A Case Study on the Effect of Temperature Monitoring Irrigation System for Pechay

Abstract

The vegetable Brassica rapa chinensis, well-known as Pechay, is one of the locally grown vegetables in the Philippines. Its expanded and tender leaves are the main ingredient for soups and stir-fried dishes. Pechay can be grown all year round, though it grows best in a cold, dry season. In hot weather, the pechay leaves wither easily as the temperature rises due to global warming. To ensure adequate moisture, a temperature-monitoring irrigation system was utilized to provide the needed water for the plant. The objective of the case study is to investigate the effect of a temperature-monitoring irrigation system on the growth of pechay. The system automates the irrigation process by regulating the amount of water supplied to the plants based on the soil temperature. The growth parameters, including leaf number, width, height, and length, were obtained and compared between the two groups: manual watering and an experimental group receiving water through the temperature monitoring irrigation system. In conclusion, the study indicates a positive effect of the temperature-monitoring irrigation system on the growth of pechay plants. Comparing the growth parameters of the pechay plants grown with the temperature-monitoring irrigation system revealed a higher average leaf number of 0.95, a wider leaf width of 0.93 cm, a greater leaf height of 1.55 cm, and a longer leaf length of 0.76 cm as compared to the plants grown with manual watering. These differences and the results of the t-test analysis were statistically significant, highlighting the advantage of automated irrigation for pechay growth. Therefore, the study supports the utilization of temperature-monitoring irrigation systems as a technological advancement for pechay cultivation that can help farmers enhance crop growth and improve irrigation efficiency. The system can contribute to sustainable food production and to changing climate conditions.