Search Results (1,635)

A multi-factor analysis of cultivar, biofertiliser, and growing season was conducted to optimise lettuce agronomic and quality traits in diverse soil conditions. The goal was to identify soil differences and offer practical recommendations to improve lettuce traits and quality for farmers and the processing industry. The study employed a complete block design with four treatments, three involving biofertilisers, applied to six lettuce cultivars grown in two contrasting soil types- Mollic Gleysol (Calcaric)-GL and Hortic Anthrosol (Terric, Transportic)-AT, across three consecutive greenhouse seasons (autumn, winter, and spring). Biofertilisers were applied to the soil before transplanting and foliarly during the growing cycle, with four of the following treatments: control (no fertilisation), a fertiliser containing beneficial microorganisms, a Trichoderma-based fertiliser, and a combination of both. In GL soil, all biofertiliser treatments increased rosette height, leaf number, and stem length, whereas in AT soil, all morphological parameters declined significantly. The green cultivars ‘Aquino’ and ‘Kiribati’ showed superior morphological performance, particularly in spring and winter. Rosette fresh weight, a key indicator of plant biomass, reached 236.4 g in ‘Aquino’ grown in GL soil, and 208.6 g in ‘Kiribati’ grown in AT soil. Dualex™ leaf sensor measurement indicated that ‘Aquino’ exhibited the highest nitrogen balance index (NBI), while the red cultivar ‘Gaugin’ recorded the highest chlorophyll, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents. Combined fertilisers increased NBI by 6.3% and chlorophyll by 6.8% in GL soil. Trichoderma fertiliser alone raised NBI by 6.8% in GL soil, whereas in AT soil, plants accumulated more flavonoids and anthocyanins (by 9.2% and 8.5%). Optical parameters were highest in autumn. The three-factor experiment demonstrated that cultivar, biofertiliser, and growing season significantly influenced the majority of measured traits. Correlation analysis revealed that rosette fresh weight was positively associated with NBI but negatively correlated with quality-related traits. Based on these findings, cultivars ‘Aquino’, ‘Kiribati’, and ‘Gaugin’ are recommended for both farmers and the processing industry to improve lettuce production quantity and quality. Overall, cultivar, biofertiliser, and season strongly influenced the measured parameters, underscoring the importance of tailoring biofertiliser application to soil type and season to achieve optimal production outcomes. Full article

In this study, a sliding microfluidic biosensor integrating RPA-SDA cascaded amplification was developed for the rapid, visual detection of Shigella. A novel RPA primer targeting the specific ipaH gene was designed to include a 5′-end G-quadruplex (G4) sequence and the complementary sequence of an Nt.BstNBI endonuclease recognition site. The RPA product templates a subsequent SDA reaction, generating abundant G4 structures that form peroxidase-mimicking DNAzymes with hemin, catalyzing a TMB reaction that produces a distinct blue color for visual readout (on-chip detection at OD₃₇₀, distinct from conventional tube assays at OD₄₅₀). The core on-chip detection process was completed within 13 min (10 min for SDA and 3 min for color development), achieving a limit of detection of 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ ng/μL for Shigella genomic DNA. This timing explicitly excludes the preceding, off-chip steps of nucleic acid extraction and RPA amplification. Validation using spiked lettuce samples confirmed the platform’s high specificity and sensitivity. This work establishes a proof-of-concept for a portable screening tool, highlighting its potential for on-site food safety applications. However, further validation in diverse food matrices and under real-world field conditions is required to fully establish its practical utility. Full article

Facing the significant challenges posed by global population growth and urbanization, plant factories, as an efficient closed cultivation system capable of precise environmental control, have become a key direction in the development of modern agriculture. However, high energy consumption, particularly lighting (which accounts for over 50%), remains a major bottleneck limiting their large-scale application. This study systematically explored the effects of dynamic light regulation strategies on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth, physiological and biochemical indicators (such as chlorophyll, photosynthetic, and fluorescence parameters), nutritional quality, energy utilization efficiency, and post-harvest shelf life. Four different light treatments were designed: a stepwise increasing photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from 160 to 340 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ (T1), a constant light intensity of 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ (T2), a three-stage strategy with high light intensity in the middle phase (T3), and a three-stage strategy with sequentially increasing light (T4). The results showed that the T4 treatment exhibited the best overall performance. Compared with the T2 treatment, the T4 treatment increased biomass by 23.4%, significantly improved the net photosynthetic rate by 50.32% at the final measurement, and increased ascorbic acid (AsA) and protein content by 33.36% and 33.19%, respectively. Additionally, this treatment showed the highest energy use efficiency. On the 30th day of treatment, the light energy use efficiency (LUE) and electrical energy use efficiency (EUE) of the T4 treatment were significantly increased, by 23.41% and 23.9%, respectively, compared with the T2 treatment. In summary, dynamic light regulation can synergistically improve crop yield, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, nutritional quality, and energy utilization efficiency, providing a theoretical basis and solution for precise light regulation and energy consumption reduction in plant factories. Full article

