Abstract
Digestate was evaluated as an alternative and sustainable growing medium and nutrient solution in the hydroponic cultivation of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Nine hydroponic combinations of substrate and fertilization (agriperlite + standard solution, agriperlite + liquid digestate, solid digestate + standard solution, solid digestate + liquid digestate, soil + standard solution, peat moss + standard solution; peat moss + liquid digestate, pelleted digestate + standard solution and pelleted digestate + liquid digestate) were tested and compared for the cultivation of baby leaf lettuce, in three different experiments. During the crop cycles, yield as other agronomical and microbiological parameters were investigated. The combination of agriperlite + liquid digestate, solid digestate + standard solution and pelleted digestate + standard solution enhanced plant growth by affecting the root, the shoot, the total dry weight and SPAD parameters, in the all investigated experiments (+32%, +40%, +29%, +17% respectively). Based on the obtained results, digestate represents a sustainable and alternative growing media or nutrient solution for the production of baby leaf lettuce cultivated in hydroponic system.
Highlights
The consumption of fresh-cut vegetables increased over the last 20 years in the European market, at the annual growth rate of about 4%; this is why food category is recognized to be as one of the most profitable in the fruit and vegetables segment
Considerable effort has been made in the search of improved sustainability of hydroponics, and microbiological control for fresh-cut vegetables
The present study underlined how digestates might improve the sustainability of baby leaf lettuce in hydroponics
Summary
The consumption of fresh-cut vegetables (including herbs) increased over the last 20 years in the European market, at the annual growth rate of about 4%; this is why food category is recognized to be as one of the most profitable in the fruit and vegetables segment. Ranks fourth in the world, with open-field lettuce and chicory covering a total area of 38,542 ha (31.7% in the North, 10.0% in the Centre and 58.3% in the South), and a total production of about 8.1 M t (AGRISTAT, 2016a). Greenhouse production is relevant, with a total area of 4549 ha (37.3% in the North, 31.9% in the Centre and 30.8% in the South) (AGRISTAT, 2016b). Alongside their wide market spread, leafy vegetables are considered the group of fresh foods with the highest concern for microbiological hazards. Fresh-cut vegetables might have a relatively short shelf-life which usually does not exceed 6–9 days
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