ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessment of New NKSMg Fertilizer Based
on Protein Hydrolysate of Keratin
in Pot Experiments
Małgorzata Popko, Radosław Wilk, Helena Górecka, Katarzyna Chojnacka, Henryk Górecki
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Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology,
Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wroclaw, Poland
Submission date: 2015-01-16
Acceptance date: 2015-03-22
Publication date: 2015-07-27
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2015;24(4):1765-1772
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ABSTRACT
We assessed the effectiveness use of the new NKSMg fertilizer on the germination of rapeseed (Brassica
napus L. var. napus). The fertilizer was produced on the basis of protein hydrolysate from processing of poultry
feathers. The whole process is based on the digestion of feather waste by acidic hydrolysis, adjusting pH
of the reaction medium, and then enriched in select nutrients. The method allows the production of liquid fertilizers
that can be used in soil and foliar applications. Pot experiments have shown that the use of NKSMg
fertilizer based on protein hydrolysate of keratin had a significant effect on the increase of plant biomass.
The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in plants increased by 76.2, 5.20, 37.3, and
29.6%, respectively, compared to unfertilized plants. The use of fertilizer also significantly modified the contents
of manganese and zinc in tested plants. Technology of production of fertilizers based on protein
hydrolysate is currently implemented by Intermag Co., Polish leader in the manufacture of fertilizers, growth
stimulators, and other preparations designed for professional agriculture and horticulture.