Utilization of compost derived from waste sludge of shrimp raising-ponds for crop cultivation

Abstract

Compost, an organic fertilizer which is rich of nutrients, safe and environmentally friendly for crop cultivation. In this study, it was aimed at evaluatiton of the effects of the compost derived from shrimp pond waste sludge on plant growth of kohlrabi, white radish, and mustard green. The application of the compost produced in five districts (Quynh Luong, Nghi Hop, Dien Trung, Quynh Di, Hung Hoa) of Nghe An province resulted in remarkably higher plant growth. In which kohlrabi, white radish, and mustard green fertilized by the compost from Quynh Luong district had crop yields of 3.6 kg/m², 3.4 kg/m², 3.7 kg/m² than the control without compost yielding 2.1-2.2 kg/m². Similarly, other plant growth parameters of number and areas of leaves and survival rate of the plants were all significantly higher than that of the control. Moreover, the mustard greens yields applied the compost produced in the four districts including Nghi Hop, Dien Trung, Quynh Di, Hung Hoa were in the range of 3.1-3.6 kg/m² all higher than that of the control unapplied fertilization determined as 2.2 kg/m², but reaching relatively equivalent to that of the commercial organic fertilizer at 3.8 kg/m², but slightly lower than that of the chemical fertilizer 4.4 kg/m². The study revealed that the compost from shrimp pond waste sludge can be fertilized for crop cultivattion which was safe and contributing to reducing a large amount of waste sludge discharged from shrimp-raising ponds in Nghe An province.