Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Li, Tongyin

Committee Member

Orlinski, Pawel

Committee Member

Bi, Guihong

Committee Member

Zhang, Qianwen

Committee Member

Rangappa, Raju

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Plant & Soil Sciences (Horticulture)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Kale and microgreens are important specialty crops that can benefit from protected-environment production and improved cultural practices. The first experiment investigated four kale cultivars grown in a high tunnel and treated with three commercial biostimulants and their application methods, applied as foliar spray, substrate drench, or a combination of both. Cultivars vary in growth, yield, and nutrient composition, whereas biostimulants and their application methods had limited effects for some nutrients such as iron, potassium, sulfur under the production conditions of this study. The second experiment examined five substrate types, including peat and four hydroponic mats, for the production of alternative microgreen species. The interaction between species and substrate type significantly influenced growth, fresh and dry shoot weights and mineral nutrient concentrations.

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