The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a large aquatic plant endemic to subtropical and tropical Asia and northern Australia. Lotus has a combination of morphological and anatomical features that make it challenging for research work. The necessity of research on lotus is driven by niche market opportunities identified in Japan during counter seasonal production periods. Several features of lotus are utilised for consumer applications with commercial promise including seeds, young shoots and rhizome production. Further, the flowers and seed pods have value as cut-flower products and religious decoration. Several challenges have to be overcome before production of adequate products can be realised in Australia. The challenges which can be addressed most immediately are the questions regarding plant nutrition for lotus. In order to accomplish certain objectives, development of a system for growth and analysis of imposed nutrient treatments in replication, which accommodated a plant with unusual and seasonal attributes, was essential. The results of the tests conducted on the trialled system, whilst not conclusive, provide a solid reference for any future research on lotus nutrition. Recommendations are made for design and enhancement of the system to provide guidelines for such research. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)