Production of lettuce genotypes in hydroponic system using different organo-mineral nutrient solutions

Abstract

Mineral solutions are widely used in hydroponic cultivation but little is known about the use of organo-mineral solutions. With this focus, the present study aimed to evaluate the production of three green-leaf lettuce genotypes (Thais, Vanda and Veronica) in eight nutrient solutions, in NFT hydroponic system, set up in gutters. Four mineral solutions were used in this experiment, referred to as the respective names of the authors (Bernardes, Furlani, Castellane and Araujo, and Ueda). Moreover, four organo-mineral solutions (using biofertilizers in their formulation) were applied, totally eight nutrient solutions. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks in split plots with three replicates. The main plots consisted of eight nutrient solutions and three lettuce cultivars were assigned in subplots (including six plants per subplot). Lettuce production was evaluated 25 days after transplanting, through the determination of shoot fresh phytomass (SFP), root fresh phytomass (RFP), shoot dry phytomass (SDP) and root dry phytomass (RDP). Production variables were not influenced by the interactive effect of the studied factors. Individually, the nutrient solutions influenced the production parameters and there was variation among the lettuce cultivars only for root fresh phytomass. Higher commercial production of lettuce was obtained with the mineral solutions of Bernardes, Furlani, and Castellane and Araujo.