Determining the Right Size of the Container for the Best Onion Plant Growth

Ateneo de Davao University Junior High School

Matina, Davao City

By:

Alcantara, Joseph Rej T.

Barracoso, Brent Benjamin R.
Cartagenas, Isabel C.
Peñaflorida, Eluizah S.
Porras, Victor Chris P.

Grade 7 – Berchmans

October 2019
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

We are having difficulty in making our plants healthy. We do not know what factors

we need to consider to make them healthy. This study helps us know what size of

container is best to use to have many, healthy, and large-sized onion. This study will give

us an idea on the size of container needed for the best onion growth. Through conducting

this study, we will know what to use, in terms of container size, to make our plant healthy.

Onion also gives us health benefits for they are packed with nutrients. Onions are nutrient-

dense, meaning they're low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. It may also

benefit heart health. It is loaded with antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Onion has

cancer-fighting compounds, as well. It could help control blood sugar, boost bone density

and digestive health. Our chosen SDG to solve this problem is the “Life on Land” (Goal

15). It is because of the urbanization that leads to deforestation to have more space for

buildings and infrastructure that lessens the understand of planting. Also, Laudato Si is a

universal call for us stewards to sustain our common home. And, I believe that planting

is one way of doing it.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the following research question:

1. What is the average growth rate of the onion plants in the following set-up:
 a. Onion in 300 ml pet bottle container

b. Onion in 1 Litre pet bottle container

c. Onion in 2 Litre pet bottle container

2. Will the size of the container affect the growth of the onion plant?

Hypothesis

If the size of the container is large (2 Litre), then the onion will grow larger.

Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to all urban gardeners, for they will be given an idea on the

size of container they need to make their onion plant grow healthy. Through this study,

they will be able to get good results of onion when they plant. This study will also help

them decide which size of container would best fit and allow their plant to be healthy. The

answer will be based on the findings of this study. The findings will be the result of the

size of the onion of both plants. This study is important to help people make their plants

grow healthily.
 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Laudato Si

St. Francis of Assisi shows people just how inseparable is the bond between

concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace. Faith

offers “ample motivation to care for nature and for the most vulnerable of their brothers

and sisters”; responsibility for nature is part of Christian faith. In fact, “nature cannot be

regarded as something separate from humans or as a mere setting in which they live”.

The Sacraments show, in a privileged way, how God assumed nature. Christianity does

not reject matter and the body, but fully values them. In particular, the Eucharist “joins

heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation Thus, the Eucharist is also a

source of light and motivation for the concerns for the environment, directing everyone to

be stewards of all creation (Pope Francis, n.d.)

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

In Genesis 2:15 it states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden

of Eden to work it and keep it.” The Catholic Church said that people should be stewards

of God. Planting is one way of caring and preserving God’s creation. Stewardship is

recognizing that God owns everything and God is just entrusting to people all of His

precious creations. Hence, God is expecting people to preserve, sustain and nurture his

creations.
Overview of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals were endorsed by all UN Member States in

2015 as a call to the universe to end poverty, sustain the planet and secure that everyone

attains peace and prosperity by 2030. This starting report on the global SDGs is the first

accounting of where the world starts the collective journey to 2030. The report analysis

selected indicators from the global indicator framework for which data are available as

examples to highlight some critical gaps and challenges. The list of SDG indicators,

agreed upon by the UN Statistical Commission in March 2016, will be subject to

refinements and advancements as techniques and data availability improve. Today’s

complex challenges—from stemming the spread of disease to preventing conflict cannot

be tackled neatly in isolation. For UNDP, this means focusing on systems, root causes

and connections between challenges not just thematic sectors to build solutions that

respond to people’s daily realities. Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of

governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure people leave a

better planet for future generations (UN, 2016).

Life on Land

Forests cover 30.7 percent of the Earth’s surface and, in addition to providing food

security and shelter. They are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity

and the homes of the indigenous population. By protecting forests, humans will also be

able to strengthen natural resource management and increase land productivity (UN,

2018). Human life depends on the Earth as much as the ocean for sustenance and
livelihoods. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and

biodiversity, which are part of the common heritage. The SDGs aim to conserve and

restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, drylands, and

mountains by 2020 (UNDP, 2016).

Urban Container Gardening in Relation to Life on Land

Urban container gardening is when plants are grown in containers such as pots

rather than into the ground. Container gardening is for urban areas where having an

actual garden is not possible. It is space-efficient and mobile, so it can be arranged to fit

wherever the gardener chooses to set up the garden. The beauty of container gardening

is that old containers can be reused around the home for the garden, so it is

budget and environmentally friendly (Alcantara, 2019). Urban container gardening is an

essential tool to the achievement of the SDG Life on Land since UCG only requires a

small space where it can take place and of course improve a lot of aspects of life in land.

One of these is of course deforestation, which affects the planet greatly today. Another is

air pollution where plants are of great help. Certainly, UCG can benefit the health of living

organisms especially humans by keeping them healthy and fit. This is why UCG can help

attain SDG 15, Life on Land (Alcantara, 2019).

Size of the Container (Independent Variable)

Doubling pot size allowed plants to grow 43% larger. It is because the plant’s roots have

more space and can move/grow larger. In addition, scientists found that the plants in

smaller pots grew more slowly because of a decreased rate of photosynthesis (Society

for Experimental Biology, 2012).

Growth Rate of Onions (Dependent Variable)

Onions (Allium cepa) are hardy vegetables that grow well in pots.

Although horticulturists can plant onion seeds or transplants, onion bulbs, also known as

sets, are disease resistant and easy to plant and grow (Dyer, 2018). They grow equally

well in containers as in the garden. Spring onions grow to about 30-50cm (12-20in) singly

or in clumps, depending on which variety you grow. They have a very shallow root system

so it can be grown in even the smallest of pots (Gibson, 2012). Onions will grow in any

good fertile soil provided if it is well drained. Spring onions rot in drowned soil, so do plant

them in well-drained ground, (Sanderson,

2019). Harvesting onions usually takes approximately 8 weeks, but some may take a

few weeks longer. Spring onions to continue growing past this point, but horticulturists

should pull them once they reach a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Otherwise, the flavor will

be weaker (Morgan, 2019).

 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

Materials

 9 similar-sized onion bulbs

 3 300ml coke container

 3 1L coke container

 3 2L coke container

 100 ml of Water (per day)

 Garden Soil

Procedure

1. First, prepare the needed materials per set-up as listed below.

a.) Set up A:

1.) 3 similar-sized onion bulbs

2.) 3 pieces of 300ml coke plastic bottle

3.) Garden soil

b.) Set up B:

1.) 3 similar-sized onion bulbs

2.) 3 pieces of 1 Litre coke plastic bottle

3.) Garden soil

c.) Set up C:

1.) 3 similar-sized onion bulbs

 2.) 3 pieces of 2 Litre coke plastic bottle

3.) Garden soil

2. Then, fill all containers with soil.

3. Then, bury one onion bulb on each of the container. Gently but firmly pack more

soil around the bulb and make sure it is completely covered

4. Then, water all of the set-ups.

5. Next, place them in a sunny location.

6. Last, Monitor each set-up

 Every week, the height of the plants will be measured.

 After 4 weeks, determine the average height of the plants per set-up.