Effects of Egg Shell Waste and Algae Enrichment on Tomato Plant Nutrition In the Controlled Environment

Abstract

Handan ERTURK

Egg shell wastes from the egg processing industry, have been considered for enrichment of soil plant nutrition and for contribution to environmental safety by the waste treatment. Egg Shell functions as a good calcium and mineral source and it was an aim to increase Ca content of tomato. Biological fertilizers need to be considered as alternative to chemical fertilizers, because of human and environmental health aspects. There are publications on the use of bacteria and microalgae enriched biological fertilizers, that state biological fertilizers can compete with the chemical fertilizers. We collected the egg shell wastes with students in this project. We had a culture of Chlorella Vulgaris algae for biodiesel production in our laboratory and aimed to use this biomass for plant nutrition, too. Algae enrichment besides eggshell waste addition to soil has not been explored for tomato plant nutrition. Therefore, it was an aim to use the C. Vulgaris algae, as mineral enrichment besides eggshell waste as plant nutrition for tomato in the controlled atmosphere of the laboratory, The treatments were determined as ESW added, algae added and ESW plus algae added to soil compared with blank (no addition). The results showed that ESW + algae combination treatment had increased Ca content in tomato, compared with other treatments as well as B, Fe, Mg, Na, P minerals. Algae addition compared to blank, did not have a contribution in final tomato wet weight, Probably, algae in soil needed nutrients and competed with soil microorganisms for nutrients, and causing adverse effects on growth.

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