Eggplant, (Solanum melongena), also called 

aubergine or Guinea squash,

tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits. Eggplant

requires a warm climate and has been cultivated in its native Southeast Asia since remote antiquity.

They grow fastest when temperatures are between 70° and 85°F (21° and 30°C)—and very slowly during

cooler weather (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019). The plant is closely related to the tomato (Solanum

lycopersicum) and the potato (S. tuberosum) as well as to several poisonous nightshades. Eggplant is

usually grown as an annual and features an erect bushy stem that is sometimes armed with spines.

The leaves are large, ovate, and slightly lobed. The pendant violet flowers are

characteristically solitary and approximately 5 cm (2 inches) across. The fruit is a large egg-

shaped berry with a glossy surface that varies in colour from dark purple to red, pink, yellowish, or white

and is sometimes striped; the colour and shape of the white variety is the source of the common name

(Boeckmann, 2022).

According to SF Gate (2021), the familiar purple, egg-shaped eggplants are considered Italian

types. These include 'Black Magic' and 'Classic' cultivars. Asian eggplants vary in shape and color,

including purple, purple and white or green and white cultivars, and have thinner skins and a delicate

flavor when compared to the Italian cultivars. Other specialty types may be purple, pure white like

'Casper' or produce miniature fruits like 'Hansel' and 'Gretel.

Plants require essential nutrients; macronutrients and micronutrients in forms that are usable

by plants and in concentrations optimum for plant growth (Brady, 1984). The various nutrients must be

supplied in amounts that are balanced. Macronutrients are required by plants in large quantities. These

include nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium magnesium and sulfur. Nitrogen, phosphorus and

potassium are commonly supplied to the soil as manure and as inorganic fertilizers. Micronutrients are

required by plants in very small quantities. Some of the micronutrients needed by plants are iron, zinc,
boron, copper and molybdenum. The availability of these nutrients is low in highly leached sandy soils

and those that are highly alkaline and organic in nature. Organic manures and artificial fertilizers are the

major sources of micronutrients (Suge, 2013). Most soil does not contain the essential nutrients needed

for optimal plant growth. Also, as plants grow, they absorb nutrients from the soil, ultimately leaving it

depleted. Thus, most gardens need to be fertilized to ensure that plants have the nourishment they

need to survive (McDonell, 2018).

Plants must have light, moisture and nutrients to grow. The sun provides light. Moisture comes

from rainfall or irrigation. Nutrients come from fertilizers, compost or manure. If plants are not growing

well, fertilizing them will help only if a lack of nutrients is the cause of the problem. Plants grown in

poorly drained soils, in excessive shade, or in competition with tree roots will not respond to fertilizer.

Fertilizers are either organic or inorganic. Examples of organic fertilizers include manure (poultry, cow or

horse), bone meal, cottonseed, or other naturally occurring materials. Inorganic fertilizers are man-

made products. They usually have a higher nutrient content (Masabni). According to the Department of

Agriculture, the major nutrient elements needed by plants are as follows: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P),

Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S), Zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe).

There are several ways to mix and combine different ingredients that would constitute a good

organic fertilizer. As a key component of agricultural sustainability, organic fertilizer contributes greatly

to improving soil fertility (Aseffa, 2019). The word organic applied to fertilizers usually means that the

nutrients contained in the product are derived solely from the remains of a once-living organism (Savoy,

N.A.). Organic materials usually are those that undergo decomposition. Generally, organic fertilizers

contain micro-elements which are needed by plants. Organic materials are made of farm waste, weeds,

grasses, animal manure and other substrates that contain either macro- or micro-nutrients. Organic

fertilizers mainly improves soil condition and fertility. It loosens the soil making it friable and productive.

Also, it balances soil temperature, holds moisture and releases nutrients needed by the plants. The use
of organic fertilizers is also necessary to improve the physical and physiological properties of the soil.

They supply micronutrients needed by the plant for better, healthier and safer produce (Department of

Agriculture).

