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The Comparative Analysis of Biofertilizers And Inorganic Fertilizers In Butterhead Lettuce

Abigail Langomas

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INTRODUCTION

  • Biofertilizers enhance nutrient availability and improve the uptake of nutrients
  • Primarily sourced from plant extracts, beneficial insects, or other natural sources
  • Studies have shown that biofertilizers can increase crop yields by 10%–40% and replace nearly 25%–30% of the inorganic/chemical fertilizers

(Pal et al., 2015)

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REVIEW OF LITERATURE

EFFECTS OF INORGANIC FERTILIZERS

  • Waterway pollution
    • Seep through the soil into water sources = contamination of water
  • Increased air pollution
    • Excess nitrogen = release of greenhouse gases
  • Harm to humans and animals
    • Risk of developing cancer in adults and children + harming fetal brain development (Buckler, 2017) (Devitt, 1999)

BENEFITS OF BIOFERTILIZERS

  • Increases protein, vital amino acids, vitamins, and nitrogen fixation
  • Leads to higher crop yields and cost-effective
  • Counteracts the negative effects of inorganic fertilizers

(Yokoyama, 2022)

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Inorganic fertilizers cause harm to the ecosystem and to people and they are used by many who don’t know the problems it can lead to

Do a comparative analysis between biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers and find a better alternative that will benefit crop production and improve consumer health

Growth with biofertilizers should show results of increased plant productivity and greater leaf yield compared to the growth with inorganic fertilizers

PROBLEM

PURPOSE

HYPOTHESIS

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METHODOLOGY

  • Fungi → Mycorrhiza
  • Micro-algae → Chlorella vulgaris
  • Bacteria → Pseudomonas fluorescens
  • Control → Chemical Fertilizer
  • “Kratky” method on hydroponic system

Photo taken by researcher

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MATERIALS

Biofertilizers

  • Mycorrhizal inoculant
  • Chlorella vulgaris
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens

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Nutrient Solutions

Inorganic Fertilizers

  • Synthetic fertilizers
    • Ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, or ammonium sulfate

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  • Butterhead lettuce seeds
  • Soil nutrient test kit
  • 5 gallon tubs (4x)
  • Air pump
  • 3 inch net cups
  • Coco husk cups
  • Coco-perlite medium

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RELATED RESULTS

“The effects of chemical fertilizer on soil fertility and plant growth”, (Zhang, 2020)

  • Growth rate of chemical fertilized soil reached maximum height 5.3cm
  • Natural soil continued to grow until the last day with a maximum height of 6.5 cm

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LIMITATIONS FUTURE RESEARCH

  • Control of 50% chemical fertilizer
  • Other types of biofertilizers + hydroponic methods
  • Multiple harvest seasons
  • Excess application of mycorrhizae = excess phosphorus for fungus

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DISCUSSION

Significance of study:

  • Decrease use of inorganic fertilizers that harm the environment
  • Bring awareness of the effects of using harsh chemicals
    • Lead to poor soil quality
    • Effects on consumer health
    • Contaminate drinking water

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CONCLUSION

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  • The growth with bacteria biofertilizers showed results of increased plant productivity and greater leaf yield compared to the growth with inorganic fertilizers
  • The results of this experiment will contribute to the current knowledge of biofertilizers
  • Find a better alternative that will benefit crop production and improve consumer health

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RESOURCES

  • Pal, Sumita, et al.(2015). Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion. Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10.2: https://ecoagrijournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Full-Paper-102.pdf
  • Fadaka, et al. (2022). Biofertilizer: The Future of Food Security and Food Safety. Microorganisms:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35744738/
  • Chojnacka, et al.(2020). Bio-based fertilizers: A practical approach towards circular economy, Bioresource Technology, Volume 295: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852419314531
  • Devitt (1999). Pesticide, fertilizer mixes linked to range of health problems: https://news.wisc.edu/pesticide-fertilizer-mixes-linked-to-range-of-health-problems/
  • Zhang (2020). The effects of chemical fertilizer on soil fertility and plant growth: https://www.futurescienceleaders.com/blog/2020/06/the-effects-of-chemical-fertilizer-on-soil-fertility-and-plant-growth/
  • Buckler (2017). The hidden dangers of chemical fertilizers: https://eponline.com/Articles/2017/12/07/The-Hidden-Dangers-of-Chemical-Fertilizers.aspx
  • Knobeloch, et al, (2000). Blue Babies and Nitrate-Contaminated Well Water: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/instance/1638204/pdf/envhper00308-0137.pdf
  • Dasgan, et al. (2022). Effect of biofertilizers on leaf yield, nitrate amount, mineral content and antioxidants of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in a floating culture. Sci Rep 12, 20917 . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24799-x
  • Yadav, et al. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities in Biofertilizer Commercialization: https://sciencevolks.com/microbiology/pdf/SVOA-MB-05-037.pdf
  • Ergun, et al. (2018). Effects of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on hydroponically grown lettuce: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1273.23
  • Kowalska, et al (2015). Effect of mycorrhiza and phosphorus content in nutrient solution on the yield and nutritional status of tomato plants grown on rockwool or coconut coir: https://journal.fi/afs/article/view/47204

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