Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution

The effects of different nutrient solution quantities on growth, physicochemical, nutritional, and postharvest qualities of lettuce were investigated. Two differently pigmented Korean leaf lettuce cultivars “Geockchima” and “Cheongchima” were grown in soilless perlite culture supplied with 250, 500,...

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Main Authors: Jung-Soo Lee, Dulal Chandra, Jinkwan Son
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Horticulturae
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/8/5/436
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author Jung-Soo Lee
Dulal Chandra
Jinkwan Son
author_facet Jung-Soo Lee
Dulal Chandra
Jinkwan Son
author_sort Jung-Soo Lee
collection DOAJ
description The effects of different nutrient solution quantities on growth, physicochemical, nutritional, and postharvest qualities of lettuce were investigated. Two differently pigmented Korean leaf lettuce cultivars “Geockchima” and “Cheongchima” were grown in soilless perlite culture supplied with 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup> nutrient solutions. Several growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, fresh weight, dry matter) were evaluated. The highest lettuce growth was observed when plants were supplied with 1000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup>. Cultivating lettuces in the lowest nutrient solution quantity showed higher dry matter, crude fiber, osmolality, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin contents. Upon increasing the nutrient solution, the crispiness, greenness, and levels of ascorbic acid, nitrogen, and potassium, increased, while phosphorus and magnesium were unaffected, and calcium content declined. Postharvest qualities were better maintained in lettuces irrigated with the least amount of nutrient solution, extending their shelf life. We conclude that lettuce can be grown with 1000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup> for higher yield, and short-term storage and/or transportation. However, when lettuces need to be stored for a certain period, such as long-distance shipment, they should be cultivated with a limited nutrient solution, which requires further detailed investigation. The results of this study can be applied for distributing, storing, transporting, and marketing lettuce.
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spelling doaj.art-e4b83bfcf6114c7d8e29311ce425fd1d2023-11-23T11:17:16ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242022-05-018543610.3390/horticulturae8050436Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient SolutionJung-Soo Lee0Dulal Chandra1Jinkwan Son2Postharvest Technology Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun 55365, Jeollabuk-do, KoreaPostharvest Technology Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun 55365, Jeollabuk-do, KoreaEnergy & Environmental Engineering Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-gun 55365, Jeollabuk-do, KoreaThe effects of different nutrient solution quantities on growth, physicochemical, nutritional, and postharvest qualities of lettuce were investigated. Two differently pigmented Korean leaf lettuce cultivars “Geockchima” and “Cheongchima” were grown in soilless perlite culture supplied with 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup> nutrient solutions. Several growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, fresh weight, dry matter) were evaluated. The highest lettuce growth was observed when plants were supplied with 1000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup>. Cultivating lettuces in the lowest nutrient solution quantity showed higher dry matter, crude fiber, osmolality, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin contents. Upon increasing the nutrient solution, the crispiness, greenness, and levels of ascorbic acid, nitrogen, and potassium, increased, while phosphorus and magnesium were unaffected, and calcium content declined. Postharvest qualities were better maintained in lettuces irrigated with the least amount of nutrient solution, extending their shelf life. We conclude that lettuce can be grown with 1000 mL·d<sup>−1</sup>·plant<sup>−1</sup> for higher yield, and short-term storage and/or transportation. However, when lettuces need to be stored for a certain period, such as long-distance shipment, they should be cultivated with a limited nutrient solution, which requires further detailed investigation. The results of this study can be applied for distributing, storing, transporting, and marketing lettuce.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/8/5/436hydroponicsoverall visual qualityrelative fresh weightshelf lifestorage
spellingShingle Jung-Soo Lee
Dulal Chandra
Jinkwan Son
Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
Horticulturae
hydroponics
overall visual quality
relative fresh weight
shelf life
storage
title Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
title_full Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
title_fullStr Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
title_full_unstemmed Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
title_short Growth, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Postharvest Qualities of Leaf Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) as Affected by Cultivar and Amount of Applied Nutrient Solution
title_sort growth physicochemical nutritional and postharvest qualities of leaf lettuce i lactuca sativa i l as affected by cultivar and amount of applied nutrient solution
topic hydroponics
overall visual quality
relative fresh weight
shelf life
storage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/8/5/436
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