FertiRICE: Use of the Rice Skin and Rice Water as Fertilizer for Eggplant

Growth

Researchers:

Fabela, Kinsley s.

Gelianilay, Harold P.

Troncoso, Hansen Jay L.

Vasquez, Donell Christopher Z.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

STEM-11 Birkeland
March 20, 2024
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Fertilizer use is increasing in the Philippines, which is indicative of both its

advantages and disadvantages for the farming industry. Although fertilizers have a

crucial role in increasing agricultural yields and guaranteeing food security, overuse

of them has negative consequences on multiple levels. The negative effects on the

environment include nutrient runoff that contaminates water and degrades soil,

endangering aquatic ecosystems as well as the viability of agriculture.

Over-reliance on inorganic fertilizers has a detrimental impact on biodiversity,

water quality, soil health, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it has a

direct impact on farmers' livelihoods by raising input costs and lowering soil fertility

over the long run. This project intends to explore alternative organic fertilizers in

response to these challenges, with a particular emphasis on utilizing rice skin and

rice water. These organic alternatives present a viable way to lessen the negative

impacts of inorganic fertilizers, encouraging environmentally friendly farming

methods that protect farmers' health and the environment. This study will be held in

Purok Kaunlaran, Baguntapay, Mlang, North Cotabato.

Exploring integrated approaches to nutrient management that maximize the

use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers customized to the many agroecological

contexts found throughout the Philippines is lacking in study, nevertheless. In order

to maximize agricultural sustainability and reduce environmental risks, context-

specific suggestions for nutrient management techniques can be identified by

evaluating the trade-offs and synergies between various approaches. Furthermore,

further research is required to determine the socioeconomic variables influencing

farmers' choices to implement sustainable agriculture methods and to assess the

success of legislative initiatives meant to encourage these shifts.

The goal of this research is to thoroughly explore how well rice water and skin

work as substitute fertilizers for enhancing the growth of eggplant plants. It aims to

explore every detail the intricate details of how these organic components affect

different parts of eggplant development, from fruit production to seedling growth.

Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the wider consequences of employing

these organic fertilizers on the neighboring ecosystem, including soil well-being,

water purity, and the ecological sustainability in all its aspects.

Research Objectives

This study aims to compare the effects of fertilizing eggplant growth with rice water

and rice skin with regular water.

• To determine the effect of rice water as a fertilizer on eggplant growth outcomes

(height and leaf) as compared to eggplant growth nourished with regular water.

• To evaluate the effectiveness of using rice skin as a natural fertilizer for enhancing

the growth and development of eggplant plants.

• To determine the underlying effects of these fertilizers on soil and water quality in

the surrounding area.

Scopes and Limitations

This study is about FertiRICE: Use of the Rice Skin and Rice Water as

Fertilizer for Eggplant Growth. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of

using Rice Skin and Rice Water as Fertilizer. The researchers will observe the

growth of eggplants with different fertilizers. The study will be conducted in Purok

Kaunlaran, Bagontapay, Mlang, North Cotabato.

Significance of the Study

This study is conducted to benefit the following:

• Farmers and other Agricultural Professionals: Farmers have the opportunity to

learn important lessons about alternate fertilization techniques that may increase

crop yields while lowering input costs. The results of the study can help guide

decisions on the use of rice skin and rice water as fertilizers, resulting in more

effective and sustainable farming methods.

• Consumers: The study's findings may have some indirect benefits to consumers

who want to eat product that is farmed sustainably and support ecologically friendly

farming methods. Utilizing rice water and rice skin as fertilizers could result in crops

that are healthier and more ecologically friendly, giving consumers more options in

the marketplace.

• Future Researchers: The results can serve as a foundation for additional research

into wider effects of rice by-products for agricultural systems and the effectiveness of

these materials as fertilizers.

Definition of Terms

• Rice Water: The liquid left over after rice grains are rinsed or soaked. This study

assesses rice water as a possible organic fertilizer for growing eggplants.

• Rice Skin: Often removed during the milling process, the rice skin is the outer

layer, or husk, of the grain. This study looks at rice skin as a natural soil replacement

and evaluates its impact on the growth and development of eggplant.

• Fertilizer: Within the scope of this investigation, fertilizers refer to both

conventional (e.g., chemical fertilizers) and alternative (e.g., rice water, rice skin)

sources of nutrients.

