EVALUATION OF THE USE OF MICROALGAE BIOMASS FROM BIOREMEDIATION OF BOVINE WASTEWATER IN THE PRODUCTION OF ROCULA SEEDLINGS (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.)
Biofertilizer; Horticulture; Photobioreactor; Wastewater.
Microalgae have been widely studied in recent years due to their biotechnological potential. The use of microalgae biomass as a biofertilizer and organic substrate to produce seedlings is one of the possible uses of this material. Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. (Arugula) is a vegetable originating from the Mediterranean region, it belongs to the Brassicaceae family and among vegetables, it stands out as a source of iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. The objective of this work will be to evaluate the use of microalgae biomass, cultivated in cattle wastewater (ARB), as a biofertilizer in the production of arugula seedlings. In this work, the microalgae biomass will be obtained through the ARB treated in Column Photobioreactors adapted in 2L PET bottles (FBR), after a preliminary decantation treatment. In the microalgae biomass characterization, analyzes of the total contents of macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg), micronutrients (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo), sodium (Na), pH, humidity, aluminum, carbon, carbon and nitrogen ratio (C/N), organic matter, total heavy metal contents (As, Ba, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se), electrical conductivity, and microbiological parameters (thermotolerant coliforms, viable helminth eggs, Salmonella sp. and enteric viruses) will be performed. The experiment will consist of three treatments: T1 – Control, with application of a conventional source of nitrogen (urea); T2 – Application of a calculated dose of ARB equivalent to the conventional dose of nitrogen; T3 – Application of a calculated dose of microalgal biomass biofertilizer equivalent to the conventional dose of nitrogen. The morphological parameters of the seedlings to be evaluated will be: MFPA = shoot fresh mass; MSPA = shoot dry matter; MSR = root dry matter mass; MST = total dry matter mass; NF = number of leafs; and AF = leaf area. The experimental design will be completely randomized (DIC) with seven replications. It is expected that the microalgae biomass will contribute significantly to the increase in the production of arugula seedlings.