Quantifying Effects of Commercial Fertilizers on Cyanobacteria Growth

Overview

Cyanobacteria are often only thought of as culprits involved in harmful algal blooms, but there is an important role that cyanobacteria play in the environment. They can act as powerful biofertilizers, enhancing nutrient availability (especially nitrogen), and improving soil health. The purpose of this project is to quantify the effects of various commercial fertilizers on cyanobacteria growth, specifically the benign strains Synechococcus elongatus (UTEX3055), Fremyella diplosiphon, and Leptolyngbya (BLO902). I believed some of fertilizers would promote greater growth of cyanobacteria than others. I hypothesized all the test fertilizers would produce more cyanobacteria growth than the control media, BG11. I inoculated 48 wells with cyanobacteria in two trials and evaluated the results. I found that nitrogen concentration had to be at least 5% to promote cyanobacteria growth. Cyanobacteria growth was measured by optical density using a UV-Vis Spectrometer, indicating commercial fertilizers could be a viable alternative to BG11 growth medium.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Microbiology (Junior Division) · Entry J-16-14

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