Abstract
In this research, it was aimed to use the Chlorella Vulgaris algae, and eggshell waste (ESW) as different mineral sources for tomato plant nutrition in soilless culture. Algae is seen as safe, sustainable energy source. Egg shell waste is known to be valuable for high calcium content and minerals therefore, has been considered as mineral enrichment source. Although there are several papers on the soil nutrition, there is not as much information on eggshell waste and algae use for plant production in soilless culture. In the controlled atmosphere of the laboratory, a set-up was constructed for pumping the liquid medium (hydroponics) circulating in the tubes holding the tomato plantlets. The liquid nutrient solutions used for soilless culture treatments were media enriched with algae, enriched with ESW and blank (hydroponic only). Research was conducted for 3 months, the final weight of harvested tomatoes and mineral uptake of the plant (stalk and tomato) for different treatments were measured. Algae added medium gave higher results in tomato weight, than ESW added and blank treatments. Results showed that algae and ESW addition led to increased Ca content in harvested tomato, as well as minerals such as B, K, Mg, and Zn. The results were as expected in terms of increase in mineral contents, but the statistics showed no significant difference between treatments.
Highlights
Soilless culture studies often called as hydroponics are used for controlled environment due to better nutrient supply control through the liquid medium and environmental control stability, such as light, temperature and humidity controls in the greenhouses.‘The production volume of eggs worldwide exceeded 76.7 million metric tons in 2018, up from 73.9 million metric tons in 2016
The results showed that the algal extract and yeast extract application increased leaf weight of lemon seedlings so they were recommended as fertilizer improving vegetative growth
Algae addition into soilless hydroponic medium was found to be beneficial for tomato plant growth and mineral enrichment, especially leading to increased calcium content in tomato
Summary
Soilless culture studies often called as hydroponics are used for controlled environment due to better nutrient supply control through the liquid medium and environmental control stability, such as light, temperature and humidity controls in the greenhouses.‘The production volume of eggs worldwide exceeded 76.7 million metric tons in 2018, up from 73.9 million metric tons in 2016. Since 1990, the global egg production volume has increased by over 100 percent’. The source of calcium (egg shell) was added to aquaponics to feed Tillapia fish and tomato seedlings symbiotically in the pond. They found higher production of tomato and fish, showing the potential of eggshell powder as source of calcium[1]. Algal application (besides yeast and vermiwash) on the vegetative growth and nutrient status of citrus lemon seedlings were studied[2]. The results showed that the algal extract and yeast extract application increased leaf weight of lemon seedlings so they were recommended as fertilizer improving vegetative growth
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