Reduction of mineral fertilizer by bio-fertilizer in hydroponic spinach growing

In the study, the amount of mineral fertilizer was reduced by 50% in the cultivation of spinach with the hydrophonic technique in the greenhouse and mycorrhiza, bacteria and micro algae bio-fertilizer were added instead. It was determined that the 50% reduction of mineral fertilizer and the addition of mycorrhiza, bacteria and algae biofertilizer increased the yield by 11.0%, 5.6% and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the 50% control application. Biofertilizers increased the total leaf area and number of leaves in spinach. It was determined that micro algae application was effective on the number of leaves and leaf area. The addition of mycorrhiza increased the phenol content by 0.7%, the addition of micro algae and bacteria decreased it by 11.3% and 9.4%, respectively. The biofertilizers did not change the total flavonoid content, but increased the vitamin C content. The amount of nitrate in spinach leaves fed with solutions with biofertilizer reduced compared to the 100% control application. The lowest nitrate amount in the leaves was recorded at 206 mg/kg with 50% reduced mineral fertilizers + bacteria application. It has been determined that bio-fertilizer applications increased the macro and micro nutrient content in spinach.Clean and hygienic spinach leaves were obtained compared to the spinach plant grown in the soil.