CHAPTER I

A. Introduction and Its Background

Onion (Allium cepa), also recognized as the bulb onion or common onion, is the most

extensively grown vegetable of the genus Allium (Hai, 2015). “Onion Production” (2019) noted that

historically, onions are among the ancient cultivated vegetables native to Central Asia. It also expressed

that it is a significant bulb vegetable in Filipino cuisine since it is one of the commonly used condiments.

Also, there are three types of onions being grown in the Philippines: the shallot or multiplier onion (A.

cepa cv.gr. ascalonicum), the big yellow-skinned type represented by ‘Yellow Granex’, and the medium-

sized purple-skinned type represented by ‘Red Creole’. Meanwhile, Central Luzon and Ilocos Region are

top onion producers in the country having a 49.82% and 31.38% of the national production, respectively

(“Onion Production,” 2019).

The skins of onions contain various health benefits. According to “8 Onion Skin Uses” (2019), the

skins of onions are known to be rich in antioxidants and quercetin and have anti-obesity effects. Their

functionality has been proven by multiple clinical trials and studies. Furthermore, onion peelings are a

good source of nutrients needed by plants for growth such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium,

magnesium, and sulfur. The web page also emphasized that onion peelings should not be discarded as

these can be useful in producing organic liquid fertilizer from their extracts for all indoor or outdoor

plants. Using the product will increase the disease resistance, growth, strong stems, and productivity of

plants (“8 Onion Skin Uses”, 2019). With this information, the researchers developed the study on the

effectivity of the onion peelings extract as an alternative to liquid commercial fertilizer for pechay.
 Globally, “Organic Fertilizers Market” (2020) contends that given the low cost and healthy long-

lasting effect on soil, farmers are using organic fertilizers. Various types of fertilizers are sold in the

market, which are quite expensive. Commercial fertilizers can harm the soil if not used properly. It also

mentioned that the organic food industry has recently observed a growing demand of consumers for

organic foods. The growth of the global organic fertilizers market is promoted by the increasing demand

for organic foods. However, its growth is likely to be hindered by the farmers’ ignorance on the

advantages of organic fertilizers and the usage of chemical fertilizers over organic fertilizers by many

(“Organic Fertilizers Market,” 2020). Besides that, the world is also facing challenges on the increase of

bio-waste especially onion waste. Choi, Moon, Cho, and Bae (2015) pointed out that in 2014, the global

onion production was approximately 89 million tonnes, increasing by more than 25% over the past

decade. Consequently, more than 550,000 tonnes of onionskin bio-waste are yearly generated (Choi et

al., 2015). The aforementioned statements are enough for the researchers to conduct the study.

Across the nation, “Organic Fertilizer Market” (2018) posited that despite the developing

agriculture and industry of the Philippines with the robust economic growth coupled with the increase

of the population, agricultural and industrial wastes are also increasing in recent times. The government

has thus pursued sustainable environmental and economic development through the implementation of

some related policies. An example of which is the issued fertilizer policies that are vital elements of the

Philippine agricultural policy. Hence, the commercial production and usage of organic fertilizers are

rising and have lead to the fast growth of the organic fertilizer market, which addresses industrial waste

disposal problems and promotes sustainable development (“Organic Fertilizer Market,” 2018). But even

so, the problem of industrial waste disposal has not ceased, prompting the researchers to conduct the

study to help minimize the problem.

