Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite Research Journal SHS Edition| Volume I, No.

I | November
2019
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A Comparative Study between the Use of Eggshells as
Fertilizer and Commercial Fertilizer
Matthew Borja1, Vianca Bulfa2, Aeron Peñalba3, Lance San Diego4
mattborja120601@gmail.com1, viancabulfa@gmail.com2, aerongabriel0307@gmail.com3,
lancesandiego06@gmail.com4

Abstract – Fertilizers are a type of supplements that aid the elements needed for the soil and plants
to tolerate different factors that might affect them. Due to the increase number of population, waste
management is becoming a big problem, where large consumption consists of biodegradables. Thus,
using food wastes as fertilizer can be one of the solutions to decrease food waste from landfills. The
research aims to identify the ways the eggshells as fertilizer affects the height of the plants, the
growth of the leaves in terms of length and the potential of the eggshells to replace commercial
fertilizer. The research consists of 2 experimental treatments that is, T2 (eggshells) and T3
(commercial fertilizer), used as fertilizers to compare the difference in growth of the plant (Mung
beans) each day. Results show that among of all the treatments, within 3 days, both the T2 and T3
share the same number of 4 plants sprouting from the soil but vary on the plant height. The t test:
two-sample assuming unequal variances showed that the critical value is greater than the test value
thus we do not reject the null hypothesis where the treatments showed no significant difference in
results in both treatments. Overall, it has been concluded that both treatments showed no significant
difference in result. Thus, the eggshells has the potential to be an alternative fertilizer that may
benefit both agricultural industry and environment.
Keywords –Eggshell, Mung beans, Commercial fertilizer, Organic fertilizer

INTRODUCTION harm the environment if it is not used correctly. One

According to Zalman Safar, “The Philippines is
mainly an agricultural country with a land area of 30
million hectares, 47 percent of which is agricultural.” In
which 13 million hectares are dedicated to agricultural
crops [1]. Due to the increase number of population
means higher demand for the production of food.
Threats in the agriculture if not addressed properly
would lead to a big fraction of the food supply to
sustain the need of the masses. Since the start of
agriculture, farmers need to work with healthy soil in
order to have healthy crops and fertilizers have been
used to enhance the plant growth. According to Aaron
DeJoia, fertilizers are a type of supplements that aid the
elements needed for the soil and plants to tolerate
different factors that might affect them. Nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in the soil
helps the plant to grow. Plants use nitrogen in order to
do photosynthesis; phosphorus helps the plant convert
nutrients; while potassium assists all function within the
plant. When plants suffer from nutrient deficiency, they
stop growing and if the nutrient level is too low, the
plant cannot produce foods properly. Fertilizers can
must test there soil to know what kinds of nutrients are
needed for their plant to grow [2]-[6].
Fertilizer is made up of two types, the inorganic
fertilizer and organic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers are
those of products that consist of inorganic chemicals
such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium,
calcium, sulphur, boron, copper, zinc, manganese, iron
and more simple substances and compound fertilizers
that were synthesized artificially to achieve the perfect
ratio of NPK and may appear as granule or liquid. It is
still used by many farmers for it is less expensive and it
had quick results, although it can be harmful in the
environment [7][8]. Organic fertilizers are made of
single ingredients unlike the chemical fertilizer. It
comes from an organic material such as plants, animal
or mineral sources. It is said that it materials should
naturally occur in nature to be qualified as an organic
fertilizer [9]. Organic fertilizer encourages the growth
of beneficial organisms that the plants need in order to
access nutrients in the soil to protect themselves from
pests. The products of decomposition are a high-quality
organic fertilizer for it is much easier for the plants to

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 Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite Research Journal SHS Edition| Volume I, No. I | November 2019
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digest its nutrients. It is made from natural resources
and buried in the ground for days to decompose [10].
Although organic fertilizers are slow in releasing and
fertilizing, they are much better for the environment for
it is less harmless.
