INTRODUCTION

Filipino families can consume as many as 24 eggs per week, compared to 6 per week for

those living alone. (Porticos, 2015). That means a populous amount of eggs are consumed,

particularly the egg whites and egg yolks as part of our breakfast in most days due to low cost,

convenience, and habit. The eggshells, on the other hand, are disposed and treated as bio-waste

after consuming the eggs.

Many people in the community do not know that these eggshells could be disposed in a

resourceful way since it has different useful benefits in the garden. Eggshells contain mostly of

calcium carbonate that is useful for plants in building and strengthening their bones. Moreover, it

also contains certain minerals that could neutralize the acidity of soils, providing the plants a better

living space for them to grow like tomatoes and peppers.

Eggshells are easy to find and will not cost anybody anything in order to acquire some. It

is a free-of-cost and resourceful alternative in improving the growth of plants and at the same time

friendly to the environment.

On the other hand, tomatoes grow and perform best when its soil has a pH level of 6.5 to

7.2 (Stallsmith, 2018). This could be made by possible with a huge intake of calcium carbonate,

which could be found in eggshells for contain 98.2% of it and is about 90% absorbable compared

to limestone or coral source (Swetha, et al., 2018).

As a result, the researchers have conducted this study to experiment the effectivity of

eggshells to test the effective contribution of it to the growth of tomatoes and in order to dispose

these types of bio-waste in a meaningful and beneficial way.

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 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the effectivity of Chicken eggshells as an effective natural

fertilizer.

Specifically, this research would determine how the calcium carbonate of Chicken

eggshells affect the growth of tomatoes in terms of its seed germination, length and width of

leaves, and lastly, the height of the plant.

HYPOTHESIS

Chicken eggshells are not an effective organic fertilizer for tomatoes.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study was done to see whether certain abundant and easily acquired substances like

eggshells could be used as fertilizers for the economic benefit of the consumer and for the

environmental benefit as well. This organic fertilizer is non-toxic, which could be proven with the

ability of eggshells to decrease the acidity level of soils. This means it is good to humans and safe

for the environment since it doesn’t have any hazardous effects. This study will increase the

knowledge of the individual regarding the impact of the eggshells in the environment and inform

people of how this certain bio-waste could be repurposed or reused for many things.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study was limited in proving the effectivity of Chicken eggshells as a good fertilizer

for tomatoes. The estimated time of this experiment was a week.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

According to Nelz (2017), “Eggshells contain numerous nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

thus they can be disposed in an effective way in the garden for it has powerful benefits in plants.

Eggshells contain a great amount of calcium and it decomposes very quickly without any effort.

Moreover, the shells have minerals that are effective in growing plants including peppers and

tomatoes.”

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 According to Vila (2014), “Eggshells are meant usually for tossing, recognizing the egg

yolk and egg white more as a good source of protein and cholesterol but only a few people have

the knowledge that the calcium-packed eggshells also have plenty of uses, such as becoming a

plant fertilizer. About 95% of an eggshell, according to her, is made out of calcium carbonate. A

medium eggshell has about 750mg to 850mg of calcium. Aside from that, eggshells also contain

numerous amounts of minerals.”

According to Pleasant (2013), “The calcium from eggshells is also welcome in garden

soil, where it moderates soil acidity while providing nutrients for plants. Eggshells contain such an

abundance of calcium that they can be used almost like lime, though you would need a lot of

eggshells to make a measurable impact.”

According to Wazir, et al. (2018), “Eggshells wastes can be used as a plant fertilizer

because eggshell contains 95% calcium carbonate and is potent source of lime to neutralize the

pH of acidic soil. A study demonstrated that plants of red clover when grown on eggshells fertilized

soil grew 10 mm larger than the plants without eggshells.”

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Experiment Soil with Effective

Pulverized
Tomato Growth of
Variable Eggshells
Seeds Tomatoes

Control Soil with Average

Tomato Growth of
Variable Seeds Tomatoes

In this diagram, there are two variables dividing this experiment. The first one is the

experiment variable wherein the pulverized eggshells and its nutrients and minerals will be applied

into the soil with Tomato seeds, which will be taken care of just like other plants, contributing to a

total effective growth of the tomatoes. On the other hand, the control variable will not be sprinkled

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with pulverized eggshells but will just be taken care of like other plants, expected to grow in

contrast with the growth of the other tomato plant in the other variable.

