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Effect of a Phytoplankton Culture on the Germination and Seedling Development of Barley, Sugar Beets, and Lettuce 1
Author(s) -
Davis Charles H.,
Bigler E. Ray
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1973.00021962006500030032x
Subject(s) - seedling , hordeum vulgare , germination , shoot , lactuca , biology , sugar , phytoplankton , agronomy , sugar beet , horticulture , botany , poaceae , nutrient , food science , ecology
Alteration of soil properties and plant growth by phytoplankton cultures has been reported many times as separate phenomena. An investigation of the interrelationship of alteration of soil properties and plant growth by a phytoplankton culture was undertaken. This report is confined to seedling development, emergence, and related yields. The effect of various quantities of a Chlorophyta phytoplankton culture on seed germination, seedling development, and yield was evaluated in both the laboratory and field. In the laboratory, ‘Arivat’ barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings were grown in aqueous solutions of phytoplankton culture. Shoot length was increased by 10 2 and 10 3 ppm concentrations of the culture but was unchanged at 10 4 and 10 5 ppm. There was an inverse relationship between shoot length and shoot weight per unit length. In the field, barley seedling emergence was significantly increased by injecting undiluted phytoplankton culture with the seed at a rate of three liters per 240 m of row. Preplant irrigation with a 10 3 ppm dilution of phytoplankton culture in the field increased sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) and lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) seedling emergence. Subsequent post‐plant applications of the phytoplankton resulted in additional increase in seedling emergence. Increased production was found for the sugar beets at all levels of treatment. This further increase could not be allocated to either growth regulator or soil modification but could be the result of both acting at once.