Abstract

The research was aimed to improve pre-harvest methods to maintain marketability in postharvest leaf lettuce. In this study, the effect of hydroponics on the growth and post-harvest storage characteristics of ‘Chongchima’ lettuce grown in peat mass medium hydroponic system using a non-powered culture device or deep water culture (DWC) was evaluated. There was no difference in fresh weight, leaf number, SPAD, moisture content, and C/N ratio between peat moss growing medium hydroponic and DWC methods except plant height. It was found that lettuce cultivation by a nonpowered hydroponics method is easier than the existing DWC. The quality parameters, such as fresh weight loss, SPAD value, and general appearance of lettuce were investigated after harvest. There was no significant difference in fresh weight loss and general appearance during storage of lettuce by the hydroponics methods. However, with the increased storage time of SPAD, which is related to chlorophyll content, was slightly higher in peat moss medium hydroponic was than DWC. When crops such as lettuce are grown under favorable conditions without any agronomic abnormalities, it is suggested that post-harvest storage is not significantly affected by peat moss growing medium hydroponic and DWC.

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