Production of Liquid Organic Fertilizer Using Shallot Peels through EM4-assisted Fermentation

Abstract

Shallot peels represent a common household organic waste that contains many useful compounds for liquid plant fertilizer by producing a liquid organic fertilizer derived from shallot peels, based on the composition given by Istigfarin and Abror [8]. The liquid fertilizer is prepared using 500 grams of shallot peels, 25 mL of EM4 as a microbial starter, and 34 grams of sugar as a fermentation substrate. The mixture is then fermented for 14–28 days to allow microbial decomposition and nutrient release. The resulting liquid fertilizer, when applied at an optimal concentration, can improve plant growth performance. Ernis et al. [5] have also shown that shallot peel fertilizer contains N, P, K, and organic C elements, as well as micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, and Cu in trace amounts.