Effects of chitin-rich residues on growth and postharvest quality of lettuce

Abstract

Influences of the chitin-rich residues on growth and yield of Butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were investigated. The production and postharvest quality of lettuce were enhanced through the sole application of 5% shrimp shell powder (SSP), 20% fermented chitinous material (FCM) and 10 ml of chitinase-producing Bacillus licheniformis strain SK-1 (SK-1) or 5% SSP in combination with SK-1 and 2.5% SSP in combination with 2.5% FCM. Lettuces were cultivated during three successive crop seasons. SSP and/or FCM treatments resulted in significant increases in yield in all crop seasons. When applied in the first and third crop seasons, lettuces grown with the presence of 20% FCM showed the highest increase in yield as evaluated in terms of fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number, and leaf width and length. Weight losses after storage at 8°C and 60% relative humidity for 2 weeks were significantly reduced in all treatments with SSP or FCM. The results suggest that the application of 20% FCM is the best all-year-round supplement for Butterhead lettuce cultivation.

Keywords::

• fermented chitinous material
• shrimp shell powder
• storage
• yield

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the research funds from Thai Government Stimulus Package 2 (TKK 2555), under PERFECTA. The Center of Excellence in Environment and Plant Physiology is supported by Ratchadapisek Somphot Research Fund.