Preparation and evaluation of chitin nanofiber as a substitute of urea for tomato cultivation

Tomato is a big crop in Bangladesh, and we produced 469204.49 M tons of tomatoes in 2023. Bangladeshi farmers produce tomatoes following traditional practices and using chemical fertilizers, e.g., urea, MoP, TSP, and gypsum. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers increase crop yields, and urea is considered the chief N fertilizer worldwide (Bremner, 1995). To get an acceptable tomato yield, practically all farmers must use expensive N fertilizers like urea. However, urea is costly and prone to loss, causing environmental pollution. We propose using chitin nanofiber (CNF) as an alternative source of urea for tomato production. Shrimp waste will be converted into chitin nanofibers (CNF) and applied to tomato plants to evaluate its potential for enhancing growth and yield attributes. Two field experiments will be conducted in 2025 and 2026 with control (no urea), recommended doses of urea, 0.01% CNF, 0.05% CNF, and 0.1% CNF. The unit plot measures 2.5 m x 2 m, and twenty plots will be required. The second-year experiment aims to validate the results of the first year. Data will be collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of flower plant^-1, number of flower cluster plant^-1, number of fruits plant^-1, fruit yield plant^-1, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit shape index, individual fruit weight, total fruit weight plant^-1, marketable fruit weight plant^-1, unmarketable fruit weight plant^-1, fruit disorder, chlorophyll content (SPAD). The results of these experiments would provide important insight regarding the suitability of using CNF for tomato cultivation in Bangladesh.

 Keywords (maximum 5): Chitin nanofiber; tomato; growth; yield; ecofriendly

• Research Project