INTRODUCTION:

Plants need fertilization because most soil lacks essential nutrients for
optimal growth. Even good garden soil becomes depleted as plants absorb
nutrients, which help them grow strong. Key nutrients include nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur. Fertilizers supply
these elements in forms that plants can easily use, promoting faster growth that
benefits farmers and gardeners. Choosing the right fertilizer is essential for a
reliable food supply, as plants process basic life elements, making them available
to us and animals.
Fertilizers play a significant role in feeding the world. According to the
FAO, fertilizers are the third most crucial input, after land and water, for
boosting crop yields. Studies estimate that fertilizers contribute to about 40% of
nitrogen in human protein consumption, meaning one-third of our dietary
protein relies on them. Sustainable fertilization requires selecting appropriate
products to meet plant needs and replenish nutrients in the soil, maximizing
productivity and economic returns.
While chemical fertilizers supply primary nutrients—nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)—their rising costs and environmental impact
have increased interest in bio-fertilizers and organic options. Some research
highlights chemical fertilizers’ negative effects on soil organisms, although they
are also recognized for their role in crop growth. Bio-solids offer a cost-effective
alternative with valuable nutrients and organic matter, supporting long-term
soil sustainability.

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 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
This research aims to compare two different brands of fertilizer: Chemical
Fertilizer and Citrus Sinensis Peeling (bio-fertilizers), specifically the researchers
sought to answer the following questions:
 How do the researchers determine the effectiveness of these products?
 What are advantages and disadvantages of using these fertilizers?
 Which Fertilizer will make plants grow faster and healthier?
 Which Fertilizer is better and safer to use: Citrus Sinensis Peeling or branded
Fertilizers.

HYPOTHESIS:
The researchers will determine the effectivity of two brand of fertilizer in
separate plants (Plant-A and Plant-B). After the testing, the researchers will
record the result and make a statement about research.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:
The study is beneficial to:
1. Farmers and gardeners: The benefit of this study will help them to improve
quality of their products, save time with their work and get higher profit.
2. Environment: The benefit of this study will help environment by helping the
soil and plants to sustain their needs and provide the essential nutrients.
3. Agricultural Company: The benefit of this study will help them to give good
service to their consumers by giving them high and good products.
4. Community: The benefit of this study will help the community to sense this
as a source of income if made into business.
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DEFENITION OF TERMS:
The following technical terms are defined in this study:
 Nitrogen- tasteless odourless gaseous chemical element.
 Phosphorus- poisonous waxy chemical element.
 Potassium- silver white metallic chemical element.
 Calcium- a soft grey alkaline earth metal, fifth most abundant element by
mass in the earth’s crust.
 Sulphur - an abundant, multivalent non-metal.
 Citrus Sinensis- the scientific name of sweet oranges. It is what most
consumers commonly buy.

EXPERIMENT:
The research about the comparison between two different brands of
fertilizer was aimed to help the community to be aware of the importance of
fertilizers and also to give them the information in which fertilizer to use for their
plants. Books, internet, and other references materials were used as the primary
sources of information to strengthen the researchers’ view on this topic. But
these were not enough, so experiments were conducted by the researchers to
gain additional information.

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AIM:
To analyse the contents of given Fertilizers A and B.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
 Pot A and Pot B
 Good quality of soil
 Seeds to be used (any kind of plant)
 Water
 Sunlight
 Branded fertilizers
 Orange peelings

THEORY:
Elements:
 NITROGEN
 Major fertilizers containing N:
(a) Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)
(b) Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
(c) Urea (NH2CONH2)
(d) Ammonium Sulphate [(NH4)2SO4]

 Preparation:
Most of nitrogen fertilizers are obtained from synthetic NH3. This chemical
compound is used as gas or in water solution or it is converted to salts.
Nitrogen Deficiencies:-
(a) Pale, green, yellow leaves
(b) Stunted growth
Nitrogen Excess:-
(a) Lower disease resistance
(b) Weaken stem
(c) Decay maturity

