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Effects of Salinity Stress on Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under Closed-

recycle Nutrient Film Technique

Article  in  International Journal of Agriculture and Biology · May 2010

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY
ISSN Print: 1560–8530; ISSN Online: 1814–9596
09–250/AWB/2010/12–3–377–380
http://www.fspublishers.org

Full Length Article

Effects of Salinity Stress on Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

under Closed-recycle Nutrient Film Technique
AHMED AL-MASKRI1, LATIFA AL-KHARUSI, HANAN AL-MIQBALI AND M. MUMTAZ KHAN†
Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khod,
123, Oman
†WRC, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod, 123, Oman
1
Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Soil and water salinity are amongst major limiting factors affecting crop growth, quality and yield throughout the world. An
experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of salinity stress (NaCl) on growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Paris
Islands Cos under closed-recycled nutrient film technique (NFT). Different salinity levels i.e. 50 mM and 100 mM along with
control (0 mM) were used. It was observed that number of leaves, plant fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight,
shoot dry matter percentage, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root dry weight percentage, leaf area and leaf area index were
significantly effected by salinity levels, while shoot and root water contents percentage, ratio of the shoot to root fresh weight
and ratio of the shoot to root dry weight showed insignificant effect in response to salinity. Overall studies revealed that lettuce
is sensitive to salt stress in NFT, which resulted in poor growth and quality of lettuce. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers

Key Words: Salinity stress; Lettuce; Nutrient film technique; Growth

INTRODUCTION being moderately salt tolerant (De Pascale & Barbieri,

1995). Salinity levels of more than 2.0 and 2.6 dS m−1
Limiting good quality water resources are forcing reduce lettuce fresh yield and plant growth, respectively (De
growers to use water with relatively high salt concentration Pascale & Barbieri, 1995). It has been reported that lettuce
for crop irrigation (Reed, 1996). The scarcity of water has a threshold value of 1.1 dS m–1 and the relative yield
resources demands reduction in water use. This may force to decrease in slope after this threshold as 9.3% (Ünlükara et
abandon the conventional flood irrigation system to reduce al., 2008).
wastage of fresh water resources that results in wastage of Agricultural productivity and sustainability are the
the precious fresh water due to run off and deep percolation. main challenges faced by many arid and semiarid regions as
Under such conditions, soilless culture techniques offer a these regions have severe shortage of good quality water,
way of improving water use efficiency and obtaining better where saline water is used for irrigation of different crops. A
water and fertilizer management in crop production number of measures including hydroponics technique has
(ICARDA-APRP, 2001). In addition, many problems are been introduced Ministry of Agriculture, Oman (MOA)
associated with soil, because of the continuous use of same introduced for cultivation of different agricultural crops to
soil for growing vegetables, which has resulted in a build up overcome the above dilemma and to uplift the economic
of soil born diseases and accumulation of salts. Salinity return of farmers in the country by producing good quality
affects almost every aspect of the physiology and crop. Recently a growing trend towards soilless culture has
biochemistry of plants as well as reduction in crop yield been observed, which is considered more efficient system
significantly. Salinity is the most serious threat to for crop growth. The objective of the present study was to
agriculture (Parida & Das, 2005; Munns & Tester, 2008) observe the effect of different salinity levels under
and major environmental factor that limit crop growth and hydroponics system for the benefit of small scale farmers,
productivity (Munns, 2002; Mididi et al., 2004; Afzal et al., researchers and home gardeners.
2006). Soil salinity affects 1000 million ha of land, which is
7% of all land area (Szabolcs, 1994). About 20% of MATERIALS AND METHODS
irrigated agricultural land is adversely affected by salinity
(Chinnusamy et al., 2005). Moreover about one-third of the The experiment was conducted in glasshouse at
irrigated land on the earth is affected by salinity (Taiz & Agriculture Experiment Station, Sultan Qaboos University,
Zeiger, 2006). Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is categorized as Oman (latitude 35º7´N, longitude 20º56´E, altitude 7m).

