COMPOSTED SHRIMP SHELLS CAN SUPPORT GROWTH VIGOR OF EGGPLANT IN MARGINAL LAND

Compost produced from shrimp shells mixed with other
botanical wastes as organic soil amendment was examined in a pot
experiment for a possible improvement in growth of eggplant in
marginal sandy soil. Shrimp shells with rice straw, banana peels,
pomegranate peels were recycled in a compost production process and
used with Azotobacter chrococcum as organic and bio-fertilizer for
eggplants in a greenhouse experiment. The obtained results referred to
a positive growth promoting effect of the compost product and/or the
bacterial inoculum on eggplants. Compost application and bacterial
inoculation increased eggplant dry and fresh weight as well as
improved the nutritional values of grain, i.e., total carbohydrates, total
phenol and total chlorophyll. In addition, soil organic matter was
increased in pots received the combined treatment with compost and
the bacterial inoculum. Slight changes were recorded in soil pH and
EC as a result of organic or biofertilizer application. The examined
compost product from shrimp shells might be used with the bacterial
inoculum as potential soil amendments in organic farming program.