Vegetable Peeling as an Alternative Fertilizer For Plants

A research paper presented to the Faculty of Caraga Regional Science High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Research I

GED NIKKO S. DELITO & GLACIER ANDRE C. AGAPAY

Researcher

MRS. IRIS BALLADARES

Subject Teacher

June 2023
 Table of Contents

Page

Titlepage i

Table of Contents ii

Abstract iii

Chapter I – Introduction

Background of the Study 1

Review of Related Literature 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Hypothesis 3

Significance of the Study 4

Scope and Limitations 5

Definition of Terms 6

Chapter II – Methodology

Materials 7

Procedure 8
Chapter III – Result and Discussion

Graph 8

Data Table 9

Discussion 9

Chapter IV – Summary of Findings

Conclusion 10

References 11
 Abstract

In our environment, most of the food waste is sent to landfill and produce methane gas
which causes greenhouse effect. Hence, the aim of this research is to reduce the food waste by
using these vegetable peelings as an alternative fertilizers for onion leaves. Vegetable peels are
an organic waste, which has nutrients that are useful for plants. This study was aimed to
determine the effectiveness of organic fertilizer made by vegetable peelings as a nutrition source
for onion leaves (Allium cepa) growth and determine which is more effective, Organic or
Inorganic fertilizer for the Onion Leaves. This experiment was conducted in the garden to
compare and contrast the quality (mainly height and appearance) of the plant. The results of this
experiment showed that the height and appearance of the plant has increased because of using
organic fertilizers made up of vegetable peelings.
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Chapter 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Vegetable peels and scraps break down and add nutrients like vitamin C and calcium to

the soil, which makes them ideal for composting. If you don’t have a composting system, you

can still reap the benefits of using it in your garden to fertilize your plants and cut down on food

waste.

Vegetable peels are one of the wastes that accumulate in huge quantities every day. It is a

serious problem that must be managed to make the environment free from pollution. Vegetable

Peels are very rich in nutrients that are beneficial for plant growth. Using this as fertilizer can

reduce waste and get more benefits than inorganic fertilizer.

This study aims to determine if food waste, such as vegetable peelings, benefits plants.

Review of Related Literature

Fruits and vegetables are the highly used food products amongst the horticultural crops.

A large amount of peel waste is generated from fruit and vegetable – based industries to

household kitchens. The peels are rich in various minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium,

iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus

According to Lorencz K. (2017), Vegetable Peels and scraps break down and add

nutrients like Vitamin C and calcium to the soil which makes them ideal for composting. I you

don’t have a composting system, you can still reap the benefits of using vegetable peels in your

garden to fertilize your plants and cut down on food waste.

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Using vegetable peel as fertilizer can help to improve the structure of your soil and

increase its ability to retain moisture. (Lindsey, 2017)

The increasing generation of food waste and its management constitute a major concern.

The high concentrations of organic matter and nutrient contents of food waste can be used as an

organic fertilizer in agricultural purposes. Fertilizers are one of the most important elements of

modern agriculture and can increase the production of food or plant materials, the main objective

of our study was to formulate natural fertilizer from food waste so as to increase the growth of

agricultural crops (Mercy S. et al, 2014)

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to investigate the potential use of vegetable peelings as an alternative fertilizer.

The study sought to address the following inquiries:

1. Can vegetable peelings be utilized as a substitute for traditional plant fertilizers?

2. Can organic fertilizers, such as vegetable peelings, yield better results than commercially

available fertilizers?

3. Is an organic fertilizer, like vegetable peelings, viable for plant growth and development?

Hypothesis

Null hypothesis:

Ho: There is no significant effect of using Vegetable Peelings as an alternative fertilizer.

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Significance of the Study

The result of the study will benefit the following:

Department of Agriculture (DOA)

This study will serve as new research for a much safer and organic way to enhance the

plants health and growth.

Farmers

This study will help the farmers improve our agriculture more efficiently and more

effectively.

Schools

This will help gardeners in school with their responsibilities to take care of the school’s

plants.

Future Researchers

This study will help the future researchers in their researches, because the topic is about

fertilizer is common, helpful and easy that is suitable for new researchers.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses only on Vegetable Peelings as an alternative fertilizer. This study will

not cover any fertilizers other than Vegetable Peelings. The finding of this study will only apply

to some species of plants. The process was last three weeks to complete.

Definition of Terms
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Below are the terms used in this study and are hereby defined conceptually and

operationally.

Fertilizer- a substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrients, which substance is

used for its plant nutrient content, and which is designed for use, or claimed to have value, in

promoting plant growth.

Peelings - Pieces of skin removed from vegetables and fruit.

Chapter II

Methodology
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Materials

Nine pots, nine onion leaves, 1kg soil, 1kg vegetable peelings, Water (50ml), tools

Procedure

A. Collection of Vegetable peelings

One kilogram of vegetable peelings was collected from the household kitchen, which then broke

down the peelings.

B. Preparation of setups

Three sets were prepared, and within that setup included the independent group, the controlled

group, and the set-up with commercial fertilizer.

C. Completion of the process 

Nine onion leaves were added to each setup, and each week was recorded and observed for more

data.

Chapter III

Results and Discussion

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The research design that the researcher used was completely a standard Table design because

there are (3) treatments assigned. The three (3) treatments grouping similar experimental units

into 3 replicates (weeks).

Graph

In Diagram 1, it shows the average height of onion leaves between three set-ups after

three weeks.

Diagram 1.

Data Table
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The research design that the researcher used was completely a standard Table design because

there are (3) treatments assigned. The three (3) treatments grouping similar experimental units

into 3 replicates (weeks).

Set-up Height (cm)

A. Onion Week 1 Ave Week 2 Ave Week 3 Ave
leaves 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
without 13 15 7 11.6 7 12 11 10 10 6 13 9.6
fertilizer

B. Onion 12 10 10 10.6 11 7 15 11 8 14 10 10.6

Leaves with
commercial
fertilizer

C. Onion 17 9 16 14 12 17 16 15 15 9 15 13
Leaves with
alternative
fertilizer

Table 1: Table for the Raw Data

Discussion

These tests showed the that the treatment group had higher development than the control group

due to the cause of the fertilizer planted in the soil and has a positive impact on the plants

growth. Significantly increasing its height and length.

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Chapter IV

Conclusion

Conclusion

In conclusion, vegetable peelings applied in soil showed increased growth of plants and

when compared to the control hence it can be concluded the fruit and vegetable peels can be used

as an natural fertilizer. The less concentration showed less growth as compared to control which

are necessary for the growth of onion leaves.

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References

Anbu, S., Padma, J., Punithavalli, K. (2014) Application of different vegetables peels

formulation as a natural fertilizer for plant growth. International Journal of Scientific Technology

www.jetir.org

Lindsey, Lorencz, K. , (2017) Application of vegetable peels to improve the structure of the

plants soil and increase its ability to retain moisture.

Mercy, S., Mubisira Banu, S. Jenifer, I. (2017) Fruit peel waste as a novel media for the growth

of economically important fungi. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.

www.organicfertilizerplants.com

Sahira, K., Cathrine, L., (2015) General Techniques involved in Phytochemical Analysis.

International Journal of Advanced Research in Chemical Science.

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