A Comparison of Mycorrhizal Use in Organic and Conventional Farming and Effects on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Seedling Growth

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Mycorrhizie, Organic Farming, Seedling

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

I conducted a study on tomato seedlings, (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv 'Florida 47') to determine the effects of fertilization with an organic fish emulsion and colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) Glomus intraradices, G. aggregatum, and G. mosseae on seedling growth. At transplant age (six weeks) the seedlings receiving both the organic fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculation had the largest above ground biomass and the most true leaves. The seedlings receiving only the fertilizer supplement had the next largest biomass and leaf number, followed by the seedlings receiving just mycorrhizal inoculation. Improved seedling health and biomass for seedlings at transplant could be a benefit for farmers, suggesting that inoculation with inycorrhizae should be used in addition to fertilization. Organic farmers could begin using mycorrhizat inoculation more readily than conventional farmers because organic farming restricts the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which have been correlated with decreases in mycorrhizat colonization. The results of my study support the idea that mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings in the greenhouse can improve the quality of transplants and potentially profits for farmers.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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