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Hydroponics is widely used in greenhouse and vertical farming production because these facilities can precisely control environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. However, the fertilizer solutions have a short life span, and they often do not have adequate microbial populations to enhance plant growth. Previous studies have shown the potential of beneficial microbes to promote plant production and alleviate abiotic and biotic stressors in the field, and studies on their use in controlled environments such as greenhouses and vertical farms are limited in the literature. In this study, we selected several plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs) and tested their effects on alleviating salinity stress in 'Rex' lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and 'Red Pac' pak choi (Brassica chinensis) grown in deep water culture hydroponics. Our goal was to use one stressor, salinity, that induces profound symptoms in plant morphology. A three-cycle study was conducted using five PGPMs [Bacillus, Glomus, Lactobacillus, Trichoderma, and Bacillus/Pseudomonas/Trichoderma (B/P/T) mix] and two salinity levels [no salinity and salinity treatment, with 120 mM, 40 mM, and 80 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) solution used for the first, second, and third cycles, respectively]. We measured the effects of PGPMs and salinity on plant growth and quality and the solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Salinity stress decreased lettuce and pak choi leaf area and shoot fresh weight and increased plant leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents with increased solution EC. Under high-salinity stress (120 mM NaCl), the addition of Trichoderma reduced pak choi leaf area and fresh weight but increased solution pH, whereas under low salinity stress (40 mM NaCl), Trichoderma increased pak choi leaf chlorophyll content. Under moderate-salinity stress (80 mM NaCl) condition, the addition of Glomus sp. increased lettuce fresh weight and leaf area, and B/P/T mix increased pak choi leaf area. In conclusion, using the selected PGPMs in low to moderate-salinity stress could increase lettuce and pak choi growth and quality parameters. These results have some practical applications in the future when more saline water is used for production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a high-value crop cultivated worldwide. Harvested lettuce acreage in New Mexico, USA, trails the leading lettuce production states (California, Arizona), but growers in New Mexico are interested in expanding their production. For New Mexico farmers to increase lettuce production to reach new markets, information on heat-tolerant cultivar performance is needed. This study was conducted to evaluate six lettuce cultivars described as heat tolerant by seed suppliers or other sources. In 2020 and 2021, we assessed two butterhead types, 'Anuenue' and 'Mikola RG10'; two green leaf types, 'Muir' and 'Tropicana'; and two romaine types, 'Parris Island Cos' and 'Sparx', in the Jose Fernandez Garden at the New Mexico State University Heritage Farm in Las Cruces, NM. To determine which cultivars and types of lettuce are better suited for southern New Mexico, we measured these variables: marketable harvest weight, number of days from transplant to first bolt, and number of days from transplant to 50% bolted. In 2020, 'Sparx', a romaine-type lettuce, had, on average, 32% higher yield compared with the other lettuce types. In 2021 both romaine-type cultivars, Sparx and Parris Island Cos, produced 19% more marketable yield than the other lettuce cultivars. In 2020, 'Sparx' was the last to bolt and to reach the 50% bolted stage, whereas in 2021 'Mikola RG10' and 'Muir' were the last cultivars to bolt and reach the 50% bolted stage. These results suggest that 'Sparx' would be a good potential candidate for farmers in southern New Mexico. 'Mikola RG10' and 'Muir', butterhead and green leaf type, respectively, demonstrated slower bolting in 2021, indicating they may be useful cultivars for extending lettuce harvest in New Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorine is a disinfectant commonly used to treat water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set a standard limit of up to 4 mg·L−1 chlorine for drinking water. The objective of this project was to identify chlorine phytotoxicity thresholds on ‘Rex’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) when the water source contained chlorine levels within the USEPA standard limits. The nutrient solution to grow lettuce was prepared with reverse osmosis–treated water treated with 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 mg·L−1 chlorine and then fertilizers were added. Lettuce plants were grown in a deep-water culture hydroponic system. Visual toxicity symptoms on leaves, relative leaf greenness, and fresh and dry biomass were measured. Our results indicate that irrigation water sources with ≥1 mg·L−1 chlorine used to prepare nutrient solutions can cause phytotoxicity in lettuce plants in just 3 days. Compared with the untreated control, lettuce shoot biomass was lower by 30%, 55%, 66%, 83%, and 92% at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 mg·L−1 of chlorine, respectively. Water sources with ≥ 1 mg·L−1 chlorine can cause significant marketable yield reduction in lettuce grown in deep-water culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biostimulant products have various reported benefits for plant production in the field or using hydroponic systems in protected structures. However, limited information is available describing their potential use for indoor farming applications. Considering that lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most popular crops produced in commercial indoor farms, the objective of this study was to compare growth and quality of lettuce grown indoors using nine biostimulant products derived from humic substances, amino acids, hydrolyzed proteins, or seaweed extracts. 