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LEO SABATINO

Appraisal of combined applications of trichoderma virens and a biopolymer-based biostimulant on lettuce agronomical, physiological, and qualitative properties under variable n regimes

  • Authors: Rouphael Y.; Carillo P.; Colla G.; Fiorentino N.; Sabatino L.; El-Nakhel C.; Giordano M.; Pannico A.; Cirillo V.; Shabani E.; Cozzolino E.; Lombardi N.; Napolitano M.; Woo S.L.
  • Publication year: 2020
  • Type: Articolo in rivista
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/452559

Abstract

The current research elucidated the agronomical, physiological, qualitative characteristics and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) after treatments with a beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens (TG41) alone or in combination with a vegetal biopolymer-based biostimulant (VBP; 'Quik-link'). The experiment consisted of lettuce plants grownin threeNconditions: Sub-optimal (0N kg ha-1), optimal (70N kg ha-1), and supra-optimal (140N kg ha-1) N levels. Lettuce grown under 0N fertilization showed a significant increase in fresh yield when inoculated with TG41 alone (45%) and a greater increase with TG41 + VBP biostimulant (67%). At 48 days after transplanting, both the TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulant induced higher values of CO2 assimilation in comparison to the control. The mineral concentrations in leaf tissues were greater by 10% for K and 12% for Mg with the TG41+VBP treatments compared to the untreated lettuce. The lettuce plants receiving either TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulants had a significantly lower nitrate content than any of the untreated controls. In non-fertilized conditions, plants treated with TG41+VBP biostimulants produced lettuce of higher premium quality as indicated by the higher antioxidant activity, total ascorbic acid (+61%-91%), total phenols (+14%) and lower nitrate content when compared to the untreated lettuce.