Polysulphate Lettuce Trial in Israel

25

Yield Increase
Polysulphate fertilizer significantly increases lettuce fresh and dry biomass, and increases calcium and sulfur concentrations in the leaves.

Northern R&D Farm, Israel
2019

Trail

25

Yield Increase

Key Conclusions

Polysulphate fertilizer significantly increases lettuce fresh and dry biomass by up to 25%, and significantly increases calcium and sulfur concentrations in lettuce leaves.

Objective

To evaluate Polysulphate as a calcium source for lettuce (Lactuca sativa), using a greenhouse soilless production system.

Trial Details

Trial station

Northern R&D Farm, Israel

Product

Granular Polysulphate

Assessments

Total yield, and commercial yield

Treatments

  • The experiment was designed in complete random blocks, with 6 replicates consisting of 5 pots each.
  • Seeds were sown in June 2019, and harvest took place in July 2019.
  • Plants were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions in 4 L pots filled with perlite.
  • Treatments included 4 rates of granular Polysulphate: 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g/L that were thoroughly mixed with the perlite before planting.
  • Water used for irrigation was desalinated using reverse osmosis to a level of 0.6 mEq Ca/L.
  • Plants in all treatments were fertigated throughout the experiment with NPK 5:3:8 + MgSO4.
  • Irrigation was scheduled 3 times a day for 10 minutes per irrigation (approx. 1 L/day).

Treatments

  • The experiment was designed in complete random blocks, with 6 replicates consisting of 5 pots each.
  • Seeds were sown in June 2019, and harvest took place in July 2019.
  • Plants were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions in 4 L pots filled with perlite.
  • Treatments included 4 rates of granular Polysulphate: 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g/L that were thoroughly mixed with the perlite before planting.
  • Water used for irrigation was desalinated using reverse osmosis to a level of 0.6 mEq Ca/L.
  • Plants in all treatments were fertigated throughout the experiment with NPK 5:3:8 + MgSO4.
  • Irrigation was scheduled 3 times a day for 10 minutes per irrigation (approx. 1 L/day).

Results

  • Polysulphate application significantly increased lettuce fresh and dry biomass, adding up to 25% to the fresh weight of the plants.
  • Calcium and sulfur concentrations in the leaves were significantly higher with Polysulphate application, but no response was observed to the nutrient dose.
  • Polysulphate application can ensure enough available Ca to satisfy lettuce requirements and guarantee high produce quality.

 

Polysulphate significantly increases lettuce fresh weight by up to 25%.

Polysulphate significantly increases lettuce fresh weight by up to 25%.

 

Polysulphate significantly increases the calcium and sulfur concentration in lettuce leaves.

Polysulphate significantly increases the calcium and sulfur concentration in lettuce leaves.

Similar letters indicate no significant differences between treatments at p <0.05.

 

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