THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPENT COFFEE GROUNDS (COFFEA ARABICA SEED POWDER) AND CHICKEN EGG SHELLS AS AN ALTERNATIVE FERTILIZER FOR SILING LABUYO (CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS)

Abstract

Agriculture is a primary source of livelihood for many Filipino families in the Philippines. Fertilizers, whether organic or inorganic, provide essential chemical elements required for plant growth. However, due to the increasing cost of inorganic fertilizers, farmers have increasingly relied on organic alternatives to sustain agricultural production. This study aimed to investigate the viability of using spent coffee grounds (SCG) and chicken eggshells (CES) as substitute fertilizers for the siling labuyo plant and as alternatives to inorganic fertilizers. The study also sought to reduce waste materials, such as SCG and CES, that contribute to landfill accumulation and environmental degradation, while providing benefits to farmers and the community. An experimental research design was employed in this study. The materials used included spent coffee grounds collected from local cafés, chicken eggshells obtained from karinderyas, cafés serving egg-based products, and the researchers’ households, as well as soil, siling labuyo seedlings, and ten (10) planting pots. The SCG and CES mixtures were applied to the pots at varying concentrations. The experiment was conducted over three (3) trials. Six (6) weeks after planting, the number of leaves and the height of the plant stems were measured and recorded. Small visible leaves were included in the count. The results showed that the mixture containing 0.06 grams of SCG and CES produced the most favorable outcomes across all conducted tests. Based on the results, the application of spent coffee grounds and chicken eggshells demonstrated strong potential as an alternative fertilizer for siling labuyo plants. The fertilizer was found to be manageable due to its affordability and had a positive effect on plant growth, suggesting its suitability as a sustainable and eco-friendly option for agricultural use.