Lettuce yield and root activity as affected by an ion exchange substrate and mineral nutrition level

ABSTRACT

The study involved investigating the effect of ion exchange substrate (IES) addition to a nutrient solution (2% or 5% v/v) on the yield and root parameters of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. “Justyna”) under the conditions of basic (1.5-times concentrated Hoagland solution, electrical conductivity, EC 2.41–2.47 dS m⁻¹), and intensive (3-times concentrated Hoagland solution, EC 6.85–7.30 dS m⁻¹) mineral nutrition level. Regardless of the mineral nutrition level, both experimental additions of IES significantly increased the yield and elevated the volume, as well as the whole (WRA) and the active (ARA) adsorptive surface area of roots. It was confirmed that the substrate did not cause salt stress. Additionally, it was revealed that the substrate constitutes a beneficial component of lettuce in non-salinized (basic) or salinized (intensive mineral nutrition level) environment and that the 2% dose was more favorable than 5% dose.

KEYWORDS:

• ion exchange substrate
• whole roots surface area (WRA)
• active root surface area (ARA)
• mineral nutrition level

Acknowledgments

The authors are extremely grateful to Professor Vladmir S. Soldatov for the meritorious support and help in preparing this manuscript.

Funding

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