Abstract

Large quantities of Seafood Processing By-Products (SPBPs) are carelessly dumped in open rivers. SPBPs can be used as an alternative organic fertilizer in the form of liquid fish silage (LFS). The effectiveness of LFS of bangamary (Macrodon ancylodon) as a fertilizer was compared to urea for pak- choi production; using two different concentrations of 5% and 10% and urea at a rate of 160 kg/N ha - 1. Plant vegetative (leaf length, number of edible leaves, leaf area index (LAI), pigment content) and yield performance (head weight) were assessed. After 14 days of fermentation the LFS pH value was within range of 3.4-3.6 and contained 1.85% N, 3.12% P and 0.13% K; with no heavy metals or E. coli detected. Results indicated that plants treated with 5% LFS produced the highest plant growth, yield, LAI and pigment content comparable to urea. While, tissue analysis in plants treated with 10% LFS had highest percentages of N, P, K. This study concludes, SPBPs can successfully be converted into LFS and used as a plant fertilizer; it recommends the use of 5% LFS since pak-choi production was the greatest. However, further studies are recommended to substantiate these results.

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