'Monte Carlo', 'Fairly', and 'Lalique' lettuce were grown hydroponically for 30 to 33 days under a daily light integral, day/night temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration of ≈13 mol·m-2·day-1, 22/21 ℃, 70%, and 800 mmol·mol-1, respectively. There were no positive effects from using any of the biostimulant products evaluated in our study as growth (leaf area, leaf number, shoot diameter, and shoot and root dry weight), yield (shoot fresh weight), and quality (bolting, tipburn index, leaf color, and SPAD index) of treated plants were generally similar to those from the untreated control. Applications from one seaweed extract caused slight negative growth effects, possibly due to phytotoxicity. Cultivar differences showed that Fairly plants had the highest susceptibility to tipburn and bolting, and none of the biostimulant products countered these symptoms. Overall, the products evaluated provided marginal advantages for indoor hydroponic lettuce production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the yield of eight miniature lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars (i.e., mini-lettuce) grown under organically managed high tunnels compared with a field system during two spring seasons in Georgia. Mini-lettuce required an average of 36 to 40 days to harvest in both systems with a 86% to 97% marketability rate. The high tunnels provided a heat gain on the coldest days, decreased leaf wetness, and resulted in a lower daily light integral compared with the field. In 2015, mini-lettuce yields were similar between the high tunnel and field, but in 2016, yields were greater under the high tunnels. In 2016 only, there was a significant system by cultivar interaction for yield, suggesting that the high tunnels provided a yield increase for 'Baby Green Oakleaf' and 'Spretnak' mini-lettuce. Differences in the daily light integral between the high tunnels and field appeared to affect the accumulation of anthocyanins in red-pigmented mini-lettuce. Anthocyanin concentrations were 26% to 194% greater in mini-lettuce grown in the field compared with under high tunnels. The cultivar Rhazes had the greatest anthocyanin concentrations of all red-pigmented mini-lettuce evaluated but also lower yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-five cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were field-grown using best management practices at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) Botanic Gardens in Baton Rouge during the Fall 2011 and Fall 2012 seasons. Recommended cultivars were selected for commercial production in Louisiana based on fresh weight and lettuce size (width and height). Nitrate (NO3 -) concentration was analyzed for each cultivar, as lettuces are known to accumulate and concentrate NO3 -, and were then compared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) oral reference dose (RfD--the EPA's maximum acceptable oral dose of a toxic substance) of 1.6 mg NO3-nitrogen (N) per kilogram body weight per day. Recommended butterhead cultivars were Caliente and Harmony (21.6 and 13.9 ppm NO3 -, respectively); recommended green-leaf cultivars were Salad Bowl and Tango (10.6 and 4.6 ppm NO3 -, respectively); recommended red-leaf cultivars were Red Salad Bowl, Red Sails, and New Red Fire (15.2, 15.4, and 24.0 ppm NO3 -, respectively). The only recommended romaine cultivar was Green Towers (11.2 ppm NO3 -), and recommended crisphead cultivars included Raider and Ithaca (17.6 and 14.9 ppm NO3 -, respectively). Of the highest yielding cultivars, New Red Fire accumulated the greatest NO3 - concentration: 24.0 ppm in both years 1 and 2. The NO3 - concentration is less than the levels of concern for both men and women 20 to 74 years old, 3.9% of the RfD for men and 4.59% of the RfD for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the most popular leafy vegetable in the United States. Organic and synthetic mulch materials are applied by farmers to reduce their weeding expenditures, manage soil temperatures, and increase the yield and quality of their crops. This study examined the impacts of using black polyethylene, compost, and shredded leaves as surface mulches in spring open field romaine lettuce by using data regarding the soil temperature, lettuce growth, and yield parameters. Mulch treatments were compared to determine effects on soil temperature, lettuce growth rates, leaf area index (LAI), yield, and plant size. Experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2019. Soil temperatures were slightly (but significantly) warmer in 2019, the plants grew more rapidly, and LAI, yield, and plant size were all significantly greater than they were in 2017. Mean soil temperatures were 18.0 and 18.9 °C in black polyethylene mulched plots, 17.7 and 18.5 °C in compost, 17.5 and 17.0 °C in bare ground, and 16.9 and 17.3 °C in shredded leaf plots