Wickremasinghe, Thilini K. (2023) Effect of natural media amendments on crop quality under controlled environmental conditions. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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[English]
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Abstract
The effect of different natural media amendments on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil is well studied and documented. Although there is more information on changes in soil parameters, few studies have demonstrated effects on crop quality. Herein, a greenhouse study was set up to identify the effect of wood ash (WA), paper sludge (SL), biochar (BC), and its combinations on kale’s nutritional profile grown in two different soil types (soil type 1, soil type 2) in Newfoundland, Canada. Pathway analysis revealed that although the same media amendments were used, the kale quality parameters were significantly altered by the grown soil type. It was shown that for soil type 2, most of the parameters were significantly enhanced compared to CTL (control) (p<0.05). For soil type 1, upon the addition of WA, SL, and BC there was a significant increase in the marketable yield; however, the crop’s nutritional parameters were not significantly changed. The lipidomics results showed that for soil type 1, WSBC (wood ash+sludge+biochar) amendment appeared to be effective in enhancing the functional lipids of 1,2 DGs, 1,3 DGs, ω6 lipids, and phospholipids. Whereas in kale grown in soil type 2, most of the studied functional lipids were increased upon the addition of SL and WBC (wood ash+biochar) media amendment. This different impact of media amendments on soils was also suggested from the pathway analysis revealing significantly different (p<0.05) lipid pathways associated with each soil type. In conclusion, WA, SL, and BC and the combination amendments showed a positive effect on kale’s nutritional profile, and this approach can be used to produce functional foods in controlled environmental conditions.
Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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URI: | http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/16090 |
Item ID: | 16090 |
Additional Information: | Includes bibliographical references |
Keywords: | natural media amendments, crop quality, wood ash, sludge, biochar |
Department(s): | Grenfell Campus > School of Science and the Environment > Boreal Ecosystems and Agricultural Sciences |
Date: | August 2023 |
Date Type: | Submission |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.48336/YNB3-XF89 |
Library of Congress Subject Heading: | Crops--Quality--Newfoundland and Labrador; Wood ash--Newfoundland and Labrador; Sewage sludge ash--Newfoundland and Labrador; Biochar--Newfoundland and Labrador; Soil amendments--Newfoundland and Labrador |
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