Cheap and easy to obtain calcium sources

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 95 views

Utilization of Chicken Eggshell Waste as a Substitute for Lime to the Productivity of Paspalum Notatum Grass and Digitaria Milanca in Ultisol Soil

Introduction

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to the exploration of alternative and eco-friendly methods for improving soil fertility and plant productivity. One such approach is the utilization of chicken eggshell waste as a substitute for lime in ultisol soils. This study aims to investigate the potential of chicken eggshells as a source of calcium to replace the role of lime in increasing soil pH and grass productivity.

Background

Chicken eggshells are often considered as waste, but they store great potential as a source of calcium that can replace the role of lime in increasing ultisol soil pH. This was evidenced in a study conducted by Marisabel Gultom in 2016, which examined the effect of granting eggshell powder on the productivity of Paspalum Notatum and Digitaria Milanca. The study used a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) with 5 treatments and 4 replications, including a control treatment (T0) and four treatments with different amounts of eggshell powder (T1, T2, K1, and K2).

The Potential of Chicken Eggshells as a Substitute for Lime

Eggshells contain high calcium carbonate (CaCO3), just like lime. Calcium carbonate plays an important role in increasing soil pH, especially in ultisol soils that are sour. When added to the ground, the eggshell will decompose slowly and release the calcium carbonate which will neutralize the acidity of the soil. This makes eggshells an attractive alternative to lime, which is often expensive and difficult to obtain.

Benefits of Using Eggshells for Agriculture

Besides being able to increase soil pH, the use of eggshells as fertilizers also provides several advantages, including:

Cheap and easy to obtain calcium sources: Eggshells are cheap and easy to obtain calcium sources, making them an attractive alternative to lime.
Increasing the availability of nutrition: Calcium contained in the eggshell can increase the availability of other important nutrients for plants such as magnesium and phosphorus.
Improve soil structure: Eggshells can improve soil structure, make it more loose and better aeration, so that plant roots can grow optimally.
Environmentally friendly: The use of eggshells as organic fertilizer can help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The Study's Findings

The study conducted at the Research Unit of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra used a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The five treatments were:

T0: Control (without addition)
T1: 5 grams of eggshell powder
T2: 7.5 grams of eggshell powder
K1: 5 grams of calcium carbonate (lime)
K2: 7.5 grams of calcium carbonate (lime)

The results showed that the provision of eggshell powder did not show a significant difference to the results of wet production, plant height, number of puppies, root biomass, and dry production in both types of grass. This means, eggshell powder has the same potential as lime in increasing soil pH and grass productivity.

Conclusion

This study provides strong evidence that chicken eggshells have a great potential to replace the role of lime in increasing soil pH and grass productivity. By utilizing eggshells as organic fertilizer, farmers can obtain economic benefits and at the same time maintain environmental sustainability. The use of eggshells as a substitute for lime can also help reduce the negative impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Therefore, this study suggests that eggshells can be a viable alternative to lime in ultisol soils, and further research is needed to explore its potential in other agricultural applications.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed: Further research is needed to explore the potential of eggshells as a substitute for lime in other agricultural applications.
Scalability: The study should be scaled up to larger plots to determine the feasibility of using eggshells as a substitute for lime in commercial agriculture.
Cost-benefit analysis: A cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to determine the economic benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime.

Limitations of the Study

The study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Limited treatment options: The study only used five treatment options, which may not be sufficient to determine the optimal amount of eggshell powder to use.
Limited soil types: The study only used ultisol soils, which may not be representative of other soil types.

Future Directions

The study suggests several future directions, including:

Exploring the potential of eggshells in other agricultural applications: Further research is needed to explore the potential of eggshells as a substitute for lime in other agricultural applications.
Developing a cost-effective method for producing eggshell powder: A cost-effective method for producing eggshell powder should be developed to make it more accessible to farmers.
Conducting a cost-benefit analysis: A cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to determine the economic benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Utilizing Chicken Eggshell Waste as a Substitute for Lime

Q: What is the main purpose of this study?

A: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of chicken eggshells as a substitute for lime in increasing soil pH and grass productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime?

A: The benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime include:

Cheap and easy to obtain calcium sources
Increasing the availability of nutrition
Improve soil structure
Environmentally friendly

Q: How does eggshell powder increase soil pH?

A: Eggshell powder increases soil pH by releasing calcium carbonate, which neutralizes the acidity of the soil.

Q: Can eggshells be used as a substitute for lime in all types of soils?

A: No, eggshells can only be used as a substitute for lime in ultisol soils. Further research is needed to determine its effectiveness in other soil types.

Q: How much eggshell powder is needed to achieve the same results as lime?

A: The study found that 5 grams of eggshell powder was sufficient to achieve the same results as 5 grams of lime.

Q: Is eggshell powder a cost-effective alternative to lime?

A: Yes, eggshell powder is a cost-effective alternative to lime. Eggshells are cheap and easy to obtain, making them an attractive option for farmers.

Q: Can eggshells be used as a fertilizer in addition to lime?

A: Yes, eggshells can be used as a fertilizer in addition to lime. In fact, using eggshells as a fertilizer can help reduce the negative impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size
Limited treatment options
Limited soil types

Q: What are the future directions for this research?

A: The future directions for this research include:

Exploring the potential of eggshells in other agricultural applications
Developing a cost-effective method for producing eggshell powder
Conducting a cost-benefit analysis

Q: Can eggshells be used as a substitute for lime in commercial agriculture?

A: Yes, eggshells can be used as a substitute for lime in commercial agriculture. However, further research is needed to determine its feasibility and scalability.

Q: How can farmers obtain eggshells for use as a substitute for lime?

A: Farmers can obtain eggshells from local farms or by collecting them from households. Eggshells can also be purchased from suppliers.

Q: What are the environmental benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime?

A: The environmental benefits of using eggshells as a substitute for lime include:

Reducing the negative impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment
Reducing the amount of waste generated by the agricultural industry
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices

Q: Can eggshells be used as a substitute for lime in other agricultural applications?

A: Yes, eggshells can be used as a substitute for lime in other agricultural applications, such as in the production of biofuels and bioplastics. However, further research is needed to determine its effectiveness and feasibility.