Application of Seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) Extract and Shrimp Waste as Biofertilizer for Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

The extensive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture poses serious collateral problems such as environmental pollution, pest resistance development and food safety decline. Researches focused on developing organic fertilizers from waste to partially replace chemical fertilizer use is increasing due to the requirement of sustainable agriculture development. Therefore, a pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of organic fertilizer made from seaweed and shrimp waste in improving crop growth and soil pH in green mustards. Three treatments were set up: seaweed and shrimp waste fertilizer (SSF), organic fertilizer (OF) and chemical fertilizer (CF). Although the SSF treatment had the highest number of leaves and plant height, ANOVA showed no significant differences between the three treatments. Soil pH in the SS treatment (pH= 7.43) was also higher than OF (pH= 6.49) and CF (pH= 7.07) though no significant differences were observed. Therefore, the fertilizer produced using seaweed and shrimp waste is comparable to other organic and chemical fertilizer and is suitable for growing leafy vegetables. The production and use of organic fertilizers made from seaweed extract and shrimp head waste can be a new wave of organic fertilizer in promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields.