Articles
AERIAL BIOMASS, ROOT BIOMASS AND QUALITY OF FOUR LETTUCE CULTIVARS GROWN HYDROPONICALLY IN PERLITE AND PUMICE
Article number
548_51
Pages
437 – 444
Language
English
Abstract
The effect of three substrates (perlite, pumice of 0-8 and 5-8 mm grades) on the aerial and root biomass as well as on the visual quality of four lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars (‘Frisby’, of leaf type, ‘Plenty’, of butterhead type, ‘Roli’ and ‘Parris Island’, of cos type) were determined in a recirculating hydroponic system.
The plants were transplanted into steel troughs (200x80x25 cm, length x width x height) filled with perlite or pumice of the above grades.
The experiment ended at 81 days after transplanting.
The most significant effect on productivity and visual quality of lettuce was found to be that of cultivar rather than that of substrate.
The substrate did not significantly influence aerial biomass, total chlorophyll content and leaf color, while its influence on root biomass, tipburn and visual quality was only limited.
Pumice could replace perlite as a substrate in a soilless culture of lettuce, since lettuce grown in pumice had a similar productivity and a better visual quality compared to lettuce grown in perlite.
However, in order to significantly reduce the tipburn damage in lettuce and ensure an excellent visual quality regardless of the substrate, a tolerant cultivar, such as ‘Parris Island’ should be selected.
The plants were transplanted into steel troughs (200x80x25 cm, length x width x height) filled with perlite or pumice of the above grades.
The experiment ended at 81 days after transplanting.
The most significant effect on productivity and visual quality of lettuce was found to be that of cultivar rather than that of substrate.
The substrate did not significantly influence aerial biomass, total chlorophyll content and leaf color, while its influence on root biomass, tipburn and visual quality was only limited.
Pumice could replace perlite as a substrate in a soilless culture of lettuce, since lettuce grown in pumice had a similar productivity and a better visual quality compared to lettuce grown in perlite.
However, in order to significantly reduce the tipburn damage in lettuce and ensure an excellent visual quality regardless of the substrate, a tolerant cultivar, such as ‘Parris Island’ should be selected.
Authors
A.S. Siomos, G. Beis, P.P. Papadopoulou, P. Nasi, I. Kaberidou
Keywords
soilless culture, substrates, tipburn, chlorophyll, color, Lactuca sativa L.
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