An Evaluation of the Effectivity of the Green Leaves Biostimulant on Lettuce Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Mineral Element Efficiencies under Optimal Growth Conditions

• Published in: Plants (Basel) 2024-04, Vol.13 (7), p.917
• Main Authors: Atero-Calvo, Santiago, Izquierdo-Ramos, María José, García-Huertas, Carmen, Rodríguez-Alcántara, Miguel, Navarro-Morillo, Iván, Navarro-León, Eloy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Algae; Amino acids; antioxidant compounds; Antioxidants; Ascorbic acid; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; Biomass; biostimulant; Botanical research; Calcium compounds; Crop production; Efficiency; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Essential nutrients; Glycine; Glycine betaine; Growth (Plants); Growth conditions; Leaf area; Leaves; Lettuce; Metabolism; Minerals in nutrition; Minerals in the body; Nutrient status; nutrient use efficiency; Nutrients; Nutritional aspects; Nutritional status; Nutritive value; Parameters; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Photosynthesis; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Plant growth; Plants; Polyamines; Vegetables
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants13070917

The use of biostimulants is becoming a useful tool for increasing crop productivity while enhancing nutritional quality. However, new studies are necessary to confirm that the joint application of different types of biostimulants, together with bioactive compounds, is effective and not harmful to plants. This study examined the impact of applying the biostimulant Green Leaves, comprising algae extract and containing a mixture of amino acids, corn steep liquor extract, calcium, and the bioactive compound glycine betaine. The effect of applying two different doses (3 and 5 mL L ) of this biostimulant was evaluated on lettuce plants, and growth and quality parameters were analyzed along with photosynthetic efficiency, nutritional status, and nutrient efficiency parameters. The application of Green Leaves improved plant weight (25%) and leaf area and enhanced the photosynthetic rate, the accumulation of soluble sugars and proteins, and the agronomic efficiency of all essential nutrients. The 3 mL L dose improved the nutritional quality of lettuce plants, improving the concentration of phenolic compounds and ascorbate and the antioxidant capacity and reducing NO accumulation. The 5 mL L dose improved the absorption of most nutrients, especially N, which reduced the need for fertilizers, thus reducing costs and environmental impact. In short, the Green Leaves product has been identified as a useful product for obtaining higher yield and better quality.