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Algae in fertigation systems Algae in fertigation systems ––pros and conspros and cons
International Symposium International Symposium on on FertigationFertigation
Beijing, China Beijing, China 22 Sept. 200522 Sept. 2005
Dietmar Schwarz, Dietmar Schwarz, Institute of Vegetable and Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental CropsOrnamental Crops
Lothar Lothar KrienitzKrienitz, , LeibnizLeibniz--Institute of Freshwater Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland FisheriesEcology and Inland Fisheries
Dominik Feistkorn Dominik Feistkorn Technical College, BerlinTechnical College, Berlin
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
Algae consAlgae cons
in competition with plants for in competition with plants for oxygen consumption oxygen consumption nutrient consumptionnutrient consumption
nitrogennitrogen--losses by release of gaseous N losses by release of gaseous N (N(N22 or Nor N22O)O)
release of toxinsrelease of toxinsgrowth reduction, die offgrowth reduction, die off
clogging of drip lines and drippers clogging of drip lines and drippers problems on supply of nutrient solutionproblems on supply of nutrient solution
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Algae prosAlgae pros
growth promoting effects on cultivated plants (wheat, corn, pea, cabbage, tomato, lettuce, cucumber)- as fertilizer (Scenedesmus spp., Ascophyllum spp.)- for soil improvements (erosion protection)- by release of phyto hormones
antiphytopathogenic effects
by production of substances with antifungal effects
production of biologically active compounds - e.g. anti substances: tumor, viral, bacterial, fungi…- aromatic and aliphatic compounds- vitamins, carotenoids, fatty acids
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
D
Questions to answer:Questions to answer:
Is it possible to establish algae in Is it possible to establish algae in hydroponicallyhydroponicallyfertigation systems?fertigation systems?
On algae. What are the influences of: On algae. What are the influences of:
water source,water source,root environment conditions (substrates),root environment conditions (substrates),(micro)climate conditions (temperature),(micro)climate conditions (temperature),crop (lettuce and cucumber)?crop (lettuce and cucumber)?
Are there any antagonistic effects against Are there any antagonistic effects against "root" pathogens?"root" pathogens?
On plants. Do the algae affect: On plants. Do the algae affect:
growth and yield,growth and yield,(N)nutrition,(N)nutrition,oxygen concentration in the root environment?oxygen concentration in the root environment?
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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ApproachApproach
Introduction of naturally Introduction of naturally occurring species, from water occurring species, from water reservoirs used for fertigation reservoirs used for fertigation
Disadvantage: Disadvantage:
potential has to be testedpotential has to be tested
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005 osmotic waterosmotic water
EC <0.1 EC <0.1 dS dS mm--11
ppeat ditcheat ditch
EC 1.7 EC 1.7 dS dS mm--11
natural lake (natural lake (HausseeHaussee))
EC 1.4 EC 1.4 dS dS mm--11
rrainwaterainwater pondpond
Size: 120 Size: 120 ×× 40 40 ×× 22.5.5 mm3 3
EC <0.1 EC <0.1 dS dS mm--11
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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AAllggaaee ssppeecciieess ddaayy 5555 111188 113399 116622 118811 220033 224455
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii +++
Chlorhormidium pseudostichococcus
3,1* 6 4,2 2,5 +++ 2,2 6
Choricystis minor + ++ +++
Chroomonas nordstedtii ++ +
Euglena pisciformis +++
Euglena spec. +
Haematococcus pluvialis 2 5,1 5,4 3,3 +++ 4,1 4,5
Phacus occilans +
Scenedesmus longispina 4,1 5,1 6,3 6,2 6,1 5,2 5,1
Scenedesmus quadricauda ++ +
* lg cells ml-1, + <10, ++ 10-100, +++100-200
Algae species Algae species in ain a rainwater pond rainwater pond GrossbeerenGrossbeeren, Germany, Germany
AAllggaaee ssppeecciieess ddaayy:: 5555 111188 113399 116622 118811 220033 224455
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii +++
Chlorhormidium pseudostichococcus
3,1* 6 4,2 2,5 +++ 2,2 6
Choricystis minor + ++ +++
Chroomonas nordstedtii ++ +
Euglena pisciformis +++
Euglena spec. +
Haematococcus pluvialis 2 5,1 5,4 3,3 +++ 4,1 4,5
Phacus occilans +
Scenedesmus longispina 4,1 5,1 6,3 6,2 6,1 5,2 5,1
Scenedesmus quadricauda ++ +
Schwarz et al., 2005. Irr.Sci. Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
Is cultivation of algae possible? Is cultivation of algae possible?
