CHAPTER 4

4.5 Physical Observation Of Plants

For the physical observations, the height of plants and the diameter of stem were
observed and recorded once every week for 10 weeks period. The height of plant is measured
from bottom to the shoot of the plant using measuring tape, while the diameter of the stem is
measured 10cm from bottom for every plant by using digital Vernier. From the result that has
been recorded, plants sample at dilution 20% showed most significant increase in diameter of
stem which is 0.775cm and the highest diameter of stem recorded is dilution 20% sample 5
(D20S05) which is 0.86cm based on Graph 3.1. For height of plant, sample at dilution 15%
showed significant increase in average height of plant compared to other dilutions, especially
on week 10 which is 61.8cm followed by dilution 20% which is 48.7cm that is shown at
Graph 3.2. The tallest height plant recorded is dilution 20% sample 05 (D20S05) which is
77.2cm.
Sample Dilution (%) Average Height (cm)
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10
0 17.1 15.8 10.4 19.5 21.9 22.9 23.8 28.8 30.5 32.3
5 18.5 19.5 21.0 25.4 28.8 30.0 30.8 33.2 36.5 38.5
10 17.0 17.9 21.0 26.4 31.5 32.2 33.5 35.1 37.1 39.6
15 19.0 22.8 25.7 32.1 38.6 46.0 51.1 55.9 59.3 61.8
20 18.0 20.5 23.8 28.0 32.1 36.1 39.8 43.3 45.4 48.7
Table3.1 Average Height of Plant
Sample Dilution (%) Average Diameter (cm)
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10
0 0.246 0.255 0.290 0.300 0.355 0.375 0.4 0.435 0.465 0.5
5 0.218 0.132 0.292 0.353 0.390 0.417 0.43 0.447 0.473 0.523
10 0.222 0.280 0.320 0.393 0.435 0.455 0.483 0.503 0.535 0.585
15 0.214 0.348 0.408 0.458 0.504 0.578 0.615 0.633 0.668 0.718
20 0.218 0.282 0.374 0.436 0.510 0.600 0.622 0.655 0.698 0.775
Table3.2 Average Diameter of Stem

Graph 3.1 Diameter Vs Dilution Graph 3.2 Height Vs Dilution

4.6 Nutrient Content In Plant Growth

Composted food waste contains nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. Applying

a fertilizer high in nitrogen will cause certain plants to put all their energy into producing
foliage at the expense of flowers. Nitrogen promotes leaf development because of its role in the
plants' colouring and chlorophyll. Other than that, it is actually found in healthy soils, gives
plants the energy to grow and produces fruits and vegetables. At the opposite end of the
spectrum, gardeners sometimes encounter the problem of nitrogen depletion. The yellowing of
typically green plants often indicates a nitrogen deficiency. High concentration of nitrogen can
cause stability issues, leaching nutrients and over-stimulating top growth. Some fertilizers use
a “quick release” formulation that allow for fast greening, but provide for no long-term
health.

Phosphorus and potassium have some overlapping roles. Phosphorus plays a key role in
the growth of roots, blooming, and fruiting, which is why it is an essential nutrient for your
plants in spring. Phosphorus is a key element in contributing to improve yield and quality of
crops, playing essential role in photosynthesis and respiration. It is necessary for energy
transformation in plant cells, cell division, development of meristem tissue, early root
development, tillering and flowering and seed development (Memon, 1996). It improves root
growth, hastens seed maturity and increases fruit yield especially when applied in
combination with nitrogen (Pandey & Dubey, 1996). Potassium also plays a part in root
growth as well as in stem development.
 Sample Dilution (%) NITROGEN
W1 W2 W3 W4
0 0 0 0 0
5 24.5 24.5 40.25 31.8
10 54.9 54.6 61.9 32
15 79 95.75 143.5 133
20 90 125 38.75 288
Table3.3 Nitrogen Content Vs Dilution

Sample Dilution (%) PHOSPHATE

W1 W2 W3 W4
0 0 0 0 0
5 46.945 18.995 42.37 25.3
10 22.46 37.5 16.185 4.65
15 -22.08 16.09 48.15 15.78
20 944.5 33.3 24.125 25.56
Table3.4 Phosphate Content Vs Dilution

Sample Dilution (%) NITRATE

W1 W2 W3 W4
0 0 0 0 0
5 8.95 3.85 6.5 6.4
10 10.95 4.3 11.3 20.1
15 20.8 25.25 0.85 66.05
20 9.3 6.15 3.3 105.65
Table3.5 Nitrate Content Vs Dilution

