Effects of Controlled Humidity on the Growth of Spring Onions

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of environmental factors, specifically relative humidity on plant growth. The objective was to assess the impact of maintaining relative humidity levels between 60% and 70% on the growth of spring onions caried out at the Mindanao State University at Naawan - Integrated Developmental School campus. Key parameters such as leaf appearance and weight were measured for spring onions grown in two different environments: a mini greenhouse equipped with a commercial humidifier and an open field. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using the mean, T-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The findings revealed that the average weight of spring onions grown in a controlled humidity environment was significantly higher than those grown in the open field, where the average relative humidity was below 40%. In terms of leaf appearance, 93% of the spring onions grown in controlled humidity exhibited normal conditions, compared to only 80% of those grown in the open field. In conclusion, for both parameters assessed in this study, spring onions grown in a controlled humidity environment demonstrated significantly better growth and quality than those grown in the open field, with a significant difference (p<0.05) observed between the two growth environments. Lastly, based on weather conditions, the study recommends the activation of humidifiers only during sunny weather, when relative humidity levels are considerably low. This research contributes valuable insights to the field of agricultural science and has potential implications for improving the yield and quality of spring onions.