The Effects of Mixed Chicken Bone and Crab Shell Meal on the Growth of Capsicum annuum (Bell Pepper)

• Main Authors: Arroyo, Allthur Rudy R., Capinia, John Rafael V., Reyes, Ethan Jude R., Sumalbag, Elnathan Jethro B., Viri, Karl Benedict E.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: fertilizer; chicken bone; crab shell; bell pepper; plant growth
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2024/paper_see/12; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/conf_shsrescon/article/2424/viewcontent/PP_SEE_Arroyo_Capinia_Reyes_Sumalbag_Viri___Ethan_Jude_Reyes.docx.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Recycling of nutrient-rich food wastes minimizes reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promotes healthier ecosystems, and soil quality that promotes plant growth. Existing studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of food wastes, such as bone meal (B) and crab shell meal (S), as fertilizers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of varying proportions of B and S fertilizers on the growth of Capsicum annuum (bell pepper), requiring nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. To test the fertilizer, the plants were divided into three groups (100% chicken bone meal, 50% chicken bone meal with 50% crab shell meal, and 100% crab shell meal). Each group has three different amounts of fertilizer (7 g, 14 g, and 21 g). After eight biweekly observations, it was revealed that B14 has the greatest plant height (34.28 ± 3.88 cm), which is attributed to its nitrogen content. Stunted heights among control, B7, S7, S21, BS7, and BS14 are attributed to decreased nutrient availability and slower calcium decomposition rate for setups with crab shell meal. Rapid growth rates were observed in B14, B21, and BS21, moderate growth rates in S14, and stunted growth rates in the 0, S7, S21, BS7, and BS14. Additionally, B14 has the highest number of leaves, with 28 leaves. B21 exhibited the largest leaf surface area (36.36 ± 36.96 cm2). Overall, B14 has been identified as the optimal fertilizer in terms of height, growth rate, and number of leaves, while B21 for the leaf surface area.