To cite this paper: Al-Maskri, A., L. Al-Kharusi and H. Al-Miqbali, 2010. Effects of salinity stress on growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under closed-recycle
nutrient film technique. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 12: 377–380
 AL-MASKARI et al. / Int. J. Agric. Biol., Vol. 12, No. 3, 2010

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L. cv. Paris Islands Cos) seeds were water contents percentage, ratio of the shoot to root fresh
sown singly in seedling tray (ST) (2.5×2.5×3.8 cm3) filled weight and ratio of the shoot to root dry weight were non-
with commercial peat moss (IRISH, UK), vermiculite and significant in their response to salinity stress. The highest
perlite. These trays were kept moist at 25±2°C until growth was observed in 0 mM salt, while it was lowest at
germination. Seedlings were kept in seedling tray for four 100 mM salinity stress. Although, shoot fresh and dry
weeks and afterwards transplanted according to completely weight was significantly affected but insignificant
randomized design (CRD) in the nutrient film technique differences were observed between 0 mM and 50 mM
(NFT) with thirteen replications per row and plant density salinity treatments. In addition, similar results were
was one plant for every 16 cm-2 per system. Three salinity observed in case of root fresh and dry weight of lettuce
levels 0 (control), 50 and 100 mM were used as treatments. under salinity. Similarly leaf area and leaf area index also
To impose salinity, sodium chloride (NaCl) salt was used in didn’t differ significantly at 0 mM and 50 mM salinity
this experiment. Seedlings were fertilized with full strength levels. There was no consistent pattern between three
Hoagland solution (Hoagland & Arnon, 1950). The pH level salinity levels. The findings were similar to those reported
of the three treatments was maintained at 6.5 to 8.0. by Bar-Yosef et al. (2005). Number of leaves was reduced
Three individual channel frame made of wood with a significantly with increasing salinity levels, which confirms
size of (2.3 m length × 0.4 m width × 0.1 m height) were the results of Ünlükara et al. (2008) but this is in contrast to
mounted at 60 cm above the bench top. Double layer of the findings of Andriolo et al. (2005) who reported that
polyethylene plastic of size 500G (10 m × 6.3 m), (Al number of lettuce leaves was not affected by salinity
Amoudi Plastic, Qatar) placed on the top of each channel treatments. Plant dry matter was significantly reduced with
frame and Styrofoam sheet of size (2.3 m length × 0.4 m increasing salinity but this is inconsistent with the results of
width) placed on the top of each system. Thirteen small Ünlükara et al. (2008) who found that plant dry matter
squares (0.45 × 0.45 m) holes were pierced along the content increased with increasing salinity for the salinity
Styrofoam sheet in two rows with 12 cm spacing between range studied.
each square hole. A PVC plastic pipe of size (2.3 m length × Significant differences were found between 0, 50 and
0.4 m width) placed on top and in the middle of the 100 mM for leaf area, leaf area index of the leaves (Fig. 2).
Styrofoam sheet and connected to the water pressure pump No direct correlation was found between the leaf area
of power 35W (SUBMERSIBILE, MODEL KING-3, 220- measurements and plant fresh weight in all three salinity
240V). Each pump was placed in a water tank (fertigation levels. Each studied growth parameter was affected
tank) of capacity (70 L) and linked to an electrical power individually and independently from each other. However,
supply. strong correlation was found in number of leaves and plant
Shoot length and number of leaves were counted fresh weight at all three salinity levels over period of seven
weekly after transplanting throughout the experiment. In weeks. This describes direct relationship in the two growth
addition, plant biomass as well as water contents were measurements in term of yield.
determined after counting the number of leaves. The leaf Lettuce yield response to the three salinity levels in
area (LA cm2) and leaf area index (LAI) determined by recycled NFT solutions was similar with the findings of
using portable area meter (CI-202) at harvest stage. Karam et al. (2005). Ünlükara et al. (2008) also reported
The experiment was arranged according to completely that salinity reduced the yield of lettuce in a constant
randomized design. Data recorded were analyzed manner. Salt-treated (1% NaCl) endive and fennel had
statistically using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique decreased marketable yield by about 60%; lettuce yield was
and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level reduced about 15% (lettuce & endive appeared to be more
to compare the differences among treatment means (Steel et sensitive to tip-burn & necrotic symptoms occurring in the
al., 1997). crop under saline-sodic conditions). In addition, gas
exchange rates, stomatal conductance and product quality
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION were reduced by salinity level (De Pascale & Barbieri,
1995). These may be attributed to low uptake or decreased
Results revealed significant differences among three xylem transport of calcium or to disturbed partitioning of
different salinity levels (0, 50 & 100 mM) on growth of cations in plant tissues at high concentration of sodium ions
lettuce (Table I). A decreasing pattern in growth of the in the soil solution (Sonneveld, 1988).
lettuce was observed with increasing salinity levels. Plants Based on observations, most of lettuce root became
with control treatment produced highest root and shoot long over the period of 50 days from transplantation and
length than plants treated with 50 and 100 mM salt, overlapped with each other which indicated that the width,
respectively (Fig. 1). In this experiment, number of leaves, length and depth of the closed-system frame (2.27 m
plant fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, length × 0.4 m width × 0.1 m height) was less and not
shoot dry matter percentage, root fresh weight, root dry sufficient for root expansion and growth. This might take in
weight, root dry weight percentage, leaf area and leaf area account as a limiting factor of NFT system. Further
index were found to be significant, while shoot and root modifications of this system are required for future

