English

Abstract

Fermented chitin waste (FCW), a by-product obtained from chitinase production using chitin fermentation, was evaluated for its properties for use as soil supplement based plant growth stimulator. Rice growth, yield and photosynthesis parameters were investigated following the growth of rice plants in organic fertilizer supplemented soil with the addition of 0.25, 0.50 or 1.00% (w/w) FCW in comparison with chemical fertilizer application. The application of FCW resulted in an increased photosynthetic pigment concentration and enhanced photosynthesis rate, leading to a significantly higher tiller number, shoot biomass and grain yield. At 30 d after transplantation (DAT), the rice plants grown with 0.5% (w/w) FCW-supplemented soil showed the highest level of new leaf photosynthetic pigments and photosynthesis rate, but they were not significantly different from the plants grown in soil supplemented with 1.0% (w/w) FCW. However, at 60 DAT, the plants grown under 1.0% (w/w) FCW had a significantly higher photosynthesis rate than plants grown in 0.5% (w/w) FCW supplemented soil. The addition of 0.5 or 1.0% (w/w) FCW increased the grain yield 2.7 and 4.3 folds, respectively, compared to that with chemical fertilizer application. The addition of FCW significantly increased the soil pH and organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. Therefore, the FCW from a chitin fermenter can be used as a plant growth stimulator for sustainable rice production. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers