STUDY OF AGRONOMIC TRAITS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LETTUCE UNDER THE APPLICATIONS OF SALICYLIC ACID (SA)

Document Type : Regular issue (Original Article)

Authors

1 Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan

2 Department of University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan

3 Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is mainly grown as vegetable, but it is also as salad in various countries. Experiments were conducted to evaluate and characterize three lettuce cultivars (Igloo, Red Salad Bowl and Lolla Rossa) for agronomic, physiological and yield attributes in response to salicylic acid (SA). SA treatments were 0, 0.5 and 1mM that was applied as foliar spray after 14 days of germiantion. Result for leaves fresh and dry weights, shoot length, photosynthetic rate, antioxidant activities and yield were recorded. Cultivar Igloo showed a more significant number of leaves and considerably high biomass than the Lolla Rossa and Red Salad Bowl cultivars. Salicylic acid at concentration of 1mM enhanced leaves count up to 15. The highest quantity of anthocyanin was noted in Red Salad Bowl which was 0.0047 mg/mL. Results indicated that Igloo has a higher number of leaves and short stem and gives a high marketable yield. Chlorophyll a and b along with quality of physiological characters were higher as a with SA that resultad higher growth. Igloo cultivar was best in growth but Lolla Rossa had high anthocyanin content and showed highest carbohydrates content. Red Salad Bowl showed highest protein content. Catalase, peroxidase dismutase, and superoxide dismutase activities were also increased by SA. Igloo showed a highest marketable yield which was 39.69g for fresh leaves. This suggested that Igloo has better leafy growth as compared to Red Salad because consumers prefer those cultivars which have a more significant number of leaves and short stem.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics