REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Water pollution Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g.

lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. The water bodies of the earth are being continuously polluted by a variety of sources. The pollution is occurring in all types of water bodies; both freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes and rivers as well as marine bodies like coastal and deep-water seas. Major causes of water pollution are deposition of acid, organic sewage, detergents, agricultural chemicals, industrial effluents, silt, oil and heat into the water bodies. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual speciesand populations, but also to the natural biological communities. Onion The onion (Allium cepa), also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum), Egyptian onion (A. proliferum), and Canada onion (A. canadense). The name "wild onion" is applied to a number of Allium species.

The vast majority of cultivars of A. cepa belong to the 'common onion group' (A. cepa var. cepa) and are usually referred to simply as 'onions'. The 'Aggregatum group' of cultivars (A. cepa var. aggregatum) includes both shallots and potato onions. Allium cepa is known only in cultivation, but related wild species occur in Central Asia. The most closely related species include Allium vavilovii(Popov & Vved.) and Allium asarense (R.M. Fritsch & Matin) from Iran. However, Zohary and Hopf warn that "there are doubts whether the A. vavilovii collections tested represent genuine wild material or only feral derivatives of the crop." Green onion is usually cultivated as an annual or biennial. It either develops a small elongated bulb that is similar to leek; grow slender or elongated pseudosterus to form a vigorous clump. It has an aromatic substances used for flavoring and have been commonly classified among species. They have been used drastically since earliest times. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and even rich in calcium and riboflavin. The Philippines has a more or less steady supply of fresh onion but the technology for extending the shelf-life of this commodity through dehydration and the production of dehydrator type onions have yet to be developed. On the other hand, (Gamutan 2005), stressed that the appropriate fertilizer has an important role in crop production in order to maintain soil fertility and to supply the required elements needed by a plant to grow vigorously and product higher yield. (Buntog 2005), assured that nitrogen is one of the essential elements in plant nutrition. Plaster (updated) emphasized that nitrogen more than any element, promotes rapid growth and dark green color. Plants use a lot of nitrogen because it is a plant of many

important compounds including chlorophyll. He further stated that in general, nitrogen promotes vegetative growth. Especially of stems and leaves rather than the reproductive growth of the flower and fruits. The leaves darken rapidly as the nitrogen supply increase and become dark green color when it is excessive. Therefore, nitrogen is most important for every vegetable. In addition, (Bautista 1983), as cited by (Dichoso 2002) found out that deficiency of nitrogen is distinguished by stunted growth of the plant and discoloration of the leaves. Navotas Navotas the fishing capital of the Philippines is located in the CAMANAVA region of Metro Manila. More than half the people living in this city earn a living through fishing or fishing related ventures. The reason for this is that numerous waterways including the Navotas River intersect this city. Likewise, this city is sandwiched between the Manila Bay (to its right) and the Laguna Bay (to its left). In the past, Navotas and Malabon used to be one and the same place. Legend says that a narrow strip of Malabon was eaten away by the two seas surrounding it until an opening connecting the two bodies of water was made. It was then that the people in the area decided to rename the strip butas or hole which eventually evolved into the name Navotas. This place has come a long way since the days of old, and was officially founded as a city last June 24, 2007. As this city is surrounded by bodies of water flooding has always in been a problem in this city especially during the rainy season. However, local authorities are making continuous efforts to try and solve the flood problems the city is suffering from. This is

done by investing in floodwater pumping stations and dikes among other methods of flood prevention. This city is always prepared for the worst with funds and emergency methods prepared in case of a typhoon.

EFFECTS OF THE TYPE OF WATER ON ROOT GROWTH OF ONION (Allium cepa)

Site: Tres, Navotas City

Rossanna M. Tengson Mary Renei L. dela Rosa

Ms. Hydiliza A. Santos Teacher

INTRODUCTION

Water is crucial to all life. Even the most hardy desert plant needs water. Over two thirds of Earth's surface is covered by water; less than a third is taken up by land. As Earth's population continues to grow, people are putting ever-increasing pressure on the planet's water resources. In a sense, our oceans, rivers, and other inland waters are being "squeezed" by human activitiesnot so they take up less room, but so their quality is reduced. Poorer water quality means water pollution.

When toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and other water bodies, they get dissolved or lie suspended in water or get deposited on the bed. This results in the pollution of water whereby the quality of the water deteriorates, affecting aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants can also seep down and affect the groundwater deposits.

Water pollution has many sources. The most polluting of them are the city sewage and industrial waste discharged into the rivers. The facilities to treat waste water are not adequate in any city in India. Presently, only about 10% of the waste water generated is treated; the rest is discharged as it is into our water bodies. Due to this, pollutants enter groundwater, rivers, and other water bodies. Such water, which ultimately ends up in our households, is often highly contaminated and carries disease-causing microbes. Agricultural run-off, or the water from the fields that drains into rivers, is another major water pollutant as it contains fertilizers and pesticides.

So how does water affect plant growth? What does water do for a plant?

HYPOTHESES: 1. The type of water has no effect on the root growth of onion. 2. The cleaner the water the greater the root growth in length. DATA AND OBSERVATION:
Number of new roots Longest Root Length (mm) Week 1 45 40 55 52.5 42.5 40 50 42.5 50 41.5 Week 2 35 30 45 42.5 32.5 30 40 32.5 40 31.5 Shortest Root Length (mm) Week 1 Week 2 22.5 12.5 17.5 7.5 12.5 2.5 19 9 12.5 2.5 12.5 2.5 12.5 2.5 15 5 17.5 7.5 12 2 Observation

1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A

14 12 17 15 12 11 16 14 17 12

Smooth, turgid Smooth Smooth, turgid Smooth, turgid Smooth Smooth Smooth, turgid Smooth, turgid Smooth, turgid Smooth

Number of new roots

Longest Root Length (mm) Week 1 7.5 4.5 7 9.5 10 8 11 8.5 6 9.5 Week 2 5.5 2.5 5 7.5 8 6 9 6.5 4 7.5

Shortest Root Length (mm) Week 1 2 2.5 3.5 6 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 2 3.5 Week 2 0.1 0.5 1.5 4 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.5 0.1 1.5

Observation

1B 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B 10B

5 3 5 7 8 5 9 7 4 8

melted Soft, melted Onion died Soft melted decomposed Soft, melted melted decomposed Soft, melted

A Tap water B Water gathered from the river

(Onion planted with tap water)

(Onion planted with water from the River)

(5B)

(2B)

(4A)

(The Onion died)