Waste management in developing countries like the
Philippines is becoming a big problem where
consumption in various form are increasing. According
to the reports from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
in 2015, around 33 percent of the Philippines’ total food
production goes to waste. Food waste in the landfills is
toxic for it releases methane when they can’t acquire
enough oxygen to decompose.Since 52.31% of the
Philippines solid waste consists of biodegradables,
proper waste segregation can be the answer to decrease
food waste from landfills[11][12].
Food wastes such as eggshells should not be thrown
away as they can be used as an organic fertilizer for the
plants. Eggshells provide plants the valuable nutrients
that the plants can use for the plants to grow healthy
[13]. Eggshells are consists of calcium and a speck of
other micro elements such as magnesium, boron,
copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur, silicon,
and zinc. Moreover, eggshells are the best natural
source of calcium because it is 90% absorbable.
Eggshell as a fertilizer is inexpensive and a material to
promote plant growth [14]. It is reported that, for it to
be more effective, the eggshells should be ground as
fine as possible as the decomposition process is
especially slow [15]. Eggshells as a source of calcium
increase the calcium level of the soil and it also lessens
the soil’s level of acidity [16]. In addition to this, author
Jeff Gillman said that “five eggshells per plant are
recommended.” because young plants tend to develop a
common problem which is calcium deficiency. Eggshell
nutrients involves calcium thus, calcium is needed for
the plants to develop a strong cellular structure [17][18].
Therefore, the purpose of this research is to aim the
effects of a household waste such as eggshells towards
the plant whether it is an effective source of fertilizing
and reduce the problem against waste management
regarding specifically on food waste in the Philippines.
It also aims to determine the better fertilizer between a
commercial organic fertilizer and the eggshells in
particular.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objective of the study is to determine whether
Organic fertilizer is can be used as an alternative
fertilizer to replace NPK fertilizer. Specifically it aims
to identify; the ways the fertilizer affect the height in
terms of NPK fertilizer and Organic fertilizer, the ways
2
the fertilizer affect the growth of the leaves in terms of
NPK fertilizer and Organic fertilizer. It also aims to
create a fertilizer in which future planters and farmers
can use their kitchen waste such as eggshells as their
fertilizer to reduce food waste in the landfill and lessen
their expenses of buying commercial fertilizers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was carried out in Metropolis Green,
General Trias Cavite. The materials were bought from
the local market that includes Mung bean seeds, 3
plastic pots with a measure of 15x20 cm, a soilless type
of soil, and a commercial fertilizer. The eggshells were
not bought from the local market for it was collected
from the household wastes.
Each pot had two treatments; first, the eggshells that
were crushed using a grinder, was mixed onto the soil
and second, the commercial fertilizer that was sprayed
on the plant according to the instructions that was
indicated by the brand.
Preparation
1.1 Experiment Site
The research was conducted in Metropolis Green,
General Trias Cavite. Keeping the light source from the
plant under 500-1000 lux.
1.2 Type of soil
The soilless type of soil was bought from the local
market and was tested using an instrument of Sonkir
soil of pH meter model MS02; resulted with a pH range
of 6-7. The soil was placed in a pot that is required for
the Mung beans that varies under 4-5 inches deep of
soil. The soilless soil does not retain any nutrients nor
bacteria and organisms for the soil was sterilized, which
is applicable for the experiment to test the fertilizers.
1.3 Type of seed
The type of seed that was used in the experiment was
one of the important vegetable in the Philippines which
is the Vigna Radiata or the Mung beans seed with a
variety type of Satin II. Five seeds were planted in each
pot with a space of 3 cm and a depth of 30-50 mm. 2-3
days were waited for the Mung beans seed to sprout or
show signs from the soil.
Experimental Treatments
2.1 Control (T1)
In the control treatment, no fertilizer was mixed nor
sprayed on to the soil.
