Billions of tons of keratinous waste in the form of feathers, antlers, bristles, claws, hair, hoofs, horns, and wool are generated by different industries and their demolition causes environmental deterioration. Chicken feathers have 92% keratin that can be a good source of peptides, amino acids, and minerals. This study is aimed at the bioconversion of poultry feather waste into a nutrient-rich feather hydrolysate and its application as a sustainable biofertilizer for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivation to develop an eco-friendly and efficient method to manage poultry feather waste while enhancing watermelon growth and yield through sustainable agricultural practices. The bioconversion process involved microbial hydrolysis using keratinolytic bacteria (Aqaumicrobium defluvii) collected from the microbial bank in Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Nanobiotechnology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho to break down feathers into a bioavailable form. The selected bacteria were isolated and cultured, and feather waste was treated under optimal conditions for keratin degradation, producing a feather hydrolysate rich in nitrogen, amino acids, and micronutrients essential for plant growth. The resulting feather hydrolysate was then applied to watermelon crops in a controlled field trial, comparing its effects to conventional chemical fertilizer(NPK) and untreated controls. The results showed that the effectiveness of biofertilizers derived from feather and hoof hydrolysates on watermelon yield, while the biofertilizers did not significantly outperform conventional NPK fertilizer or water, they exhibited promising potential. However, factors such as nutrient concentration, application timing, and environmental conditions may have influenced the results. Further research is needed to optimize biofertilizer formulations and application techniques to maximize their benefits for sustainable agriculture.
Relevant for Nigeria’s poultry industry (huge feather waste from slaughterhouses). Converting waste to biofertilizer supports circular economy and boosts local crop yields sustainably.