Abstract
The effect of nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC) and sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) levels on the content of the primary sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), lactucin, 8-deoxylactucin, and lactucopicrin, in hydroponically grown lettuce was assessed. Lettuce grown at 4 EC levels (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 dS m −1) displayed significant differences in leaf area index, number of leaves, plant height, fresh weight per plant, and chlorophyll content that were highest at EC 2.0 dS m −1. Lactucin (5.5 μg g −1 dry weight), 8-deoxylactucin (7.5), lactucopicrin (35.8), and total SLs (48.7) concentraions were highest at EC 0.5 dS m −1. Four S (8, 16, 48, and 80 mg L −1) and Mg (6, 12, 36, and 60 mg L −1) levels and 3 P (8, 16, and 48 mg L −1) levels were assessed for their effect on individual and total SLs. S and P had the greatest effect on SL levels. Plants in the lowest S level had significantly higher lactucin, lactucopicrin and total SLs. Each of the SLs was higher in the highest P level while Mg influenced only the lactucopicrin level in a quadratic manner. The results indicate that solution culture conditions can strongly influence the SL concentration and therefore bitterness and acceptability of lettuce.
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