Is shellfish compost really good for your organic garden?
The biggest advantage of shellfish compost is in soils infested
with root-knot nematodes. Root-knot nematodes attack the roots of
tomatoes, peppers, and many other vegetables, forming galls that
restrict the uptake of nutrients. Affected plants are stunted, and
produce inferior fruit.
Shellfish compost is rich in chitin, which forms the shells of
shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. Adding shellfish compost to soil
produces a proliferation of chitin-eating bacteria. Once the
bacteria have eaten all the chitin from the shellfish compost, they
attack the next largest source of chitin--the outer coatings of
nematodes.
Shellfish compost only has this effect in warm soil
temperatures, when bacteria proliferate freely. It also takes a few
months to boost chitin-eating bacteria populations, but over time,
nematode populations decline. Southern gardeners with nematode
problems, pay attention.