 Locally, Cebu is not exempted from the industrial waste problems in our country. In fact, Climate

and Clean Air Coalition (2016) claimed that the city’s main produced wastes, which is about 67% of the

total waste generation, are organic such as leftover food and spoiled fruits and vegetables. Recyclable

waste is calculated at roughly 21 % and the remainder is hazardous and residual (Climate and Clean Air

Coalition, 2016). “Solid Waste Management” (2017) has asserted that similar to other thriving cities,

Cebu is facing challenges on solid waste management (SWM). Poor institutional and organizational

framework for SWM, upper waste stream issues, and downstream problems are the general

classifications of the city’s major issues with handling waste. To address these challenges, the paper

reported that the city has been exercising waste segregation and organic farming through the regulation

of the compost or organic fertilizer facility at the city nursery. To promote the practice of waste

segregation and recycling among Cebuanos, it was indicated that the city undertook the project on the

₱160, 000 compost facility that aims to turn biodegradable waste into organic fertilizer. In addition, a

staff from the City Agriculture Department gathers at least one ton of biodegradable waste from the

Carbon market every day. The waste materials are then deposited into the composting facility, which

utilizes the technology of Trichoderma. Three hundred fifty kilograms of organic fertilizer are generated

by one ton of garbage, which the demo farm situated at the nursery will use (“Solid Waste

Management,” 2017).

In Saint Theresa’s College of Cebu, many plants specifically vegetables are grown in the gardens

and most of which need to be fertilized. Since commercial fertilizers are technically costly, the

administrators or the caretakers of the gardens will be able to utilize a much affordable, safer and

healthier fertilizer for their plants. Minimization of food wastes specifically from the onion peelings,

which are used by some concessionaires for their food products, will be promoted as well. Through this,

the school’s vision of having a green campus will be further strengthened.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the effectivity of onion peelings extract as an alternative to liquid

commercial fertilizer for plants. Specifically, this study tries to answer the following questions:

What is the difference of the effect the liquid fertilizer from onion peelings extract from the liquid

commercial fertilizer to the growth of pechay in terms of:

a)height of the plant

b.)number of leaves

c.)leaf surface area

C. Formulation of the Hypothesis

Null:Onion peelings extract is not an effective alternative to liquid commercial fertilizer for pechay

because there is no significant difference to the growth of pechay in terms of the height of the plant,

number of leaves and leaf surface area.

D. Significance of the Study

General Statement:

This study will benefit the following:

 People

The outcome of the experiment will help the people specifically, farmers, growers, and consumers in

several ways. Firstly, they will be able to grow and produce healthy plants by using a naturally

occurring organic fertilizer from the onion peelings extract that is accessible and safe. As stated by
the European Consortium of the Organic-Based Fertilizer Industry (n.d.), some of the benefits of

organic-based fertilizers like the onion peelings extract, include enhancing both nutrient efficiency

use and organic matter content of the soil, ameliorating the nutrient use efficiency to yield strong

crops, and keeping soil fertility to support plant growth, as shown experimentally. Secondly, more

lively manufacturing and farming communities are developed as local and regional job opportunities

in both rural and urban areas are created by the organic-based fertilizer industry (European

Consortium of the Organic-Based Fertilizer Industry, n.d.). Lastly, the people will contribute to the

reduction of waste by converting the onion peelings into a liquid fertilizer rather than throwing

them away, which in return protects them from the adverse health effects of overflowing wastes as

it can lead to air pollution causing multiple respiratory diseases (Ecube Labs, 2016).

 STC Community

With the usage of homemade and natural materials such as the study suggests, the community finds

a safer and convenient way of fertilizing their various plants from the said product. The STC

community will also ingest the nutritive value of the onion peelings extract applied in their plants

such as vegetables and fruits. Additionally, the community can also reduce the cost of purchasing

commercial fertilizers from the market. The materials which constitute the onion peelings extract

liquid fertilizer and the beneficial natural processes they produce contribute to a sustainable,

resource-efficient, and zero-waste environment in which the STC community is devoted to

developing.To prove this, “STC Launches Zero Plastic” (2019) reports that environment-friendly

activities like proper garbage segregation, recycling, composting and the zero plastic initiative have

been observed by the STC community (para.9). Also, the fertilizer industry where organic fertilizers

are a part of intends to save lives and the soil, and increase the communal level of human nutrition

and health (The Fertilizer Institute, 2012).

 Environment

According to Vinje (2012), many chemical fertilizers are manufactured from oil, thus their

production needs crucial expenditure in fossil fuels, which can cause more damage when they spill

off into waterways, making them harsh on the environment. Hunt (2010) indicates that the oxygen

necessary for aquatic animals can be depleted due to the chemical run-off of the extra fertilizer. She

also mentions that chemical fertilizers may lead to chemical burn to crops, increased air pollution,

and acidification of the soil. Vinje (2012) stressed that organic fertilizers like the product, not

purifying and simplifying chemicals, are complex compounds that include numerous secondary

nutrients and micronutrients besides the ones that they are usually known for. Significant

micronutrients of organic fertilizers from manures, powdered rocks, and wood ash, enhance the soil

quality and boosts its capacity to hold water and nutrients. (Vinje, 2012; Lipford, 2008).These

fertilizers like the onion peelings extract fertilizer have little to no threat of harmful chemical and

salt accumulation that can be fatal to plants (Lipford, 2003) This study also helps the environment

through the minimization of bio-waste product onion skin.

 Students/Future Researchers

The results derived from the experiment will help students or future researchers to be fully aware of

a natural alternative in fertilizing plants. They will be motivated to inform others, especially those

who need fertilizers about the product. Moreso, they will be challenged to foster new ideas in

providing an organic alternative to commercial fertilizers to supplement plants with required

elements that are found naturally in soil. The results may also inspire them to conduct further

studies about the potential of bio-waste as fertilizers and share their findings to the community to

solve environmental problems such as solid waste problems and preservation of plants.
E. Scopes and Limitations of the Study

The researchers conducted the study at St.Theresa’s College of Cebu to have a proper

observance of the product. The scope of the research was to produce an alternative liquid fertilizer for

plants specifically pechay, using onion peelings extract. The experimental method of research was

applied and pechay seeds were used for the experiment. For the experiment, three set-ups were

prepared where a commercial fertilizer was applied to the first set-up, liquid fertilizer from onion

peelings extract was fed to the second set-up and the last set-up was not fed with any fertilizer since it

was the control group. Three clay pots with the same height, loose soil, nine pechay seeds and

measuring cups needed to prepare the set-ups. Equal amounts of soil and 300 ml of water was applied

to all set-ups. Three pechay seeds were placed in each pot, and they were given a week to germinate

before the plants in pot A and pot B were fertilized. The mean height and number of leaves of the plants

in each set-up were recorded after a week of being planted and prior to the application of fertilizers. In

creating the product, three onion bulbs, a pitcher, an empty plastic bottle and water were needed. The

pitcher was filled with 1 liter of water and the peelings of the three onions were taken off, placed inside

it and soaked for the next 24 hours. After a day, the onion peelings and its extract were separated by

being strained into a 1.5L plastic bottle. To formulate the commercial fertilizer, an empty plastic bottle

was filled with 1 liter of water. Four tablespoons of granules from the commercial fertilizer were then

poured into the bottle and was left for 24 hours. The fertilizers were applied in their respective set-ups

once a week. All set-ups were watered with 300 ml of water every day except for the plants in pot A and

pot B on Fridays since they were fed with 250 ml of fertilizer and only received 50 ml of water. After 1

week, the plant height and number of leaves of each plant were recorded every weekday. The

researchers took pictures weekly to document their growth and the set-ups were observed for 19 days.

On the last day of the experiment, the leaf surface area of the plants was measured. Technically, the

study was limited to families, individuals, and farmers who cannot afford to buy commercial fertilizer.
F. Definition of terms

 Antioxidant- a substance which prevents oxidation or reactions stimulated by oxygen, peroxides

or free radicals, like those of beta-carotene or vitamin C.

 Calcium-a metallic chemical element of the alkaline-earth group that naturally exists only in

combination and is important for cellular processes in organisms.

 Chemical fertilizers - any inorganic material of entirely or partly synthetic origin applied to the

soil in order to support the growth of plants.

