Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Growth and Photosynthetic Pigment Content in Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. Subsp. Cicla)

Abstract

Microalgae application in agriculture is an alternative measure that could be highly beneficial to plants. The application of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris S45 and its effect on plant growth and pigment content in Swiss chard were investigated. In the treatments, 5% and 10% algal suspensions were applied by spraying on plants and in soil, respectively. C. vulgaris S45 affected the initial growth of Swiss chard and the content of photosynthetic pigments positively. The correlation analysis proved the existence of statistically significant interdependency between chlorophyll a (Chl a) content and leaf number (r = 0.876 at p < 0.05), and chlorophyll b (Chl b) content and fresh leaf weight (r = 0.783 at p < 0.05).