Algae development in the systemAlgae development in the system
Schwarz et al., 2004. J.Hort.Sci&Biotechn. lettuce, greenhouse exp.
Yes!Yes!
0
1
2
3
4
5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Time, d after planting
Alga
e, l
g ce
lls m
l-1
with algae
no algae
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Does the water source affect the algae?Does the water source affect the algae?
cucumber, greenhouse exp. 2005
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
osmotic rainwater peat ditch
alga
e, c
ells
mm
-2 (r
oot)
abc
Yes, the better the conditions (e.g. N) of Yes, the better the conditions (e.g. N) of the water source the better they grow. the water source the better they grow.
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
How was the algal community affected?How was the algal community affected?
3
4
5
6
7
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Time after planting, d
Alga
e, lg
cel
ls m
l-1
other Scenedesmus spp.
Clamydomonas variabilis
One/few species determined density!One/few species determined density!
Schwarz et al., 2004. J.Hort.Sci&Biotechn. lettuce, climate chamber exp.Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Does the root environment affect algae?Does the root environment affect algae?
4.44
4.46
4.48
4.50
4.52
4.54
4.56
4.58
4.60
4.62
no fleece Vermiculite
Alga
e, l
g ce
lls m
l-1
b b a
Yes! The higher the surface the higher the density?Yes! The higher the surface the higher the density?
Schwarz et al., 2004. J.Hort.Scie&Biotechn. lettuce, greenhouse exp.Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
algae without substrate algae in vermiculite
before harvest 4/9/02
fleece on 10.4.02
covered openSchwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Yes, plant/algae interactions obvious, Yes, plant/algae interactions obvious, but mode of action not clearbut mode of action not clear
Effect on plantsEffect on plants
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
Dec
reas
e %
Incr
ease
lettuce cucumber
yield
shoot DM
shoot DMP root DM
n.s.
44.7comparison with treatment "no algae"comparison with treatment "no algae"
lettuce+cucmber greenhouse experiment 2002+2005
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No, because of high N supply;No, because of high N supply;it is unlikely that reduced nitrogen concentrationit is unlikely that reduced nitrogen concentrationaccounts for growth reductionaccounts for growth reduction
55
56
56
57
57
58
58
59
59
60
no algae with algaeNi
trog
en c
once
ntra
tion,
g k
g-1ab a
0
50
100
150
200
250
no algae with algae algae
Tota
l nitr
ogen
, kg
ha-1
Nitrogen competition? Nitrogen competition?
lettuce greenhouse experiment 2002
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Yes, this might count for larger root systemsYes, this might count for larger root systems
cucumber, greenhouse experiment 2005
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
container gully begin gully end
Dis
solv
ed o
xyge
n, m
g l-1
- algae +algae
d cb ba a
Oxygen release by algae? Oxygen release by algae?
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
ConclusionConclusion
Screening of other algal species should followScreening of other algal species should follow(e.g. growth promoting (e.g. growth promoting sppspp.) .)
A competition on nutrients (N) is probably A competition on nutrients (N) is probably neglectableneglectable but has to be confirmed in furtherbut has to be confirmed in furtherexperimentsexperiments
Although settlement of algae in fertigation Although settlement of algae in fertigation systems is simple, to grow successful species systems is simple, to grow successful species seems difficult.seems difficult.
Plants may benefit from the enhanced oxygenPlants may benefit from the enhanced oxygenconcentration caused by algae activity but how concentration caused by algae activity but how can this be used to improve yield?can this be used to improve yield?