2.2 Eggshell (T2)
The eggshells were not bought from the local market
for it was collected from the household wastes. It was
washed and dried in the shade before the eggshells were
grinded using a household blender until it was crushed
 Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite Research Journal SHS Edition| Volume I, No. I | November 2019
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enough. It was then mixed into the soil with a 45 g of Table 1. Average of Plant Height
crushed eggshells that is equivalent to 3 tablespoons.
2.3 Commercial Fertilizer (T3) Treatments Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Average
The commercial fertilizer was bought from the local
market. It is a foliar type of an NPK fertilizer with a Treatment 1 2.88 6.2 8.12 10.3 12.58 8.02
ratio of 30-10-10. Only 1 teaspoon of the commercial
fertilizer was mixed to a gallon of water, and then it was Treatment 2 3.78 7.44 9.76 11.5 13.44 9.18
sprayed onto the plant. The measures of the commercial
fertilizer were followed under the indicated instructions Treatment 3 3.8 7.4 9.1 10.62 12.7 8.72
provided by the brand to avoid the plants getting
burned. Each treatment started its first observation in day one;
Gathering of Data however the plants (Mung beans) started sprouting
3.1 Instruments used around day 3. In its first recording (day 3), T3
The instruments that were used to gather the data was (commercial fertilizer) showed a significant highest
a ruler and a Sonkir soil tester. The Sonkir soil tester mean of plant height (3.8 cm), followed by the T2 with
model was MS02, a 3-in-1 instrument used to measure a mean of 3.78 cm. T1 showed the lowest mean of plant
the soil pH that ranges from 3-8 and determines whether height (2.88 cm). In day 4, both T2 and T3 showed an
the soil is alkaline or acidic; relative light that ranges equal mean plant height (7.4 cm), leaving T1 in its
from 0-2000 lux; and the moisture range that ranges lowest average (6.2 cm). In day 5, T2 (eggshells),
from 1-10 that determines whether the soil is dry or wet. showed the highest mean of plant height (9.76 cm),
The ruler was used to determine the height growth of close to the average of T3 (9.1 cm). In days 6-7, the
the plant and the length of the leaves each day of the Treatment T2 (eggshells) showed the highest significant
observation. The data that was gathered used number of mean in terms of the plant height (11.5 cm;
centimeters as the basis of a unit length in the metric 13.44 cm). Both T1 and T3 showed almost an equal
system. mean number (10.3 cm; 10.62 cm) in day 6 and (12.58
3.2 Statistical Analysis cm; 12.7 cm) in day 7 (Table 1).
The collected data on the height growth and the length Overall, from days 1-4, Treatments T2 and T3 showed
almost an equal mean number in plant height. While in
of the leaves of Mung beans were statistically analyzed.
days 5-7, treatment T2 (eggshells) showed the highest
It was calculated using 2 Independent samples T-Test mean number of plant height leaving T1 and T3, in days
and the data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 6-7, an equal mean number in plant height. In day 5, it
and SPSS. It also used graphs or charts to represent the is recorded that all treatments showed a different mean
data. number (Table 1). The lowest plant height average was
recorded in Treatment T1 (control).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1.2 Plant Leaves
The treatment T2 (Eggshell) showed the significantly
Number of days to Germination
highest mean length of plant leaves (2.76 cm) within 5
No significant number of days was recorded that the days, followed by the mean length of T3 (2.38cm). The
germination processes of the Mung beans seed change lowest mean length of the plant leaves (2.36 cm) was
due to a factor of applying the fertilizer. However, the recorded in the control treatment T1 (Table 2; Figure 2).
Treatment T1 (Control), showed the minimum number
Table 2. Average length of Plant leaves
of 3 plants sprouting from the soil. The Treatment T2
and T3 both share the same number of 4 plants
Treatments Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Average
sprouting from the soil but vary on the plant height.
