Improving Soil Quality and Enhancing Quality Production of Vegetables Through Banana Peel

Abstract

The study focused on the determination of phytonutrients found in Banana Peels as an alternative organic fertilizer which was presented into two objectives of the study. First, was to study the effects of using Banana peel as organic manure on production of tomatoes. Second, was to study the improvement of soil quality by adding Banana peel to the soil. Banana fruit peels are good source of nutrients like potash, calcium, iron, zinc etc. Thus, this project aims to give an in-depth overview of the preparation method of Banana peel-based liquid fertilizerduetotheirhighpotassiumcontent on to improve crop yielding and Soil fertility. To prepare the liquid Banana peel based fertilizer is added to the soil and the plant growth is observed. The growth parameters such Root length, Shoot length, Number of leaves, Length and width of leaves also showed enhanced growth. In conclusion, the results revealed that application of organic liquid fertilizer such as Banana peel water enhanced the plant growth and soil fertility.

Introduction

Overview

Banana (Musa paradisiaca) is a key tropical fruit crop in India. Its peels are rich in nutrients like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, making them suitable as organic fertilizer. This study explores the use of banana peel-based liquid fertilizer for improving plant growth, especially in tomatoes, and enhancing soil quality.

Key Concepts

• Chemical fertilizers (e.g., NPK, urea, potash) boost plant growth but cause environmental issues such as global warming and loss of biodiversity.

• Organic fertilizers, such as banana peels, are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and improve soil fertility and biodiversity conservation.

• Banana peels are especially valued for their high potassium content and fiber, making them effective for crop yield and pest control.

Objectives of the Study

1. Assess banana peel manure’s effect on tomato yield.

2. Evaluate soil quality improvements.

3. Measure changes in nitrogen and water retention in soil.

4. Analyze pest control effectiveness.

5. Quantify nutrient absorption by plants.

Methodology

• Banana peels are collected from juice vendors and markets, cleaned, and soaked in water.

• Fermentation occurs over 2–4 days to produce a liquid biofertilizer.

• This liquid is then applied to tomato plants, and growth parameters are measured over time.

Nutritional Profile of Banana Peels

• Minerals (mg/100g): Potassium (475.6), Calcium (323), Sodium, Phosphorus, Iron, Manganese.

• Other components (%): Carbohydrates (59–67), Fiber (19.2–31.7), Proteins, Starch, Fat, Ash.

Results

• Plants treated with banana peel fertilizer showed significantly improved growth:

  • Root length: Increased from 2 cm (control) to 2.7 cm (treated).

  • Shoot length: Increased from 4 cm to 6 cm.

  • Number of leaves, leaf size, and overall health were also enhanced.

• Demonstrates banana peels as an effective, natural source of potassium for improving tomato plant growth.

Conclusion

The study of this project reviewed in this it was observed that Banana peel-based liquid fertilizers improved the growth and yield of the vegetable crops.The study showed that the organic Banana peel liquid fertilizers have the potential to enhance the growth in especially Tomato plants. Application of organic liquid fertilizers showed the effect on growth parameters such as plant height, root length, number of leaves length and width of the leaves. Tomato plants showed more growth in soil supplemented with Banana peel fermented water. Chemical fertilizers disturb the natural nutrient content of the soil, but liquid fertilizers enhance the nutrient content of the soil. In conclusion, the results revealed that application of organic liquid fertilizer such as Banana peel water enhanced the plant growth and soil fertility.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Devendar Veeramalla, Prof. Komal Latha Nagpal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.