VALORIZATION OF SUPERABSORBENT POLYMERS FROM USED

DISPOSABLE DIAPERS AS SOIL MOISTURE RETAINER FOR THE

GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MONGO (Vigna radiata) SEEDLINGS

A RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTED IN THE RESEARCH AND

BIOTECHNOLOGY TEACHERS OF TOBOSO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING (STE) PROGRAM

JHANA MIKAELA H. CARBELLEDO

KATHLEEN KAYE LOUISE C. ENESIMO

MARCH 2020
Abstract

The increasing impacts on the environment due to agricultural practices in the

country have gradually affected the quality of the soil in terms of structure and biological

equilibrium, which has required the development of alternative practices to minimize and

mitigate those impacts, parallel to the improvement on the yield per cultivated area and

economical benefits for producers and farmers. In addition, the amount of food that

society of today require for processing and supply of the industry has encouraged the

creation of new options for agricultural practices, tending to be:

i) less invasive to the environment

ii) cheaper than conventional techniques

iii) able to increase efficiency at low costs

iv) able to obtain better characteristics on harvests and

v) ease of use and implementation with no excessive technical requirements.

As a result, technologies such as bio fertilization have emerged in order to

minimize environmental impacts and take advantage of the resources available in the

field. The main scope of this paper is to assess researches performed with the use of bio

fertilization, mentioning their advantages and limitations, reviewing some results on

efficiency and benefits acquired in recent years and highlighting their potential for better

agricultural practices community-wide.

 Chapter I

Introduction

The growing need for supply of agronomic products for food and consumer goods

processing by the modern society has caused substantial increases in agrarian activities in

recent decades. As a result, the need for implementation of methods that allow, among

other things, to improve the efficiency of crops, mitigate adverse impacts on the soil,

reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and increase revenues per cultivated area, have

been addressed. For this reason, the implementation of conservative agriculture (CA)

models has been a cornerstone of farming practices globally (Benitez et al 2002; Morte et

al 2003). The CA focuses on reducing adverse impacts on the environment, increasing

crop yields and inputs, and implementing sustainable techniques for development of

agriculture.

Biological fertilization is based on the use of natural inputs including fertilizers,

decaying remains of organic matter, crops excess, domestic sewage, animal manure, and

microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria (Chirinos et al 2006). They are used to

improve fixation of nutrients in the rhizosphere, produce growth stimulants for plants,

improve soil stability, provide biological control, biodegrade substances, recycle

nutrients, promote mycorrhiza symbiosis, and develop bioremediation processes in soils

contaminated with toxic, xenobiotic and recalcitrant substances (Morte et al 2003;

Corpoica 2007; Rivera-Cruz et al 2008; Alvarez et al 2007).

Additionally, the use of bio-fertilizers can improve productivity per area in a

relatively short time, consume smaller amounts of energy, mitigate contamination of soil
and water, increase soil fertility, and promote antagonism and biological control of

phytopathogenic organisms (Chirinos et al 2006; Corpoica 2007; Porcuna et al 2002).

The aforementioned aspects are translated into profitable benefits for farmers as a result

of lower costs associated with the process of fertilization and higher crop yields

(Fundases 2005; Gonzalez et al 2002). In this sense, biologic fertilizers application can

bring benefits from an economic, social, and environmental point of view. However, the

implementation of fertilization techniques requires feasibility studies, monitoring of

environment variables involved in metabolic processes, acquisition of biological inputs,

capital investment, time, and trained personnel (Plaster 2000; Vanegas 2003; Alegre

2000; Fresco 2003). In order to achieve a sustainable agriculture is necessary the

implementation of plans, programs, projects and initiatives directed toward the

minimization of environmental impacts and consequent benefits for farmers and

producers.

As a result of recent investigations performed to effectively assess the

implementation of biological fertilizers under varying conditions, a review on their

benefits and limitations is required to provide a valid background for academics, farmers

and producers to perform future research complementing current work that deeply assess

economical, environmental and social aspects related to the agricultural expansion

worldwide. This paper focuses on the review of current research resulting from the use of

biological fertilizers in different regions of the world to obtain a framework that

facilitates the development of future investigations in the agricultural sector and,

consequently, promote the reduction of environmental impacts associated to the

permanent use of chemical fertilization. Firstly in this article, an introduction to bio

fertilization techniques is addressed to understand the fundamentals that explain their

functioning. Next in the paper, benefits and limitations of bio fertilizers are mentioned

followed by current researches’ results from the use of the techniques in various

geographical backgrounds. Finally, conclusions and recommendations complete the

paper.
Background of the Study

Many are of sure cognizance that fertilizers are used for proper and healthy growth of

plants, but are they really healthy? What exactly are fertilizers? Well, a fertilizer is a

substance, be it synthetic or organic, which is added to the soil in order to increase the

supply of essential nutrients that boost the growth of plants and vegetation in that soil.