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 PHOSPHORUS
 Major fertilizers containing P:
(a) DAP – Diammonium phosphate [(NH4)2PO4]
(b) Ca3(PO4)2 – Calcium phosphate
(c) Triple phosphate and super phosphate

 Preparation:
Most phosphoric fertilizers are obtained by the treatment of calcium
phosphate with H2SO4 and phosphoric fertilizers. Calcium phosphate is mainly
derived from phosphate rock and bones. Phosphate rock is found in deposits
of sedimentary origin laid down on beds of ocean floor.
Phosphorus Deficiencies:-
(a) Pale purple colour on the underside of leaves
(b) Reduced flower, fruits and seed production
Phosphorus in Excess:-
(a) Causes dehydration of roots
(b) Increase soluble salt content of medium

 Advantages of Phosphorus:-
(a) Encourage cell division
(b) Hastens maturity, offsetting quick growth caused by N
(c) Encourage root growth
(d) Increase disease resistance

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PROCEDURE:
 Sow seeds thinly on shallow furrows across the seed pot, and cover lightly
with fine topsoil. Do not broadcast seeds when sowing to avoid thick
germination in one place.
 Water the seed pot daily. Watering and other cultural management practices
should be regularly done.
 Apply liberal amount of fertilizer (Citrus Sinensis Peeling for pot A and
branded fertilizer for pot B) at the base of the plants, then cover lightly with
soil and water immediately.
 Water the plant whenever necessary or depending on your own judgment or
observation of the plant.
 Always remember to give both pots a presence of sunlight for their process
of growing.
 Every week, measure the height of both plants.

OBSERVATION:
As long as the researchers followed the procedures, success of
experimentation will be achieved. Factors such as sunlight could affect the
study. In addition, if this is not available, possible that this study could fail.
However, researchers could try it once more again and again until the study is
evaluated.

ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZERS:
Fertilizer A:
For Basic radical,

Experiment Observation Inference

A pinch of fertilizer +
few drops of NaOH No reaction Zero group absent
solution and heat it
Take 1ml of O.S. in a test
tube and to it add few No reaction Group I absent
drops of dil. HCl

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Take 1ml of O.S. in a solution
and to it add few drops if dil.
No reaction Group II absent
HCl. Warm the solution and
pass H2S gas.
Take 1ml of O.S. and to it
add few drops of dil. HCl
No reaction Group III absent
and add NH4Cl followed by
excess of NH4OH
Take 1ml O.S. in a solution
and to it add few drops of
dil. HCl. Add a pinch of
solid NH4Cl followed by No reaction Group IV absent
excess of NH4OH. Warm
the solution and pass H2S
gas
Take 1ml of O.S. add few
drops of dil. HCl add a Presence of Group V
White precipitate radical
pinch of solid NH4Cl and obtained
(Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+)
add 1 or 2 ml of (NH4)2CO3
Filter the white ppt, take
a part of it and dissolve it
White precipitate Presence of Ca2+ is
in minimum amount of
formed confirmed
CH3COOH. Now add
(NH4)2C2O4

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For Acid radical,

Experiment Observation Inference

To a little of salt added conc.
HNO3 until fumes cease and Canary yellow Presence of PO43- is
Ammonium Molybdate is precipitate is formed confirmed
added

RESULT:
The Fertilizer has Ca2+ as Basic radical and PO43- as Acid radical. Hence, the
fertilizer is Ca3(PO4)2 (identified as Vermicompost).

Fertilizer B:
Experiment Observation Inference
Take 1ml of Lassaigne
solution in a test tube and
add a few drops of freshly Presence of N is
Prussian blue colour
prepared Ferrous Sulphate detected
solution. Heat it. Cool it. Add
conc. H2SO4

RESULT:
The Fertilizer has N in elemental form and is H2NCONH2 (identified as Urea).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. www.wikipedia.org
2. www.scribd.com
3. NCERT Chemistry Class 11 and 12 Textbook
4. School Lab Manual