Xhan Codie E.

Alba

G7 – Sr Alexia

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

The review of related literature and studies focuses on evaluating how kitchen wastes—

specifically pulverized banana peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells—serve as organic fertilizers

to enhance chili plant growth, addressing the need for sustainable farming practices. With

growing concerns over synthetic fertilizer pollution and food waste mismanagement, repurposing

household scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendments offers a dual solution: reducing landfill

burdens and promoting eco-friendly agriculture. This review examines existing research on the

nutrient profiles of these materials, their impact on crop productivity, and their comparative

effectiveness in chili cultivation. Insights were drawn from peer-reviewed journals, agricultural

studies, and waste valorization reports to establish a scientific basis for optimizing organic

fertilizer use in small-scale farming and home gardening.

RELATED LITERATURE

According to University of Florida IFAS Extension (2023), banana peels are a valuable source

of potassium and other micronutrients for plants, making them a beneficial addition to garden

soil.

(https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/monroeco/2019/05/09/compost-recycle-your-waste/)

Supporting details:
 1. Banana peels are particularly rich in potassium (K), containing approximately 42%

potassium by dry weight. Potassium is essential for plant health, playing a key role in

water regulation, nutrient transport, and disease resistance

2. .Besides potassium, banana peels also contain phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and

magnesium (Mg), albeit in smaller quantities. These are all macronutrients and

micronutrients vital for plant growth and development.

3. Using banana peels as fertilizer is a sustainable practice as it repurposes kitchen waste,

reducing landfill waste and the need for synthetic fertilizers.

As stated by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) (n.d.), coffee grounds act as a

nitrogen-rich soil amendment, improving texture and acidity for acid-loving plants.

(https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice)

(Facts from the source that support this idea.)

1. Coffee grounds provide ~1.45% nitrogen, supporting leaf growth and chlorophyll

production.

2. Their slightly acidic pH (~6.5) benefits blueberries, roses, and other acid-loving plants.

3. Enhances soil aeration in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils.

4. Used as mulch, they deter pests like slugs and suppress weed growth.

In “The Complete Book of Composting” (Ruttle, 1999), eggshells are highlighted as a calcium

carbonate source that strengthens plant cell walls and balances compost pH.

(Facts from the source that support this idea.)

uptake.

2. Trace minerals (magnesium, phosphorus) contribute to overall soil fertility.

3. Crushed shells improve drainage in heavy soils and deter pests like snails.

4. Adding eggshells to compost accelerates decomposition and enriches microbial

activity. Shamzul and Siti (2025), stated that fermented banana peel liquid

fertilizer is incompatible with plant development and growth when implemented

in agar but not in soil media.

Albright (2017) notes in “Growing Chili Peppers: A Guide to Hot and Sweet Varieties” that

organic fertilizers like banana peels and eggshells meet chili plants’ potassium and calcium

needs, enhancing yield and disease resistance.

(Facts from the source that support this idea.)

1. Chili plants require potassium for fruit development and calcium for cell wall strength.

2. Organic materials release nutrients slowly, preventing over-fertilization.

3. Improved soil structure from composted waste supports root growth and nutrient

absorption.

4. Enhanced microbial activity in organically amended soils increases plant disease

resistance.However, the fabricated banana peel liquid fertilizer with optimum ratio could

be the best method during germination due to the great water retention (compared to the

soil). Germination is a crucial process that needs enough water, and banana peel liquid

fertilizer can sustain the water during the process efficiently. The medium hybrid (agar
 dan soil) would be the best way to maintain the rate of growth of the mung beans for all

stages of the growth process.

RELATED STUDIES

According to Khandaker et al. (2017), organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and

chicken dung significantly improved chili plant growth and yield compared to synthetic

alternatives. Their study on Capsicum annuum L. var Kulai demonstrated that vermicompost

increased plant height by 50% (63.38 cm vs. 42.12 cm in controls) and enhanced leaf count, fruit

weight, and chlorophyll content. These results highlight the role of organic fertilizers in

improving soil structure and nutrient availability .

(https://www.biotech-asia.org/vol14no1/effects-of-different-organic-fertilizers-on-growth-yield-

and-quality-of-capsicum-annuum-l-var-kulai-red-chilli-kulai/ )

Supporting facts:

1. Vermicompost treatment produced the tallest plants and highest leaf count.

2. Chicken dung showed comparable efficacy to vermicompost in enhancing fruit yield.

3. Control plants (no fertilizer) exhibited the poorest growth and yield metrics.

Alaiden (2019) investigated fermented banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds as

foliar fertilizers for green onions. While the mixture had no significant effect on leaf count or

yield, it increased plant height, suggesting its potential for targeted growth enhancement. The

study noted that a 15% concentration of the organic mixture performed comparably to synthetic

urea in some parameters .

(https://thesis.msugensan.edu.ph/node/102)
 Supporting facts:

1. The 15% organic mixture matched synthetic fertilizer in plant height outcomes.

2. No significant differences in leaf count, tillers, or yield were observed.

3. Coffee grounds contributed nitrogen, while banana peels provided potassium.

Kuligowski et al. (2020) emphasized the role of kitchen waste recycling in sustainable

agriculture, noting that organic waste amendments improve soil fertility and reduce reliance on

chemical fertilizers. Their analysis highlighted kitchen waste’s nitrogen and phosphorus content,

which can mitigate soil degradation and enhance crop productivity in both cool and warm

seasons .

(https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/10/7997)

(https://www.academia.edu/124290232/

Evaluation_of_Kitchen_Waste_Recycling_as_Organic_N_Fertiliser_for_Sustainable_Agricultur

e_under_Cool_and_Warm_Seasons)

Supporting facts:

1. Kitchen waste-based fertilizers improved ryegrass biomass yield by up to 0.15 g/pot.

2. Nitrogen uptake efficiency was comparable to mineral fertilizers at optimal doses.

3. Overfertilization risks were lower with organic waste compared to synthetic options.

Santrum et al. (2023) tested novel organic liquid fertilizers on chili plants (Capsicum

annuum var. Shama). Foliar application of a 3% organic fertilizer dose maximized plant height,

leaf area, and fruit yield. The study underscored the potential of organic blends to replace

synthetic inputs in chili cultivation .

The_Effect_of_Using_Liquid_Organic_Fertilizer_Based_on_Organic_Waste_on_The_Growth_a

nd_Production_of_Chili_Plants_Capsicum_frutescens_)

Supporting facts:

1. The 3% dose increased fruit yield by 20% compared to controls.

2. Leaf area and stomatal conductance improved with organic treatment.

3. Fertilizer efficacy was linked to balanced macro- and micronutrient release.