Biofertilization and Biofortification of Allium porrum through Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi across a Compost Gradient
Persistent URL
Author(s)
Cottrill, Angelina
Date Issued
April 15, 2024
Abstract
The relationship between crop plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been extensively studied due to their positive impact on plant growth and yield. There are fewer studies that investigate the effets of AMF on crop nutrient density. This experiment aimed to determine the effects of an arbuscular mycorriza R. irregularis and varying levels of compost addition on leek nutrient density and growth in greenhouse conditions. Height was taken prior to harvest while mass and nutrient analysis were done post harvest. There was no significant difference in height or mass between leeks grown with and without AMF. Compost addition did significantly increase both height and mass, however leeks did not reach market size. ICP-MS nutrient analysis revealed that AMF had no effect on the concentration of micronutrients significant to human health found in leeks, however compost addition significantly increased micronutrient concentrations. Nutrient analysis revealed that AMF had no effect on the concentration of most heavy metals found in leeks, however compost addition significantly decreased heavy metal concentrations. The concentration of silver significantly decreased with AMF addition, which may point to AMFs ability to sequester heavy metals. In contrast, aluminium concentration increased with AMF addition in high-compost media. Further research should consider expanding the compost gradient in order to better understand the nutrient limitations of R. irregularis. In addition, the nutrient composition of the media should be analyzed prior to planting the leeks to ensure there are not high concentrations of heavy metals. The effects of AMF on heavy metal sequestration could also be further investigated, particularly in the case of aluminium.
Major
Biology
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Honors
Environmental Science and Sustainability, 2024
First Reader(s)
Coenen, Catharina
Bowden, Richard D.
Department
Biology
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Type of Publication
Senior Project Paper
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Name
Angelina Cottrill COMP Final for Library-2.pdf
Size
754.46 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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