Rate enhancement of plant growth using Ormus solution: optimization of operating factors by response surface...

Phytoremediation is an economical technique for the biological treatment of soil and water contamination. Improving the growth of plants used in this technique leads to greater efficiency of the process. Herein, Lemna minor plant used in phytoremediation was collected from Sarab-e Nilufar region of Kermanshah province, Iran, and maintained in a culture medium. This study focused on the preparation of Ormus solution based on crystalline salt extracted from the salt mountains of Karmowstaj region in Fars province, Iran, to increase the proliferation of Lemna minor. The optimal growth conditions, including the pH of the medium, the residence time in the Ormus preparation process, and the concentration of Ormus solution were analyzed using the response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) model. Numerical optimization based on the quadratic model was carried out to achieve the maximum growth percentage. The percentage of the proliferation of Lemna minor varied from 34.6% to 117.3%, while growth was highest at a medium pH value of 10.75, a residence time of 72 h in the Ormus preparation process, and an Ormus concentration of 17 g.L^-1. The results revealed that Ormus, as a supplemental fertilizer, under optimal conditions can significantly increase the rate of plant reproduction.