The Influence of Foliar Treatment with Silica- and Calcium- Based Preparations on Quality and Consumer Properties of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa Var. Crispa) Gown Hydroponically in Urban Type Phytotron System

Abstract

In this study we demonstrate the effect of foliar treatment of silica- and calcium-based preparations on the nutritional content, quality and growth parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) hydroponically grown in the conditions of closed cultivating system (phytotron) of urban type. Analysis results shows an increase in the nutritional quality in oak leaf lettuce plants treated with 1-ethoxysilatrane, silicon dioxide and calcium gluconates preparations. However, we noticed a synergistic effect in the combination treatments of 1-ethoxysilatrane with silicon dioxide as well as silicon dioxide with calcium gluconate treatment comparing to control. The processed products were characterized by remarkable increase in the content of the free form of vitamin C content but slight increase B group vitamins.