Effect of Plastic Mulch Color on Leaf Anatomy of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Edmar Franquera,Renato Mabesa

doi:10.12944/carj.3.2.03

Abstract

Two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (Looseleaf and Romaine) were grown with five colored (silver, red, orange, yellow, green) plastic mulches to determine their effects on the leaf anatomical structure of lettuce. The experiment was laid in a Split Plot Randomized Completely Block Design. The result of the study showed that Romaine lettuce (8.80) had a higher number of stomata compared with Looseleaf (6.73) however; in terms of stomata length the Looseleaf had longer stomata (18.63 µm) compared with Romaine (16.42 µm). More stomata were observed in lettuce grown with red plastic mulch. However, the number of stomata did not differ among the various colored plastic mulches. Longer stomata were observed in lettuce grown with red plastic mulch, compared with lettuce grown with the other colored plastic mulches. The study showed that the color of the plastic mulch had a significant effect on the leaf anatomy of lettuce and red plastic mulch could be used to enhance the length of the stomata which may affect the growth of the lettuce.

Highlights

Lettuce is produced commercially in many countries worldwide and is widely grown as a vegetable in home gardens[1]
The level of light has been known to cause changes in stomata number . [11][12] The present study shows that the stomata number was not affected by the color of the mulch
Romaine lettuce had a higher number of stomata (8.8) than Looseleaf lettuce (6.73)

Summary

Introduction

Lettuce is produced commercially in many countries worldwide and is widely grown as a vegetable in home gardens[1]. It is especially important as a commercial crop in Asia, North and Central America, and Europe. Colored mulch can affect the spectral balance and quantity of light that affects many plant developmental patterns[4] [5] [6] [7]. The spectral balance of light within the crop canopy can be influenced by the number of leaves, size of leaves and their proximity [8]. A change in the microclimatic condition of the plant may have an effect on the plants leaf anatomy. This study was conducted to determine the effects of the different colored plastic mulch on the leaf anatomy of lettuce

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussions

Chronopoulou-Sereli Environmental