• Eggplant Growth: The chemical reactions and physical changes that eggplant

plants go through as they grow, that includes elements like plant height and leaf.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE (RRL)

This chapter includes various aspects such as ideas, completed theses and

conclusions. By exploring existing literature, this chapter provides valuable insights

and context for the research. It aids in identifying gaps in knowledge and highlights

the importance of the current study. The information gathered in this chapter

contributes to a better understanding of the topic.

Foreign

Combined Benefits of Fermented Washed Rice Water and NPK Mineral

Fertilizer on Plant Growth and Soil Fertility Over Three Field Planting Cycles

Abba Nabayi, Christopher Boon Sung Teh, Ali Kee Zuan Tan, Ngai Paing Tan, Dóra

Beke

The study conducted by Nabayi et al. (2023) investigated the combined

effects of fermented washed rice water (WRW) and NPK mineral fertilizer on plant

growth and soil fertility in open field conditions. The results demonstrated that the

treatment combining half the recommended NPK rate with 3-day fermented WRW

(N0.5R3) yielded the best outcomes in terms of plant growth, nutrient content,

uptake, and soil nutrient levels. N0.5R3 supplied the highest amounts of nutrients,

particularly nitrogen, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), leading to increased plant

growth and nutrient uptake. The combination of NPK with WRW partially offset the

negative impact of NPK on soil bacteria. The study emphasizes the importance of

surface mulching to minimize nutrient leaching prior to WRW application. Overall, the
findings highlight the potential of WRW as an effective fertilizer in open field

conditions when combined with NPK mineral fertilizer, offering benefits for

sustainable agriculture and water management (Nabayi et al., 2023).

Study on the Possibility of Converting Rice Husks to Organic Fertilizer using

Bacteria Pseudomonas Aeregenosa and Celullomonas Flavigena

Sulaf Hamid Taimooz, Basim Mohammed Kareem, Salwan Abdul Muaen Al-

Khaikany, Shahlaa Nassar Shadood

This review focuses on the study conducted by Sulaf Hamid Taimooz et al.

(2021) that explores the possibility of converting rice husks into organic fertilizer

using Pseudomonas aeregenosa and Celullomonas flavigena bacteria. The research

aims to address environmental pollution caused by the accumulation of rice husks in

agricultural regions by reusing them as raw materials for bacterial fermented organic

fertilizer. The study's findings indicate that the fermentation medium loaded with

Celullomonas flavigena bacteria derived from plants and soil positively influenced the

growth parameters of barley plants, including plant height, vegetative dry weight, and

root weight, outperforming the bacterial fermentation medium containing

Pseudomonas aeregenosa. These results highlight the potential of using these

bacteria to convert rice husks into organic fertilizer, providing a sustainable solution

for their reuse and contributing to environmental sustainability in agricultural

practices.

How is Organic Fertilizer Produced and Applied to Chili and Eggplant Plants?

Eny Dyah Yuniwati, Rani Darmayanti, Syed Muhammad Yousaf Farooq

This review examines the study conducted by Yuniwati, Darmayanti, and

Farooq (2023) on the production and application of fermented rice husk organic
fertilizer for chili and eggplant plants. The research demonstrates that this organic

fertilizer effectively improves soil properties and enhances plant growth and yield,

particularly when applied in polybags. By enriching the soil's physical, chemical, and

biological properties, organic fertilizer increases water retention and nutrient

availability for plants. The study highlights the significance of organic fertilizers in

sustainable agriculture practices and discusses the resourcefulness of farmers in

addressing challenges related to the scarcity of raw materials for fertilizer production.

Overall, the findings emphasize the potential of fermented rice husk organic fertilizer

in promoting the growth and productivity of chili and eggplant plants.

Optimizing Growth and Yield of Purple Eggplants using Rice Washing Water as

Organic Fertilizer

Mauludin Cahyono

This study conducted by Cahyono (2023) investigates the impact of rice

washing water as organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of purple eggplants. The

research, which utilized a Randomized Group Design, found that while rice washing

water had no effect on plant height and number of fruits, it significantly influenced the

number of leaves, fruit weight, and root length. The optimal dosage for achieving the

highest fruit weight was determined to be 300 ml. These findings provide valuable

insights for sustainable agriculture practices and highlight the potential of utilizing

rice washing water as an organic fertilizer for enhancing the growth and productivity

of purple eggplants.
 Effects of Rice Husk Compost on Some Soil Properties, Water Use

Efficiency and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Yield under Greenhouse and

