Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Plant Nutrition, cilt.49, sa.8, ss.1484-1495, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The increasing accumulation of keratin-rich wastes and the growing demand for sustainable nutrient sources in agriculture necessitate the exploration of alternative organic fertilizers that promote resource recycling and soil fertility. The potential of keratin-rich waste, including sheep wool (SW), poultry feather (PF), and human hair (HH), as organic fertilizers were comparatively investigated. The morphological characteristics of these materials were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and their functional properties were analyzed via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, they were applied to lettuce plants at a rate of 10 g kg−1. Sheep wool and HH significantly enhanced plant growth, whereas PF had a negative effect at the applied dose. In the control treatment, the N concentration of the plants was 31.8 g kg−1, whereas in the keratin-based waste treatments it exceeded 50 g kg−1. Keratin-rich waste significantly increased Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn concentrations compared to the control. Post-harvest soil measurements showed that keratin-rich waste applications reduced soil pH from 8.12 to below 7.75 and increased EC from 0.54 mS cm−1 to above 1.80 mS cm−1. The study demonstrates that keratin-rich wastes, particularly SW and HH, can effectively improve plant growth and nutrient uptake, while also modifying soil chemical properties in a beneficial manner. Poultry feathers, at the applied dose, negatively affected plant growth, suggesting that lower application rates may be required to avoid adverse effects. These findings highlight the potential of keratin-based wastes as sustainable organic fertilizers, contributing to soil fertility and resource recycling.