Macronutrient Balance of Nickel-Stressed Lettuce Plants Grown under Different Sulfur Levels

ABSTRACT

This study investigated whether intensive nutrition with sulfur–sulfate (S-SO₄) (2, 6, or 9 mM S) of nickel-stressed (0, 0.0004, 0.04, or 0.08 mM Ni) butterhead lettuce cv. Justyna may improve macronutrient balance and reduce Ni bioaccumulation. Nickel exposure resulted in various unfavorable changes in the macronutrient content together with increase of Ni accumulation in the biomass. Intensive S nutrition of Ni-treated lettuce seems to have no beneficial effect on macronutrient balance. In general, it significantly reduced the root and foliar phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and S content and simultaneously did not affect the magnesium (Mg) content in the biomass. At the same time, the nitrogen (N) content was reduced in roots and elevated in shoots. Supplementation of Ni-exposed lettuce with high S doses raised in roots and reduced foliar Ni accumulation; however, Ni content in useable parts exceeded the acceptable limits established for consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioaccumulation and ratio
• butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
• macronutrient content
• nickel stress
• sulfur level

Funding

This research was financially supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.