Comparison of the use of zeolite and perlite as substrate for crisp-head lettuce

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae Vol. 106; no. 4; pp. 464 - 471
• Main Authors: Gül, Ayşe, Eroğul, Deniz, Ongun, Ali Rıza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; calcium; Clinoptilolite; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; growing media; Lactuca sativa var. capitata; Leaching; lettuce; nitrogen content; nutrient content; nutrient solutions; Nutrient uptake; Perlite; phosphorus; Plant growth; plant nutrition; potassium; seasonal variation; sodium; Soilless culture; Soilless cultures. Co2 fertilization; Soilless cultures. Protected cultivation; Substrates; zeolites; Soilless culture; Plant growth; Clinoptilolite; Nutrient uptake; Leaching; Substrates; Perlite; Perlite: Plant growth; Soilless cultivation; Horticulture; Growth; Substrates: Clinoptilolite; Zeolite; Compositae; Substrate; Lettuce; Vegetable crop; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Lactuca sativa
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2005.03.015

This research was carried out to assess the effects of zeolite and perlite on growth and nutrient status of lettuce plants and the amount of waste elements. The trials were done in a PE covered tunnel during autumn and spring seasons. Plant material was Lactuca sativa var. capitata, and the cultivars Bombola and Brogan were used for autumn and spring seasons, respectively. Five different growing media based on perlite and clinoptilolite, a kind of zeolite, mixed at different ratios (1 + 0, 3 + 1, 1 + 1, 1 + 3, 0 + 1, v/v) were tested. It was concluded that the use of zeolite led to increased plant growth, higher N and K contents in plant tissues and to reduced K leaching.