The Effect of Use of Microalgae [Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck (Beijerinck)] in Different Fertilizer Applications on Plant Growth of Garden Rocket (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa Mill.)

Abstract

This study was carried out as a pot experiment in controlled greenhouse conditions in order to reveal the effect of microalgae [Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck (Beijerinck)] application on plant growth of rocket salad (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa Mill.) in different doses of fertilizer applications. Sieved soil in 3-liter pots was used as the growing medium. Equal amount of irrigation was applied to all pots during the period from seed sowing to the end of the experiment. Microalgae application was applied twice (100 ml and 150 per pot) to the seedling growing medium. As chemical fertilizer, 0%, 50% and 100% of NPK (160 mg N kg-1, 80 mg P2O5 kg-1, and 100 mg K2O kg-1) were applied. As parameters in rocket plants, shoot length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, stem diameter, leaf area, leaf relative water content, membrane damage index, total soluble content, and some nutrients (K, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn) contents were examined. According to the data obtained, microalgae applications were found to have a positive effect on plant growth in general. It was observed that the values increased in most parameters examined in algae-applied applications compared to the control group. Among the applications, the best values were found in 50% fertilizer + microalgae and 100% fertilizer + microalgae applications.