Nutrient solution aeration and growing cycles affect quality and yield of fresh-cut baby leaf red lettuce

Conesa, E.; Hernández, Juan Antonio Fernández; Niñirola, D.; Egea‐Gilabert, Catalina

doi:10.23986/afsci.52792

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…The observed phenolics concentrations were in line with previous values reported in the literature (Conesa et al 2015). The increased phenolics concentration in salinized crops in winter (watercress only) and spring (both crops) (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Root adaptation and ion selectivity affects the nutritional value of salt-stressed hydroponically grown baby-leaf Nasturtium officinale and Lactuca sativa

Hernández

Niñirola

Ochoa

et al. 2016

AFSci

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The response of watercress (Nasturtium officinale L.) to salinity has been scarcely addressed in literature despite its growing importance in the baby-leaf market and its wide cultivation in salt-affected agricultural regions. This work evaluates the effect of salinity (2.5, 5 and 10 dS m-1) on productive and quality features of watercress compared with another crop widely cultivated for the baby-leaf sector (lettuce, Lactuca sativa). In watercress, a linear relationship (R2=0.75) was observed between yield decrease and Cl– accumulation in leaves, whereas yield was not affected by salinity in lettuce. NaCl application increased Na+ accumulation at the expense of Ca2+ uptake in the leaf tissues of both crops, but also of K+ in watercress. Health-related features were improved by salinity (e.g. increased phenolics and reduced nitrates), especially in watercress, with limited sensorial quality evaluation effects.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Root adaptation and ion selectivity affects the nutritional value of salt-stressed hydroponically grown baby-leaf Nasturtium officinale and Lactuca sativa

Hernández

Niñirola

Ochoa

et al. 2016

AFSci

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“…In the past, whole-head and multi-leaf lettuces were predominantly used to prepare fresh-cut salad mixes, but recently other types of lettuces, such as baby leaves, have increasingly been used. Baby leaf vegetables (BLV) are coreless, completely edible, and can be easily and quickly processed (Conesa et al 2015). The market for minimally processed ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetables is constantly increasing, and is offering to consumers the products rich in bioactive compounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing fresh-cut baby green and red leaf lettuce from soilless cultivation preserves phytochemical content and safety

Pignata

Ertani

Casale

et al. 2020

AFSci

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different mixtures of two fresh-cut baby lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa cv. Lollo Bionda [LB] and cv. Lollo Rossa [LR]) cultivars on lettuce phytochemical composition during postharvest. Lettuces were grown in a soilless culture system with continuous flotation (FL) in a greenhouse, mixed at harvest and packaged in polypropylene bags and stored at 4 °C for 9 days (d9). Mixes were made of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 0% of LB, respectively. The results showed that the phytochemicals were preserved during storage. In specific, 25LB had the highest pigment content on d1, while 50LB and 25LB had the highest inherent quality on d1.FL led to a reduced microbial contamination, thus, limiting its growth during storage. The results have revealed that high quality and microbiologically safe baby leaf vegetables (BLV), can be obtained by means of FL. The adopting a mix of lettuce cultivars could represent a positive postharvest practice to preserve the phytochemicals of BLV throughout their shelf life.

