REVISED TOPIC PROPOSAL
Cena, Rhian Althea
Didasa, Faith Isabella
Esteban, Richmond Gabrielle
Manabat, Sophia Erika
Pizon, Marco Stefano
Virtucio, David Kharl
STRATUS - 4
SEPTEMBER 2025
Topic:
The effect of using coffee grounds as an organic fertilizer for the growth of pechay
Title:
Exploring The Fertilization Potential Of Coffee Grounds On Growth Of Pechay
Overview:
Fertilizer is a product of enhancement for the growth of a plant. It is strictly important
since this is the key to well and regenerative agriculture because fertilizers supply essential
nutrients for the plant to grow at its full potential. Although fertilizers are helpful for the plant,
the organic type of fertilizer such as compost, fruit peels, and manure are a better alternative for
inorganic [Link] study focuses on exploring the effectiveness of organic materials,
specifically, coffee grounds. Moreover, this study examines the potential of coffee grounds as an
organic fertilizer by incorporating 10, 15, and 20 grams into garden soil. Its objective is to
identify the application rate that best enhances plant growth and soil health, while avoiding
negative effects such as excessive acidity or nutrient imbalance.
According to Febrian & Ismali (2021), Nowadays, coffee is one of the needs among
metropolitan people. This lifestyle impacts increasing waste along coffee production, one of
them is spent coffee grounds. Spent coffee grounds have toxic properties to the environment such
as caffeine, tannins, and polyphenols. While other chemicals contained on spent coffee grounds
are 2.28% nitrogen, 0.06% phosphorus, 0.6% potassium, which means it has a good impact on
the soil.
According to Alifah & Hidayat (2025), Organic waste is a global challenge that affects
environmental quality, especially in the agricultural sector. Coffee grounds, as one of the organic
wastes produced in large quantities, have the potential to be used as organic fertilizer to improve
soil quality and plant productivity.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension (2023), Chinese cabbage, also
known as Brassica rapa subsp. Pekinensis grows best in soils that are neutral to slightly acidic,
with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. This shows that Chinese cabbage is not a crop that performs best in
alkaline soils, since alkaline soils limit the availability of nutrients, especially iron, manganese,
and phosphorus, which may result in slower growth and lower yield.
According to Mesmar et al. (2024), overuse of chemical fertilizers degrades the soil
ecosystem and restricts the natural development of plants. Various byproducts are produced
throughout the production and consumption of coffee within the coffee industry, and they are
significant in terms of environmental waste. Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) contain various
bioactive compounds that have demonstrated potential applications in various fields. These
compounds can enhance soil quality by improving its physicochemical properties and biological
fertility, ultimately leading to improved plant growth and reducing food waste and
contamination at the same time.
Some growers also mix the soil directly and dry it out. To avoid clumping and too much
acidity, dry coffee grounds are mixed with garden soil in small amounts (1:4) (Better Homes &
Gardens, 2022). However, since germination inhibition and nutrient imbalance may still occur,
direct application is not advised for seedlings or crops that prefer alkaline soil (MDPI, 2020).
Francisco et al. (2022). A study was conducted to determine the physical and chemical
properties of soil grown with coffee. To generate a soil nutrient map of the coffee farm; and to
provide fertilizer recommendations based on the result of analysis of chemical properties
Statement Of The Problem (SOP)
There is a global problem regarding the used coffee grounds, instead of throwing them away it
can be used as a fertilizer. It can also be helpful to the environment as used coffee grounds can be
harmful to the environment in some ways.
Specifically the questions are:
1. How does coffee ground affect the quality of soil for the growth of Pechay?
2. Is there a significant difference between the growth of Pechay under the effect of ground
coffee against the non-treated Chinese Cabbage.
3. Which amount of coffee grounds (in grams) works best as fertilizer for Pechay
Objective Of The Study
This study aims to understand the potential effects of used coffee grounds as a fertilizer on
Pechay plants.. It also aims to differentiate the fertilizing effect of different amounts of coffee
grounds (in grams) and what among the group is the most effective one. Moreover, it aims to
reduce the waste problem in coffee grounds.
● To study the effects of coffee grounds Pechay growth
● To analyze the soil quality improvement based on the growth of Pechay
● To reduce waste problem on used coffee grounds
Conceptual Framework:
Figure 1. The Conceptual Framework of Exploring The Fertilization Potential Of Coffee
Grounds On Growth Of Pechay