Abstract:
In extensive parts of Ethiopia, soil acidity is one of the main factors limiting soil fertility and
crop productivity. The pH of a soil solution measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. This
investigator explores the use of powdered waste eggshell as a pH modifier. Eggshell contains
calcium carbonate which when calcined produces quick lime (calcium oxide) which can be used
as a pH modifier. In this study, dry eggshell was processed into eggshell powder and put through
a 1 mm sieve. Waste eggshells were calcined for 4 hr at a temperature of 600 to 900 °C. The Xray Powder Diffraction was used to characterize crystal structure of the calcined discarded
eggshells. More calcium oxide is produced by calcination at 900 °C for 4 hr. According to XRD
diffraction, the calcium carbonate of the rock-forming material (CaCO3) completely transforms
into the calcium oxide of the solidified concrete material (CaO) around 900 °C. The calcined
product was put to the test on a sample of acidic soil with natural pH values between 5.15 and
5.26. The pH of both locations was raised to 5.98 and 6.15, respectively, by the addition of the
calcined sample or calcium oxide (lime) made from leftover eggshells. The relationship between
intervals and neutralization capacity is made abundantly obvious by the difference in pH
readings between the third week and the first two phases. This came about as a result of the
calcium and magnesium oxides deteriorating over time. The average pH meter readings after
liming demonstrate unequivocally that lime made from used eggshells has the power to balance
acidic soil.