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 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The different terms used in this study are as follows:

Calcium (Ca). A chemical element where tomatoes need high concentrations of.

Eggshells. The researcher used this as a fertilizer for the growth and development of the

tomatoes.

Fertilizers. A substance used by people to the growth and development of plants.

Gallus domesticus. The scientific name of Chicken.

Tapwater. The type of water to be used in watering the plants.

Growth. The process of increasing plant size.

Nutrients. A substance used by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce.

Plant. A type of organism that the researchers used in this study as an independent variable.

Soil. This is where the researchers planted the tomatoes that they used in this study.

Soil Fertility. A soil with a huge chance of plant reproduction.

Solanum lycopersicum. The scientific name of Tomato.

Sunlight. Source of energy where plants, including tomatoes, is needed for its growth.

Tomato. The plant used by the researchers as an experiment if the Chicken Eggshells is an

effective fertilizer.

Water. A type of liquid that is needed by all living organisms to sustain its life.

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 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The review of the study overlooks the effectivity of eggshells as fertilizers for tomatoes

which could become a substitute product for commercialized fertilizers. Most people discard

eggshells as bio-waste since most of them do not oversee the benefit they could get from

eggshells in the environment and for their garden. There have been a lot people who have noted

that eggshells could really be or could serve as an organic fertilizer.

As stated in https://philnews.ph/2017/01/12/effective-uses-eggshells-garden/ by Nelz

(2017), eggshells contain numerous nutrients, vitamins, and minerals thus they can be disposed

in an effective way in the garden for it has powerful benefits in plants. Eggshells contain a great

amount of calcium and it decomposes very quickly without any effort. Moreover, the shells have

minerals that are effective in growing plants including peppers and tomatoes.

Furthermore, in https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-

family/2014/08/18/1358944/10-helpful-uses-eggshells by Vila (2014), eggshells are meant

usually for tossing, recognizing the egg yolk and egg white more as a good source of protein and

cholesterol but only a few people have the knowledge that the calcium-packed eggshells also

have plenty of uses, such as becoming a plant fertilizer. About 95% of an eggshell, according to

her, is made out of calcium carbonate. A medium eggshell has about 750mg to 850mg of calcium.

Aside from that, eggshells also contain numerous amounts of minerals.

Moreover, https://www.growveg.com/guides/using-eggshells-in-the-garden/ by Pleasant

(2013) states that the calcium from eggshells is also welcome in garden soil, where it moderates

soil acidity while providing nutrients for plants. Eggshells contain such an abundance of calcium

that they can be used almost like lime, though you would need a lot of eggshells to make a

measurable impact.

Lastly, https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2018.96049 by Wazir, et. al. (2018) states that eggshells

wastes can be used as a plant fertilizer because eggshell contains 95% calcium carbonate and

is potent source of lime to neutralize the pH of acidic soil. A study demonstrated that plants of red

6
clover when grown on eggshells fertilized soil grew 10 mm larger than the plants without

eggshells.

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 METHODOLOGY

In performing this experiment, the researchers collected ten (10) pieces of eggshells, a

pack of tomato seeds, a mortar and pestle, casserole, large bowl, and ten (10) cups of water.

Once the researchers have gathered all the materials needed for the experiment, they put

the eggshells inside the casserole with all cups of water inside it. The eggshells slept there for

about ten minutes in order to make sure all traces of egg whites and egg yolk are cleaned out.

The eggshells were then removed into the casserole and moved into the large bowl to rinse it for

the second time before it was dried at the sun for a day.

As soon as the eggshells are fully dry, the researchers crushed it using the mortar and

pestle.

In the process of the experiment, there were two containers set by the researchers with

large drainage holes at the bottom in both containers with soil inside it where the seeds will be

planted in order for it to grow. One of the containers is labeled as the "control variable", where

there will be no application of eggshells but would still be taken care of the same way as the other

while the other one is the "experiment variable" where the eggshells will be applied on top of the

soil.