 Commercial fertilizer- A formulated chemical mixture designed to be used as a fertilizer which is

distinct from natural substances like those of farm manures.

 Compost- a mixture mostly of decomposed organic material, used for fertilizing and maintaining

soil.

 Copper- a micronutrient essential for plant growth, as it performs a function in many enzyme

processes and is crucial for chlorophyll formation.

 Disease Resistance- the potential of certain species to resist the attack of pathogens and stay

completely uninfluenced and is used most frequently when referring to plants.

 Fertilizer- a substance utilized to create a more fertile soil such as manure or a chemical mixture.

 Iron- is a micronutrient needed by plants in small quantities and is involved in the production of

chlorophyll in plants, which provides them oxygen and a healthy green colour.

 Magnesium- an essential plant nutrient that has a wide range of functions in plant processes. It

also serves a fundamental part in the process of photosynthesis, and its lack is harmful to plant

growth.

 Nitrogen- an essential plant nutrient and an important element of chlorophyll, the compound in

which plants use sunlight energy to manufacture sugars from water and carbon dioxide.
 Organic- it entails the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer from plants or

animals without engagement of chemical fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics or pesticides.

 Phosphorus- it takes part in numerous plant processes such as photosynthesis, respiration,

energy storage and transfer, cell division, and cell enlargement .

 Potassium- a soft silvery-white reactive metal of the alkali metal group and the chemical

element of atomic number 19.It is an essential plant nutrient and is required in large amounts

for proper growth and reproduction of plants. This is the chemical element of the atomic

number 19, the soft silver-white reactive metal of the alkali metal group. It is an important plant

nutrient needed in large amounts for suitable plant growth and propagation.

 Quercetin- a yellow crystalline pigment present in plants, used as a food supplement to reduce

allergic responses or boost immunity.

 Sulfur- a nonmetallic chemical element that is an essential element for all life, resembles oxygen

in chemical properties, and is used especially in the form of sulfuric acid to extract phosphorus

from ores.

 Trichoderma- a form genus of imperfect fungi of the family Moniliaceae having non septate

conidia borne in heads on 2-branched or 3-branched conidiophores.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

 Related Literature

The bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) locally known as "sibuyas" is perhaps the most important

culinary ingredient in the world particularly in favorite seasoning as it suitable for spicing up meat,

salads and vegetable dishes due to its strong smell and pungent flavor (Department of Agriculture,

2012; van der Meer & Leong, 2016). Despite bringing watery eyes when being chopped, onions may also

offer potential medical advantages which includes lowering the risk of different types of cancer,

improving mood, and keeping a healthy skin and hair (Ware,2019). Addtionally the vegetable is known

to be used in treating many physiological ailments such as cough, obesity, insomnia, hemorrhoids, and

constipation (Department of Agriculture, 2012). Aside from that, van der Meer and Leong (2016) noted

that onions holds a key role in traditional medicine as a diuretic, for example. Moreover,its function in

inhibiting both the blood sugar level and platelet aggregation has recently been revealed.

Since ancient healers were unaware of the richest component of the onion, “How to use onion”

(2014) claimed that they spontaneously used it as remedy for many diseases. The vegetable’s

components of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, fluorine,iodine,sulfur,

nitrogenous substances, and saponins, doesn’t only benefit the humans but also impact the growth and

development of crops. The six essential nutrients needed by plants for growth and survival are nitrogen,

phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and calcium (Ersek, 2012). Noticeably, these nutrients are

present in onions.
 Ersek (2012) wrote that onions, especially the red ones, are known to have a rich source of

quercetin ,an element belonging to the group of flavonoids. Quercetin can reinforce the plants' root

system, providing them with adequate nourishment because it is proven to have antioxidant,

immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, regenerative, anti-allergic, tumor, and cardioprotective

properties. “8 Onion Skin Uses”(2019) stated that the onion peelings can therefore be made into an

organic liquid fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen, phosporus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and

copper. Disease resistance, growth, strong stems, and productivity of plants will be raised by the usage

of the liquid fertilizer from the peelings. Ersek (2012) explained that the onion peelings produced after

preparing the onions for cooking , not only substantially enhance the soil structure and deter pests but

also contain substances that eliminate pathogens.

A fertilizer is a chemical or natural substance that is added to soil or tissues of plants to supply

the plant nutrients necessary for plant growth (Scherer, Mengel, Kluge, & Severin, 2009). As stated by

Miller (2018), the soil is supplemented with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium ,the macronutrients

needed in large amounts by fertilizers. The British Broadcasting Corporation also wrote that fertilizers

contribute to fast-growing and bigger crops in order to increase yields. The compounds employed must

be water-soluble so they can be consumed by plants from their roots.Furthermore, Miller (2018)

pointed out that organic fertilizers have natural origins of either plant or animal that are either an

output of naturally occurring processes like manures, leaves, and compost; while inorganic fertilizers

are produced through synthetic procedures and contains minerals. Though several inorganic or chemical

fertilizers originated from natural mineral deposits, Pokorny (2015) discussed that these are sometimes

referred to as commercial fertilizers since they undergo a manufacturing process. Farmers are using

organic fertilizers because of their low cost and healthy impacts on soil.(“Organic Fertilizers Market,”

2020).
 Brust (2019) declared that fertigation,the application of liquid organic fertilizers through a drip

irrigation system, renders chances for more effective use of nitrogen. Buchanan(2000) asserted that the

absorption of any nutrient in a water-soluble form is easily accessible by plants immediately after

employment, contributing to an improved fertilizer usage (as cited in Brust, 2019,p.206). Brust (2019)

suggests that individuals can lessen nutrient deficiences from the root zone if nutrients are supplied to

plants shortly before they are necessary. He also added that the utilization of liquid fertilizers can be

frequent, based on the required nutrients of the crops. Marr (1993) acknowledged that this results to a

better management of the producers on the availability of nutrients to their crops(as cited in Brust,

2019, p.206).

 Related Studies

Pellejero, Miglierina, Aschkar, Turcato, and Jiménez-Ballesta (2017) has proven the positive

impacts in the application of organic fertilizer to soils through studying the effects of the onion residue

compost as an organic fertilizer in the lower valley of the Rio Negro in Argentina. Pellejero et al.(2017)

assessed the effectivity of compost as organic fertilizer, based on a mix of onion waste and bovine

manure in improving soil quality through an experiment in a completely randomized design(CRD) that

includes ten copies of each of the five treatments and one control. The study examined the impact

between the application of differing compost dosages and the product of growing a lettuce (Lactuca

sativa). Flowerpots and experimental plots, in Aridisol which is a typical soil of the region,pH 8.3 and

2.2% of organic matter, combined with varying compost quantities (20, 40, 60 and 80 Mg ha− 1) and the

chemical treatment, Urea (0.26 Mg ha− 1) ,were used inside a greenhouse to plant the lettuces and

execute the tests in plant pots and plots for two consecutive years (Pellejero et al.,2017). Various
compost dosages were applied on a typical Lower Valley soil categorized as Aridisol, with low content of

organic matter.

The results have shown that each treatment resulted in higher yields than control and the

increase in output variables measured after harvesting were caused by the application of increasing

compost quantities. In addition, it was found that the highest fresh weights and total weights of the

lettuces were provided by the employment of urea and the highest compost doses of 60 Mg ha− 1 and

80 Mg ha−1, identifying that the largest root lengths were proved by chemical fertilization and the

highest compost dosages. Overall, in the urea treatments and in the lowest compost dosages, the

lowest N, P and K content in lettuce leaves was observed, whereas the highest compost dosages can

substitute chemical fertilization with adequate outcomes. It can be concluded that the addition of

organic fertilizer to soils, has positive effect on the fresh weight of the plant, recommending the use of

doses of 60 Mg ha−1 while the dose of 80 Mg ha−1 could replace the use of chemical fertilizers such as