With the rapid increase in population globally, the demand of food and agricultural yield

has been rising tremendously. This is the reason why statistics show that almost 40-60%

of agricultural crops mainly from lowlands and highly urbanized areas such as Metro

Manila are grown with the use of different types of fertilizers. Not only this, more than

50% people feed on crops that are grown as a result of using synthetic fertilizers. On the

other hand, there are organic fertilizers that consist of manures and animal wastes.
Objectives

This study aims to know if the hydrogels of used disposable diapers can be used

as organic fertilizer for the growth of mongo seeds. Specifically, it aims to:

1. to know if the hydrogels of used disposable diapers can be used as organic fertilizer for

the growth of mongo seeds;

2. to know the components present in diaper hydrogels being responsible for massive

absorption; and

3. to determine the level of satisfaction of using diaper hydrogels as stand-in organic

fertilizer in terms of its speedy growth plant potency, yielded crops or fruit,

congeniality to other soil types, affordability.

Statement of the Problem

This research study aims to know the effectiveness of Hydrogels of Used

Disposable Diapers as Organic Fertilizers for the Growth of Mongo (Vigna radiata)

Seeds. Specifically, this study sought answers to the following:

1. Can hydrogels of used disposable diapers can be used as organic fertilizer for the

growth of mongo seeds?

2. What are the components present in diaper gels being responsible for massive

absorption of nutrients in soil?

3. What is the level of satisfaction of using the diaper gel as stand-in organic fertilizer

in terms of its speedy growth plant potency, yielded crops or fruit, congeniality to other

soil types, affordability?

Hypothesis of the Study

1. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness in the use of hydrogels of

disposable used diapers.

2. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness in the use of hydrogels of

disposable used diapers on farmers.

3. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness in the use of hydrogels of

disposable used diapers on economy.

Conceptual Framework

Organic fertilizers comprise a variety of plant-derived materials that range from

fresh or dried plant material to animal manures and litters to agricultural by-products

(Wohlfarth and Schroeder, 1979; Das and Jana, 2003; Kumar et al., 2004). The nutrient

content of organic fertilizers varies greatly among source materials, and readily

biodegradable materials make better nutrient sources.

The hydrogel most commonly used in diapers is sodium polyacrylate. It's added to

the core of disposable diapers to soak up urine and keep moisture away from a baby's

skin, helping to prevent diaper rash. If you cut open a dry diaper, you'll find lots of small

beads mixed in with a fluffy pulp. Hydrogels have many applications today, from food

processing to mopping up oil spills, but they are most familiar as the magic ingredient in

disposable diapers.

Mongo seeds are the familiar white bean sprouts seen in stores and restaurants.

They're also known as mung beans, or mungbeans; their taxonomic name is Vigna

radiata. They're easy to sprout in the classroom or home, and they illustrate the stages of

germinating dicotyledonous seedlings -- dicots for short. Dicots sprout with separate

leaves on a stem, unlike single-leaf monocots like grass. Mongos are also epigeal,

meaning the seedlings emerge from their seed husks and leave them below ground.
Scope and Delimitation

This study entitled Hydrogels of Used Disposable Diapers as Organic

Fertilizer for the Growth of Mongo (Vigna radiata) Seeds is limited only to the

following:

1. Department of Agriculture. The focus of this study to the Department of

Agriculture is to teach the farmers the importance of

the organic fertilizers as well as its usage.

2. Farmers. The focus of this study to the farmers, they will learn how to recycle

the hydrogels of the disposable diapers and used it as organic

fertilizer.

3. Students. The focus of this study to the students is to let them know that the said

hydrogels can still be recycled.

Definition of Terms
 The following terms are conceptually and operationally defined.

1. Hydrogels It is conceptually defined as the most commonly used in diapers is sodium

polyacrylate. It's added to the core of disposable diapers to soak up urine

and keep moisture away from a baby's skin, helping to prevent diaper rash.

Operationally, it refers as the organic fertilizer.

2. Monggo (Vigna radiata) Seeds It is conceptually defined as white bean sprouts seen

in stores and restaurants. They're also known as

mung beans, or mungbeans. Operationally, it refers

to the seeds being fertilized by the hydrogels of

used disposable diapers.

