BACKGROUND: Potassium (K) deficiency in leafy vegetables such as lettuce is a major concern regarding quality. Seaweed (SW) extracts, as biostimulants, are biodegradable materials and have become increasingly popular as they are reported to enhance crop growth and yield. RESULTS: In order to overcome K deficiencies (i.e. 375 vs 125 mg L-1 ), alternative foliar applications with extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum SW or K were examined using lettuce plants which were grown hydroponically. Potassium deficiency (at 125 mg L-1 ) reduced plant biomass, photosynthetic rate, leaf stomatal conductance, lettuce potassium content and tissue antioxidant capacity as compared with the higher K level (375 mg L-1 ). Application of SW increased the relative growth of lettuce in the low-K treatment. The K level and/or SW application altered the plant's enzyme protective activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; peroxidase, POD) against oxidative stress and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) production. Spray applications of SW mitigated the effects of K deficiency on indicators of enzyme activity and plant damage, back to levels of high K content (375 mg L-1 ). The high K level, but also SW application, increased the antioxidant activity of the processed lettuce before storage. Foliar application of the SW extract increased the quality of cut lettuce grown in 125 mg L-1 K conditions by reducing the rate of respiration and increasing consumer preference. CONCLUSION: The SW application could alter the detrimental effects of K deficiency during lettuce growth and storage of processed products.
BACKGROUND:Potassium (K) deficiency in leafy vegetables such as lettuce is a major concern regarding quality. Seaweed (SW) extracts, as biostimulants, are biodegradable materials and have become increasingly popular as they are reported to enhance crop growth and yield. RESULTS: In order to overcome K deficiencies (i.e. 375 vs 125 mg L-1 ), alternative foliar applications with extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum SW or K were examined using lettuce plants which were grown hydroponically. Potassium deficiency (at 125 mg L-1 ) reduced plant biomass, photosynthetic rate, leaf stomatal conductance, lettuce potassium content and tissue antioxidant capacity as compared with the higher K level (375 mg L-1 ). Application of SW increased the relative growth of lettuce in the low-K treatment. The K level and/or SW application altered the plant's enzyme protective activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; peroxidase, POD) against oxidative stress and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) production. Spray applications of SW mitigated the effects of K deficiency on indicators of enzyme activity and plant damage, back to levels of high K content (375 mg L-1 ). The high K level, but also SW application, increased the antioxidant activity of the processed lettuce before storage. Foliar application of the SW extract increased the quality of cut lettuce grown in 125 mg L-1 K conditions by reducing the rate of respiration and increasing consumer preference. CONCLUSION: The SW application could alter the detrimental effects of K deficiency during lettuce growth and storage of processed products.
Authors: Carla Pereira; Maria Inês Dias; Spyridon A Petropoulos; Sofia Plexida; Antonios Chrysargyris; Nikos Tzortzakis; Ricardo C Calhelha; Marija Ivanov; Dejan Stojković; Marina Soković; Lillian Barros; Isabel C F R Ferreira Journal: Molecules Date: 2019-12-08 Impact factor: 4.411
Authors: Nikola S Staykov; Mihail Angelov; Veselin Petrov; Pavel Minkov; Aakansha Kanojia; Kieran J Guinan; Saleh Alseekh; Alisdair R Fernie; Neerakkal Sujeeth; Tsanko S Gechev Journal: Metabolites Date: 2020-12-31