Evaluating Shrub-Based Bio-Subsoiling in a Polyculture System for Medicinal Plants in Bacoor, Cavite: Meristematic Analysis of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Using Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) as a Growth Indicator
Document Types
Paper Presentation
School Name
De La Salle University Senior High School
Track or Strand
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Sanmocte, Jerthy Ann
Start Date
23-6-2025 3:30 PM
End Date
23-6-2025 5:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
Y304
Abstract/Executive Summary
Despite the Philippines having great agricultural potential, monoculture cultivation continues to prevent the realization of this, through poor resource utilization, particularly in the underutilized sector of medicinal-plant-focused agriculture. This study explores the effects of shrubbing, a biological subsoiling method using santan (Ixora coccinea) as the main deep-rooted shrub, on the growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum) under two cultivation systems, focusing on the presence and absence of the added shrub species: traditional monoculture and polyculture. The study, conducted in a controlled 30 m greenhouse in Bacoor, Cavite, aims to assess the effectiveness of shrubbing in improving crop quality via meristematic growth. Three identical 1x1 m plots were used: shrubbing plots contained 12 basil plants, 6 “piko” tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and 6 santan shrubs, while monoculture plots had 24 basil plants. Over 8 weeks, the basil plants were observed biweekly for height and width. Samples from each system were then tested for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) using Salkowski’s Reagent, followed by computerized modeling to analyze root density. An independent t-test indicated a significant p-value for both the average width and height of the crops from the two systems, revealing that the plants grown through shrubbing outperformed those grown in monoculture. The IAA assay showed that the polyculture system crops had a higher concentration of the growth indicator through three trials. These results suggest that shrubbing could be a cost-effective alternative to currently-employed agricultural practices, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation.
Keywords
medicinal plants; shrubbing; monoculture; polyculture; meristematic analysis
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Sustainability, Environment, and Energy (SEE)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
Evaluating Shrub-Based Bio-Subsoiling in a Polyculture System for Medicinal Plants in Bacoor, Cavite: Meristematic Analysis of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Using Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) as a Growth Indicator
Despite the Philippines having great agricultural potential, monoculture cultivation continues to prevent the realization of this, through poor resource utilization, particularly in the underutilized sector of medicinal-plant-focused agriculture. This study explores the effects of shrubbing, a biological subsoiling method using santan (Ixora coccinea) as the main deep-rooted shrub, on the growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum) under two cultivation systems, focusing on the presence and absence of the added shrub species: traditional monoculture and polyculture. The study, conducted in a controlled 30 m greenhouse in Bacoor, Cavite, aims to assess the effectiveness of shrubbing in improving crop quality via meristematic growth. Three identical 1x1 m plots were used: shrubbing plots contained 12 basil plants, 6 “piko” tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and 6 santan shrubs, while monoculture plots had 24 basil plants. Over 8 weeks, the basil plants were observed biweekly for height and width. Samples from each system were then tested for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) using Salkowski’s Reagent, followed by computerized modeling to analyze root density. An independent t-test indicated a significant p-value for both the average width and height of the crops from the two systems, revealing that the plants grown through shrubbing outperformed those grown in monoculture. The IAA assay showed that the polyculture system crops had a higher concentration of the growth indicator through three trials. These results suggest that shrubbing could be a cost-effective alternative to currently-employed agricultural practices, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/paper_see/7