Field Conditions

Zeynep Demir, Coşkun Gülser

Investigated the effects of rice husk compost (RHC) on soil properties, water

use efficiency (WUE), evapotranspiration (ETa), and tomato yield under field and

greenhouse conditions. The application of RHC improved soil quality parameters,

such as electrical conductivity, field capacity, and available water content, while

reducing soil pH and bulk density. RHC application also resulted in decreased ETa

values, with the highest reduction observed at 9% RHC in the field and 3% RHC in

the greenhouse. Significant correlations were found between soil organic matter

values and parameters such as bulk density, available water capacity, yield, and

WUE. The study suggests that applying 6% RHC in field conditions and 9% RHC in

greenhouse conditions can enhance WUE, improve soil quality, and increase tomato

yield. Demir, Z., & Gülser, C. (2021)

Local

A Comparative Study of Makeshift Rice Husks Fertilizer and Eggshells

Fertilizer to Urea Fertilizer and No Fertilizer on Home-Based Sweet Potato

(Ipomoea batatas) Gardening

Ivan Louise Beruño, Joanah Jasmine Colegio, Pauline Concepcion, Andrea

Damatac, Carlos Ignacio Jr, P Lugay

 This comparative study conducted by Ivan Louise Beruño et al.(2019) aims to

evaluate the effectiveness of makeshift fertilizers made from rice husks and

eggshells, commercial urea fertilizer, and no fertilizer on the vegetative growth of

home-based sweet potato gardening. The researchers analyzed the vine length, leaf

length and width, and overall acceptability through taste test surveys. Results

showed that the highest amounts of eggshell (300g) and rice husk (474g) fertilizers

produced the highest mean values for leaf and vine length. However, there was no

statistically significant difference in the overall vegetative growth among the four

fertilizers. In terms of sensory evaluation, no significant difference was observed in

the color, taste, aroma, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability of the sweet potato tops.

Urea fertilizer received the highest rating for mouthfeel and overall acceptability. The

study highlights the potential of sustainable fertilizers and recommends further

research on the appropriate usage and safety of urea fertilizer.

Plant Strategies for Maximizing Growth during Water Stress and Subsequent

Recovery in Solanum Melongena L. (Eggplant)

Evelyn F Delfin, Sarah Tepler Drobnitch, Louise H Comas

The study conducted by Evelyn F Delfin, Sarah Tepler Drobnitch, and Louise

H Comas (2021) aimed to identify hydraulic traits associated with high productivity

under water stress in different genotypes of S. melongena L. The study also

assessed the potential for recovery of these traits after re-watering. The findings

revealed that certain genotypes exhibited a water-spender strategy, characterized by

quick growth, smaller and thicker leaves, and poor hydraulic status, while others

adopted a water-saver strategy, maintaining safer water status and larger leaves but

sacrificing biomass gains. The genotype PHL 2778 performed the best under water
stress, showing increased root biomass allocation. Although all genotypes

experienced negative impacts on biomass traits during water deficit, physiological

traits such as electron transport capacity, root biomass allocation, fine root length,

and leaf area recovered after one week of re-watering. These findings suggest the

importance of considering these traits in the selection and breeding of eggplant

hybrids to ensure productivity and resilience in future agricultural scenarios.

Enhanced Growth and Yield of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) Applied with

Seaweed Extract.

KM Jamili, KML Catubis, PRL Pascual, RA Cabillo

The study conducted by KM Jamili, KML Catubis, PRL Pascual, and RA

Cabillo focused on enhancing the growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena

L.) through the application of seaweed extract. Eggplant is a valuable vegetable crop

due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. The study utilized Sargassum

polycystum seaweed extract as a foliar fertilizer and evaluated its impact on the

growth and yield of eggplants. The experiment followed a randomized complete

block design, with treatments including a control (no seaweed extract),

recommended commercial fertilizer, and different concentrations (0.5% v/v, 1.0% v/v,

and 1.5% v/v) of seaweed extract. The results showed significant improvements in

eggplant growth and yield parameters with the application of seaweed extract. The

treatment with 1.0% v/v seaweed extract resulted in the highest plant height, root

length, leaf number, and leaf width compared to the control and other seaweed

extract concentrations. Additionally, the 1.0% v/v seaweed extract application yielded

the highest number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit circumference, and fruit
weight. Based on these findings, the foliar application of 1.0% v/v seaweed extract is

recommended for achieving more profitable and sustainable eggplant production.

Conceptual Framework

Rice skin and Rice water as Eggplant Growth

Fertilizer

The dependent variable is the growth of the eggplants, while the independent

variable is the application of rice skin and rice water as fertilizer. The study aims to

examine how the use of rice skin and rice water affects the growth of eggplants.