Significance of the Study

 This study entitled Hydrogels of Used Disposable Diapers as Organic

Fertilizer for the Growth of Mongo (Vigna radiata) Seeds is deemed important to the

following:

1. Department of Agriculture. They are the first beneficiary of this study because

their department is the one who is responsible in all

agricultural duties. And if this study will be

successful they can promote this in all of the

farmers.

2. Farmers. They will also benefit in this study because this study is related to

their field. This can help them a lot in so many terms and ways. By

using this study, they can make their work easier.

3. Students. Students can also benefit in this study because they will be having

those knowledge in terms of farming and agricultural matters. And

this study can also help them to become more responsible and more

conscious in agriculture.

Chapter II
Review of Related Literature

With the advent of the so-called Green Revolution in the second half of the 20th

century—when farmers began to use technological advances to boost yields—synthetic

fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides became commonplace around the world not only on

farms, but in backyard gardens and on front lawns as well.

These chemicals, many of which were developed in the lab and are petroleum-

based, have allowed farmers and gardeners of every stripe to exercise greater control over

the plants they want to grow by enriching the immediate environment and warding off

pests. But such benefits haven’t come without environmental costs—namely the

wholesale pollution of most of our streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and even coastal areas, as

these synthetic chemicals run-off into the nearby waterways.

When the excess nutrients from all the fertilizer we use runs off into our

waterways, they cause algae blooms sometimes big enough to make waterways

impassable. When the algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that

removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic species can’t survive in these so-

called “dead zones” and so they die or move on to greener underwater pastures.

A related issue is the poisoning of aquatic life. According to the U.S. Centers for

Disease Control (CDC), Americans alone churn through 75 million pounds of pesticides

each year to keep the bugs off their peapods and petunias. When those chemicals get into

waterways, fish ingest them and become diseased. Humans who eat diseased fish can

themselves become ill, completing the circle wrought by pollution.

 A 2007 study of pollution in rivers around Portland, Oregon found that wild

salmon there are swimming around with dozens of synthetic chemicals in their systems.

Another recent study from Indiana found that a variety of corn genetically engineered to

produce the insecticide Bt is having toxic effects on non-target aquatic insects, including

caddis flies, a major food source for fish and frogs.

The solution, of course, is to go organic, both at home and on the farm. According

to the Organic Trade Association, organic farmers and gardeners use composted manure

and other natural materials, as well as crop rotation, to help improve soil fertility, rather

than synthetic fertilizers that can result in an overabundance of nutrients. As a result,

these practices protect ground water supplies and avoid runoff of chemicals that can

cause dead zones and poisoned aquatic life.

There is now a large variety of organic fertilizer available commercially, as well

as many ways to keep pests at bay without resorting to harsh synthetic chemicals. A

wealth of information on growing greener can be found online: Check out

OrganicGardeningGuru.com and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alternative

Farming System Information Center, for starters. Those interested in face-to-face advice

should consult with a master gardener at a local nursery that specializes in organic

gardening.
 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Procedure

Diaper Gels

1. For this project you’ll need one of these disposable diapers. New or

gently used, it doesn't really matter.

2. Now most people know that a diaper can hold quite a bit of liquid, but

you might be surprised to see how much.

3. We tried putting over 4 cups of water in this thing, and you can see that

in just a few seconds, all the fluid is completely absorbed, without a

drop left in the bowl.

4. To see what's inside, let's go ahead and rip it open, and dump the

contents into a bowl.

5. We can see that if we add a bit more water and mix it together, we've

got ourselves an amazing, fiber rich hydrogel.

6. We tried packing some of this stuff into an airtight bag and freezing it

overnight, to make an improvised ice pack that won't leak.

HYDRO SOIL

1. Now, we used food coloring to change the color of the gels, but when

working with plants it's best to leave it clear. This way, the plants won't

turn funny colors as they grow.

2. One adult sized diaper makes over 12 cups of hydrogel, and the small

pieces of cotton wadding break apart and mix right in.

3. Now we're going to need some all purpose potting soil that you can get at

any home improvement store, and a large mixing bowl to dump it in.

4. Add equal parts of dirt and gel, then begin working the two together until

they're thoroughly mixed.

5. Now we’ve got a super absorbent, super soil that's light and fluffy, and

perfect for your potted plants.

POTTED PLANTS

1. In the event of an extreme overwatering like this, you might expect that

the plants would drown, or begin to rot.

2. But with the hydrogels infused in the soil, we can see how the excess water

is quickly absorbed, keeping the soil damp and fluffy, and possibly saving

the plants as a result.

3. Now the reason this mixture will hold so much liquid is because of these

super-absorbent water crystals.

