EFFECT OF MODIFIED MOLASSES-BASED DISTILLERY WASTEWATER ON PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BY FOLIAR
APPLICATION
NUR AIN ATIQAH BINTI RAMLI
BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (ENVIRONMENT) WITH HONOURS
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
2022
EFFECT OF MODIFIED MOLASSES-BASED DISTILLERY WASTEWATER ON PLANT GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT BY FOLIAR APPLICATION
By
NUR AIN ATIQAH BINTI RAMLI
This report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements needed for the award of
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Environment) with Honours
CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING STUDIES UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
AUG 2022
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the name of Allah S.W.T., the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, my greatest appreciation and thanks to Him for rewarding me with lots of perseverance and patience in enduring lots of obstacles throughout this Final Year Project.
First, a special thanks to my Final Year Project Supervisor, Dr. Nor Fariza Binti Ismail, and co-supervisor, Dr. Norhusna Binti Mohamad Nor, for their valuable guidance and advice throughout the completion of this report. I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my Final Year Project coordinator, Ir. Dr. Noorzalila Muhammad Niza, who has always listened to our concerns and problems in completing the thesis according to schedule. Third, a big thanks to all the lab assistants, Puan Khaironniswah Binti Abdul Samad, Puan Salamiah Binti Abdul Hamid, Puan Siti Maznah Binti Hj Sulaiman, Encik Saiful Anuar Osman, and Puan Noor Faezah Binti Md Desa, who always help and guide me during experiments, making my process of finishing experiments much easier and meaningful.
Finally, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to my family and fellow friends for their endless support and sources of determination. Not to forget, this piece of victory is dedicated to myself. Alhamdulilah.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION i
SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATION ii
COORDINATOR’S CERTIFICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES viii
LIST OF FIGURES ix
LIST OF SYMBOLS x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi
ABSTRACT xiii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Research Background 1
1.2 Problem Statement 2
1.3 Objectives 3
1.4 Scope of Work 3
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 4
2.1 Application of MDW as fertilizer 4
2.2 Sugar industry wastewater and molasses-based distillery wastewater (MDW) 4
2.3 Properties of MDW 5
2.4 Foliar fertilizer application 6
2.5 Effectiveness of foliar fertilization 7
2.6 Properties of soil for plantation 8
2.7 Foliar fertilizer on soil 10
2.8 Effect of MDW on soil fertility 10
2.9 Pakchoy 12
2.9.1 Historical and culture 12
2.9.2 Cultivars 12
xiii
ABSTRACT
A pot experiment in a greenhouse was conducted to determine the effect of modified molasses-based distillery wastewater (MDW) on plant growth and development of pak choy (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis) by foliar application. MDW treatments were prepared at five different concentrations; 1:0, 1:10, 1:20, 1:30 and 1:40. Each treatment was compared with commercial fertilizer (N-P-K 15: 15: 15). The plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, length and width of leaves, and chlorophyll content) has been observed. The characterization of modified MDW and soil after MDW application were studied. The result of mean plant height, mean number of leaves, mean length and width of leaves, and chlorophyll content showed that T2 (1:10), T4 (1:30), and T5 (1:40) produced insignificantly different plant growth. This study recommends using T3 (1:20) as foliar fertilizer for plants as it provides the best nutrient requirements for plant growth. MDW was proven to contain high amounts of nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium that are crucial for plant growth. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations in long-term MDW application and short-term MDW application were at appropriate amounts and non-toxic to plants. After the application of MDW, soil becomes fertile.
Therefore, foliar application is an ideal way to enhance plant growth and physiochemical characteristics.