Chitin/Chitosan’s Bio-Fertilizer: Usage in Vegetative Growth of Wheat and Potato Crops

Abstract

This chapter consists of valuing the chitosan to create bio-fertilizers as fertilizers without going through the composting process because of their richness in the nutrient base elements of plants: nitrogen and phosphorus. Physicochemical analyses of the chitosan focused on pH, dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as IR and XRD. The samples thus prepared were monitored for 15 days. PH, temperature and conductivity were monitored daily. According to the physicochemical analyses of waste (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and the nutritional needs of our selected crop (soft wheat, Arrehane variety which are 90-90-50 U/ha), several doses are then determined for the purpose of the optimal formula after their application on the crop. An application of bio-fertilizer on the potato was also undertaken. Follow-ups were carried out during this study, such as the monitoring of the vegetative growth of wheat and the mineralization of the soil via its physicochemical analyses. The results show that our bio-fertilizer is rich in nitrogen with 4.98% and phosphorus with 1.42% and mineralizes quickly on the ground while leaving the soft wheat to absorb its nutrients effectively and improving its growth properties, then giving good yields.