Estimating Nitrogen and Chlorophyll Status of Romaine Lettuce Using SPAD and at LEAF Readings

Authors

  • Rodrigo Omar MENDOZA-TAFOLLA Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Posgrado en Ciencias Agropecuarias y Desarrollo Rural, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos (MX) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8079-1468
  • Porfirio JUAREZ-LOPEZ Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Posgrado en Ciencias Agropecuarias y Desarrollo Rural, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos (MX) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4241-1110
  • Ronald-Ernesto ONTIVEROS-CAPURATA Cátedra CONACYT- Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, 62550 Jiutepec, Morelos (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5094-0469
  • Manuel SANDOVAL-VILLA Colegio de Postgraduados, Edafología, Campus Montecillo 56230, Montecillo, Estado de México (MX) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0228-0734
  • Iran ALIA-TEJACAL Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Posgrado en Ciencias Agropecuarias y Desarrollo Rural, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos (MX) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2242-2293
  • Gelacio ALEJO-SANTIAGO Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Unidad Académica de Agricultura, Carretera Tepic-Compostela Km. 9, 63780, Xalisco, Nayarit (MX) http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2441-9116

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha47311525

Keywords:

above fresh matter; crop nutrition; Lactuca sativa; non-destructive sampling; soilless culture

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development and is especially important in the production of high quality leafy green vegetables. In this experiment, leaf N concentration, chlorophyll concentration (Chl) and weight above fresh matter (AFM) of romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) were estimated by correlations between in situ SPAD and atLEAF readings. Lettuce was grown in high tunnels during 42 days and was irrigated at five nitrogen levels: 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mEq·L-1 of NO3-, based on the Steiner nutrient solution. The N concentration, Chl concentration and AFM were determined in the laboratory, while SPAD and atLEAF readings were measured in situ weekly. SPAD readings had high, positive and significant linear correlations with N (R2 = 0.90), Chl (R2 = 0.97) and AFM (R2 = 0.98); atLEAF readings had a similar linear correlation with N (R2 = 0.91), Chl (R2 = 0.92) and AFM (R2 = 0.97). Besides, SPAD and atLEAF readings had high, positive, and significant linear correlation (R2 = 0.96). Thus, SPAD and atLEAF meters can be used to non-destructively and accurately estimate the N status of lettuce, in a reliable and quick manner during the crop production cycle. In addition, atLEAF is currently more affordable than SPAD.

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Published

2019-05-22

How to Cite

MENDOZA-TAFOLLA, R. O., JUAREZ-LOPEZ, P., ONTIVEROS-CAPURATA, R.-E., SANDOVAL-VILLA, M. ., ALIA-TEJACAL, I., & ALEJO-SANTIAGO, G. (2019). Estimating Nitrogen and Chlorophyll Status of Romaine Lettuce Using SPAD and at LEAF Readings. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 47(3), 751–756. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha47311525

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Section

Research Articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nbha47311525

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