6
Results and Discussion 7
Conclusion 8
Recommendation 8
Bibliography 8
Acknowledgement 9
Appendices 10
 4

INTRODUCTION
Negros Island is the 4 th largest island of the Philippines. It is also known as the
sugar capital of the country. Most of the lowlands are devoted to sugarcane cultivation
and more than half of it is Agricultural land. Aside from sugarcane, the Province of
Negros adapts its economy to corn and rice production.

At present, the Agricultural Industry in the Province has been greatly affected by
the El Niño phenomenon.

The Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Engr. Igmedio Tabianan DPA and
the Sugar Regulatory Administrator (SRA) Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin unites to call all
farmers in Negros to ensure their crops specifically rice and sugarcane plantations
migrate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

According to them, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental reported 13

towns and cities of Negros had been affected by El Niño in the year 2014. El Niño has
devastated 64 582 hectares of sugarcane plantation in Southern Negros, about 52 528
hectares in Central Negros, and 48 798 hectares in Northern Negros. While 3 100
hectares of rice in Silaya, 2 500 hectares in Candoni, and 3.74 hectares in Kabankalan.

These motivated the researchers to determine better ways to look for solutions
that would be effective in natural methods using hydrogels of disposable diapers with
Trichoderma harzianum as an alternative potential moisturizer.

Super absorbent Polymers (SAP) called hydrogels found in disposable diapers are
polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of liquid relative to their
mass.

It absorbs aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. A

SAP’s ability to absorb water is a factor in the ionic concentration of the aqueous
solution. In deionized and distilled water, a SAP may absorb 500 times its weight and can
become up to 99.99% liquid.

The presence of valence cations in the solution impedes the polymer’s ability to
bond with the water molecules. We also add T. harzianum to decompose the hydrogels so
that they will not last 300 years and turn into organic matter.

These motivated the researchers to use hydrogels on the disposable diapers to

store water and release it as the plants need it and T. harzianum to turn hydrogels later
into organic matter to moisturize and fertilize the soil affected by drought.
 5

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of combined
Trichoderma harzianum and hydrogels on disposable diapers as a moisturizer on drought
soil.
Specifically, this aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is the effect of Trichoderma harzianum and hydrogels of disposable diapers
on the moisture content of the soil?
2. Is there a significant difference between the amount of T. harzianum and
hydrogels on the difference of final and initial moisture content of the soil?
3. Is there a significant difference between the amount of T. harzianum and
hydrogels on the average moisture content of the soil?
4. Is there a significant relationship between the varying amounts of T. harzianum
and hydrogels on the moisture content of the soil?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following hypotheses were formulated to answer the following problems:
1. There is no significant difference between the amount of Trichoderma harzianum
and hydrogels on the difference of final and initial moisture content of the soil.
2. There is no significant difference between the amount of T. harzianum and
hydrogels on the average moisture content of the soil.
3. There is no significant relationship between the varying amounts of T. harzianum
and hydrogels on the moisture content of the soil.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE:
Amount of combined Trichoderma harzianum and Hydrogels on used disposable diapers

DEPENDENT VARIABLE:
Moisture Content of the soil

CONTROLLED VARIABLES:
Temperature, Kind of soil, Amount of soil, Amount of Water, Size of pot, Kind of
disposable diaper

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
A drought soil in a pot with combined Trichoderma harzianum and Hydrogels
 6

CONTROL SET UP:

A drought soil in a pot without combined Trichoderma harzianum and Hydrogels

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS

 2000g of dry soil
 500g of Hydrogels from used disposable diapers
 50g of cultured Trichoderma harzianum (bottled)
 4 equal-sized gardening pots
 400ml of water
 2 large basin
 1 pair of gloves
 1 weighing scale
 1 Moisture Tester
 1 measuring cup

PROCEDURE
 Wear a pair of gloves; gather 500g of hydrogels from used disposable diapers and
50g of cultured Trichoderma harzianum.
 Gather and note down the moisture content of the 2000g of dry soil and fill each
pot with 500g of dry soil.
 Label the first pot A (with mixed 100g of hydrogels and 10g of cultured T.
harzianum), B (with mixed 150g of hydrogels and 20g of cultured T. harzianum),
C (with mixed 250g of hydrogels and 25g of cultured T. harzianum) and D
(control).
 Water each pot with 100ml of water.
 Put the pots in a cool place away from the direct sunlight
 Check and record the moisture content of the soil in each pot weekly for three
weeks.
 7

