The response of 'Buttercrunch' lettuce to applications of cyanobacterium (Nostoc muscorum) in nutrient solution

Two separate greenhouse esperiments were conducted to determine the effects of additions of a blue-green algae (Nostoc muscorum) to nutrient solution cultures with different rates of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Buttercrunch). Lettuce yields increased with increased rates of N. Yields were significantly greater in treatments containing 165 ppm N with N. muscorum culture added (at the rate of 33.3% by volume) than in treatments containing the same rate of N without N. muscorum. A similar growth increase was not noted at lower N. muscorum inoculation rates (16.7% by volume). These preliminary data indicate the potential for increased yields of lettuce grown under specific conditions in nutrient culture. Further research of the complex interactions within this biological equilibrium are required before specific application recommendations may be suggested.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Horticulture

Department dc:contributor.department

Horticulture

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1979

Author dc:creator

• Adler, Barry

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71227

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/71227