Examining Total Nitrogen Levels Found in Common Shiner Waste Water and Comparing the Effects of Tomato Seedling Growth Under Fish Waste Water Versus Commercial Fertilizer.

Due to nutrient levels in fish waste water, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, it can be used as a potential soil amendment to fertilize plants. The effects of fish waste water on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth was examined in a six week experiment at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Common Shiner (Luxilus cornutus) fish waste water was siphoned and stored in a cool environment prior to the start of the experiment. Tomatoes were planted in pots and grouped into three different treatments with six pots per treatment: Group 1 (tap water), Group 2 (fish waste water), and Group 3 (20-20-20 NPK commercial fertilizer). The commercial fertilizer treatment was prepared to have total nitrogen levels similar to that of the fish waste water. Upon harvesting the tomato plants, physical measurements (eg height, dry weight yield, etc.) of each plant were conducted, and the dried tomato plant tissues as well as soil samples from each pot were analyzed for N, P, and K content. Statistical results showed no significant difference between any of the three treatments used for any parameter that was tested. This was thought to be due to unexpectedly low amounts of nitrogen in the fish waste water. To further evaluate the fertility potential of the Common Shiner fish waste water, increased nitrogen levels and phosphorus levels will be examined in similarly designed but separate experiments during summer 2015.