in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Changes in canopy size presented a similar trend over the growing season for all treatments; shredded leaf and bare ground treatments on all measuring dates had the smallest canopy size, and compost and black polyethylene mulches had the largest canopy sizes. Black polyethylene and compost mulches had the highest LAI and yields in both years. In 2017, the bare ground treatment was similar to black polyethylene and compost mulch treatments for both parameters, and all three treatments were significantly greater than the shredded leaf mulch treatment. In 2019, the bare ground treatment was similar to the shredded leaf mulch treatment and significantly lower than the black polyethylene and compost mulch treatments. In 2017, black polyethylene and compost mulches had LAI of 7.67 and 7.37 and yields of 6.38 and 6.68 kg.m-2, respectively. Bare ground had an LAI of 7.16 and yielded 5.94 kg.m-2. Shredded leaf mulch plots had the lowest LAI (5.94) and yield (4.96 kg.m-2). In 2019, the bare ground treatment had an LAI of 7.5 and yielded 7.6 kg.m-2. Black polyethylene and compost mulches increased LAI by 1.7. Yield increased by 2.8 kg.m-2 with black polyethylene mulch and by 2.4 kg.m-2 with compost mulch. Shredded leaf mulch produced LAI and yield similar to but slightly lower than bare ground. Dry weight, plant height, and head diameter in bare ground and shredded leaf mulch treatments were significantly smaller than in black polyethylene and compost mulch treatments. The cultivar rank order was consistent across treatments in both years; 'Ridgeline' grew significantly faster than 'Coastal Star', and plants were significantly larger at harvest. Black polyethylene suppresses weeds and increases soil temperatures, thereby enhancing yields of spring-to-summer romaine lettuce under southern New England conditions. Compost mulch has similar effects on yields. Shredded leaf mulch is effective at suppressing weeds but decreases soil temperatures and yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular crop for spring and fall high tunnels among direct-market vegetable producers. Common practices include the use of compost as a soil amendment, and reliance on cultivation for weed control. This study examined the impacts of using compost as a surface mulch to control weeds in spring and fall romaine lettuce, with data collected on soil temperature, weed suppression, and lettuce yields. Costs of all inputs, including labor, were tracked to assess economic feasibility of using mulch. Compost mulch was compared with bare ground with cultivation across four cultivars of romaine lettuce: Ridgeline, Coastal Star, Green Forest, and Shushan. In the fall experiment, mulching increased average soil temperature by 1 C and canopy cover, leaf area index (LAI), and fresh and dry weights were significantly higher in mulched plots. Mulching decreased daily variation in soil temperature in the spring experiment but had no effect on average soil temperature. Canopy cover, LAI, and fresh and dry weights were not significantly affected by mulching in the spring experiment. Compost mulch affected all cultivars similarly in both experiments, with no significant interaction effects. Yields were greater and leaves were larger in the spring experiment than in the fall for all cultivars. Fresh weight yields in the spring experiment averaged 3.22 kg⋅m-2 and heads had a LAI of 7.9 as compared with 1.02 kg⋅m-2 and 1.6 for the fall experiment. Dry matter content (DMC) was significantly higher in the fall lettuce (113 g⋅kg-1) than in the spring lettuce (43 g⋅kg-1). Cultivar rank order was consistent across experiments, with 'Ridgeline' having the best performance and 'Green Forest' the worst. 'Coastal Star' and 'Shoshone' were intermediate and very similar to each other. Although the use of compost as a mulch increased yields of all cultivars in the fall experiment, only the top cultivar, Ridgeline, produced enough additional yield to offset the increased costs of the compost mulch used in this study. The use of a less-expensive compost or a higher retail price for romaine lettuce would have made the economics more favorable for the other cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan has become of interest as a crop biostimulant suitable for use in sustainable agriculture since it is biocompatible, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and readily available in large quantity. Short-term (35 d after transplanting) effects of chitosan, applied as a soil amendment at 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, or 0.30% (w/w), on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, and gas exchange were evaluated in a growth chamber study. Chitosan at 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% increased leaf area from 674 to 856, 847, and 856 cm², and leaf fresh weight from 28.6 to 39.4, 39.1, and 39.8 g, respectively. Only chitosan at 0.05% and 0.10% increased leaf dry weight from 3.42 to 4.37 and 4.35 g, respectively, while chitosan at 0.30% decreased leaf number, area, fresh and dry weight. Chitosan at 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.30% increased leaf chlorophyll index from 29.8 to 34.4, 35.4, 37.5, and 41.4, respectively. Chitosan at 0.20% and 0.30% increased leaf maximum photochemical efficiency and photochemical yield, and chitosan at 0.10%, 0.15% 0.20%, and 0.30% increased leaf electron transport rate. Leaf photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance (gS) increased from 9.3 to 12.7, 14.0, and 16.6 µmol⋅m-2⋅s-1 carbon dioxide, and from 0.134 to 0.183, 0.196, and 0.231 mol⋅m-2⋅s-1, under chitosan at 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.30%, respectively. The results indicated that chitosan, at appropriate application rates, enhanced lettuce growth, and might have potential to be used for sustainable production of lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Labor productivity in terms of material value (weight of plants harvested per hour per person) was evaluated for 6 months from the start of operations in a research facility at Osaka Prefecture University (Osaka, Japan), serving as a model system for plant production with sole-source lighting (also referred to as a "vertical farm" or "plant factory"). The research facility is capable of producing lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) at a maximum production rate of ≈5000 plants/day when the relative harvest rate (i.e., number of plants harvested/maximum potential number of plants harvested) is 100%. However, in the present study, the relative harvest rate at the research facility was in the range of 17% to 65% and labor productivity varied from 1.5 to 6.0 kg h-1 per person. The evaluation results indicated that increasing the weight of plants harvested and increasing the relative harvest rate was necessary to maintain a high level of labor productivity. The processing time for harvesting was greatest among all plant operations, suggesting the need to reduce the time taken in this operation to increase the labor productivity in the research facility and in other plant production systems with sole-source lighting (PPSLs). This study demonstrates the importance of analyzing labor productivity for increasing the commercial feasibility of PPSLs. However, further long-term investigation with higher relative harvest rates is required for a more definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) are an important group of plant biostimulants that have received increasing attention in recent years because of their positive effects on crop performance and contribution to agroecological sustainability. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of fish-derived PHs on growth, chlorophyll content and fluorescence, and leaf gas exchange of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in a growth chamber. Fish-derived PHs were drench applied (300 inL of 3 mL·L-1) three times a t 0, 14, and 24 days after transplanting (DAT), and lettuce were evaluated 30 DAT. Application of PHs significantly increased the lettuce leaf number per p lant from 22 to 28, stem diameter from 1.37 to 1.68 cm, shoot fresh and dry weight (FW and DW) from 59 to 89 g and 5.5 to 7.7 g, and root dry weight from 0.52 to 0.80 g. It also significantly increased the leaf relative water content (RWC) from 87% to 90% and succulence from 267 to 288 gm-2 water, but had no effect on specific leaf area (SLA). PHs significantly enhanced chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate although they did not alter chlorophyll fluorescence. Our study indicated th a t plant biostimulants and fertilizer PHs improved plant performance and might have potential to be used for sustainable production of lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low availability and high cost of farm hand labor make automated thinners a faster and cheaper alternative to hand thinning in lettuce (Lactuca sativa). However, the effects of this new technology on the uniformity of plant spacing and size as well as crop yield are not proven. Three experiments were conducted in commercial romaine heart lettuce fields in 2013 and 2014 in Imperial Valley, CA, to compare the effects of automated thinning and hand thinning on uniformity of inrow spacing, plant size, and crop yield. Overhead images taken at 1 week after hand thinning indicate that thinning 8 to 11 days earlier by automated thinners did not affect plant size compared with the hand thinning treatment. However, lettuce plants in the automated thinning treatment were larger than plants in the hand thinning treatment 2 to 3 weeks after hand thinning. Automated thinners increased the uniformity of in-row spacing, increased the percentage of plants with the desired in-row spacing of 24 to 32 cm, and almost completely removed plants with an undesirable in-row spacing of 4 to 20 cm. As a result, individual lettuce plant weight and heart weight from the automated thinning plots was significantly greater and plants were more uniform compared with the hand thinned plants. Despite increases in lettuce plant size and uniformity in all three experiments, yield benefits of automated thinning were only significant in one of the three experiments due to larger plant populations resulting from hand thinning. This study suggests that automated thinning increases lettuce plant size and uniformity and makes it possible for growers to increase plant population and crop yield by optimizing in-row spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) panels with different illumination schedules and mounted above butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) seedlings on lettuce growth and photosynthesis were examined, and the performance of the vertical and horizontal movable system on energy savings was evaluated. The illumination schedules used were fixed LED [F-LED (four LED panels illuminated the area below)] and movable LED [M-LED (two LED panels moved left and right once per day to illuminate the same area as F-LED)] at distances of 10 and 30 cm above the seedlings. The plant yields were uniform in all LED treatments. The highest light utilization efficiencies and lowest electricity consumption were found for the treatments with irradiation from a shorter distance above the seedlings. The true leaf numbers and ascorbic acid concentrations were the highest in the M-LED and F-LED treatments at a distance above the seedlings of 10 cm, while the leaf lengths and sucrose concentrations in these groups were significantly lower than those in the 30-cm treatment. These results indicate that illumination with M-LED can halve the initial light source input while maintaining yield and that sustained illumination from a shorter distance above the seedlings is the main factor in electricity savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumigation with cylindered pure phosphine free of ammonia has been used commercially at low temperatures in recent years to control pests on harvested fresh fruit and vegetables. However, long fumigation treatments cause injuries to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and prevent its commercial use on lettuce. We evaluated whether absorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene can prevent injuries to lettuce in phosphine fumigation, hypothesizing that an accumulation of CO2 or ethylene be responsible for the injuries. Head and romaine lettuce were fumigated in chambers in the presence or absence of CO2 and ethylene absorbents for 3 days at 2°C. The use of absorbents prevented lettuce injury associated with fumigation and resulted in higher lettuce quality. In the absence of the absorbents, both head and romaine lettuce sustained significant injuries in the form of brown stain, a typical symptom of CO2 injuries, and significantly reduced quality as compared with fumigation in the presence of absorbents. The injuries were likely caused by CO2 based on the facts that injuries were identical to CO2 injuries and the prevention of the injuries by the use of CO2 absorbent. The findings of this study have important implications for developing safe and effective phosphine fumigation protocols at low temperature for controlling insect pests on fresh commodities, especially when a long treatment time is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) are popular fresh market vegetable crops. In western Washington, there is interest in growing them in high tunnel production systems because of the region's mild, coastal climate. The objectives of this study were to contrast the economic potential of growing lettuce and tomato trader high tunnel and open-field production systems, and identify the main factors affecting profitability within each production system Economic data for this study were collected by interviewing experienced lettuce and tomato growers in western Washington during focus group sessions. Costs of production varied by crop and production system, and findings indicated that it was five times more costly to grow lettuce and eight times more costly to grow tomato in a high tunnel than in the open field in western Washington. For lettuce, the labor cost per square foot of growing area was found to be 6 times greater in a high tunnel than in the open field; and for tomato, labor costs were 10 times greater in a high tunnel than in the open field. Total labor cost comprised more than 50% of the total production costs of lettuce and tomato in both the high tunnel and open-field systems. The percentage of total labor cost was similar in both the high tunnel and open-field production for lettuce, but was higher in high tunnel tomato production than in the open field. Tunnel-grown lettuce and tomato had three and four times greater marketable yield compared with field-grown, respectively. Given the base crop yield and average price, it was 43% more profitable to grow lettuce in the open field than in the high tunnel, while in contrast, high tunnel-grown tomato was three times more profitable than open-field tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field studies were conducted during 2010 and 2011 in Knoxville, TN; Lubbock, TX; and Mount Vernon, WA; to compare high tunnel and open-field organic production systems for season extension and adverse climate protection on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) yield and quality. The climates of these locations are diverse and can be typified as hot and humid (Knoxville), hot and dry (Lubbock), and cool and humid (Mount Vernon). In both years, 6-week-old lettuce seedlings of 'New Red Fire' and 'Green Star' (leafy type), 'Adriana' and 'Ermosa' (butterhead type), and 'Coastal Star' and 'Jericho' (romaine type) were transplanted in the late winter or early spring into subplots covered with black plastic and grown to maturity (43 to 65 days). Lettuce harvest in Knoxville occurred at 50 to 62 days after transplanting (DAT), with open-field lettuce harvested an average of 9 days earlier compared with high tunnel plots both years (P > 0.0001). The earlier than anticipated harvests in the open-field in Knoxville in 2010 were due to lettuce bolting. In Lubbock, high tunnel lettuce was harvested an average 16 days earlier in 2010 compared with open-field lettuce (P > 0.0001), while in 2011, high temperatures and bolting required that open-field lettuce be harvested 4 days earlier than