Date of Graduation

Spring 2025

Degree

Master of Science in Plant Science (Agriculture)

Department

College of Agriculture

Committee Chair

Melissa Bledsoe

Abstract

Microgreens are young, edible seedlings harvested upon emergence of the first true leaf. Their popularity is growing as a nutritionally dense food source that can be grown quickly in space-efficient systems. However, little is known about optimal cultivation practices and the effects of fertilization on growth and nutrition of microgreens. This study investigates the role of calcium (Ca) fertilization in optimizing the growth, yield, and nutrient content of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens. A hydroponic system was designed to consistently deliver nutrient solution to microgreens grown in a closed-environment chamber. This study tested different Ca fertilization rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mM CaCl₂ and assessed key growth parameters including fresh and dry weight, plant and hypocotyl height, cotyledon area, and Ca content. This study found 0 and 5 mM Ca to be deficient levels for radish microgreen growth, while 10 to 25 mM Ca were adequate, increasing fresh weight up to 1.92-fold, dry weight 1.37-fold, plant height 1.55-fold, cotyledon area 1.66-fold, and Ca content up to 12.55-fold. These findings highlight the importance of Ca fertilization management in hydroponic systems to enhance growth and nutrient content for more efficient microgreen cultivation. Further studies are needed to identify the toxic threshold of Ca in this growth system and to explore interactions with other plant essential nutrients and environmental factors.

Keywords

microgreens, calcium, hydroponics, daikon radish, Raphanus sativus, plant nutrition, fertilization, deficient, adequate, toxicity

Subject Categories

Agriculture | Botany | Plant Biology

Copyright

© Cory Michael Reichmuth

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