Dry matter production and macronutrient leaf composition in lettuce under fertigation with nitrogen, potassium and silicon

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in greenhouse, the response of the lettuce cultivar ‘Vera’, with respect to the marketable shoot dry matter production and macronutrient accumulation, as a function of the application of different doses of nitrogen (N) and a potassium silicate-based leaf fertilizer. The lettuce was cultivated from August 10, 2012 (sowing) to October 16, 2012 (harvest). The experimental design was completely randomized with three replicates, referring to nine treatments, resulting from the combination between top-dressing doses of N (9, 54, 90, 126 and 171 kg ha-1) and Si/K2O (1.15, 6.90, 11.50, 16.10 and 21.85 kg ha-1), using the Plan Puebla III experimental matrix, and a control treatment without fertigation. Drip fertigation was used for the application of the doses. The highest doses of N and Si/K2O resulted in the highest marketable shoot dry matter production and highest leaf accumulation of magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.