EFFECTS OF TAMARIND (Tamarindus indica) AS FERTILIZER TO THE PLANT

GROWTH OF DIFFERENT VARIOUS PLANTS (CHILI, TOMATO, and CALAMANSI)

Kleireen Hionna M. Derige

RESEARCHER
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that

is applied to soils or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth

of plants. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced.[1]Fertilizers

enhance the growth of plants. This goal is met in two ways, the traditional one being additives that

provide nutrients. The second mode by which some fertilizers act is to enhance the effectiveness

of the soil by modifying its water retention and aeration. Like many on fertilizers, emphasizes the

nutritional aspect. Fertilizer has many good effects on plants specially to plant growth.

In this study, the researcher will use Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) as fertilizer and to

determine its effect to different various plants which are tomato, chili and calamansi and also to

find out if the tamarind is capable and effective as fertilizer.

In order to claim that a plant is effective as fertilizer and can speed up the plant growth of

a plant material, the plant require several different chemical elements in order to thrive. Oxygen,

carbon and hydrogen are found in water and air; secondary nutrients that plants need

include magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Beyond that, plants also need such

micronutrients as zinc, molybdenum, copper, manganese, cobalt, iron and boron.

Tamarind contain potassium, magnesium, phosporus, iron, calcium, vitamin B1, B2, B3,

C, K, B6, B5, copper and selenium. And this study will test the nutrients that tamarind contain

whether if it is effective as fertilizer.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROBLEM

After the study, the researcher should able to:

1. Know if the Tamarind affect the plant growth of chili, tomato, and calamansi as fertilizer.

2. Find out if there is a significant difference effects among the Tamarind amount applied to

the plant growth

3. Determine if there is a significant difference effect among the plant materials used to the

plant growth.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is significant to the following sectors: community, farmers and to the future

researchers.

To the community: the study will contribute ideas to the community about natural, cheaper

and more affordable fertilizer.

To the farmers: the study will provide innovative ideas about the tamarind’s capability

fertilizer that can affect plant growth of their plants

To the future researchers: the study will serve as their basis and guides for their study in

the future.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The main problem for this study is to determine the effect or potency of Tamarind as

fertilizer and if it can affect plant growth of tomato, chili and calamansi. Furthermore, to solve the

existing problem, the researchers develop a fertilizer out of tamarind.

HYPOTHESIS

Alternative

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is effective as fertilizer and it can affect the plant

growth of tomato, chili and calamansi.

Null

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is not effective as fertilizer and it can affect the plant

growth of tomato, chili and calamansi.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The scope of the study includes the time, tools or material, and strategies used. The

estimated time range of the experiment from the extraction of the tamarind leaves to the final result

ranges from a minimum time of2-3 week depending on the repeated trials in each experimental set

up. The study is limited only to the powder of tamarind as a main variable in this study. It is also

limited to the comparison of the tamarind solution and commercial fertilizer.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This study is qualitative-quantitative study type. The researcher used Tamarind

(Tamarindus indica) as fertilizer to determine whether if it can affect plant’s growth.

Materials

The subjects of this study are the plant materials which are Tamarind, tomato, chili and

calamansi and water. Tomato, chili, and calamansi will be treated with the solutions mentioned

as a fertilizer and will be observed each day. The researcher will also use beaker to get the required

amount of the solution and apply it directly to the plants (chili, tomato, and calamansi) which are

being tested. The researchers also used a measuring tape in order to tabulate the height of the plant

each day.

Locale of the Study

Binambangan St. Indang Cavite, was the locale of study. The area also has open spaces

making it a good location to conduct the study.

Procedure

Preparation of Materials

The material will be prepared before the experiment proper. The plants will be

planted before the experiment or the plant material will be purchased from the market. The

tamarind, and the commercial fertilizer should be prepared before the experiment, and all the things

involved within this study.

Powderization of the Tamarind

The researcher will put the tamarind under the sunlight 3 days before the

experiment proper. After 3 days, the tamarind will be grinded with either mortar and pestle or food

processor, after grinding the tamarind, the researcher will filter it until the fine powder get.

Experimentation

The fine powder of tamarind, will be mixed with different measurement of water.

Then the researcher will apply the solution to different various of plants. The solution will be

applied 2 to 3 times a day in the same time for 1-2 weeks. After that, the observation and the data

gathering will happen. After gathering the data and determining the most effective concentration,

it will be compared with a commercial product or fertilizer with the same procedure in testing the

tamarind (Tamarindus indica).

