Identifying Lettuce Accessions for Efficient Use of Phosphorus in Hydroponics

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) is the most common leafy vegetable produced hydroponically in United States. Although hydroponic systems are advantageous due to lower pest and disease pressure, reduced water nutrient requirements, increasing prices of fertilizers, including phosphorus (P), still influences profitability production lettuce. Characterizing lettuce germplasm capable producing high yield using less P inputs may help reduce fertilizer use, costs, loads wastewater. In this study, 12 accessions were grown four experiments a film technique system. first two experiments, treatments consisted concentrations (3.1 31 mg·L −1 ). cultivated with 3.1 had variable shoot root biomass, root–shoot ratio, uptake efficiency, utilization indicating existence genetic variation. Five (‘Little Gem’, 60183, ‘Valmaine’, BG19-0539, ‘Green Lightning’) considered efficient because similar biomass low treatments. third fourth sources (monosodium phosphate (NaH 2 PO 4 ) tricalcium [TCP; Ca 3 (PO ]. Initially, extra 5 mM calcium (Ca) was added TCP solution solubility and, hence, bioavailability plants. All weight both treatments, that treatment did not cause low-P stress After, concentration increased 10 mM, resulting significant reduction all accessions. Despite severe stress, ‘Little Gem’ 60183 among least treatment. Variability observed ratio under treatment, suggesting responded differently conditions. The variation for use efficiency (PUE) PUE-related traits suggests feasibility breeding new cultivars from elite adapted availability hydroponics.