Graph 3.3 Nitrogen Vs Dilution Graph 3.4 Phosphate Vs

Dilution
 Graph 3.5 Nitrate Vs Dilution
CHAPTER 5

5.1 Conclusion

On the purpose of using food waste as fertilizer can affect the growth of the tree
because it contains the composition required by the plants. The study has shown that the
method of food composting added with water, brown sugar and Yakult is able to enhance the
presence of the phosphorus, nitrogen and nitrate in the liquid fertilizer. Among the
parameters that is studied in this thesis, the highest height of plant from soil to shoot is on the
X dilution. Not only that, plants on 20% dilution also has showed great significance in terms
of diameter of the stem. The result showed that the ideal level of phosphorus in soil is 30-50
ppm while the optimum level for nitrogen in soil is 25-50 mg-N/kg. The result also showed
that to achieve the optimum level of NPK, the dilution is important be made so that the liquid
fertilizer is suitable for the plants.
This study developed a solution for organic yet economic fertilizer, which can be applied to
plant growth promotion in practical agricultural production. The involved mechanisms are
expected to achieve positive impacts of this product towards the agricultural communities for
further investigation.
5.2 Recommendation

The numbers on an organic fertilizer label refer to the concentration of three major nutrients
in the material: nitrogen (or N), phosphate (or P2O5 ), and potassium (potash, or K2O). For
example, a 6-12-0 fertilizer (bone meal; Figure 2) contains 6% nitrogen, 12% phosphate
(P2O5), and 0% potash (K2O). One-hundred pounds of this material would contain 6 pounds
of nitrogen (100 x 0.06), 12 pounds of phosphate (100 x 0.12) and no potash. Fertilizer labels
on organic products have been standardized so that the concentration of nitrogen, phosphate,
and potash always appear in the same order on the front of the package (Johnson, M., &
Koenig, R., 2011).

Many organic fertilizers also contain other nutrients like sulfur, iron, and zinc; however,
concentrations of these are usually not given on the label because levels are either too low or
too variable to be specified. In addition to supplying nutrients, regular use of organic
fertilizers also increases soil organic matter levels, which improves soil physical properties
like water holding capacity, drainage, and tilth (the physical condition of soil related to
structure and the ease of tillage) (Shepherd, M. A., Harrison, R., & Webb, J, 2002). Fertilizer
needed ' X lbs of nutrient 1000 sq. feet × 1 lb fertilizer Y lb nutrient × Z sq. feet area. If
nitrogen and phosphorus are recommended, select a high nitrogen- and phosphorus
containing material, or a combination of two separate materials to meet the requirement. For
fast growing plants with high nutrient requirements like corn and potatoes (Table 1), use
materials that release nutrients rapidly (Table 2). Slow growing plants and xeriscapes can be
fertilized with a moderate availability material. Materials with slow to very slow nutrient
availability, while good sources of organic matter, generally make poor sources of nutrients
for most plants.

The variety of organic fertilizers on the market means the homeowner can find a product to
meet any need. Organic fertilizers vary considerably in price. Bulk quantities of organic
materials are less expensive than small packages and should be purchased when fertilizing
large garden and landscape areas. Tables Fertilizer needs should be determined after carefully
evaluating the current fertility level of the soil and the nutrient needs of the crop to be grown,
and setting realistic yield expectations (Hodges, S. C., 2010). It is strongly suggested that
yield potential be based on a historical yield tendency for a field or a region.

Recent research has shown that more productive areas of fields require less fertilizer,
particularly N, than less productive areas of the field because they tend to be higher in
organic matter and have a higher seasonal moisture content. The exception to this would be
saline areas that are commonly high in residual N. Several of our N recommendations are
“capped” at a maximum rate. In years that support higher yields than our N recommendation
formulas indicate, our data show that greater N release from the soil will support these higher
yields without requiring additional supplemental N fertilizer.

Nitrogen
Nitrogen (N) recommendations for most crops except some legumes are based on the amount
of nitrate-N (NO3-N) in the top 2 feet of soil and the yield potential. Nitrogen fertilizer
recommendations are not adjusted based on method of placement, but they are adjusted for
previous crop and depth of sampling. To determine the amount of recommended fertilizer N,
subtract the amount of NO3N in the soil as determined by soil test and N-credit from the
previous crop, if applicable, from the total amount of available N needed for a particular yield
goal and crop. Some crop residues have a lower carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio than others,
which results in a release of plant available N through rapid decomposition (Franzen, D. W.,
2003). Also, the mass of residue of some crops is smaller than others. Evidence also indicates
that some crops may accelerate the normal N mineralization rate from organic matter.
Nitrogen availability is greater after crops with a lower C/N ratio and crops having a lower
mass of residue with less ability to tie up N during decomposition.

Phosphorus and Potassium

The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) recommended in these tables is the amount to be
applied as a broadcast application. Since banded fertilizer generally is used more efficiently
in the year of application, the amount of P2O5 and K2O in the tables can be reduced by one-
third when banding. Some crops are very sensitive to fertilizer salt injury. No fertilizer is
recommended with the seed for these crops in 15-inch rows or wider. Broadcast
recommendations of P or K for low and very low testing soils include buildup P and K rates.
When rates are reduced, soil test levels are not increased through time. A long-term P and K
strategy should include buildup to medium soil test levels at some future date. Near
maximum yield potential is achieved only when these soil test levels are reached. Application
of less than maintenance rates will result in a decline in P and K levels through time and an
accompanying decline in the productivity of most crops.