Data Gathering

Lastly the data will be tabulated and statistically analyzed with the use of the

randomized block design, which is used to compare treatment means, but these arise from random

block design where the experiment has been split up into a number of mini experiments
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

Tamarindus indica L. of the family Fabaceae is known to be used in folk medicine. Among

efforts to verify this scientifically, the antimicrobial activities of the pulp extract were investigated

against gram-negative bacteria using disk diffusion method. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is

a leguminous tree in the family Fabaceae indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is

a monotypic taxon (having only a single species).

Tamarind is high in many nutrients. A single cup (120 grams) of the pulp contains (2):

 Magnesium: 28% of the RDI.

 Potassium: 22% of the RDI.

 Iron: 19% of the RDI.

 Calcium: 9% of the RDI.

 Phosphorus: 14% of the RDI.

 Vitamin B1 (thiamin): 34% of the RDI.

 Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 11% of the RDI.

 Vitamin B3 (niacin): 12% of the RDI.

 Trace amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folate, vitamin B5

(pantothenic acid), copper and selenium.

 Patterson S. (2018). Fixing Magnesium Deficiency in Plants: How Magnesium Affects Plant

Growth. “Magnesium is the powerhouse behind photosynthesis in plants. Without magnesium,

chlorophyll cannot capture sun energy needed for photosynthesis. In short, magnesium is required

to give leaves their green color. Magnesium in plants is located in the enzymes, in the heart of the

chlorophyll molecule.”. Retrieved from: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-

to/soil-fertilizers/fixing-magnesium-deficiency.htm

Potassium in Plants. (n.d). “Potassium has many different roles in plants: In

Photosynthesis, potassium regulates the opening and closing of stomata, and therefore regulates

CO2 uptake. ... Both uptake of water through plant roots and its loss through the stomata are

affected by potassium. Known to improve drought resistance.”. Retrieved from:

https://www.smart-fertilizer.com/articles/potassium-in-plants

Allman, Molly. (n.d.). The Effect of Excess Iron in Plants. Home Guides | SF Gate. Iron is

mainly involved in the process of plant photosynthesis. The micronutrient's availability to plant

roots depends on the pH level of the soil with iron more readily available in soil with a low pH.

Iron and manganese both play an important role in plant growth and development, but often

compete for absorption, as an abundance of one of these micronutrients makes the other less

available to plant roots. Fertilizers should contain an equal ratio of manganese and iron so both are

readily available to plants. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/effect-excess-iron-

plants-48927.html
 Buechel, T. (2018). Role of Calcium in Plant Culture. Calcium, in the form of calcium

pectate, is responsible for holding together the cell walls of plants. When calcium is deficient, new

tissue such as root tips, young leaves, and shoot tips often exhibit distorted growth from improper

cell wall formation. Retrieved from: https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/role-of-

calcium-in-plant-culture/

Importance of Phosphorus to Plants. (n.d.). “Phosphorus is also associated with complex

energy transformations in the plant. ...Phosphorus deficiencies may even look somewhat similar

to nitrogen deficiency when plants are small. Yellow, unthrifty plants may

be phosphorus deficient due to cold temperatures which affect root extension and

soil phosphorus uptake.”. Retrieved from:

https://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?idinformationmodule=1130447043&topicor

der=2

Hultquist, M. (2018). A Guide to Growing Chili Peppers. Chili peppers start off a bit slow,

so it is helpful to start to grow your plants indoors a few weeks (anywhere from 8-12 weeks) before

transferring them outside. Keep the early soil and budding plants constantly moist, but do not over

water. Keep them warm (80 -85 degrees is best) and in a sunlit place. Retrieved from:

https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/growing-chili-peppers/growing-chili-peppers-guide/

Delp, R. (2018). Tomato Plant Development. The tomato plant reproduces

sexually, meaning that it requires both female and male organs to produce seeds.

Every tomato seed has a tiny tomato plant inside. When the conditions are just right, tomato seeds

will germinate. As the seed germinates, the radicle or young root first appears and grows down

into the ground. Retrieved from: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/tomato-plant-development-

56092.html
 King, M. (2018). How to Grow Calamansi. Calamansi trees bear small, orange-like fruits,

dark green foliage and white flowers.The calamansi tree grows up to about 25 feet tall at maturity,

and it is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 9 and above. Like most other citrus

trees,calamansi grows readily from seed. Retrieved from: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-

calamansi-21727.html

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

Jariwala, Hiral & S Syed, Huma. (2016). Study on Use of Fruit Peels Powder as a Fertilizer.

Fertilizers are any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin [other than liming

materials] that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of

the plants. Fruits contain a high number of antioxidants that are beneficial to our health in many

ways. The present study deals with the utilization of fruit peels for the effective growth of plants

and higher yield, by mainly focusing on Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. Different fruit

peels such as Pomegranate, Orange, Sweet lime and Banana were used. Generally, fruit peels are

thrown in garbage and it goes to solid waste dumping site. That causes odor problem due to

degradation of peel content in dumping site. These fruit peels have nutrients like potash, iron, zinc,

calcium, citrate content etc. Fruit peel powders are used as natural fertilizer in the present study.