lettuce grown in high tunnels. On average, lettuce cultivars at Mount Vernon matured and were harvested 56 to 61 DAT in 2010 and 54 to 64 DAT in 2011 with no significant differences between high tunnel and open-field production systems. Total and marketable yields at Mount Vernon and Lubbock averaged across cultivars were comparable in both high tunnel and open-field plots. At Knoxville, although total yields were significantly higher (P > 0.0062) in high tunnels than open-field plots, incidence of insect, disease, and physiological damage in high tunnel plots reduced lettuce quality and marketable yield (P > 0.0002). Lettuce head length:diameter ratio (LDR) averaged across cultivars was equal between high tunnel and the open field at all three locations. High tunnel production systems offer greater control of environments suitable for lettuce production, especially in climates like Knoxville and Lubbock where later-planted open-field systems may be more susceptible to temperature swings that may affect lettuce quality. These results suggest that although high tunnel culture alone may influence lettuce yield and quality, regional climates likely play a critical role in determining the impact of these two production systems on marketable lettuce yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth and biomass assessments are required in production and research. Such assessments are followed by major decisions (e.g., harvest timing) that channel resources and influence outcomes. In research, resources required to assess crop status affect other aspects of experimentation and, therefore, discovery. Destructive harvests are important because they influence treatment selection, replicate number and size, and the opportunity for true repeated measures. This work sought to establish the limits to which image acquisition and analysis may replace standard, destructive measures of fresh lettuce biomass. Outdoor, high tunnel, and greenhouse plantings of three cultivars of red and green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were direct-seeded in raised beds and plastic trays in spring, summer, and fall seasons in 2009-10 in Wooster, OH. Overhead images (624 in total) were captured at specific time points after seeding using handheld and tripod-mounted commercial digital cameras. Fresh weight and leaf area of destructive plant samples within the digital images were also collected. Images were analyzed using user-defined settings in WinCAM software (Regent Instruments, Quebec, QC, Canada). A reference grid captured within each image allowed for the calculation of crop canopy cover (percent of two-dimensional image area covered by leaves). Calculations of canopy cover require differentiating leaves and rooting medium by color. The rooting medium was dark in color, and differentiating red leaves against this background was less reliable than differentiating green leaves from background. Nevertheless, in samples collected in the greenhouse 7 to 16 days after sowing (DAS), significant correlations (r) of 0.85 to 0.96 (P< 0.05) were observed between measures of canopy cover calculated by image analysis software and leaf area obtained with a leaf area meter on harvested plant material. In outdoor and high tunnel plots 16 to 30 DAS, correlation coefficients between direct measures of plant biomass and WinCAM estimates of canopy cover were 0.71 to 0.95 (P< 0.0001 ). We conclude that digital image analysis may be useful in real-time, nondestructive assessments of early stage leaf lettuce canopy development, particularly when the leaf area index (LAI) is less than one and settings are dominated by green leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low and high tunnels and root-zone heating systems are proven tools in horticultural production. However, impacts of their separate and combined application on crop yield, composition, and microclimates are underreported. We addressed these gaps in the literature by exposing lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to four microclimates established with low and high tunnels and root-zone heating during the spring and fall of 2 years in Wooster, OH. Red-leaved romaine lettuce cultivars Outredgeous and Flagship were direct-seeded into raised beds in both outdoor and high-tunnel settings in early October and late March and harvested multiple times over 4 weeks. Half of all plots in each setting were underlain by electric heating cables, and half were covered with 0.8-mil, clear, vented, low tunnels. A growing medium consisting of peat moss, compost, soil, and red clover ( Trifolium pratense) hay was used, and all plots were overhead-irrigated. Soil and air temperatures were monitored throughout the experiments, which were repeated four times (2 seasons/ year x 2 years). Here, we report primarily on treatment effects on crop yield and related variables. Root- and shoot-zone conditions and cultivar significantly affected leaf biomass in both settings (outdoor, high tunnel), while population was more often affected in the outdoor experiments. Microclimate main effects were more prevalent than cultivar effects or interactions. Leaf yield was greater in low-tunnel-covered and bottom-heated plots than in uncovered and unheated plots. We take these data as further evidence of the potential to alter lettuce yield through root- and shoot-zone microclimate modification, particularly in regions prone to dynamic seasonal and within-season temperature and light