Fresh lettuce is a key ingredient in ready-to-eat salads that are considered a valued dietary choice. Lettuce quality is strongly influenced by soil management practices, particularly in sustainable farming systems. This study evaluated the effects of three different soil disinfestation methods (flame weeding, microwave irradiation, and biological control (Trichoderma spp. inoculation) on the quality traits of Lactuca sativa L. var. Margò grown in a protected environment in southern Italy in a winter growth cycle. Minerals, nitrate content, colorimetric parameters, carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity were assessed. The treatment with Trichoderma spp. significantly reduced nitrate accumulation (−21.3%) and increased some phenolic compounds and P (22%), while microwave irradiation treatment boosted total phenolic content by 44%. Flame weeding, although partially effective, was associated with a slight increase in carotenoids. Overall, microwave irradiation and Trichoderma spp. treatments emerged as the most promising options for balancing food safety and nutritional value. These findings offer valuable insights about the effect of soil disinfestation strategies on leafy vegetable quality. Full article

Environmental impacts of urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can be reduced by recovering nutrients and organic matter (OM) from their streams for agricultural use, decreasing dependence on conventional fertilizers. This study evaluated dehydrated sewage sludge (SS) as an organic amendment and the partial replacement of mineral P fertilizers in lettuce cultivation. Struvite, a byproduct of WWTPs, was also investigated as a sustainable P source. A 43-day greenhouse pot experiment assessed SS (12 t/ha) and struvite (at two P rates: 30 and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha), both alone and combined. SS significantly increased soil OM (p < 0.001), though long-term applications would be required to enhance this effect. The highest struvite rate (60 kg P₂O₅/ha) yielded the greatest extractable soil-P levels (150 ± 8.1 mg P₂O₅/kg), while its combination with SS further increased extractable P (>250 mg P₂O₅/kg), indicating a stable soil P pool. The highest plant dry biomass (8.9 ± 1.1 g, p < 0.05) also occurred under the highest struvite dosage. Complementary effects between SS and struvite were observed in foliar K, Ca, Mg, and S contents, although no significant interaction between both was found for P content. Adequate foliar P levels (0.40–0.52%) were achieved only in treatments containing SS, indicating its essential role in improving plant P nutrition. Full article

Environmental factors like light, photoperiod, temperature, and water are vital for crop growth, and even slight deviations from their optimal ranges can cause seedling stress and reduce yield. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify seedling stress symptoms using image features analysis under varying light, photoperiod, temperature, and water conditions. Seedlings were grown under controlled low, normal, and high environmental conditions. Light intensity at 50 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (low), 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (normal), and 450 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (high), photoperiod cycles, 8/16 h (day/night) (low), 10/14 h (day/night) (normal), and 16/8 h (day/night) (high) day/night, temperature at 20 °C (low), 25 °C (normal), and 30 °C (high), and water availability at 1 L per day (optimal), 1 L every two days (moderate stress), and 1 L every three days (severe stress) were applied for 15 days. Commercial low-cost RGB, thermal, and depth sensors were used to collect data every day. A total of 1080 RGB images, which were pre-processed with histogram equalization and filters (Median and Gaussian), were used for noise reduction to minimize illumination effects. Morphological, color, and texture features were then analyzed using ANOVA (p < 0.05) to assess treatment effects. The result shows that the maximum canopy area for tomato was 115,226 pixels, while lettuce’s maximum plant height was 9.28 cm. However, 450 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light intensity caused increased surface roughness, indicating stress-induced morphological alteration. The analysis of Combined Stress Index (CSI) values indicated that the highest stress levels were 50% for pepper, 55% for tomato, 62% for cucumber, 55% for watermelon, 50% for lettuce, and 50% for pak choi. The findings showed that image-based stress detection enables precise environmental control and improves early-stage crop management. Full article