Fruit peels were collected from fruit juice vendors. Generally, around 15-20 kg of fruit peel was

collected per fruit juice vendor. Those fruit peels were properly segregated on-site and made

separate for drying. Fruit peels were dried in natural sunlight for 21 to 25 days and dry peel powder

was made by grinding. Different formulation of fruit peel powder was used to compare the plant

growth. Each formulation was mixed with water in different quantities. There are two types of fruit

peel powder like a) citrate peel powder which consists of orange, sweet lime and pomegranate peel
and b) alkaline peel powder consisting of banana peel. Both type of peel powder has different pH.

Generally alkaline peel powder is used for reducing acidity content present in soil. Similarly, acidic

peel reduces salinity of soil. The final results of the study showed that Citric Peel powder has

higher Nitrogen content (9.1 mg/g), whereas Alkaline Peel powder has higher quantity of

Phosphorous (4.2 mg/g) and Potassium (2.1 mg/g). This proves that the powder can be feasibly

used as a Soil Fertilizer, pH regulator (for improving soil morphology), as micronutrient

supplement (zinc, iron, calcium), and also for horticultural purposes. By experimenting fruit peel

formulation pH; we can quantify how much amount of different powder is required for that

particular soil. For cultivation of different fruits like Banana, Orange, Sweet Lime, Pomegranate

etc., these peels can be used. This fruit peel materials have no cost bearing and thus aids in

converting this waste into a usable resource.

Mercy, S. Mubsira Banu, S. & Jenifer I. (2014). Application of Different Fruit Peels

Formulations as a Natural Fertilizer for Plant Growth. Fruit peels of Banana, Pomegranate, Sweet

lime and Orange are highly rich in potash, ion, Zinc etc. Above fruit peels powder were formulated

from the trace amounts and gradually increased for the preparation of three formulations as

Formulation 1, Formulation 2 and Formulation 3. Three different formulations were applied for

plant growth in two methods such as fruit peel powder, fruit peel powder extract as a natural

fertilizer. Fenugreek seeds were used to test the utilization of fruit peel powder as a natural growth

enhancer. After 45 days of application of fertilizer, plant growth was measured and the yield of

fenugreek vegetables was counted. Among the three formulations of fruit peel powder and fruit
peel extract, formulation 1was found more suitable for plant growth. Cheapest and harmless

materials were used in the present investigation.

Mishra, Priyanka and Koshy, P. Eapen (2016). Effect of vegetable and fruit waste on seed

germination and growth of Solanum lycopersicum. Asian J. Bio. Sci., 11 (1) : 1-5 [Special Issue

of AFBSAH-2016]. The study was aimed to determine the effect of vegetable and fruit waste

extract on seed germination and growth of Solanum lycopersicum. The domestic vegetable and

fruit waste were used as both extract and decoction at different dilutions to analyze its effect on

seed germination, leaf emergence, growth and plant biomass. Effect of different concentrations of

waste extract and decoction was compared to that of distilled water (control). The results revealed

that all the concentrations of extract/decoction promoted seed germination, also contributed to

seedling height, plant growth and biomass accumulation. However, an increase in dilution ratios

from 1:5 to 1:8 had a significant effect on germination and growth of tomato plants. This suggests

that domestic waste, which is one of the major causes of environmental pollution, can be used as

an alternative to synthetic plant growth nutrients.

Sarkar Adrija and Rohatgi Navni (2018) Efficacy of Banana (Musa paradisiaca) and Sweet

Lime (Citrus limetta) peels as natural fertilizer in Herbs. International Journal of Agriculture

Sciences, ISSN: 0975-3710 & E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 10, Issue 8, pp.-5822-5825. This

investigation was elucidated to check the efficacy of banana (Musa paradisiaca) and sweet lime

(Citrus limetta) peel as natural fertilizer in herbs i.e., coriander and mint. One way of using natural

fertilizer is composting. Composting practice is an alternative sustainable waste management

practice to tra nsform organic waste into valuable commodity benefiting the environment because

manure nutrients are converted to more stable forms, are less likely to reach groundwater or move
in surface runoff. Compost is valued for its organic matter content and is typically used as a soil

amendment to enhance the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil. The fruit peels

were used in various combinations using backyard composting and their effect on plant growth

and soil composition was observed. Results showed that plant sample containing a combination of

both the fruit peels showed the best growth and coriander showed a faster rate of growth as

compared to mint concluding that soil sample having a neutral pH gave the best results.