BIO-WASTE FERTILIZER

Vikneswari d/o Varutharajoo1*,Tamilkathir s/o Saravanan2, Daran a/l

M.Mahenderan3, Sanjay s/o V.Annadurai4, Niveda d/o Ananda Rajah5, and
Sharumathi d/o Chanthiran6

1,2,3,4,5,6 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Raub

Viknes78@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Manures as a source of plant nutrients on common plants growth has received
globle attention due to rising costs of fertilizer, high nutrient loss,
environmental impacts from inorganic fertilizers and impact of insect pests
also certain diseases . Cow dung, eggshell, coconut husk and dry leaves along
with domestic-waste like tea leaf can be the best solution. A pot experiment
was conducted in the school area with curry leaf plants. As result, a
remarkable growth in the curry leaf plant was observed. This shows that egg
shells and bio-waste has tremendous potential.In other hand this ferlilizer
fulfills the mineral requirement for the plants which supports the growth and
disease free plants. Overall it is an excellent organic manure for garden plants.
Eggshells, cow manure, coconut husk, dry leaves and used tea leafs were
collected, purified and powdered by mixer. This powder than mouled into
marble size balls. This dryed mixer then used as a fertilizer. Further, the
experiment was carried out to measure the effects of fertilizer on plant growth.
Four pots were filled with the same amount of soil and 4 young curry leaf plant
were planted in an each of the pots. 2 pots with bio-waste fertilizer and 2 pots
without the fertilizer. All the pots were watered regularly. Experiment was
conducted over a period of 30 days. After the period of 30 days, the plants
growth and physical condition was measured and observed. So we can
conclude this bio-waste fertilizer can enhances the growth and increases the
nutritional intake. The purpose of this particular experiment is to bio and
domestic waste in different application like fertilizer and reduce the pollution in
the globe.

Keywords: Manure , fertilizer, bio-waste, growth, plants

INTRODUCTION

Most of the agricultural land around the world is in critical stage due to pollution

from chemical fertilizer. Our soil is lacking its nutrients massively decreases.

Even this situation is noticed in our school compound. Our school gardener has to

regularly fertilize the plants and change the pot’s soil. A short interview with

him makes us to think a better eco-friendly way as the solution.

To overcome and recreate the quality of soil, we came up with manure

based fertilizer. Our bio-fertilizer is created with cow dung, eggshell powder,

tea waste, dry leaves and coconut husk. This fertilizer has tremendous potential

to fight against diseases and fulfill mineral requirement support growth also

shows healthy produce. This fertilizer even has high potential to enrich with

multi-nutrients.

Experiments shows a positive result on the growth of plants. Eggshells present

healthy, balanced calcium due to its trace amounts of other minerals and

probably the best natural source of calcium. So do the cow dung. It has been

recognized as most desirable animal manures because of its high nutrients and

organic matter content. The tea waste contains nitrogen, phosphorous and

potassium. This makes a quality compost and a complete fertilizer. Also

maintaining moisture and increases soil’s oxygen levels and even allows

earthworms to thrive.

Coconut husk is an excellent mineral fertilizer for developed peat and

providing potassium in particular. It can recycle a substantial proportion of

nutrients in plantation. It now remains to optimize its use on an estate level, by

examining the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of its mass production and

determining conditions for maximum efficiency. Dead leaves can also become an

ingredient in a good compost, which is better than chemical fertilizer. Compost

nourishes plants, preserves moisture in the soil, helps spread fertilizer,

facilitates weeding, attracts worms and helps prevent diseases.

After gone through a complete research and study we found that these

four ingredients can be the best solution for soils nutrient lost. It does not cost

much pennies. Cow dung from the nearest farm, eggshells from our canteen

waste and used tea leaves from nearby coffee shop. Coconut husk and dry leaves

from our school garden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiments was conducted at our compound. As the first step we have to

wash collected eggshells and allow them to dry completely. Grind them into fine

powder and store in covered jar. Then dry up the tea waste under sunlight for at

least 72 hours. Same goes to the cow manure. Dry them well. These 3

ingredients should dry well before mixing it with coconut husk and dry leaves.

