Macronutrients Composition of Lettuce Plants (Lactuca sativa L.) as Affected by Mineral Nutrition Level and ION Exchange Substrate Biona-312 Supplementation

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition 2015-07, Vol.38 (8), p.1158-1195
• Main Author: Matraszek, Renata
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: calcium; electrical conductivity; high mineral nutrition level (salinity); Ion exchange; ion exchange substrate Biona-312; Lactuca sativa var. capitata; leaves; Lettuce; lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.); macronutrients content and ratios; magnesium; nitrogen; nutrient content; nutrient solutions; Nutrition; phosphorus; potassium; roots; sulfur
• ISSN: 1532-4087; 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2014.991033

The effect of ion exchange substrate Biona-312 addition (2 or 5%) on the macronutrients composition of butterhead lettuce cv. ‘Justyna’ plants under conditions of basic (1.5-times) and intensive (3-times concentrated Hoagland solution) mineral nutrition level was investigated. Both experimental doses of Biona-312 introduced into 1.5-times concentrated Hoagland nutrient solution [electrical conductivity (EC) 2.41–2.47 dS m ⁻¹] dropped nitrogen (N) content in roots. Simultaneously statistically proven increase in foliar concentration of total sulfur (S) as well as a decrease in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents in lettuce above- and underground organs were observed. The changes in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content were insignificant. Ion exchange substrate supplementation into 3-times concentrated Hoagland nutrient solution (EC 6.85–7.30 dS m ⁻¹), significantly elevated N and K contents in above- and underground organs, raised the foliar S content, decreased Ca and Mg contents in leaves, as well as dropped P concentration in roots and increased content in leaves.