Abstract
When bean curd is produced, a large amount of bean curd lees is turned out as a side product and is disposed of as a waste product. Carbide of the bean curd lees was prepared, and this was used for cultivation of Brassica campestris cv. komatsuna. Evaluation was made of the effects of the use of this carbide of bean curd lees on the cultivation of Brassica campestris cv. komatsuna, and its properties were assessed. 1) The carbide of bean curd lees contains phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and we can expect much from its effects as fertilizer and as a substance to correct and adjust the acidity of soil. 2) When this was used for planter cultivation at a rate of 1-50 Mg ha^<-1>, growth of Brassica campestris cv. komatsuna could be promoted by 22-84%. Under farm conditions, growth of Brassica campestris cv. komatsuna could also be increased by 28-32% when this carbide was used at a rate of 5 Mg ha^<-1>. 3) The carbide of bean curd lees contains nitrogen in an amount of 37.6g kg^<-1>. When it was used in an amount of 1-5 Mg ha^<-1>, there was no change of nitrogen content in Brassica campestris cv. komatsuna cabbage. This may be attributed to the fact that this carbide contains very little nitrogen in the inorganic state, and that most of its nitrogen-related components are in a state stable to acids.
