Role of Chlorella Application on Yield and Phytochemical Composition of Mustard Greens Sam Pratt1*, Shivani Kathi1, Steve Phillips2, and Justin Moss1 1Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 2Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 *Presenting author- Samatha.pratt@okstate.edu Organic nitrogen fertilizers have lower percentage of nitrogen than their chemical counterparts. Furthermore, nitrogen from organic fertilizers tend to be less readily available. Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) has been used as a biofertilizer in horticultural crop production in controlled environment production systems due to its role in nitrogen fixation. However, research gaps exist in the application of chlorella biofertilizer in open-field production systems. The goal of this research is to assess the impact of microalgae biofertilizers on crop productivity and nutritional quality of mustard green grown in open-field conditions under 100% nitrogen and nitrogen-deficit (50%) conditions. Treatments included chlorella applied through foliar spray, soil application, and a combination of foliar and soil arranged randomized complete block design in four blocks. Data was collected on yield (i.e., marketable and total yield) and nutrient composition of leafy greens (chlorophyll, carotenoids, and mineral nutrients composition). Soil application of chlorella under 100% fertilizer rate was more effective application method for the overall impact on yield. The crops that received lower amount of fertilizer and chlorella treatment had the lowest yield. Future research should focus on addition of Chlorella in different crop production systems with different organic fertilizers for additional nitrogen sources in low chemical input and organic based production systems.
