Possible usefulness of shrimp biowaste as a fertilizer in the cultivation of selected species of Miscanthus (Andersson)

Species of the Miscanthus genus are plants of considerable economic importance. During their vegetation, they produce a considerable amount of biomass, which makes them a useful source of bioenergy. They are also highly ornamental and, being highly tolerant of salt in the soil, they are useful both in city greeneries and in the reclamation of degraded areas. Several million tons of shrimps per year are fished and processed at present. This generates a huge amount of biowaste, contributing to the progressive degradation of natural environment. Proper utilization of this waste is, therefore, becoming a burning issue. The present study was carried out in the years 2020–2021. The plant material consisted of two species of the genus Miscanthus, i.e. Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus × giganteus. Dried and ground biowaste, a material of high nutritional value generated during shrimp cleaning, was used as an experimental component of the substrate. The shrimp biowaste was mixed with the soil at a dose of 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v). The control was a mineral soil without the dried biowaste. No other fertilizer was used during the plant growth. The plant material was harvested at the end of the growing season in the first year, and at full bloom and at the end of the growing season in the second year. The following mineral components were assessed: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, and Ni. Regardless of the species, the plants growing in the substrates enriched with dried shrimps had a higher content of macro- and micronutrients in their leaves in comparison with the controls. In the next years of cultivation, the content of the assessed mineral components in the leaves seemed to drop. The biowaste generated during shrimp cleaning may successfully be used as fertilizer in the cultivation of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus × giganteus.