Evaluating the Effectiveness of Spent Coffee Grounds, Green Tea Leaves and Eggshells on the Growth of Okra Plants Using Sustainable Slow-Releasing Fertilizer Tablets

Zamri, Mufid Hadi (2026) Evaluating the Effectiveness of Spent Coffee Grounds, Green Tea Leaves and Eggshells on the Growth of Okra Plants Using Sustainable Slow-Releasing Fertilizer Tablets. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Food waste, such as spent coffee grounds, green tea leaves and eggshells are widely produced but often discarded, contributing to the growing amount of organic waste in landfills. However, by turning these materials can be repurposed into valuable products like fertilizer, which can be used for home gardening or in agriculture. This study examines the effectiveness of this organic waste: spent coffee grounds, eggshells and green tea leaves waste in improving the growth of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus). This organic waste contains essential micronutrients and macronutrients that are required for plant growth. The objective of this study is to assess the growth rate of okra plants treated with different mixtures of organic waste: a balanced mix, a coffee ground-heavy mix and an eggshells-heavy mix. The organic waste was digested using citric acid to remove impurities, dried in the oven, ground and molded into the tablet mold using the chitosan and arabic gum as a binder. Then, the tablets were coated with 2% sodium alginate. After that, the molded tablets were then analyzed for pH, elemental composition using CHNSO analysis, flame atomic absorption (Flame-AAS) analysis and phosphorus content using the colorimetric molybdenum blue analysis. The plant growth parameter tests include height, number of leaves and chlorophyll content. The results show the pH for eggshells-heavy mix fertilizer is 7.32, balanced mix is 6.88 and a coffee ground-heavy mix is 6.61. The nitrogen content in eggshells-heavy mix is 2.3%, balanced mix is 2.36 and coffee ground-heavy mix is 2.8%. The okra plants that were treated with spent coffee grounds heavy fertilizer tablets showed the highest growth about 1.0 cm in average plant height compared to the balanced ratio, eggshells heavy ratio and control groups. The second best growth rate is balanced ratio about 0.83 cm in average plant height. In conclusion,fertilizer tablets made from spent coffee grounds, eggshells and green tea waste are viable, eco-friendly and low-low-cost. This organic fertilizer has the potential to serve as an alternative to synthetic fertilizer.