4. They'll hold over 500 times their weight in water, and if you want to

separate them out, try ripping apart the wadding in the diaper, and

shaking it upside down over a piece of paper. The cotton fluff should blow

away, and you'll be left with just the crystals.

5. Go ahead and throw a little soil into the pot first, then help the plant get

comfortable.
 6. To hold it firm in place, just keep packing more soil until everything sits

tight.

7. We can finish up by giving the plant a bit more water, and now with the

super crystals in your soil, your plant can go twice as long between

waterings, saving you time, and resources.

8. This diaper gel can work on your existing plants as well. As the gel

expands and contracts, it will naturally aerate the soil as it does.

9. Just grab a knife and a spoon, and gently nestle them down between the

roots, and spread them apart to form a gap.

10. Now we dropped some gel down to the roots, work the soil back together,

and continue around the pot until all your water-gel is used up.

SEED STARTERS

1. If you're looking for a lazy way to get your seeds started, just dump them

into a batch of the grow dough, and give it all a good mix, or you could

even just sprinkle the seeds on top.

2. Fill a container of your choice, add a bit of water, and find a place that you

can set it and forget it.

3. Over the course of a week, the seeds will automatically sprout and begin to

grow, without any extra effort, or any extra water.

4. For one final idea, you can help preserve your fresh cut flowers, by adding

sugar, vinegar, and a bit of bleach to some warm water.

 5. This will create a homemade flower food, and when you add your slush

powder, you'll see it absorbs the solution and slowly grows up to 60 times

its size.

6. By agitating the gel you can create an awesome effect that looks like

crushed ice.

7. Not only does it look cool, but it's slowly releasing water as the flowers

need it, and feeding them at the same time. The gel is completely non-

toxic.

GARDENING

It's biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, so it's a great option for

working into your garden.

Not only will this save you on watering costs, but it will also last quite a

few seasons before it needs to be replaced.

Well now you know how to take an ordinary diaper, and convert it into an

extraordinary super soil, that will help keep your plants happy, and hopefully

keep you happy as well.

Review of Conceptual Literature

Mother nature has always taught us to balance out everything, and still

continues to do so. If you eat a lot, your body naturally bloats up and tells you to

exercise and come back to shape. When you exercise too much, your body tells

you to slow down and relax. If there is rain, you also get the Sun, each and

everything works fine till a balance is maintained. And we all know the

consequences of imbalance. A classic example for the same would be the rise in

global warming due to various reasons, including deforestation. Same is the case

with fertilizers. The problem is that humans tend to use too much of fertilizers in

the soil because they have to cater to the global demand of food. As mentioned

already, more than half of the total yield production is out of synthetic or

inorganic fertilizers which contains components like nitrogen, potassium, sulfur,

calcium, magnesium, and so on. These chemicals and minerals, although help in

boosting the growth of plants, they also have their drastic side effects in the long

run. Mentioned below are some key points defining the effects of using fertilizers

on the environment.

Depletes the Quality of the Soil

Though this may sound ironic to you, the fact is that using too much of

fertilizers in the soil can alter the fertility of the soil by increasing the acid levels

in the soil. Which is why it is recommended to get a soil test done at least once in

every 3 years so that you can keep a track whether or not you are using the right

amount of fertilizers. The levels of soil pH varies from 0-14, wherein 0 is

considered to be the most acidic and 14 being the most basic. 7 is considered to
be neutral. The ideal soil pH varies from plant to plant and can be altered by

bringing in some changes. Bottom line for using too much of fertilizers in the soil

is that, though it may seem to work currently, there are high chances that you

may not use it for plant yielding in the long run. Alters the Biology of Water

Bodies

When you use too much of fertilizers in the soil, it leads to eutrophication.

Fertilizers contain substances like nitrates and phosphates that are flooded into

lakes and oceans through rains and sewage. These substances prove to become

toxic for the aquatic life, thereby, increasing the excessive growth of algae in the

water bodies and decreasing the levels of oxygen. This leads to a toxic

environment and leads to death of fish and other aquatic fauna and flora.

Indirectly, it contributes to an imbalance in the food chain as the different kinds

of fishes in the water bodies tend to be the main food source of various birds and

animals in the environment. You would be surprised to know that more than 50%

of the lakes in the United States are eutrophic!

Effects on Human Health

The nitrogen and other chemicals present in the fertilizers can also affect

the ground waters and waters that are used for the purpose of drinking. One of

the most common result for this can be the development of blue baby syndrome

which occurs in infants whose incapable enough of standing through sensitive air

conditions.
Materials

 Disposable diapers

 2-4 pots of soil

 Small shovel

 10 cups of water

 Bowl

 Improvised ice pack

 Knife

 Pots