conditions. The data also suggest that the relative performance of low and high tunnels in the production of short-statured, quick-cycling crops during fall and spring be more thoroughly evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of microbubbles, generated by a swiveling microbubble generator in hydroponics nutrient solution, on the growth of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Twenty-four lettuce seedlings at the four- to five-leaf stage each were transplanted into two culture containers at 21 ± 1 °C (day) and 18 ± 1 °C (night) under fluorescent lamps that provided a photosynthetic photon flux of 173 ± 18 and 171 ± 16 µmol·m-2·s-1 averaged at eight points at the canopy level for micro- and macrobubbles conditions, respectively, during a photoperiod of 16 h per day. Seedlings were cultivated for 2 weeks in two deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponics culture systems in which micro- or macrobubbles were produced, respectively, by a microbubble aerator and aquarium aeration stones. The nutrient solution was maintained at a temperature of 22 ± 1 °C during the experiment. Fresh and dry weights of the microbubble-treated lettuce were 2.1 and 1.7 times larger, respectively, than those of the macrobubble-treated lettuce. Although the reasons for growth promotion by microbubbles are still under investigation, we speculate that the larger specific surface area of the microbubbles and negative electronic charges on the microbubbles surfaces may promote growth because microbubbles can attract positively charged ions that are dissolved in the nutrient solution. These results indicate that microbubbles generated in a DFT hydroponics culture system can remarkably promote plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate noncomposted hair byproduct as a nutrient source for container-grown crops. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa 'Green Leaves') and wormwood (Artemisia annua 'Artemis') were grown in a commercial growth substrate amended with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, or 10% by weight hair waste or controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) or were watered with a complete water-soluble fertilizer (WSF). After harvest, yellow poppy (Glaucium flavum) was grown in the pots and substrate that previously grew wormwood, and feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) was grown in the pots and substrate previously containing lettuce. The 5% hair treatment and the commercial fertilizer rates were calculated to provide the same amount of nitrogen (N) during production of lettuce and wormwood based on 50% N availability from hair. Yields in treatments containing hair or CRF or watered with WSF were higher than in the untreated control. The highest lettuce and wormwood yields occurred with CRF followed by WSF and 5% and 10% hair treatments. However, yield of yellow poppy was higher in the hair treatments than yields in inorganic fertilizer treatments or in the untreated control. Feverfew yields did not differ among fertility treatments, but yields in fertility treatments were higher than those of control. Lettuce leaf moisture content was lower, but soluble solids were higher in plants in the hair waste treatments than in the WSF or CRF treatments. Total phenolics in lettuce did not differ among treatments. Total aerobic and coliforms plate counts were similar for all samples, averaging 6.0 and 1.2 log cfu/g, respectively. Results from this study suggest that noncomposted hair waste could be used as a nutrient source for container-grown plants. Hair waste should not be used as a single nutrient source for fast-growing plants because of the time needed for degradation of the hair before release of plant nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) identification key was adapted for crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to facilitate identification of phenological stages and decisions regarding field operations from seeding to harvest maturity. The original system described leaf development based on leaf count from stage 11 (1 leaf) to stage 19 (9 leaf), and head development based on percentage of expected head size reached at maturity from stage 41 to 49. The new coding leaf development stages range from 11 to 29, corresponding to the 1-leaf to 19-leaf stages. The head development stages also ranged from 41 to 49, but phenological stages near commercial maturity from 43 to 49 are now described as a function of head firmness. The important maturity traits of crisphead lettuce include head size and density. Head volume can be estimated from three diameters by using Currence's equation, which takes into account head geometry. The firmness index obtained by hand compression gave a more precise estimate of head density than the density estimate derived from Currence's equation or the sphere equation. Crisphead lettuce development stages and maturity traits can be easily quantified in the field for use in planning field operations and for experimental purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nutrient film technique (NFT) vegetable production, the use of low-concentration nutrient solutions might lead to a nutrient concentration gradient along the bed, which can translate into nonuniform plant growth. The authors modified a conventional NFT system (cNFT) and propose a modified NFT (mNFT) that enables the production of lettuce (Lactuca saliva) plants of uniform fresh