Research (Unfinished)
Research (Unfinished)
Research (Unfinished)
(unfinished)
JHS, Department
Earth School
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Rationale
Eggshells are the exterior part of the egg and are commonly obtained from chicken
hatcheries, egg stations, etc. Due to eggs being of frequent use to billions of
households, it is only to be expected that the eggshells slowly accumulate because
of their lack of usability in terms of day-to-day use.
With that, eggshells are now causing environmental problems and it is one of the
researchers' goals to help reduce the problems caused by the eggshells. Thus,
implementing a fertilizer that uses eggshells to help the environment.
According to USDA (2022), eggshells are roughly made out of 94% calcium carbonate
with small amounts of magnesium, calcium phosphate, proteins, etc. Creating a
calcium-concentrated fertilizer for plants that specifically requires calcium,
could greatly benefit from this information.
Although calcium-concentrated fertilizers exist- they are mostly synthetic and
bring negative effects on the environment. The use of organic fertilizers like
eggshells may be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
As experimentations would be required for this information to be proven, it is
essential for the study to have a test subject. The researchers later discovered
that tomatoes are one of the plants that greatly rely on calcium. “For tomato
plants especially, calcium can improve yield and plays a role in fruit development
and ripening. Lack of this nutrient in the soil can lead to blossom end rot, a
common tomato condition.” (Madison Moulton, 2023).
Blossom End Rot Disease (BER) is a common problem for tomato growers and is
characterized by a dark, sunken lesion at the base of the fruit. This disease can
lead to significant yield losses. BER is caused by a deficiency in calcium, which
can be exacerbated by fluctuations in soil moisture levels.
Though the probability of this fertilizer causing undesired effects is not high-
there’s still a risk. However, once handled properly - it could reduce the
likelihood of it producing difficulties, for the environment or the plant.
This study has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of
sustainable agriculture and help promote a healthier planet for future generations.
THE PROBLEM
Statement of the Problem
The study aims to determine the effectiveness of eggshells for tomato plants.
Specifically, it answers the following questions:
How effective are eggshells as fertilizers on the growth of tomato plants?
Is there a significant difference in the soil acidity levels in the tomato plant
sets prior to and after the experiment:
2.1 control group, and
2.2 experimental groups?
3. What is the attitude of the experimental groups towards the extracted and
grounded eggshell fertilizer treatment?
Domains
1.1 Soil Acidity
Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of soil. Soil pH affects the number
of nutrients and chemicals that are soluble in soil water, and therefore the number
of nutrients available to plants. Maintaining the level ofSoil acidity so as not to
harm the plants has become a challenge for now and it needs further study of the
subject.
The Hypothesis
HO: The eggshell fertilizer is not effective in terms of contributing to the growth
of the tomato plants that are defined by the length of roots and stems.
HO: There will be no significant difference in the soil acidity levels in the
tomato plant sets prior to and after the experiment in the control group, and in
the experimental groups.
HO: The experimental group did not benefit from the two eggshell fertilizer
methods.
HA: There will be a significant difference in the soil acidity levels in the tomato
plant sets prior to and after the experiment in the control group, and in the
experimental groups.
HA: The experimental groups are able to benefit from the two eggshell fertilizer
methods.
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study in a schematic diagram

The diagram shows the variables present within the study. This is connected to the
concept of utilizing eggshells as fertilizer. The application of this procedure can
benefit agriculture.
The eggshell provides valuable nutrients; calcium carbonate(CaCO3), phosphorus(P4),
and magnesium(Mg), also traces of sodium(Na+), potassium(K+), zinc(Zn),
manganese(MnO2), iron(Fe) and copper(Cu)— benefiting the tomatoes for good plant
quality and prevention of the occurrence of Blossom End Rot (BER).
The diagram displays the expected flow of the program. The factors or variables
that will be required to achieve the benefits and the main objective of utilizing
eggshells as an Organic Fertilizer for Tomato Plants are represented in the
framework.
A remedy for Blossom End Rot (BER) disease, eggshells will be applied to the
tomatoes to enrich the plant with calcium and other nutrients to aid in the
prevention of diseases and improve plant quality.
Agriculturists.
The study's most notable contribution is the agriculture research in reaching
improvements and goals in global food security, increased food quality,
agricultural productivity, and other areas.
