Growth and Yield Performance of Snap Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as Affected by Salt-Based and Molasses-Based JADAM Liquid Fertilizers Using Selected Plant Material Sources
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of JADAM Liquid Fertilizer (JLF), specifically molasses-based and salt-based formulations, using different plant material sources on the growth, yield, and profitability of snap beans. The experiment was conducted from April to July 2025 at the Vegetable Production Area of Bataan Peninsula State University – Abucay Campus, Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. A split-plot design following the Randomized Complete Block Design was used, with two JLF formulations as the main plot treatments and three plant material sources (weed, banana trunk, and their combination) as the sub-plot treatments. The experiment was replicated three times.
Results showed that while most growth and yield parameters did not differ significantly among treatments, the molasses-based JADAM liquid fertilizer showed numerical advantages over the salt-based formulation in plant height, flowering, and yield-related traits. A significant interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for days to flowering, with molasses-based JLF combined with weed or weed+banana trunk producing the earliest flowering. Among the plant material sources, the banana trunk and the combination of weed and banana trunk produced numerically competitive results. Among treatment combinations, molasses-based JLF combined with banana trunk (J1S2) yielded the highest gross income, net income, and return on investment, making it the most profitable option based on observed trends. Therefore, the use of molasses-based JADAM liquid fertilizer with banana trunk is recommended as a cost-efficient and sustainable fertilizer option for snap bean production, noting that most treatments were statistically comparable in agronomic performance.
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Introduction
Vegetables and fruits are highly recommended in diets for their nutritional value. Among these, leguminous vegetables are particularly important for low-income countries because of their protein and mineral content, and their potential to increase food security and income [1]. The snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), also known as French bean or green bean, is a legume crop believed to have originated in Latin American countries. It can be grown as a vegetable crop for fresh pods or as a pulse crop for dry seed [2]. Globally, snap beans are considered one of the most important legume vegetable crops, and they contribute a substantial amount of protein to the human diet [2].
In 2019, the global harvested area for snap beans was 33.1 million hectares, with a production of 28.9 million tons [4]. Snap beans are produced mainly in Asia, America, Europe, and Africa [5], [6]. In the Philippines, snap beans, locally known as "habichuelas" or "Baguio beans," are generally cultivated in upland and highland areas. It is recognized as a priority crop by the Department of Agriculture [7]. In 2020, production reached 13,420.83 metric tons, cultivated on 2,974.44 hectares. The Cordillera Administrative Region remains the major producer of snap beans, contributing about 50% of national snap bean production over the past five years [8]. Farmers in these areas consider it an important cash crop and an additional source of income [9], particularly for smallholders and the marginalized.
Conclusion
This study evaluated the effects of molasses-based and salt-based JADAM liquid fertilizers using different plant material sources on the growth, yield, and profitability of snap beans. The results showed that while most growth and yield parameters (plant height, lateral branches, pod length, pod diameter, pod weight, fresh pod number, fresh pod weight, and computed yield) were not significantly affected by the treatments, molasses-based JLF showed numerical advantages over the salt-based formulation in several traits.
A significant interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for days to flowering, with the earliest flowering recorded in molasses-based JLF combined with weed (J1S1) and molasses-based JLF combined with weed+banana trunk (J1S3). Among all treatment combinations, molasses-based JLF with banana trunk (J1S2) achieved the highest numerical computed yield and profitability, with a gross income of ₱810,499.80, a net income of ₱629,750.40, and a 348.41% ROI. Based on these observed trends, J1S2 may be considered the most practical and profitable treatment for snap bean production under the conditions of this experiment.
It is important to note that the absence of statistically significant differences for most parameters does not indicate treatment failure; rather, it suggests that the tested JLF formulations and plant material sources were statistically comparable in their agronomic effects. The numerical trends observed, particularly the superior profitability of J1S2, provide useful guidance for farmers seeking cost-effective organic fertilizer options. Future research should include a synthetic fertilizer control to establish the relative performance of JLF treatments compared to conventional practices, and should consider multi-season trials to account for seasonal variability.
References
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