Mitigating Tipburn True Foliar Calcium Application in Indoor Hydroponicly Grown Mini Cos Lettuce

Abstract

Hydroponic systems provide a highly advantageous environment for cultivating green leafy vegetables. Among these advantages, there is a significant acceleration in harvest compared to conventional farming methods, the attainment of high yields, enhanced leaf coloring, increased nutritional content, and improved sweetness, all of which are crucial factors. However, a particular issue known as tip burn is encountered when cultivating, especially Yedikule (Romaine) type lettuce in hydroponic systems. This study investigates various calcium dosages applied via foliar spray to mitigate tip burn on Thespian and Suntred lettuce varieties (green and red Romaine mini types). Different calcium dosages were employed for both lettuce varieties. This experiment examined various parameters for both lettuce types, including plant height, root length, stem diameter, plant age, dry weight, root dry and fresh weight, macro and micronutrient content, dry matter, and total yield. The results indicate that combining foliar calcium and adequate ventilation effectively mitigates tipburn. This research emphasizes the significance of such a combined approach in preventing tip burn in hydroponically grown lettuce, specifically Thespian and Suntred varieties.