Farmers.
They will be able to apply eggshells as an alternative fertilizer to reduce the
soil acidity or soil pH, as pest control, and replenish or provide the nutrients to
the soil used that it may lack. Through the employment of eggshells as fertilizer,
tomato crop yields will be much healthier.
Environment. Recycling eggshells will be more known to the people, which can help
reduce food waste and eggshell waste. The eggshell fertilizing method helps
increase the soil rates of fertility and thereby promotes better plant growth.
Future Researchers.
Future researchers that chose a similar research topic as this study, will gain
more knowledge and realizations about eggshells. Students who are interested or
looking for a similar subject can benefit from this study, that is in terms of
creating a research topic that makes it different from other research.
Definition of Terms
For clarification, the important terms used in this study have been
defined.
Calcium
- an essential plant nutrient, necessary for structural roles in cell walls and
membranes, and as an intracellular messenger.
Effectiveness
- it is the capability of producing a desired result or the ability to produce the
desired output.
Eggshell
- The hard exterior covering of an egg. Eggshells typically contain about 95% of
calcium carbonate, .3% phosphorus, .3% magnesium, and traces of sodium, potassium,
zinc, manganese, iron, and copper.
Fertilizer
- a chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility.
Plant Growth
- is defined by the lengthening of roots and stems over time.
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
To conduct this study, a static group comparison design will be used. Tomato plants
will be grown in pots under controlled conditions and will be treated with either
eggshells or a control treatment. The number of eggshells used will be varied to
determine the optimal treatment dosage. There will be five set-ups. Two of five
set-ups: Set-up A and Set-up B will be receiving treatment of grounded eggshells in
varying amounts. To clarify, Set-up A will be receiving an amount of 30 grams of
ground eggshells while Set-up B will receive 60 grams of grounded eggshells.
The remaining set-ups: Set-up C and Set-up D will be receiving treatment of
extracted eggshell fertilizer in varying amounts while Set-up E will not be
receiving any treatment of eggshell fertilizer and is treated as the control group.
Similarly, Set-up C will receive an extracted eggshell solution consisting of 30
grams, and Set-up D containing 60 grams of the extracted eggshell solution. The
plants will be monitored for the presence of blossom end rot, as well as for their
growth and yield. The data collected in this study will be analyzed using
statistical methods to determine the effectiveness of eggshells as an organic
fertilizer for tomato plants as a potential treatment for blossom end rot in tomato
plants.
Research Environment
The researchers will be conducting the study at one of the schools located at
Philippines. The school offers Junior Learning Program (JLP) and Senior Learning
Program (SLP) for preschoolers, as well as four (4) levels in preschool, Nursery 1-
2, and Kindergarten 1-2.
Research Procedures
* Prepare 5 pots of soil to plant the tomato seeds. Each pot will receive
three tomato seeds.
* Check each soil’s pH level using litmus tests before and after the
experiments.
For the crushed eggshell method:
* Use only 3 out of the 5 pots
* Prepare 30 grams of crushed eggshells.
* Place them on one of the pots labeled Set-up A.
* Prepare more than 30 grams of crushed eggshells.
* Place them on the second pot labeled Set-up B.
[e][f][g]
Research Instrument
In this study, the researchers will be employing tests based on the topic of
Eggshells as Organic Fertilizer for Tomatoes. The tests include using pH test
strips, also called litmus tests to record each of the pot soil’s pH levels before
and after the experiment to determine if there is a significant gain between the
control and experimental groups. The experiment’s outcome is our respondent since
it can provide answers to research-related queries.
The researchers weigh the eggshells used in the study by using a digital weighing
scale. Five pots, around 18 in diameter, will be used to cultivate tomato plants.
Finally, a watering can will be utilized to contain rainwater for watering the
tomato plants. The researchers will use litmus tests to determine the soil pH
levels.
Research Organisms
The researchers will be using tomatoes as their organisms. A total of 15 seeds of
tomatoes will be used in the whole experiment. Tomatoes are one of the most studied
plants as they are easy to grow, they can benefit a lot from eggshells due to the
number of nutrients it gains.
(Teacher comments:
[a]Pls search for an article/study that support this statement. You may insert a
brief statement from that study but don’t forget to credit its author/s.