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Algae species Algae species in in different water sources, different water sources, Germany 2005Germany 2005
AAllggaaee ssppeecciieess RRaaiinnwwaatteerr ppoonndd
OOssmmoottiicc wwaatteerr
PPeeaatt ddiittcchh
NNaattuurraall llaakkee
Pseudodictiosphearium spp XXX XXX XXX XXX
Clamydomonas variabiles XX XX XX XX
Scenedesmus longispina XX XX XX XX
(Ulothrix spp.) XX XX XX
(Klebsormidium spp.) XX XX XX
Chlorella vulgaris X X
Monoraphiodium spp. X
Micractinium spp X
xxx very frequentlyxx frequentlyx rare
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
FFaaccttoorrss TTrreeaattmmeennttss DDeessiiggnn
Algae + -
troughs/containers open or covered
Water 4 different sources with different algae
water from: rain pond, peat ditch, natural lake, osmosis
Crop (climate)
Temp. <15 °C >25 °C
lettuce cucumber
Root environment
nutrient solution small surface large surface
NFT fleece
vermiculite
Pathogen + -
Pythium aphanidermatum Fusarium oxysporum
Rhizoctonia solani
ExperimentsExperiments
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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growth growth promotingpromoting effectseffects on on cultivatedcultivated plantsplants
SSppeecciieess DDiivviissiioonn EEffffeecctt
Laminaria hyperborea Phaeophyta leaf area increase, K-effect
Ascophyllum nodosum Phaeophyta leaf area increase, K-effect cytokinine-like activity (tomato)
Undaria pinnatifidia Phaeophyta
Arthronema africanum Chlorophyta seedlings growth increase (Melissa o.) cytokinine-like activity
Caulerpa paspaloides Chlorophyta GA-like-activity
Caulerpa prolifera Chlorophyta GA-like-activity
Chlamydomonas spp. Chlorophyta extracellular polysaccharide mucilage
Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chlorophyta auxin-like activity, IAA
Chlorella spp. Chlorophyta auxin-like activity
Haematococcus pluvialis Chlorophyta ethylen emission
Oocystis spp.. Chlorophyta auxin-like activity
Scenedesmus armatus Chlorophyta IAA
Scenedesmus obliquus Chlorophyta auxin-like activity cytokinine-like activity
Scenedesmus obtusiusculus Chlorophyta auxin-like activity
Schw
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5 antifungalantifungal effectseffects
PPaatthhooggeenn AAllggee rreedduuccttiioonn ssttrroonngg wweeaakk
Macrophomia phaseolina (Tassi) Gold Anabena variabilis (Cyanob.) Calothrix spp. (Cyanob.) Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.) Hapalosiphon spp. (Cyanob.)
X X
X
X
Rhizoctonia solani Anabena spp. (Cyanob.) Calothrix spp. (Cyanob.) Hapalosiphon spp. (Cyanob.)
X X
X
Sclerotium rolfsii (succ.) Calothrix spp. (Cyanob.) Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.)
X X
Erisyphe graminis Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.) X
Penecillium oxalicum Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.) X
Phytophthora infestans Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.) X
Uromyces appendiculatis Fischerella spp. (Cyanob.) X
Aspergillus flavus Tolyphothrix spp. X
Colletotrichum lindemunthianum Hypnea musciformis (Rhodoph.) X
Trichophyton rubrum Hypnea musciformis (Rhodoph.)
Fusarium oxysporum Hypnea spp. (Rhodoph.) X Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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ratingrating (F. (F. oxysporumoxysporum))
nutrient solution 3 nutrient solution 3 (strong inhibition)(strong inhibition)
fleecefleece 2 2 (weak inhibition)(weak inhibition)
vermiculitevermiculite 22
plates (Lab)plates (Lab)PythiumPythium aphanidermatumaphanidermatumFusariumFusarium oxysporumoxysporumRhizoctoniaRhizoctonia solanisolani
Effect on plant pathogens Effect on plant pathogens
Pathogen reduction by algal extracts is Pathogen reduction by algal extracts is not clear and has to be further tested. not clear and has to be further tested.
Schwarz et al., 2004. J.Hort.Scie&Biotechn. lettuce, lab exp.Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
Algae species Algae species
Diatomae
Clamydomonas variabilis
Scenedesmus spp.Scenedesmus spp.
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Time course of Time course of ScenedesmusScenedesmus sppspp. density . density (lettuce, greenhouse) (lettuce, greenhouse)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Time, d after planting
Alga
e, c
ells
ml-1
noVliesVermiculit
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
13.4 g 12.8 g
- algae +
Lettuce: dry weightLettuce: dry weight
2.72 g 2.94 g
4.20 DMP % 4.95
head
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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- algae +6.56 g 9.49 g
Cucumber: dry weightCucumber: dry weight
7.95 DMP % 8.12
231 shoot, g 210
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
Cucumber: yieldCucumber: yield
6200
6400
6600
6800
7000
7200
7400
7600
osmotic A- rainwater A- peat ditch A- osmotic A+ rainwater A+ peat ditch A+
Time, date 2005Yi
eld,
g p
lant
-1
no algae plus algae
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005
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Test of the Test of the antiphytopathogenicantiphytopathogenic potentialpotential
PythiumPythium aphanidermatumaphanidermatum
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
control Alge- Alge+
Fres
h m
atte
r, g
plan
t-1
a b c
Climate chamber experimentClimate chamber experiment
Schwarz et al.; IPI International Symposium on Fertigation; Optimizing the utilization of water and nutrients; Beijing, September 20-24, 2005