Plasma-fixed Nitrogen Improves Lettuce Field Holding Potential

Abstract

This study shows that plasma-fixed nitrogen applied as an inorganic biostimulant can improve marketable lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia) yield following delayed harvest. Using just one-tenth of the conventional nitrogen, plasma-fixed nitrogen—which is generated by a dielectric barrier discharge over water—was field-tested against traditional fertilization methods. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in total weight of heads among treatments, plasma-fixed nitrogen–treated plants had significantly increased marketable yields of 250% compared to those grown conventionally, despite reducing applied nitrogen fertilizer.