“Utilization of Diaper as Fertilization”

Researchers:
Erlina, Katja Kette
Patlonag, Dane Alexa Wick,
Josiah

Science Teacher
Ms. Joy Sadicon

November 2019
CHAPTER III : METHODOLOGY

METHODOLOGY FLOW CHART

Preparation of the materials

⬇

Preparation of the set-up

⬇

Preparation of the Diaper

⬇

Application of gels on the soil

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Evaluation of Data
 A. MATERIALS
Here is the list of some of the following materials needed:

• Pot
• Used Diaper
• Tape measure
• Garden Gloves
• Hand Trowel
• Gardening Scissors
• Basin
• Soil

B. PROCEDURE

☆ Diaper Gel
1. The researchers used disposable diapers, new and used diapers had been used.
2. In the new diaper 4 cups of water was added into the diaper , the researchers saw that
the fluid was completely absorbed by the gel.
3. On the other diaper that contains urine , it was also used by the researchers.
4. The diapers had been ripped and opened , containing gel crystals that had been formed ,
dumping it into a bowl.
5. The researchers added a bit more water and mixed it together.
6. Then, the hydrogel was placed in an airtight bag , freezing it overnight so it would not
leak.

☆Hydro Soil
1. The researchers did not use food coloring but leaving the clear color
at its state.
2. Then, Soil had been taken from the ground and prepared a large
mixing bowl. 3. The researchers added equal parts of dirt and gel, then was
mixed thoroughly.
4. After it was mixed , the soil was already fluffy, light , and was already good to go.
☆Potted Plants
1. The researchers expect that overwatering a plant would make the plant drown.
2. But with the use of hydrogels infused in the soil, the researchers see how the excess water
is quickly absorbed by the hydrogel.
3. Now the reason this mixture will hold so much liquid is because of these water absorbent
crystals.
4. They'll hold over 500 times their weight in water, the researchers decided to separate the
gel and cotton out, by ripping apart the the wadding in the diaper, and shaking it upside
down over a piece of paper.
5. Little soil was added into the pot , then the researcher helped the plant be stable.
6. Soil was added on until it became stable.
7. Right amount of water was added again into the soil, the hydrogels in the soil made
watering and time saving.

☆Seed Starters
1. The researchers used monggo seeds and placed it into the soil, some were just sprinkled.
2. For 1 weeks the monggo seeds had started to sprout even no water was added
3. The researchers then added water again , then left it for days without watering,
continued the process until the plant had already grown fully.
4. The researchers then harvested the monggo seeds in the monggo plant.

☆Gardening
Its biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, so it’s a great option
for working into your garden.
Not only will this save you on watering costs, but it will be also
Last quite a few seasons before it needs to be replaced Well
now you know how to take and ordinary diaper, and
convert into an extraordinary super soil, that will help keep your plants happy, and
hopefully keep you happy as wel
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The main thought of this study is the diaper used as fertilizer.

Diaper has the water-absorbing chemical called Superabsorbent polymer also know as
Sodium Polyacrylate. Sodium Polyacrylate is a sodium salt of polyacrylic acid, this
superabsorbent polymer has the ability to absorb 100 up to 100 times its mass in water.
Which these absorber helps the plant to grow healthy it is because these absorber keep the
plant from water stress. Mother nature taught us to balance everything, to our body,
ecosystem, biodiversity etc. And we all know the the consequences of imbalance. Same case
as fertilizers. The problem is people tend to use too much fertilizers in the soil that can
increase the acid levels in the soil. It’s okay to use an inorganic fertilizer but always
remember that this has also a side effects on the plant. To avoid failure, make sure that its
proper and balanced.
According Over the past three decades both soluble and
insoluble polymers have been use in agriculture. Water- soluble polymers such as
polyacrylamides (PAM) have been used extensively (Lentz and Sojka, 1994; Santos and
Serralheiro, 2000) to stabilize soil structure and thus increase infiltration and reduce runoff
and erosion. Insoluble water-absorbing polymers have a great water-absorbing and gel-
forming ability and can be divided into three main groups: the starch-graft copolymers,
which involve grafting of polyacrylonitrile into corn starch, and can absorb 3001000 times
their weight in water; the polyacrylate type which is made by polymerizing acrylic acid into
long molecular chains and is widely used in disposable diapers; and the acrylamide-
acrylate co-polymers which are sometimes marketed for agriculture, because of their great
capacity to expand and absorb water under pressure, thus not only providing plants with
water, but also helping to aerate the soil (Johnson, 1984).
Research has found that the hydrogels reduce irrigation frequency and compaction
tendency, stop erosion and water run off, and increase the soil aeration and microbial
activity (El-Rehim et al. 2004; Callaghan et al. 1989; Huttermann et al. 1999). The effect of
an amendment of sandy soil with highly cross-linked polyacrylamide (Stokosorb K400) on
the survival of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) seedlings during water stress was
investigated by Huttermann et al. (1999). Different concentrations of the hydrogel were
added to sandy soils at 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.20 and 0.40% w/w. The survival rates in 0.4%
hydrogel were doubled compared to no hydrogel amendments. The hydrogel also allowed
for 19 days tolerating drought. Sivapalan (2001) reported amount of water retained by a
sandy soil at 0.03 MPa pressure was significantly increased by 23 and 95% with addition of
0.03 and 0.07% polymer, respectively. It was reported that treatment and use of non
conventional organic residues in Agriculture. Water use efficiency for plants increased by
12 and 19% with the application of 0.03 and 0.07% w/w polymer, respectively.
The effect of an hydrogel (Stokosorb K 410) on growth and ion relationships of salt
resistant woody species, Populus euphratica, were studied by Chen et al. (2004). Addition of
0.6% w/w hydrogel to saline soil improved seedling growth (2.7 fold higher biomass) during
a period of 2 years. Root length and surface area of treated plants was 3.5 fold more than
those grown in untreated soil. It was reported that hydrogel treatment enhanced Ca2+
uptake and increased capacity of Populus euphratica to exclude salt (i.e. reduces contact
with Na+ and Cl-).
The rate of hydrogels used in research studies varies and can range between 1.2 kg m-3
(Foster, 1990) to 16 kg m-3 (Gehring and Lewis, 1980), while Baker (1991) has
recommended a rate of 1-1.5 g kg-1 of soil.
The SAPS used in agriculture are polyelectrolyte gels often composed of acrylamide and
potassium acrylate. This makes them swell much less in the presence of monovalent salts
and collapse in the presence of multivalent ions, that might exist in the soil or be part of
fertilizers. Even under these conditions, the uptake capacity can still be as high as 30-60 g
g-1 (Bowman et al., 1990).
The soil solution of the mine waste heap amended with SAP had a 30% lower NaCl and a
50% higher Ca2+ concentration compared to that of the untreated mine heap. The
concentration of NaCl in the tissues of the P. euphratica plants was 50% lower in those
growing on the SAP amended mine heaps compared to the control plants. These results
suggest that hydrogel incorporation into the soil reduced apoplasmic ion transport into the
inner root. This contributed to the restriction of subsequent root-to shoot salt transport,
enhancing the salt exclusion capacity of P. euphratica (Chen et al, 2004).
Most SAP materials are moderately bio-degraded in the soil by the ionic and microbial
media and convert finally to water, carbon dioxide and organic matter, leaving no
undesirable chemicals in the soil or the environment. (Barvenik et al, 1994; Stahl et al,
2000). Little or no consistent adverse effect has been shown on microbial populations and
their toxicity for mammals is very low (oral LD50 for rat ~5000 mg kg-1), in as much as
they are extensively used in hygiene products, where they can easily come in touch with
human skin or even be swallowed by infants.

CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION

The growing need for supply of agronomic products for food and consumer goods
processing made by the modern society has caused increase in agrarian activities or
agricultural activities. As a result, methods had been raised to improve the the efficiency of
crops and reduce the use of chemical fertilization for better effects. For this reason, the
implementation of the conservative agriculture (CA) which is a farming system that
promotes maintenance of a permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, and
diversification of plant species has been practiced globally.
Biological fertilization is based on the use of natural inputs including fertilizers,
decaying remains of organic matter, crops excess and many more. They are used to
improve fixation of nutrients, produce growth stimulants for plants, improve soil stability,
recycle nutrients and many more.
Additionally, the use of bio fertilizers can improve productivity per area in a
relatively short time, mitigate contamination of soil and water, and increase soil fertility.

A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The researchers conducted this study to know the alternative effects of used diapers
as fertilizer to a plant. First, Fertilizer is a chemical or natural substance added to soil or
land to increase its the supply of essential nutrients that boosts the growth of plants.
Second, diaper has a man made substance called Hydrogel also called as Hydrophilic Gel
which are polymer networks, they are primarily used as an absorbent for water and
aqueous solutions. Thus they can considerably reduce water stress of plants and improve
their growth and survival, by absorbing plenty of water and turn gel into water storage.

B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Diaper had been explained to contain a substance that could help in growing a
healthy plant, but could used diaper really perform as a fertilizer to a plant?
In our society modern technology has been used in growing plants that helps a lot
of people especially farmers, but always tend to lead to environmental problems, but with
the use of diaper could it really help a lot of people especially farmers and reduce
environmental problems?
Parents use a lot of diapers for their newborn babies or growing babies that's why
thousands of diapers are compiled or made every day , but will this help reduce trash
problem and save up money?

C. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

 The use of organic fertilizer in sustainable gardens and farms will quickly gain its
popularity which is evident in the number of increased acres of organic agriculture.
Substance of Diapers being fertilizers are abundant in our community because of newborn
babies added up in our community, by this research it can help reduce trash and save
Mother Earth. People can start growing healthy plants in just using diapers as fertilizer, it
can save up of money for it is utilized, you can harvest fruits and vegetables and even earn
money.

ABSTRACT

The agricultural practices in the country has affected the quality of soil and cause
environmental impact. It leads to climate change, pollution, soil degradation and
deforestation., thus it's impact increases every time.
 The development of alternative practices has been required to minimize those
environmental impacts and has encouraged the creation of new options for better
agricultural practices, tending to be less invasive to the environment, cheaper than
conventional techniques, be able to increase efficiency at low costs, and be able to obtain
better characteristics on harvests.

As a result, bio fertilization have emerged in order to minimize environmental impacts and
know the advantage of the resources available in the field. The main scope of this paper is
to know the use of bio fertilization, mentioning their advantages and limitations, reviewing
the results of efficiency and benefits acquired for better agricultural practices for the whole
community.
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS AND DATA

4.1 Introduction
The purpose of this study was to know the effects of diapers as fertilizer,
contributing to the community mostly to people who wants to grow plants and to use the
alternative effects of used and new diapers.
Knowing the importance and effects of biological fertilization including
fertilizers, decaying remains of organic matter, crop excess and importantly the research
product which is the diaper.
The objectives of the study were to identify used diapers positive effects into soil
and for the growth of plants, importance of it even though its used, and to identify how
great help it could lend to people and the mother earth.

4.2