Composted Oyster Shell as Lime Fertilizer Is More Effective Than Fresh Oyster Shell

Abstract

Physio-chemical changes in oyster shell were examined, and fresh and composted oyster shell meals were compared as lime fertilizers in soybean cultivation. Structural changes in oyster shell were observed by AFM and FE-SEM. We found that grains of the oyster shell surface became smoother and smaller over time. FT-IR analysis indicated the degradation of a chitin-like compound of oyster shell. In chemical analysis, pH (12.3+/-0.24), electrical conductivity (4.1+/-0.24 dS m(-1)), and alkaline powder (53.3+/-1.12%) were highest in commercial lime. Besides, pH was higher in composted oyster shell meal (9.9+/-0.53) than in fresh oyster shell meal (8.4+/-0.32). The highest organic matter (1.1+/-0.08%), NaCl (0.54+/-0.03%), and moisture (15.1+/-1.95%) contents were found in fresh oyster shell meal. A significant higher yield of soybean (1.33 t ha(-1)) was obtained by applying composted oyster shell meal (a 21% higher yield than with fresh oyster shell meal). Thus composting of oyster shell increases the utility of oyster shell as a liming material for crop cultivation.

Enhancement of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> Seedling Growth and Tolerance to <i>Phytophthora megakarya</i> by Heat-Treated Oyster Shell Powder

“…This finding agrees with [13] report, who found that heat-treated oyster shell powder increased root and shoot fresh weight in soybean and cabbage respectively more than non-treated oyster shell powder. The plant growth promoting effects of heat-treated oyster shell powder observed in this study can be due to their chemical composition.…”

“…Xing et al, 2013 [12] have reported the capacity of heat-treated oyster shell at 500 ppm to exhibit antifungal activities against plant pathogen more than non-treated oyster shell at 25,000 ppm. Moreover, heat-treated oyster shell has been widely used as liming material, growth stimulator and yield enhancer in many crops such as in soybean [13] and cabbage [14]. Recent studies have reported that oyster shell powder soil amendment reduces the occurrence of tobacco bacterial wilt in fields [15].…”

Assessment of the use potential of edible sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) processing waste within the agricultural system: Influence on soil chemical and biological properties and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and wheat (Triticum vulgare) growth in an amended acidic soil

“…Moreover, they had a moderately alkaline pH in water and EC values very similar to those of commercial lime (i.e. w4 mS/cm; Lee et al, 2010). In general, the physico-chemical characteristics of the ground endoskeletons were similar to those of some shellfish wastes, such as oyster and clam shells, which were recently investigated for their potential as liming material for crop cultivation (Lee et al, 2008(Lee et al, , 2010Owen et al, 2008).…”

“…w4 mS/cm; Lee et al, 2010). In general, the physico-chemical characteristics of the ground endoskeletons were similar to those of some shellfish wastes, such as oyster and clam shells, which were recently investigated for their potential as liming material for crop cultivation (Lee et al, 2008(Lee et al, , 2010Owen et al, 2008). Heavy metals such as Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu and Mn were present at very low concentrations compared to those commonly found in uncontaminated soils (Förstner, 1995) or allowed by the Italian legislation for soil amendments (Gazzetta Ufficiale n.88, 2009).…”

“…Since these wastes could generally contain significant amount of plant nutrients, soil or land application for cropping purposes is emerging as a valuable and sustainable alternative to landfill disposal (MacLeod et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2008Lee et al, , 2010. Despite no information in this sense available for edible sea urchins processing waste, there are a few reports suggesting that such waste could be recovered to produce value-added products (Mamelona et al, 2010) or potentially processed for use as soil amendment (Ebert, 2007).…”