IMPACT OF AEROBIC COMPOST TEA ON GROWTH OF LACTUCA SATIVA WITHIN A PEAT-BASED GROWING MEDIA
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Agronomy
2nd Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
2nd Student Major
Agronomy
Institution
Murray State University
KY House District #
10;11
KY Senate District #
5;4
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Alyx Shultz, Ed.D; Iin Handayani, PhD
Department
Hutson School of Agriculture
Abstract
Compost and compost tea have been shown in practice to be valuable soil amendments across many horticultural applications; however, little rigorous quantitative work has been completed. Researchers designed a side-by-side trial with two replications to quantifiably study the impact of compost tea on the growth and vigor of soil-grown lettuce. A recycled poultry-litter-based aerobic compost tea was used for the treatment. Six lactuca sativa plants received each treatment or control. Researchers hypothesized the treatment plants would show more vigor and vegetative growth than control. The null hypothesis was treatment plants would be identical to control lettuce. Researchers failed to reject null hypothesis. Plants treated with compost tea were nearly twice the size of control plants. Researchers concluded compost tea was superior to water. Further research is warranted to delineate best practices for making compost tea and maximizing its effect on vegetative growth.
Keywords: Compost Tea, Hydroponic, Soil Amendment, Aerobic Compost Tea, Recycled
IMPACT OF AEROBIC COMPOST TEA ON GROWTH OF LACTUCA SATIVA WITHIN A PEAT-BASED GROWING MEDIA
Compost and compost tea have been shown in practice to be valuable soil amendments across many horticultural applications; however, little rigorous quantitative work has been completed. Researchers designed a side-by-side trial with two replications to quantifiably study the impact of compost tea on the growth and vigor of soil-grown lettuce. A recycled poultry-litter-based aerobic compost tea was used for the treatment. Six lactuca sativa plants received each treatment or control. Researchers hypothesized the treatment plants would show more vigor and vegetative growth than control. The null hypothesis was treatment plants would be identical to control lettuce. Researchers failed to reject null hypothesis. Plants treated with compost tea were nearly twice the size of control plants. Researchers concluded compost tea was superior to water. Further research is warranted to delineate best practices for making compost tea and maximizing its effect on vegetative growth.
Keywords: Compost Tea, Hydroponic, Soil Amendment, Aerobic Compost Tea, Recycled