weight along elongated cultural beds. Two experiments were carried out to compare the systems when long cultural beds are used (18 m) in terms of uniformity of plant ,and nutrient solution characteristics. The results indicated that fresh weight of plants in cNFT decreased as the distance from the nutrient inlet increased, whereas no such trend was observed in mNFT. Leaf nitrate concentration in mNFT was uniform, whereas it was higher near the oudet ofcNFT. Ascorbic acid concentration was also uniform in mNFT, but it was found to be lower near the outlet of cNFT. During Expt. 2, the oxygen content along the bed decreased from inlet to outlet in cNFT; however, in mNFT, it remained relatively constant at all sampling positions. Regarding the concentration of the nutrient solution along beds, no significant differences were found between inlet and outlet in both systems. It is suggested that the lower concentration of oxygen found at the outlet of cNFT might have reduced nutrient uptake, thus attenuating the difference in concentration between inlet and outlet. The temperatures of the nutrient solution along mNFT during Expt. 2 tended to be slightly lower than those of cNFT. However, temperatures were still too high and plant growth was negatively affected. The results of this study demonstrate that plants of uniform size and quality can be achieved in long cultural beds (up to 18 m long) supplied with a low-concentration fertilizer solution by using the proposed mNFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high tunnel environment was evaluated for production of leaf ('Two Star') and romaine ('Parris Island Cos') lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a northern location (lat. 64°49′N). Ten plantings were made 1 week apart from May to August. Averaged over the season, the air temperature was 1.5 °C and the soil 0.8 °C higher in the high tunnel than the field. 'Two Star' planted on 3 Aug. and harvested on 16 Sept. produced higher yield (P < 0.001) in the tunnel. Head weight was 195 ± 12 g in the tunnel and 99 ± 8 g in the field. For the 13 July-planted 'Two Star' lettuce, the field produced significantly (P < 0.001) more at 202 ± 21 g/head than the 135 ± 29 g/head in the tunnel. The three consecutive field plantings of 1, 8, and 15 June resulted in higher 'Parris Island Cos' yields than corresponding plantings in the high tunnel. Head weights for harvests on 11, 18, and 25 July were 457 ± 60, 476 ± 65, and 478 ± 25 g under field conditions and 354 ± 46, 331 ± 52, and 312 ± 14 g in the high tunnel. 'Two Star' was observed less prone to bolting than 'Parris Island Cos'. Although a high tunnel did not generally support increased productivity in this study, the added protection resulted in high quality lettuce with limited necessary preparation and marketing loss in comparison to the field-grown lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different kinds of biotic and abiotic stress on crops can be lessened through exogenous application of different biostimulant products. Although some of these products come from enzymatic hydrolysates derived from animal remains, the literature does not contain references to the use of enzymatic hydrolysares obtained from animal hemoglobin, specifically porcine blood. With the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a product obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysis of porcine hemoglobin (PHH) as a biostimulant that lessens the effects of thermal stress, two experiments were carried out in which lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) were subjected to short-term episodes of intense cold and heat. After these episodes, different doses of the PHH product were administered into the growing medium. Moreover, in the heat episode experiment, one group of plants was first subjected to a heat episode and then administered a commercial biostimulant with the aim of comparing its efficacy with the PHH product. The biometric measurements carried out on the lettuce plants several days after being subjected to the episodes of cold and heat and then either administered or not administered the indicated treatments show that at the highest tested dose, the PHH product promoted a reaction that lessened the harmful effects caused by the intense cold and heat treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to improve the seedling emergence rate of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds at high temperatures using a convenient postsown priming method. Seeding mixtures adjusted to 35%, 45%, or 55% moisture content were sown with lettuce 'Patriot' in cell trays. Postsown priming was performed at 20 °C for 1 day and at 30 °C for 3 or 5 days. After the treatment, trays were moved to an emergence room kept at 32.5 °C, a temperature assumed to be typical of non-airconditioned rooms in nurseries. Emergence of nonprimed controls was 9% to 16% after 2 days in the emergence room and was 59% to 75% on day 6. In contrast, seedling emergences on day 2 were 95%, 76%, and 78% to 79% in 55% moisture at 20 °C for 1 day, 55% moisture at 30 °C for 3 days, and 45% to 55% moisture at 30 °C for 5 days, respectively. Therefore, the treatment with 55% moisture at 20 °C for 1 day appeared most effective; however, post-sown priming with 55% moisture at 30 °C for 3 days or 45% to 55% moisture at 30 °C for 5 days may be more practical due to lower temperature-control costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]