Once the control and experiment variable has been planted with tomato seeds and once

the eggshells are applied, the observation will start the day thereafter.

The tomato seeds should be watered regularly and taken care of like other plants. Each

day, the researchers observed the behavior of both of the variable in terms ofseed germination,

height of leaves, width leaves, and length leaves.

It may take at least a week in order for the plants to grow, depending on the environmental

properties the plants are located in and how it was taken care of.

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 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF CRITERIA

This chapter comprises the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of the findings that

was discovered in conducting this study. Most of the collected data found in this research seeks

to answer the question that was stated, whereas:

Specifically, this research would determine how the calcium carbonate of Chicken

eggshells affect the growth of Tomatoes in terms of its seed germination, length and width of

leaves, and lastly, the height of the plant.

ANALYSIS OF CRITERIA

AUGUST SEPTEMBER
VARIABLE
30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

DAY 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

EXPERIMENT Plant X X X X / / / / /

CONTROL Plant X X X X / / / / /

Table 1. Seed Germination of the Experiment and Control Variable

In this table, in the first days of the experimental variable and control variable, the tomato

seeds showed no signs of growing yet. But as the fifth and sixth day arrived, seed germination

arose at the same time but not the same numbers. The experimental variable, where the eggshells

were applied, had more germinated seeds than the control variable.

SEPTEMBER

VARIABLE 4 5 6 7 8 AVE

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

EXPERIMENT 32mm 40mm 45mm 48mm 49mm 42.8mm

CONTROL 25mm 28mm 32mm 35mm 36mm 31.2mm

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Table 2. Height of the Tomato plant in the Experiment and Control Variablein Millimeters (mm)

In this table, it showed how dense the difference the height of the tomato plant in

experiment and control variable. The experiment variable, where the eggshells were applied, its

tomato plant had leave that has the height of 32mm in the first day since its germination date,

40mm on the second day, 45mm on the third day, 48mm on the fourth day, and 49mm on the fifth

day. On the other hand, the control variable gained 25mm in its first day while it increased into

28mm, 32mm, 35mm, and 36mm in the days that followed respectively. In average, that

experiment variable is 42.8mm while the control variable is 31.2mm, which concludes that the

eggshells and its calcium really has a positive effect on tomatoes.

SEPTEMBER

VARIABLE 4 5 6 7 8 AVE

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

EXPERIMENT 8mm 12mm 14mm 14mm 15mm 12.6mm

CONTROL 6mm 9mm 11mm 12mm 13mm 10.2mm

Table 3. Length of the leaves of the Tomato plant in the Experiment and Control Variable in

Millimeters (mm)

In this table, it showed the difference between the length of leaves of the tomato plant in

the experiment and control variable. The experiment variable was longer in millimeter, gaining a

length of 8mm on the first day while it increased up to 12mm on the second day, 14mm on the

third and fourth day, and 15mm on the fifth day. The control variable, on the other hand, was able

to garnish 6mm in its first day whereas it was able to reach 9mm on the second day, 11mm on

the third day, 12mm on the fourth day, and 13mm on the day that followed. In average, the

experiment variable has expanded for at least 12.6mm, and the control variable expanded at

10.2mm.

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 SEPTEMBER

VARIABLE 4 5 6 7 8 AVE

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

EXPERIMENT 2mm 2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 3.2mm

CONTROL 1mm 2mm 2mm 3mm 4mm 2.4mm

Table 4. Width of the leaves of the Tomato plant in the Experiment and Control Variable in

Millimeters (mm)

In this table, it showed the difference between the width of leaves of the tomato plant in

the experiment and control variable. The experiment variable was longer in millimeter, gaining a

width of 2mm on the first and second day, 3mm on the third day, 4mm on the fourth day, while

5mm on the fifth day. The control variable, on the other hand, was able to garnish 1mm in its first

day whereas it was able to reach 2mm on the second and third day, 3mm on the fourth day, while

4mm on the fifth day. In average, the experiment variable was able to acquire leaves that has the

width of at least 3.2mm while the control variable contained 2.4mm.