Comparison of Average between Treatments
Treatment 1 0.69 1.3 2.7 3.22 3.88 2.36
1.1 Plant Height
The Treatment T2 (Eggshell) showed the significantly
Treatment 2 0.83 1.96 3.05 3.73 4.21 2.76
highest mean of plant height (9.18 cm), followed by the
mean height of T3 (8.72 cm). The lowest height (8.02
Treatment 3 0.55 1.63 2.67 3.3 3.75 2.38
cm) was recorded in the control treatment T1 (Table1).

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It is recorded that in day 3, all plants have sprouted we can conclude that there is not enough evidence to
leaves (Table 2). The highest mean length of the plant support the claim that the treatments will show a
leaves was recorded on Treatment T2 (eggshells), from significant difference in results between the fertilizers.
days 3-7. Treatment T1 (control) has followed the
record of the mean length of Treatment T2 from days 3 Plant Height
(0.69 cm), 5 (2.7 cm) and 7 (3.88 cm). In days 4 and 6,
it got the lowest mean length (1.3 cm; 3.22 cm).
Treatment T3 (commercial fertilizer) recorded low in Plant 5
mean length of the leaves (0.55 cm) in day 3 (Table 2). Plant 4
In day 4 and 6, it followed the record of T2 (1.63 cm; Plant 3
3.3 cm). In days 5 and 7, it got the lowest mean length Plant 2
of the leaves (2.67 cm; 3.75cm). Plant 1
Overall, Treatment T2 (eggshells) showed the highest
record of mean length of the plant leaves in days 3-7. 0 5 10 15 20
Treatment T1 (control) and Treatment T3 (commercial Treatment 3 Treatment 2
fertilizer), showed a close record of mean length in days
3-7 (Figure 2). Figure 1. Plant Height of 7th day measurement
Statistical Analysis of Comparing Fertilizers
2.1 Null Hypothesis
The Null Hypothesis will show that treatments do not 3.2 Plant Leaves
have significant difference results. It simply states that Table 2. T-Test where (P<0.025)
both fertilizers work equally. Plant Leaves
2.2 Alternative Hypothesis T2 T3
The Alternative Fertilizer will show that treatments Mean 4.21 3.75
will have significant difference results. It simply states
Variance 0.4277 0.1606
that one of the fertilizers will show great amount of
effectiveness to plants. Observations 10 10
3.1 Plant Height Hypothesized Mean
0
Table 1. T-Test where (P<0.025) Difference
Plant Height df 15
T2 T3 t Stat 1.8967
Mean 13.44 12.7 P(T<=t) one-tail 0.0387
Variance 1.993 0.59 t Critical one-tail 1.7531
Observations 5 5 P(T<=t) two-tail 0.0773
Hypothesized Mean 0 t Critical two-tail 2.1315
Difference Experimental results in plant leaves showed the
df 6 following units; the mean, that was from the averages,
t Stat 1.0296 variances, from the means, observations, the number of
days the experiment was observed, the degree of
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.1715
freedom (df), that is used to calculate the p-value. The
t Critical one-tail 1.9432 one-tail is only used when going for one direction. The
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.3429 t-test: two assuming unequal variances showed that we
t Critical two-tail 2.4469 do not reject the null hypothesis at a=0.025, therefore
Experimental results in plant height showed the we can conclude that there is not enough evidence to
following units; the mean, that was from the averages, support the claim that the treatments will show a
variances, from the means, observations, the number of significant difference in results between the fertilizers.
days the experiment was observed, the degree of
freedom (df), that is used to calculate the p-value. The
one-tail is only used when going for one direction. The
t-test: two assuming unequal variances showed that we
do not reject the null hypothesis at a=0.025, therefore
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 Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite Research Journal SHS Edition| Volume I, No. I | November 2019
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T-test Results for Plant Height
Leaves Length
 Group Statistics
Leaves 10
Leaves 9
Leaves 8
Leaves 7
Leaves 6  Independent Sample Test
Leaves 5
Leaves 4
Leaves 3
Leaves 2
Leaves 1
0 2 4 6
Treatment 3 Treatment 2
Figure 2. Leaves Length of 7th day measurement REFERENCES
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