Eggshells can be utilized for various purposes that minimize their effect on environmental

pollution. Eggshells present healthy, balanced calcium due to its trace amounts of other minerals and is

probably the best natural source of calcium. It also provides a valuable source of calcium for growing

plants and also deters certain pests without the need for chemicals. It consists of 93% calcium carbonate

and other trace elements which make it an organic fertilizer (Murali, 2015). Most good quality eggshells

from commercial layers contain approximately 2.2 grams of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate.

The average eggshell contains about .3% phosphorus and .3% magnesium and traces of sodium,

potassium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper. If the calcium from the shell is removed, the organic

matrix material is left behind. This organic material has calcium binding properties and its organization

during shell formation influences the strength of the shell. The organic material must be deposited so

that the size and organization of the crystalline components (calcium carbonate mostly) are ideal, thus

leading to a strong shell (Butcher and Miles, 2019).

According to Cervera, et. Al. (2017), the use of spent coffee grounds (SCG) as organic

amendment is a triple solution: a reuse of this bio-residue (6 millions of tons per year), an increase in

soil organic carbon (SCG contain 82% of carbohydrates and 13% of proteins) and a decrease in CO2

emissions into the atmosphere. Nitrogen-rich proteins needed for seed germination and growth

comprise over 10% of coffee grounds. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of coffee grounds can be as low as

11:1, an ideal ratio for plant and soil nutrition. Since coffee is extracted in water, most of the

hydrophobic compounds, including oils, lipids, triglycerides, and fatty acids remain in the grounds, as do

insoluble carbohydrates like cellulose and various indigestible sugars. Structural lignin, protective

phenolics, and the aroma-producing essential oils are also left over from the brewing process. It is this
last group of chemicals that are reported to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Coffee

ground composts and mulches have enhanced sugar beet seed germination and improved growth and

yield of cabbage and soybeans. It’s been an effective replacement for peat moss in producing

anthuriums (Chalker-Scott, 2019). Moreover, according to McDonell (2018), coffee grounds make great

fertilizer because they contain several key nutrients required for plant growth. They can also help attract

worms and decrease the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil.

Acacia, (genus Acacia), genus of about 160 species of trees and shrubs in the pea family

(Fabaceae). Acacias are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world,

particularly Australia (where they are called wattles) and Africa, where they are well-known landmarks

on the veld and savanna. Acacias’ distinctive leaves take the form of small finely divided leaflets that

give the leafstalk a feathery or fernlike (i.e., pinnate) appearance. In many Australian and Pacific species,

the leaflets are suppressed or absent altogether, and the leafstalks (petioles) are flattened and perform

the physiological functions of leaves. The leafstalks may be vertically arranged and bear thorns or sharp

curved prickles at their base. Acacias are also distinguished by their small, often fragrant  flowers, which

are arranged in compact globular or cylindrical clusters. The flowers are usually yellow but occasionally

white and have many stamens apiece, giving each one a fuzzy appearance. The fruits are legumes and

are highly variable in appearance, depending on the species (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2020). Nitrogen

(N) fixing trees including many species of Acacia are one of the important components of savanna

ecosystems (Elsevier 2008). These trees exhibit mutualistic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria living in

their root nodules. The bacteria is sheltered in the root nodules of the species of Acacia and in turn fixes

atmospheric nitrites to nitrates (nitrogen) available for plant utilization (Brockwell et al. 2005, Mugunga

and Mugumo 2013, Sitters et al. 2015), thus the two way benefit, both for the bacteria and the host

trees. As a result, these trees enrich savanna soils with nitrogen.

