A Study of Vegetable Growth with Various Compost Tea Treatments in Deep Water Culturing Hydroponics
Cecilia Limon Nocelo
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Earth Science
Faculty Research Mentor: Dongyan Mu
Abstract:
Hydroponic systems have become a sustainable practice for organic plant growth with several advantages such as minimal land usage, nutrient and water efficiency, and providing fresh food for surrounding communities. For farms to produce certified organic food, they must not use synthetic fertilizers but organic fertilizers. Hydroponic farms have implemented self-made compost tea due to their high nutritional contents from organic waste. A comprehensive study is essential to assess the quality of brewing compost tea, the effects on plant growth, and applicability on different hydroponic systems. The summer 2024 research team developed and tested three different compost teas: Worm castings, R&M compost, and Kean University’s In-vessel compost. Each compost tea was tested at three different dilution rates, which were then compared to synthetic nutrients. The teas were applied to a Deep-Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system to grow lettuce. A plant growth cycle was set to 35 days with nine buckets designated for each dilution rate and a control bucket. Two batches were tested with the first running from May 29 to July 3, 2024, and the second from June 19 to July 24, 2024, totaling 20 buckets. The findings revealed that the quality of compost tea is closely related to the nutrient content of the compost used. In terms of lettuce growth, worm compost tea produced yields comparable to those grown with synthetic nutrients. The data analyzed will provide a better understanding of hydroponic farming and organic agricultural practices.