Abstract
Two environmental factors that currently reduce plant productivity are drought and salinity; important environmental concerns arise for the latter. The effects of NaCl salinity and foliar application of calcium nitrate on plant growth and severity of blackheart disease were investigated in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and endive (Cichorium endivia L.) grown by the nutrient film technique (NFT) under greenhouse conditions during late winter. Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions containing 40 or 100 mM NaCl. Increasing salinity had little, or no, influence on plant growth and reduced leaf dry weight, but it enhanced root elongation. Foliar application of calcium significantly reduced plant growth. Plants treated with NaCl and/or calcium nitrate did not differ on plant leaf and root biomass, leaf number, and root dry weight (%). Treatment did not affect photosynthetic rate; stomatal conductance was reduced in salt-treated plants. Calcium treatment appeared to provide protection to lettuce against blackheart and tip-burn. Lettuce and endive grown in NFT exhibited tolerance to NaCl, and this method could be used to exploit saline water in soilless culture. These findings indicate that proper management of the nutrient solution salt concentration can provide an effective tool to improve the quality of leafy vegetables with little effect on yield.
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