The effect of microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) on soilles grown greenhouse tomato

Experiment has been carried out in 2010 early-spring growing period in order to investigate the effect of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on nutrient saving of soilless grown greenhouse tomato. The eight nutrient treatments have been applied: (1) %100 N+A (Full nutrition + algae), (2) %100 N (Full nutrition), (3) %80 N+A (%80 nutrient +algae) (4) %80 N (%80 nutrition) (5) %60 N+A (%60 nutrition +algae) (6) %60 N (%60 nutrition) (7) %40 N+A (%40 nutrition +algae) (8) %40 N (%40 nutrition). Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on tomato plant growth and development, yield, fruit quality, plant nutrients and substrate content were investigated. The plant height, leaf number, number of bunches, leaf fresh weight, stem dry weight and leaf area were not affected by the applications. However, the fruit fresh weight, total biomass fresh weight, leaf dry matter and fruit dry matter rates was affected by the applications. The highest total yields were obtained from %80 N+A and %60 N+A, respectively. Leaf analysis showed that Chlorella vulgaris applications have increased the plant nutrients. Substrate analysis showed that Chlorella vulgaris decreased the accumulations of Na, CI, NO3 and PO4 inside the substrate.