378
 LETTUCE RESPONSE UNDER SALINITY STRESS / Int. J. Agric. Biol., Vol. 12, No. 3, 2010

Table I: Means of growth and biomass measurements observed during May and June, (ii) Accumulation of
in Lettuce after 50 days of transplantation in NFT nutrient solution on the long term by week 13-15 after
transplantation and (iii) changes in pH. Change in EC
Salinity Levels levels in re-circulated closed systems is the most
Data 0 mM 50 mM 100 mM important. Graves (1983) reported that fluctuations in EC
No. of Leaves per plant 14.23±1.67a 12.65 ± 0.92b 12.08 ± 1.96c
Plant fresh wt (g) 84.94±2.91a 76.47 ± 6.20b 50.00 ± 3.33c
levels would be very difficult to monitor and maintain at
Shoot fresh wt.(g) 75.65±0.85a 62.35 ± 3.35a 45.62 ± 2.26b low or narrow concentrations of because of the
Shoot dry wt.(g) 13.19±0.52a 8.95 ± 1.12a 6.58 ± 0.75b apprehension of contamination. Nutrient Film Technique
Shoot DM (%) 18.09±0.71a 14.97 ± 0.36b 13.89 ± 1.21c is a closed system and it is economical in the use of
Shoot WC (%) 85.03±2.52 84.09 ± 4.26 81.91 ± 3.96
Root fresh wt.(g) 6.64±0.55a 5.88 ± 0.94a 4.04 ± 0.47b
nutrients but has a disadvantage of impurities or unwanted
Root dry wt.(g) 3.47±0.09 a 2.89 ± 0.12a 2.07 ± 0.75b ions from the water or from the chemicals, which may
Root DM (%) 52.49±4.25 a 51.42 ± 2.14b 49.63 ± 3.25c accumulate to toxic levels and the original balanced
Root WC (%) 50.37±2.67 48.58 ± 1.12 47.51 ± 2.35 nutrient solution formulation will be lost even if you try to
Shoot/Root FW ratio 11.58±1.62 11.55 ± 0.56 10.86 ± 1.12
Shoot/Root DW ratio 3.96±0.15 3.51 ± 0.10 3.28 ± 0.25
maintain the same EC (Hurd, 1978). In soilless culture,
Numbers followed by the same letter in the same row are not significantly accumulation of salts (e.g., Na+, Cl−) in the recirculating
different at (P>0.05) levels by LSD. The values without letters in the rows nutrient solution in irrigation water is a problem and can
are non-significant (P>0.05) result in inefficient absorption of these salts by plants
(Tzortzakis, 2009). Use of poor-quality water accelerates
Fig. 1: Effect of salinity on shoot and root length of salinity buildup in the substrate medium and may produce
Lettuce under NFT negative effects on salt-sensitive crops (Incrocci et al.,
2006). Therefore a nutrient analysis is required every 2
weeks intervals for major nutrients. However in the
present experiment, it had a direct effect on the growth
and biomass measurements of lettuce. Re-circulation is
possible and it does not present a great problem for
growing lettuce in hydroponics NFT system; but it is
necessary to adjust multiple factors of this system, which
will improve the yield (Graves, 1983).

CONCLUSION
Better management of the system is required to avoid
salt accumulation in NFT system. Future research should be
focused to investigate the threshold level of salinity that
Fig. 2: Effect of salinity on leaf area (LA) and leaf area does not affect lettuce, modifications in NFT system are
index (LAI) of Lettuce under NFT needed to minimize depressed growth rate and root
overlapping between the individual plants.

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