The effect of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca L.) liquid organic fertilizer and zeolite combinations on the development of cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.)

The zeolite and sea lettuce liquid fertilizer used in this study were carried out at the Giresun Hazelnut Research Center between June and October 2015 as three replications in the experimental design of coincidental parcels. The experiment including the control group was composed of 6 groups. The combinations of organic liquid fertilizer material obtained from sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca L.) and different concentrations of zeolite were applied to the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plant in the trial pots. The seed planting was done by hand with 5-6 cm deep and 30 seeds / flower pots. Except the control group, all zeolites were applied with the first dose of liquid fertilization and other doses were given in four periods, after germination, flowering and yield. While the lowest germination rate was in SGKONT (control) with 81,1 %, the highest rate was in SG1 (180 g zeolite) with 94,4 %. While the lowest seedling size ratio was observed in SG1 (180 g zeolite) and SG2 (90 g zeolite + 1140 ml liquid fertilizer) with 13.9 cm, the highest rate was in SGKONT (control). While the lowest seedling weight ratio was observed in SG2 (90 g zeolite + 1140 ml liquid fertilizer) with 1,20 g, the highest rate was in SG3 (180 g zeolite + 620 ml liquid fertilizer) with 1,81 g. While the highest cucumber size ratio was observed in SG4 (270 g zeolite + 310 ml liquid fertilizer) with 13,5 cm, the lowest rate was in SG5 (620 ml liquid fertilizer) with 11,7 cm. While the highest cucumber weight ratio was observed in SG4 (270 g zeolite + 310 ml liquid fertilizer) with 179,4 g, the lowest rate was in SG5 (620 ml liquid fertilizer) with 133,4 g. Therefore, while zeolite promotes germination, it is clear that both the weight of seedlings and the cucumber plant have a positive effect on the total yield of the organic liquid fertilizer obtained from Ulva lactuca species. Keywords: Zeolite, Ulva lactuca, Cucumber, Liquid Fertilizer.