The Effect of Water Soluble Plant Fertilizer on Algae Picochlorum oklahomense Growth

Abstract

Fertilizer is used for enhancing plant growth by both gardeners and farmers. Its use can have unintended effects on the environment, but intendent results in the production of biofuel. Our hypothesis is that adding plant fertilizer to our algae will excel its growth. We tested this using photo-bioreactors and measuring the cell count after 1 week of growth. We found the algae grew at a much faster rate and was present in a higher amount in the experimental trial than it did in the control trial, which supported our hypothesis.