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Hydroponic systems: exploring the balance between co-cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla)

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Abstract

Co-cultivation of plants and microalgae represents an optimized production method which is less resource intense and it is ecologically correct and clean. Hydroponically grown plants may have higher yields and better quality. The possibility of Swiss chard and Chlorella vulgaris co-cultivation and their joint impact on microalgae growth parameters such as optical and cell culture density, dry weight, biomass productivity, and pigment content were investigated. Swiss chard growth parameters (plant length, fresh and dry weight, root volume, and leaves number) were monitored and measured. Hydroponic medium used in the experiment was analyzed to estimate C. vulgaris effect on its quality parameters (chemical oxygen demand, pH, electrical conductivity, and total nutrients consumption). Nutrient removal efficiency was calculated, as well. This study proved simultaneously nutrient removal efficiency, extracellular production, and positive effect on plant growth. In Hoagland’s solution, co-culture, and monoculture, total nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency ranged from 92.41 to 97.48% and 96.41 to 99.96%, respectively. Monoculture C. vulgaris showed better growth and higher pigment (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) content. Furthermore, microalgae C. vulgaris did not interfere with Swiss chard development. Higher leaves number (18.56%), total fresh weight (17.13%), and root volume (36.98%) have proven the advantage of coupled cultivation rather than usage of Hoagland’s growth medium alone. Results demonstrated practicability of C. vulgaris–Swiss chard co-cultivation and its potential applicability, all in order to provide more sustainable and economically viable large-scale plant production in future.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (contract number: 451-03-9/2021-14/200117).

Funding

This study was funded by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (contract number: 451–03-9/2021–14/200117).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Field and Vegetable Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositeja Obradovića Sq.8, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Vladimira Žunić, Timea Hajnal Jafari, Simonida Đurić & Dragana Stamenov

  2. Department of Water Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Dositeja Obradovića Sq.8, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Jasna Grabić

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  1. Vladimira Žunić
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  2. Timea Hajnal Jafari
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  3. Jasna Grabić
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  4. Simonida Đurić
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  5. Dragana Stamenov
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Contributions

Vladimira Žunić: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, formal analysis, writing — original draft. Timea Hajnal-Jafari: supervision, conceptualization, funding acquisition, writing — review and editing, validation. Jasna Grabić: methodology, formal analysis, writing — review and editing. Simonida Đurić: resources, validation. Dragana Stamenov: resources, project administration.

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Correspondence to Vladimira Žunić.

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Žunić, V., Jafari, T.H., Grabić, J. et al. Hydroponic systems: exploring the balance between co-cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla). J Appl Phycol 34, 903–913 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02673-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02673-z

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