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Evaluation of alternative substrates for hydroponics based on biological parameters of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and its stress response

Vojtech Ferby
Vojtech Ferby
, 
Tomas Kopta
Tomas Kopta
, 
Monika Komorowska
Monika Komorowska
 and 
Maciej Fidurski
Maciej Fidurski
   | Jun 26, 2023
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Article Category: ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Published Online: Jun 26, 2023
Page range: 77 - 90
Received: Dec 14, 2022
Accepted: Feb 02, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2023-0006
Keywords
© 2023 Vojtech Ferby et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Figure 1.

Leaf biomass (g). Different letters above the individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.
Leaf biomass (g). Different letters above the individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Figure 2.

Number of leaves (pcs). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.
Number of leaves (pcs). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Figure 3.

Stem diameter (mm). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.
Stem diameter (mm). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Figure 4.

Leaf area of the entire head of lettuce (cm2). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.
Leaf area of the entire head of lettuce (cm2). Different letters above individual columns indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Figure 5.

Graph of multiple regression analysis between AA (% scavenging of DPPH) and content of TPC (p = 0.002449). AA, antioxidant activity; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; FM, fresh mass; TPC, total phenol content.
Graph of multiple regression analysis between AA (% scavenging of DPPH) and content of TPC (p = 0.002449). AA, antioxidant activity; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; FM, fresh mass; TPC, total phenol content.

Elements content in the drains from the substrates (mg · L–1).

Element Perlite Mineral wool Wood fibre Sheep wool Coco peat
P 0.4 ± 0.0 a 0.2 ± 0.0 a 2.6 ± 0.0 b 22.5 ± 0.5 d 4.3 ± 0.1 c
K 30.4 ± 1.1 c 12.1 ± 0.2 a 22.6 ± 0.7 b 2,995.9 ± 1.5 e 103.0 ± 3.0 d
S 0.9 ± 0.1 a 45.3 ± 1.8 c 1.6 ± 0.0 a 69.3 ± 1.4 d 10.8 ± 0.4 b
Ca 4.6 ± 0.5 a 14.6 ± 0.5 b 7.0 ± 0.5 a 126.6 ± 1.2 d 32.6 ± 1.4 c
Na 4.8 ± 0.3 a 43.9 ± 1.9 c 6.1 ± 0.2 a 57.5 ± 2.0 d 33.7 ± 0.8 b
Fe 1.7 ± 0.5 b 0.3 ± 0.1 a 0.2 ± 0.0 a 10.9 ± 0.2 d 4.2 ± 0.1 c
Mg 1.1 ± 0.2 a 4.8 ± 0.0 a 2.5 ± 0.1 a 30.1 ± 2.6 c 12.5 ± 0.2 b
Zn 0.0 ± 0.0 a 0.0 ± 0.0 a 0.1 ± 0.0 a 1.2 ± 0.1 c 0.2 ± 0.0 b
Sum 44.0 ± 0.8 a 121.2 ± 3.5 b 42.8 ± 1.8 a 3,314.0 ± 7.8 d 201.4 ± 5.4 c

Physical and chemical parameters of substrates.

Substrate Bulk density Total pore space Air capacity Total water-holding capacity Chlorides in drain EC pH
Unit kg · L–1 % % L · m–3 g · L–1 mS · cm–1
Mineral wool 0.064 97.13 15.6 815 0.006 0.247 6.6
Perlite   0.11 59.97        30 300 0.008   0.0828 7.99
Coco peat 0.081 77.48   4.4 730 0.029 0.528 4.85
Wood fibre 0.064           76 12.8 632 0.011 0.248 6.25
Sheep wool 0.048 96.77        77 198 0.094     6.24 7.97

Analytical parameters of lettuce. The table shows average values with standard deviation.

Substrate Perlite AA (% scavenging of DPPH) GSH (mg · g–1 DM) APX (AsA · g–1 FM · min–1) TPC (mg GAE · g–1 FM) Nitrates (mg · kg–1 FM)
Perlite 21.6 ± 4.9 a 44.0 ± 19.7 a 108.8 ± 58.5 a 43.3 ± 0.9 a 604.2 ± 110.3 ab
Rockwool 32.6 ± 3.0 ab 22.5 ± 12.1 a 129.6 ± 25.6 a 40.6 ± 1.6 a 555.1 ± 58.1 ab
Wood fibre 46.1 ± 5.9 bc 31.0 ± 4.9 a 105.0 ± 32.2 a 55.4 ± 7.9 b 447.6 ± 38.2 a
Sheep wool 54.9 ± 11.5 c 23.1 ± 5.2 a 135.9 ± 24.5 a 74.0 ± 1.3 c 686.2 ± 86.5 b
Coco peat 40.3 ± 2.7 abc 19.9 ± 2.5 a 126.4 ± 25.5 a 48.0 ± 1.6 ab 552.6 ± 69.9 ab
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