 A fertilizer is said to be a complete or mixed fertilizer when it contains nitrogen, phosphorus and

potassium (the primary nutrients). An incomplete fertilizer will be missing one or more of the major

components. Incomplete fertilizers are blended to make complete fertilizers. When these quantities are

combined, each quantity is diluted by the other two materials by one-third, provided each fertilizer

material contributed equal weight to the blend. The fertilizer ratio indicates the proportion of N, P 2O5

and K2O contained in the fertilizer (Savoy, N.A.). According to Masabni (N.A.), a complete fertilizer is one

that includes all three elements. All parts of a plant need nitrogen for growth—the roots, leaves, stems,

flowers and fruits. Nitrogen gives plants their green color and is needed to form protein. A lack of

nitrogen causes the lower leaves to turn yellow and the whole plant to turn pale green. On the other

hand, too much nitrogen kills plants. Phosphorus is needed for cell division and to help form roots,

flowers and fruit. Phosphorus deficiency causes stunted growth and poor flowering and fruiting. Plants

need potassium for many of the chemical processes that allow them to live and grow. A potassium

shortage shows up in various ways, but stunted growth and yellowish lower leaves are common

symptoms in many plants.

References:

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2019, November 26). “eggplant”. Encyclopedia

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/plant/eggplant

Boeckmann, C. (2021, January). “Eggplant”. https://www.almanac.com/plant/eggplants

SF Gate Contributor (2021, June 17). “Fertilizers for Eggplant”

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fertilizers-eggplant-22235.html

Brady, N. C. (1984). “The nature and property of Soils”. 9 th Edition Macmillan Publishing
Company. England.

Suge, J.K. (2013). “EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, YIELD AND
FRUIT QUALITY OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongenal)”.
http://erepository.uoeld.ac.ke/handle/123456789/851

Assefa, S. (2019). “The Principal Role of Organic Fertilizer on Soil Properties and Agricultural
Productivity – A Review”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339816315_The_Principal_Role_of_Organic_Fertilizer_on_S
oil_Properties_and_Agricultural_Productivity_-A_Review

Murali, S. B. (2015). “Impact of Eggshells in Organic Agriculture”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
274706239_IMPACT_OF_EGGSHELLS_IN_ORGANIC_AGRICULTURE

Chalker-Scott, L. (N.A.). “Coffee Grounds – Will They Perk Up Plants?” p. 4, Master Gardener
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/coffee-grounds.pdf

Cervera, A., et. al. (2017). “Impact of spent coffee grounds as organic amendment on soil fertility
and lettuce growth in two Mediterranean agricultural soils”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320214099_Impact_of_spent_coffee_grounds_as_organic_a
mendment_on_soil_fertility_and_lettuce_growth_in_two_Mediterranean_agricultural_soils

Elsevier, B. V. (2008). ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ECOLOGY. Radarweg 29, 1043 XN Amsterdam, The

Netherlands.

Brockwell, J., et. al. (2005). “Nitrogen Fixation in Acacias: an Untapped Resource for Sustainable
Plantations, Farm Forestry and Land Reclamation”.

Mugunga, C. P., and D. T. Mugumo (2013). “Acacia sieberiana Effects on Soil Properties and
Plant Diversity in Songa Pastures, Rwanda”.
 Sitters, J., et. al. (2015). “Acacia tree density strongly affects N and P fluxes in savanna”.
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Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, May 12). "acacia". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12
May. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/plant/acacia. Accessed 6 March 2022

Butcher, G., and Miles, R. (2019, February 2). “Concepts of Eggshell Quality”. University of
Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VM013

McDonell, K. (2018, April 12). “16Creative Ways to Use Old Coffee Grounds”
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/uses-for-coffee-grounds

Savoy, H. (N.A.). “Fertilizers and Their Use”. Associate Professor Extension Plant and Soil Science.
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/pb1637.pdf

Department of Agriculture, AGRICULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTE – Cordillera Administrative

Region. “Major Fertilizers and their Roles in Rice production”.
https://ati.da.gov.ph/ati-car/sites/default/files/MajorFertilizersandTheirRolesinRiceProduction.pdf

Masabni, J. (N.A.). “Fertilizing a Garden”.

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/fertilizing/#:~:text=A%20complete%20fertilizer
%20is%20one,is%20needed%20to%20form%20protein.