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Impact of trace metals in fish waste-based organic fertilizer on growth promotion and nutritional components of spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea L.)

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Abstract

Fermented fish waste is increasingly utilized as a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer to enhance soil fertility and sustainable crop production. However, limited data exist on how trace metals in fish waste–based fertilizers affect plant growth and food safety. Therefore, our current study addresses this gap by evaluating the effects of liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) derived from fermented carp fish waste on the growth and nutrient composition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). This experimental study investigated varying LOF concentrations (10–50 ml) compared to water, NPK, and control treatments over a 60-day growth period. The overall results demonstrated that LOF applications, particularly at 40 and 50 ml, significantly improved leaf growth, photosynthetic pigments, and essential mineral accumulation while maintaining trace metal levels within safe consumption limits. These findings suggest fish waste–based LOFs can effectively promote spinach growth and nutritional quality, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers that supports soil health and reduces environmental impact. Furthermore, our study provides a novel and comprehensive evaluation of the agronomic benefits and potential health risks associated with trace metals in fish waste-derived fertilizers. This aspect has rarely been explored in previous research.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

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Funding

The present research was not supported financially by any funding agencies.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

    Parveen & Zubia Masood

  2. Department of Botany, SardarBahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta,, Balochistan, Pakistan

    Huma Batool & Afroz Riaz

  3. Key Laboratory of Marine genetics and bredding, Ministry of education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China

    Wajid Ali

  4. Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

    Wali Khan

  5. Department of Biological Sciences, Thal University Bhakkar (University of Sargodha, Ex-Sub-Campus Bhakkar), Bhakkar, Punjab, 30000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Kabir

  6. Faculty of Marine Sciences, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, District Lasbela, Balochistan, Pakistan

    Muhammad Aslam

  7. Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia

    Mourad Ben Said

  8. Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia

    Mourad Ben Said

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  1. Parveen
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  2. Zubia Masood
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data. Drafting the article by P.V, W.A., M.B.S., W.K., and Z.M, and revising it critically for important intellectual content. Material preparation, data collection, and data analysis were performed by P.V., Z. M., W.K., M.K., H.B., A.R., and M.A. The first draft of the manuscript was written by P.V. & Z.M. Validation, and project administration by M.A. Funding Acquisitions made by W.A. and M.B.S. All authors read and approved the final version to be submitted.

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Correspondence to
Zubia Masood.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

The fishes used in this study were fresh but lifeless. However, all procedures used in this manuscript follow the guidelines of relevant standard methods. None of the human treated for vegetable consumption. The study protocol and the ethics of this work have been approved by the Ethical Committee (Approval code: 2017/SBKWU/Zool-22/28 dated 15th May 2023) of the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University and confirmed that all methods were carried out by relevant guidelines and regulations.

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Parveen, Masood, Z., Batool, H. et al. Impact of trace metals in fish waste-based organic fertilizer on growth promotion and nutritional components of spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea L.).
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41171-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41171-5

Keywords

  • Fermented fish wastes
  • Liquid organic fertilizer (LOF)
  • Plant growth
  • Trace metals
  • Spinacia oleracea
  • Human Health risks

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