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Average Moisture Content of Soil for Four Weeks after the Application of
Hydrogels and Trichoderma harzianum for Four Weeks
Set-up Initial W1 W2 W3 Average
A 3.97 3.47 4.01 4.29 3.92
B 3.97 3.58 3.99 4.87 4.15
C 3.97 4.67 5.26 5.13 5.02
D 3.97 2.75 2.89 4.26 3.30
Table 2. Difference of Final and Initial Moisture Content of Soil after the Application of
Hydrogels and Trichoderma harzianum
Set-up Initial Final Difference
A 3.97 4.29 -0.32
B 3.97 4.87 -0.90
C 3.97 5.13 -1.16
D 3.97 4.26 -0.29

Table 1 shows that 4.15 is the average moisture content of drought soil with 150 grams
of hydrogels and 15 grams of Trichoderma harzianum under set-up B, and 3.92 is the
average moisture content of drought soil with 100 grams of hydrogels and 10 grams of T.
harzianum under set-up A.
On the other hand, 5.02 is the average moisture content of drought soil with 250 grams
of hydrogels and 25 grams of T. harzianum under set-up C. 3.30 is the average moisture
content of the control group which did not receive hydrogels and T. harzianum.
Table 2 shows that -0.90 is the difference between the final and initial moisture content
of drought soil with 150 grams of hydrogels and 15 grams of T. harzianum under set-up
B, and -0.32 is the difference between the final and initial moisture content of drought
soil with 100 grams of hydrogels and 10 grams of T. harzianum under set-up A.
On the other set-ups, -1.16 is the difference between the final and initial moisture
content of drought soil with 250 grams of hydrogels and 25 grams of T. harzianum under
set-up C. -0.29 is the difference between the final and initial moisture content of the
control group without hydrogels and T. harzianum.
The result shows that the higher the number of hydrogels and T. harzianum mixed with
the soil, the higher the moisture content of the soil and the longer duration of moisture
based on the difference between final and initial moisture content. Furthermore, the high
 8

moisture content of soil could be attributed to the water-holding capacity of hydrogels or

super absorbent polymers (SAP).

CONCLUSIONS
Hydrogels or Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) with Trichoderma harzianum can be
used as alternative soil moisturizer.
The higher the amount of hydrogels mixed with the drought soil, the higher the
moisture content of the soil. 5.02 is the average moisture content of drought soil mixed
with 250 grams of hydrogels and 25 grams of T. harzianum, 4.15 is the average moisture
content of drought soil with 150 grams of hydrogels and 15 grams of T. harzianum, and
3.92 is the average moisture content of drought soil with 100 grams of hydrogels and 10
grams of T. harzianum respectively as compared to the control group.
3.30 is the average moisture content of the control group without hydrogels and T.
harzianum.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the results, the researcher would like to recommend the following:
1. It is recommended that hydrogels with T. harzianum be used as an alternative soil
moisturizer for it is recycled from disposable materials.
2. Further research should conduct the decomposition ability of T. harzianum on
hydrogels and applications of hydrogels with T. harzianum other than soil
moisturizer.
3. Hydrogels with T. harzianum should be tested in varying kinds of soil, different
weather conditions, and against commercial and other alternative soil
moisturizers.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES
1. phys.org, (2015) El-Niño spawned Philippine food production.
2. Fao.org, (2013) Soil texture and moisture
3. Rifai, M. A.1969.A revision of genus Trichoderma. Mycol. Pap.116:1-56.
4. Google Books (2015, Oct.) soil moisture content.
5. Enas M. Ahmed, (2013.07.006) Hydrogels: Preparation, Characterization, And
Applications: A Review
 9

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researcher would like to thank these persons who have been a part of his study.
Without their life support, our study would not have been successful.
To Mrs. Aloja Tiu, our Researcher Adviser, for all the knowledge, understanding,
encouragement, and support to our study.
To Mr. Russell Gorre, a Research Teacher, for the understanding, and untiring support,
and for the guidelines he gave which is the research guide.
To Mrs. Glenda S. Buendia, one of the persons of SRA, for the knowledge, for helping,
and for guiding.
To our loving parents, friends, and relatives for enkindling our hearts with inspiration,
and financial and moral support so that self-determination and motivation engulfed our
whole being.
Lastly, above all to our creator, from whom all knowledge and wisdom belong. Thank
you.
 10

APPENDICES
v

Figure 1. Gathering of drought soil Figure 2. Gathering of hydrogels

Figure 3. Weighing of hydrogels Figure 4. Weighing of drought soil

in the