Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIV, Issue 1
Written by Ion NIȚU, Elisabeta Elena POPA, Amalia Carmen MITELUȚ
Lettuce is a widely cultivated leafy vegetable that is sensitive to drought stress. Drought stress is a significant environmental factor that adversely affects the growth and development of lettuce. Montmorillonite-infused hydrogels are emerging to mitigate the effects of drought by reinforcing soil moisture retention and facilitating plant growth. This study investigates the impact of different montmorillonite-enriched hydrogel samples (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% montmorillonite) on lettuce growth under irrigated (every 3 days) and drought-stressed (no watering) conditions. The study examined various morphological characteristics, including total plant length, leaf count, root length, root weight, root volume, stem diameter, and aerial biomass. The results revealed that the hydrogel formulation with the highest montmorillonite content (1%), produced the most favorable results under irrigated and drought-stressed conditions, promoting enhanced root development (11.90% under drought and 4.17% with irrigation compared to the control sample) and leaf production. The findings underline the potential of montmorillonite-enriched hydrogel formulations to improve lettuce growth under different water conditions, presenting a promising approach for sustainable approaches.
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