Specially the cow manure, undried cow dung contains harmful micro-organisms.

The ratio of mixing would be 3 parts of cow manure, 3 parts of used tea

leaves, 3 parts of dry leaves, 2 parts of coconut husk and 2 parts of eggshell

powder. Mix the dry ingredients and mound it into small sized balls by adding

small amount of filtered water. Dry the balls again. Once dry the fertilizer balls

are ready to use.

4 pots of curry plant were prepared. 2 pots were fertilized with normal

nursery fertilizer and other two were fertilized with our self-made bio-waste

fertilizer balls. Observation was carried out for 30 days. Water was provided

every day. The plants growth was recorded once a week. The length, number of

leaves and the area size of fungal infection were observed and recorded.

After about 4 weeks, we found the pots with bio-waste fertilizer shows

healthy growth compared to the other pots. Healthier leaves were found. And

almost no fungal infection. The soils look healthier. Data revealed that plants

with bio-waste fertilizer looks healthier, more greenery leaves and with healthy
stem. Experiment has proved that this bio-fertilizer significantly increased

plants height and conditions.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Pot culture was conducted and role of different amount of bio-waste

fertilizer on growth height of curry leaves plants, were studied the

experiment were carried out at 30th day after showing. Four healthy curry

leave plant of uniform size were plant in four plastic pot at a depth of 4-5 cm

in the soil. All planted pots were kept in the open garden in about 34/22 0 C

day/night temperature and irrigated with 100 ml of the tap water per day.

Pot A and C were fertilized with bio-waste and pot B and D were with normal

commercial fertilizer. The eggshells were collected, washed and dried. It was

grinded to a fine powder in a mixer grinder and this powder was used for the

experiments. The experiment was conducted over a period of 30 days.

Table 1: shows that experimental design of this work

Height Height Height

Pot Initial Height
After 10 After 20 After 30
of plants (cm)
days days days
(cm) (cm) (cm)
A 20 cm 24cm 25cm 29cm
Bio-waste
Fertilizer

B 23cm 24cm 24cm 26cm

Normal
Fertilizer

C 21cm 23cm 25cm 30cm

Bio-waste
Fertilizer

D 19cm 20cm 20.5cm 23cm

Normal
Fertilizer
 Table 1 of our study show the presence of bio-waste fertilizer on growth

of curry plants. The height of plants have increases with the presence of

bio-waste fertilizer.

Figure 1: Results shows Growth of curry leave plants at 30 th day

30

25

20
Initial Height (cm)
15 Height After 10 Days
Height After 20 Days
10
Height After 30 Days
5

0
Pot A Pot B Pot C Pot D

CONCLUSION
Agriculture sector plays an important role to improve the economic growth of

developing countries apart from fulfilling the food security of the growing

population globally. Though nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are most

vital for healthy growth of plants calcium is also essential for building healthy

cell walls of a plant. In the present study calcium was given in the form of

calcium carbonate from eggshells. Eggshells contain calcium and trace

minerals. From our present investigation it may be concluded that egg shells

can be used as manures for increasing the calcium content of the soil. Calcium

carbonates in the eggshell are excellent sources for introducing this mineral

into the soil. It fulfills the mineral requirement for the plants which supports

the growth, disease free quality and reducing the soil pollution overall. It is

excellent organic manure for garden plants, vegetable plants and fruit plants.
 This experimental study proves that cow manure, eggshell powder, used

tea leaves, coconut husk and dry leaves can be used as fertilizer. The result

prove that chemical fertilizers could be completely replaced by this bio-

fertilizer without any negative effect on plants growth and nutrient contents.

Use of bio-fertilizer has several other advantages as cost effective, eco-

friendly and renewable source of the plants nutrient management. As they have

an ability to transform nutritionally important elements without effects on

natural environments.

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