Response of Lactuva Sativa Var. Crispa to deficit irrigation and leonardite treatments

Abstract

In this study, effects of deficit irrigations and leonardite treatments on water use efficiency (WUE), water consumption and agricultural productivity of Lactuva Sativa Var. Crispa were examined in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Experimental treatments included: L0: (Control), L5: (5% leonardite + 95% soil), L10: (10% leonardite + 90% soil) and L20: (20% leonardite + 80% soil) with I100 (full irrigation, control) and I80 and I60 (deficit irrigation). Plant water depletions were determined by weighing the pots. The highest total amount of irrigation water (9.74 × 10−3 m3/pots) was observed in L0I100 control treatment and the lowest value (5.52 × 10−3 m3/pots) was obtained from L20I60 treatment. The highest WUE (41.63 kg/m3) was obtained from L10I80 treatment. The greatest yield (139 g), plant length (20.14 cm) and number of leaves per plant (28) were respectively obtained from L0I100 treatments. The greatest plant diameter (37.05 cm) was obtained from L10I100 treatment. Present findings revealed that L0I100 treatments were prominent for yield and L10I80 treatments for WUE and plant nutrient uptake. Lactuva Sativa Var. Crispa exhibited a strong dependence on water; yield and growth parameters were adversely influenced from I60 deficit irrigation treatments. Additionally, plant water consumptions decreased with Leonardite treatments.