Effects of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on hydroponically grown lettuce

Experiment has been carried out in 2010 autumn-growing period in glasshouse in order to investigate the effects of different nutrient doses with microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) under the hydroponic lettuce-growing conditions. The eight nutrient treatments have been realized: (1) %100 N+A : Full nutrition + algae, (2) %100 N: Full nutrition, (3) %80 N+A: %80 nutrition+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. The effects of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on the plant growth, yield, plant nutrients and some lettuce quality parameters have been investigated. The plant height, leaf number, leaf fresh weight, dry leaf weight, root fresh weight, root dry height, the percent of dry weight formation, leaf circle, Vitamin C, chlorophyll and nitrate contents of the leaf were significant. However, leaf area and the rate of water soluble dry material were not affected by the treatments. The leaf analysis showed that Chlorella vulgaris has been increasingly supported to the lettuce plants for N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn and Zn nutrition under the decreased nutrients levels.The general conclusions from the project work; fertilizer savings %20 and %40 can be achieved with lettuce plants controlled by using hydroponic culture in greenhouse. This also is served to clean environment.