Current hydroponic reserach in Grossbeeren - part IX. Algae in hydroponic cultures?

摘要

The different algae species found in rainwater samples from Grossbeeren, Germany, are shown. There are seven frequent species, most of them chlorophta and one euglenophta. Another ten species found were less frequent. The water was used in the hydroponic system growing butterhead lettuce on vermiculite, polyester-fleece or no substrate. Results showed strong algae growth of various algae species after only a few days in the uncovered control with no substrate. After three weeks until the end of the experiment, Chlamydomonas variabilis dominated. This reduced yield (from 300 to 260 g/head), water consumption and, remarkably, nitrate content in the head by 6%. Experiments in climate cambers showed no anti-fungal effect of algae on plant diseases. Both the algae and Pythium aphanidermatum suppressed growth and a combination of both had an almost doubled growth suppression effect.