Evaluation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) crop in a hydroponic system under two levels of potassium chloride

Blanca Viviana Ayala Apaza; Cosme Huanca Chui; Celia María Fernández Chávez

Abstract

Salinity is a limitation in horticultural crops, which causes alterations in growth, low absorption and distribution of nutrients to different organs of the plant and changes in quality. The present research work was in the greenhouse of the Company “Hortícolas Chui” in order to evaluate two optimal levels of potassium chloride (KCl) to avoid the phytotoxicity of chloride in the cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The potassium chloride fertilizer constituting the greatest richness in potassium, good percentage of solubility and is also low cost in our country. In this investigation the following levels of potassium chloride (KCl) were used: the first level with 25 ppm KCl and the second with 120 ppm KCl. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with two factors that were two levels of KCl (25 ppm and 120 ppm KCl) and two varieties of lettuce (Rubinella and Crocantela) with 4 treatments in 4 blocks. The variables evaluated were: plant height, number of leaves, rosette diameter, fresh weight and yield. The results were evaluated by means of an analysis of variance and comparison of Duncan means when significant differences were found. The results obtained for the varieties were highly significant, with the Crocantela 248.5 g  plant^-1 variety achieving the best weight and the Rubinela variety with 151.75 g plant^-1 with the lowest weight, compared to KCl levels, which presented the best weight It was with the application of 25 ppm KCl that obtained 216.13 g plant^-1, the lowest weight was with 120 ppm KCl that obtained 184.13 g plant^-1.