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“…It is harvested at an early-vegetative phase (8–12 cm in length), hence the name, and includes many species, with Lactuca sativa L. and Cichorium endivia L. varieties among the most popular (Nicola and Fontana, 2014 ). They are mainly used as minimally processed vegetable products (Conesa et al, 2015 ) and consumed in increasing amounts as they provide an important source of health-promoting compounds such as carotenoids, vitamin C, and polyphenols (DuPont et al, 2000 ; El-Nakhel et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hydroponic floating system (FL) is most widely used for the production of high-quality, minimally processed vegetables as it is an easy, resource-saving and profitable growing technique (Tomasi et al, 2015 ; Sambo et al, 2019 ). However, some concerns arise about this system as it is static (with no recirculation of NS) and a lack of oxygen frequently occurs in the NS, especially at high temperatures (Conesa et al, 2015 ) so farmers are forced to provide continuous oxygen enrichment of the NS. The oxygen deficiency may reduce crop yield, leaf appearance (color) and its nitrate level, whereas it could enhance product antioxidative proprieties (Conesa et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, some concerns arise about this system as it is static (with no recirculation of NS) and a lack of oxygen frequently occurs in the NS, especially at high temperatures (Conesa et al, 2015 ) so farmers are forced to provide continuous oxygen enrichment of the NS. The oxygen deficiency may reduce crop yield, leaf appearance (color) and its nitrate level, whereas it could enhance product antioxidative proprieties (Conesa et al, 2015 ). To cope with this potential limit, the ebb and flow system (EF) can be used as an alternative for growing baby-leaf vegetables as it allows better root oxygenation deriving from the periodical NS supply to the root through sub-irrigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reduction of Nitrate Content in Baby-Leaf Lettuce and Cichorium endivia Through the Soilless Cultivation System, Electrical Conductivity and Management of Nutrient Solution

et al. 2021

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Soilless cultivation systems are efficient tools to control nitrates by managing nutrient solution (NS) salinity and nitrogen availability, however, these nitrate-lowering strategies require appropriate calibration based on species/genotype-specific responses interacting with climate and growing conditions. Three experiments were carried out on lettuce and Cichorium endivia grown in ebb-and-flow (EF) and floating (FL) systems at two levels of NS salinity (EC = 2.5 and 3.5 dS m−1) (EC2.5, EC3.5, respectively) under autumn and early-spring (lettuce) and winter and late-spring conditions (C. endivia). Nitrogen deprivation (NS withdrawal a few days before the harvest) was tested at EC2.5, in the autumn and winter cycles. The EF-system caused an increase in salinity in the substrate where roots mainly develop so it mimicked the effect of the EC3.5 treatment. In the winter-grown lettuce, the EF-system or EC3.5 treatment was effective in reducing the nitrate level without effects on yield, with the EF baby-leaf showing an improved quality (color, dry matter, chlorophylls, carotenoid, vitamin C, phenol). In both seasons, the EF/EC3.5 treatment resulted in a decline in productivity, despite a further reduction in nitrate content and a rise in product quality occurring. This response was strictly linked to the increasing salt-stress loaded by the EC3.5/EF as highlighted by the concurrent Cl− accumulation. In early-spring, the FL/EC3.5 combination may represent a trade-off between yield, nitrate content and product quality. In contrast, in winter-grown endive/escarole the EC3.5, EF and EC3.5/EF reduced the nitrate level with no effect on yield, product quality or Cl− uptake, thus proving them to be more salt-tolerant than lettuce. High temperatures during the late-spring cycle promoted nitrate and Cl− uptake, overcoming the nitrate-controlling effect of salinity charged by the EF system or EC3.5. The nitrate level decreased after 3 day-long (lettuce) or 6 day-long (C. endivia) NS withdrawal. In C. endivia and EF-grown lettuce, it provoked a decrease in yield, but a concurrent improvement in baby-leaf appearance and nutritional quality. More insights are needed to fine-tune the duration of the NS removal taking into account the soilless system used and species-specific characteristics.

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Nutrient solution aeration and growing cycles affect quality and yield of fresh-cut baby leaf red lettuce

Cited by 11 publications

References 24 publications

Root adaptation and ion selectivity affects the nutritional value of salt-stressed hydroponically grown baby-leaf Nasturtium officinale and Lactuca sativa

Root adaptation and ion selectivity affects the nutritional value of salt-stressed hydroponically grown baby-leaf Nasturtium officinale and Lactuca sativa

Mixing fresh-cut baby green and red leaf lettuce from soilless cultivation preserves phytochemical content and safety

Reduction of Nitrate Content in Baby-Leaf Lettuce and Cichorium endivia Through the Soilless Cultivation System, Electrical Conductivity and Management of Nutrient Solution

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