Urea.

ha every treatment produced

higher
yields than control, while
underlining that the usage of
growing compost dosages
caused the increase of produc-
tion variables, which were
measured after harvesting.
Furthermore, it is observed
that application of urea and
hat every treatment produced
higher
yields than control, while
underlining that the usage of
growing compost dosages
caused the increase of produc-
tion variables, which were
measured after harvesting.
Furthermore, it is observed
that application of urea and
ht every treatment produced
higher
yields than control, while
underlining that the usage of
growing compost dosages
caused the increase of produc-
tion variables, which were
measured after harvesting.
Furthermore, it is observed
that application of urea and
hat every treatment produced
higher
yields than control, while
underlining that the usage of
growing compost dosages
caused the increase of produc-
tion variables, which were
measured after harvesting.
Furthermore, it is observed
that application of urea and
Martínez-Alcántara, Martínez-Cuenca, Bermejo, Legaz and Quiñones (2016) showed that

mandarins fertilized with animal based liquid fertilizers displayed higher total tree biomass with a more

abundant growth of new developing organs such as leaves and fibrous roots because of its inherent
structure through a comparative study in Moncada, Spain on the two liquid fertilizers, an animal-based

fertilizer from sheep manure and a plant-based fertilizer obtained from maize residues, with mineral

fertilization on citrus . Martínez- Alcántara et al.(2016) noted that both mineral and organic sources of

the fertilizers have notable impacts in the nutrition of organic and commonly maintained

mandarins(Martínez-Alcántara et al. 2016). However, the study didn’t undermine the performance of

the liquid plant-based fertilizer as it demonstrated that liquid organic fertilization has facilitated the

increase in the amount of organic matter and nutrient concentration of citrus plants as opposed to

mineral fertilized citrus trees. Likewise, the study also reported that organic fertilization had beneficial

effects on the carbohydrate content and increased the content of organic matter in the soil. Because

they improve soil chemical fertility, avoid uncontrolled concentration of nitrate-N, foster plant growth

and carbon assimilation in the plant, Martínez- Alcántara et al.(2016) supports the use of liquid organic

fertilizers as effective alternative for mineral fertilizers in managing nutrients of citrus trees under drip

irrigation. Furthermore, these fertilizers would minimize the use of chemicals and reuse crop residues

and animal manure, granting them added value (Martínez-Alcántara et al. 2016).

Khairnar and Nair (2019) proved the potential of organic materials such as eggshell powder,

sweet lime peel powder and banana peel powder as fertilizers during a study in the University of

Mumbai, India. Khairnar and Nair (2019) focused on the use of eggshell and fruit peels for successful

plant growth. The study experimented on the formulation of eggshell and fruit peels for pH evaluation,

to control the the amount of eggshell powder, sweet lime powder, and banana peel powder needed for

a certain soil (Khairnar & Nair ,2019). In addition,the pH testing of samples revealed that eggshell is less

acidic and banana naturally alkaline while sweet lime is acidic,because of the presence of citric acid.

Additonally, the study utilized a CNHS Analyzer to investigate the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and

hydrogen (H) content from eggshell powder and fruit peels (Khairnar & Nair ,2019).Eggshell has a high
 supply of calcium that decreases soil acidity which enhances crop production indirectly, and regulates

other metabolic processes and biochemical functions.Khairnar and Nair (2019) showed that sweet lime

peel powder has a higher percentage of nitrogen (1.197 percent in 2.114 mg) and carbon (38.053

percent in 2.114 mg), while banana peel powder has a higher percentage of hydrogen (6.153 percent in

2.256 mg) compared to the remaining samples. This experimental study shows that all three powders

can be used as fertilizers without cost bearing as these organic wastes are obtained from household

waste.

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