Influence of powdered chicken bone and eggshell on the growth and development of Solanum nigrum L.

As the global population continues to grow, sustainable food production is essential to meet future needs while conserving natural resources and safeguarding the environment. Organic fertilizers like eggshells and chicken bones can enhance Solanum nigrum growth more effectively than urea. This study investigated the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil characteristics, along with the growth and yield of Solanum nigrum. The study was conducted between January and March 2024 (winter and early summer season) at SASTRA University, Kumbakonam. The experiment used five treatments, such as a control, 2g, 4g, and 6g of powdered chicken bone and eggshell, and 6g of urea. All treatments were replicated three times. Significant effects (P less than 0.05) were observed on yield parameters such as leaf count, root length, plant height, and fruit maturity. T3 (6g of powdered chicken bone and eggshell) showed the highest plant growth and increased nutrient availability. NPK content in 6g of powdered chicken bone and eggshell treated soil has significantly higher, with a notable increase from day 0 to day 60. These findings suggest that powdered chicken bone and eggshell organic fertilizer can enhance the vegetative growth of Solanum nigrum.