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 SUMMARY

This research was conducted by the researchers in order to test whether the eggshells

have an absolute effect on the growth of tomatoes, as it was considered to have a positive effect

when applied into plants because of its abundancy in calcium carbonate. By doing so, it was

tested in tomato seeds, observing how the eggshells applied into it have contributed effectively

into its overall growth in terms of seed germination, length, width, and height of the leaves.

As stated by Nelz (2017), “Eggshells contain numerous nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

thus they can be disposed in an effective way in the garden for it has powerful benefits in plants.

Eggshells contain a great amount of calcium and it decomposes very quickly without any

effort. Moreover, the shells have minerals that are effective in growing plants including peppers

and tomatoes.”

Through quantitative approaches like conducting surveys and time measurement,

the researchers was able to determine that

CONCLUSION

Based on the results from the data gathered, we can conclude that Chicken eggshells can

indeed be an effective natural fertilizer for plants, because of its minerals and certain elements

inside it that is very essential for the in order to effectively grow. This was proven to be true when

the data showed how the tomato plant with the eggshells have had more seed germination, has

lengthier, longer, and thicker leaves.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If there were to be any more researcher interested in conducting this study, we

recommend the following improvement during the experimentation for a more clear, concise, and

coherent output and data collected:

1. Lengthier time and days for observation;

2. Specific measures of water to drench the plant;

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 3. More and improved materials to use for the experiment;

4. Much more pulverized eggshells to sprinkle the plant; and lastly,

5. Addition to the first four criteron of the experiment in terms of the plant’s growth.

REFERENCES

Cherry, K. (2018). VeryWellMind (2018, March 14). What Is Applied Research? How Applied

Research Is Used in Psychology. Retrieved from

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-applied-research-2794820

Hand, J. (2018). Gardenista (2018, February 10). Gardening 101: How to Use Eggshells in the

Garden. Retrieved from

https://www.gardenista.com/posts/diy-5-ideas-to-use-eggshells-in-the-garden-pest-

control-mulch-fertilizer/

Nelz, J. (2017). Philippine News (2017, January 12). Effective Uses of Eggshells in The Garden.

Retrieved from

https://philnews.ph/2017/01/12/effective-uses-eggshells-garden/

Pleasant, B. (2013). GrowVeg (2013, December 5). Using Eggshells in the Garden. Retrieved

from

https://www.growveg.com/guides/using-eggshells-in-the-garden/

Porticos, C.T. (2015). Insight Asia (2015, September 28). Helping poultry farmers in the

Philippines: Challenge egg-cepted! Retrieved from

http://www.insightasia.com/blog/helping-poultry-farmers-in-the-philippines-challenge-

eggcepted

Stallsmith, A. (2018). SFGate (2018, February 8). What Is the Amount of Calcium to Add to

Tomato Plants? Retrieved from

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/amount-calcium-add-tomato-plants-102281.html

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Swetha A., Dahananjaya J.S., Shravana Kumara S.M., & Ananda (2018). Comparative study on

calcium content in egg shells of different birds. International Journal of Zoology Studies,

03(04), p. 31-33. Retrieved from

www.zoologyjournals.com/download/378/3-4-18-730.pdf

Vila, A.C. (2014). Philippine Star (2014, August 18). 10 helpful uses of eggshells. Retrieved from

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2014/08/18/1358944/10-helpful-

uses-eggshells

Wazir, A., Gul, Z. & Hussain, M. (2018) Comparative Study of Various Organic Fertilizers Effect

on Growth and Yield of Two Economically Important Crops, Potato and Pea. Agricultural

Sciences, 9, p.703-717. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2018.96049

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APPENDICES

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 EXPERIMENTATION: DAY 1

Control Variable Experiment Variable

EXPERIMENTATION: DAY 2

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 Control Variable Experiment Variable

EXPERIMENTATION: DAY 3

Control Variable Experiment Variable

EXPERIMENTATION: DAY 4

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 Control Variable Experiment Variable

EXPERIMENTATION: DAY 5

Control Variable Experiment Variable

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