YPIE Scientist: Abby Langomas

Research: The Comparative Analysis of Biofertilizers And Inorganic Fertilizers In Butterhead Lettuce

Research Location: The Science Barge

Mentor: Joel Rodriguez

Abstract:

Inorganic fertilizers are commonly used in crop production to increase yield and protect plants from pests, however, some people remain unaware of the negative effects it has on the environment. As the global population continues to rise, there is a need for an increase in food production to meet the food demand, which in turn causes companies to resort to poor and low-cost fertilizers. Biofertilizers are cost-effective and eco friendly and improve the uptake of nutrients for plant growth promotion. In this study, the effect of three biofertilizers were analyzed; bacteria, micro-algae, and fungi in a hydroponic system on butterhead lettuce, and the results were compared to 100% concentrated inorganic fertilizer. It was hypothesized that the growth with biofertilizers should show results of increased plant productivity and leaf yield compared to the growth with inorganic fertilizers. Four groups of butterhead lettuce were planted hydroponically with different treatments of nutrient solution, the first grown with concentrated inorganic fertilizer and the other three with different biofertilizers. It was found that the application of bacterial biofertilizers outperformed inorganic fertilizers in leaf height and plant yield, as well as nutrient intake.

About this Scientist:   

Abigail Langomas is a junior who is currently in the BioChemistry major in Saunders Trades and Technical High School. In college she plans on majoring in biomedical engineering in order to pursue her goal of working in a laboratory as well as in other environments to help study, create, and improve biotechnologies and apply them to biological and medicinal areas.

Presentation Slides