Liming Effect of Mussel Shell (<em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em>) Waste on High Acidic Soil

Abstract

Aquaculture by-products can be compromised an important liming material of increasing soil pH and soil fertility. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of mussel shells on soil pH, on organic matter and on soil nutrients. In this study a pot experiment was carried out at the De-partment of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment (University of Thessaly, Greece). A acidic soil (pH 4.26) amended with 6 different proportions of mussel shell (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3 and 6%) in two different grain sizes (Fine powder (&amp;gt;1 mm) and Coarse powder (1-2 mm)), resulting in 13 treatments. According to the results, it was observed that pH, organic matter, Available P and Exchangeable K increased. Specifically, the highest pH values observed at 6% rate. Available P and Exchangeable K achieved the highest content at 6% Fine powder treatment, 46.2 and 190.1 mg kg-1, respectively. Similarly, organic matter had the highest value in 6% Fine powder pots (2.27%). Moreover, Total N concentration varied from 0.11 to 0.14 but no statistically significant different was noticed between the treatments. In conclusion, mussel shells can compose a promising liming material in the agriculture section.

Effect of Mussel Shells as Soil pH Amendment on the Growth and Productivity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Cultivation

“…The variability in plant height observed in the second growing year underscores the multifaceted nature of the interactions, implicating both mussel shells and biological fertilizer. This dynamic relationship could be a key factor contributing to the observed rise in plant height during the second year, in contrast to the findings reported by Singh et al [26].…”

“…The mussel shells underwent a rinsing process with distilled water, followed by air drying in an oven set at 40 • C for a total of 24 h. Subsequently, dried shells were ground using a mortar and pestle and sieved through a 1 mm stainless sieve. Then, the acquired powder was mixed with 10 kg of soil in different ratios (C = 0 g, T1 = 10 g, T2 = 30 g, T3 = 50 g, T4 = 100 g, T5 = 300, and T6 = 600 g of mussel shell powder) [26].…”