Coal-derived soil amendments have been shown to improve soil physicochemical properties and promote plant growth; however, their effects on rhizosphere microbial communities remain insufficiently understood. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of a lignite coal-based, microbially processed amendment on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth, soil properties, and rhizosphere microbiota was conducted. Application of the coal-based amendment resulted in a more than two-fold increase in plant fresh weight compared to untreated soil. The amendment significantly improved soil organic matter content but did not increase phosphate or potassium levels. Rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities were profiled using 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the coal-based amendment, commercial organic fertilizer, and raw coal each induced distinct shifts in microbial community structure. Notably, treatment with the coal-based amendment reduced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria while increasing Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi in the bacterial community. In fungal communities, the amendment decreased Basidiomycota and enriched Ascomycota. These results suggest that the observed enhancement in plant growth is closely linked to changes in rhizosphere microbial composition and soil organic matter content, highlighting the potential of microbially processed coal products as sustainable soil amendments in agriculture. Full article

Greenhouse horticulture is an energy-intensive production system that requires innovative solutions to reduce energy demand without compromising crop yield or quality. Functional greenhouse covers are particularly promising, as they regulate solar radiation while integrating energy-harvesting technologies. In this study, six nanostructured glass coatings incorporating semiconductor-based quantum dots (QDs) and quantum wires (QWs) of Ge and TiN are developed using magnetron sputtering—an industrially scalable technique widely applied in smart window and energy-efficient glass manufacturing. The coatings’ optical properties are characterized in the laboratory, and their agronomic performance is evaluated in greenhouse trials with lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta) and radish (Raphanus sativus). Plant growth, yield, and leaf color (CIELAB parameters) are analyzed in relation to spectral transmission and the daily light integral (DLI). Although uncoated horticultural glass achieves the highest yields, several Ge-QD coatings provide favorable compromises by selectively absorbing non-photosynthetically active radiation (non-PAR) while maintaining acceptable crop performance. These results demonstrate that nanostructured coatings can simultaneously sustain crop growth and enable solar energy conversion, offering a practical pathway toward energy-efficient and climate-smart greenhouse systems. Full article

Stocking density is a key driver of performance in aquaponics, affecting both fish welfare and crop yield. This study evaluated the impact of three initial stocking densities (3.1, 4.1, and 6.2 kg/m³) on survival, growth, feeding behavior, carcass and filet quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), as well as on the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) cultivated in vertical coupled aquaponic units. A total of 184 fish (109 ± 28 g) were reared for 176 days in nine independent recirculating systems. Fish reared at the lowest density achieved the highest final live weight and specific growth rate, with a better feed conversion ratio, whereas performance declined at higher densities despite similar survival rates. Feeding behavior was generally consistent across groups, although feed intake rate was reduced at the highest density. Carcass and filet quality traits were unaffected by stocking density. Vegetable yield was enhanced by higher fish biomass, with significant increases in lettuce production and a positive trend for basil. These findings indicate that intermediate stocking densities may represent the most sustainable compromise, ensuring fish welfare and acceptable growth while supporting efficient plant production in largemouth bass–based aquaponics. Full article

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), pak choi (Brassica rapa), and basil (Ocimum basilicum) were grown in hydroponic NFT systems under four nitrate levels (80–180 mg L⁻¹ N). We measured natural microbial contamination by plating nutrient-solution samples and leaf washes to obtain colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of bacteria and fungi. Separately, postharvest leaves were artificially inoculated with Botrytis cinerea and stored at 22 °C or 4 °C for 7 days to assess gray mold. In lettuce, high N (180 mg L⁻¹) markedly increased culturable microbial loads in both solution and leaves, whereas pak choi microbial counts remained low at all N levels. Basil showed a non-linear response: CFU counts peaked at moderate N (120 mg L⁻¹) and were lower at both deficit and excess N. At 22 °C, gray mold severity in pak choi increased with N; leaves fertilized at N150–180 suffered about 1.5–2 times greater lesion area than those at N80. By contrast, lettuce exhibited the worst decay under N deficiency: N80 leaves developed the largest lesions by 4–7 DPI, while moderate N (120–150 mg L⁻¹) minimized disease progression. Basil was highly susceptible under warm storage: all N levels reached near-total decay by 7 days, though N120 delayed early infection slightly. Refrigeration (4 °C) greatly suppressed lesion development in lettuce and pak choi, although high-N pak choi still showed ~20–30% more infected area than low-N after 7 days. Basil, however, suffered chilling injury at 4 °C, and all refrigerated basil leaves decayed severely (regardless of N). These results indicate crop-specific nutrient and storage strategies: avoid excessive N in pak choi, maintain balanced N in lettuce, and handle basil with non-chilling methods to reduce postharvest gray mold. Full article

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by a waterless synthesis route to generate GO sheets, which were then applied to coat calcined oyster shell with fertilizer (OSF) pellets, resulting in the creation of an OSF-GO particle. The GO sheets (ID/IG = 0.86) were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, which showed that the GO-coated OSF pellet features a compact coating approximately 13.68 μm thick. SEM and AFM analyses revealed that the GO sheets displayed a monolayer configuration with a crinkled topography (about 0.91 nm). The EDS analysis confirmed that the core was primarily composed of Ca, K, P, O, N, and C elements. The hydroponic experiment results showed that a GO concentration of 80 mg/L significantly enhanced plant height, stem thickness, and root length in loose-leaf lettuce, while higher concentrations induced oxidative stress. In pot experiments, the OSF-GO composite effectively raised the soil pH from 5.38 to 6.41 and improved nutrient availability. OSF-GO composite functions effectively as both a soil conditioner and slow-release fertilizer (SRF), simultaneously remediating degraded soils and optimizing nutrient delivery. Full article

The use of biostimulants offers a sustainable strategy to improve crop quality. This study assessed the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum (consisting of species Claroideoglomus claroideum, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Funneliformis geosporum, Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) and an 0.5% aqueous extract of Landoltia punctata on the growth and biochemical composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Dubáček’) under indoor conditions. Four variants were tested: control (C), mycorrhiza (M), L. punctata extract (L), and their combination (M + L), with biometric, physiological, and biochemical parameters evaluated. Simultaneously, the amino acid profile of Landoltia extract was determined, and the degree of plant colonization by mycorrhizal fungi was evaluated. While biostimulant treatments did not affect above-ground biomass, L. punctata extract (L and M + L) significantly raised chlorophyll a (by 15.9% and 16.0%) and chlorophyll b (by 55.5% and 42.8%) compared to the control. The combined treatment (M + L) achieved the highest total phenolic content (254.28 mg/kg). All treated variants significantly reduced leaf nitrate content, with M and M + L being most effective (−35.1% and −33.6%). Amino acid metabolomic analysis showed that the extract is rich in γ-aminobutyric acid, valine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and other proteinogenic amino acids that may drive its biostimulant effects. Microscopy confirmed successful root colonisation in mycorrhizal variants (58% in M, 42% in M + L). Although the biostimulants did not significantly affect growth, their application is recommended to improve lettuce quality by enhancing photosynthetic pigments and phenolic compounds while reducing nitrate content, indicating their potential for producing safe, higher-quality crops. Full article

Biostimulants play a crucial role in producing high-quality products with increased yields while also positively impacting sustainable agriculture by reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting soil fertility. In this context, an experiment was developed to evaluate the influence of several commercial foliar fertilizers and biostimulants (Cropmax, FullGreen, Nutrigizer, and Rerum) on the yield and quality parameters of lettuce cultivated in a greenhouse system. The tested products have different formulations, with all containing macronutrients and microelements. Cropmax and Rerum also include amino acids, while Nutrigizer 60 2E contains humic acids. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design and comprised five treatments, with a control and four biostimulants, Cropmax, FullGreen, Nutrigizer, and Rerum, each replicated five times. Foliar treatments were applied four times to the butterhead lettuce variety ‘Analena’, suitable for spring to autumn production. All foliar treatments resulted in an increase in leaf biomass compared to that for the control variant. Notably, foliar fertilization with Rerum increased the yield by 2.19 times compared to that in the control. Quality indices—dry matter, ascorbic acid, and sugar contents—also improved after treatments. The foliar treatments also significantly enhanced key quality indices, with the Rerum variant showing the most pronounced increases in dry matter (24.11%), ascorbic acid (69.75%), and sugar content (26.38%) compared to those for the control. These results demonstrate that foliar application of biostimulants, particularly Rerum, is an effective sustainable technology strategy for significantly enhancing both the yield and nutritional quality of greenhouse-grown lettuce. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for environmental remediation, particularly in photocatalysis. In this work, a novel ZMIP nanocomposite was fabricated by integrating MIP-202(Zr) bio-MOF with ZnO nanoparticles. For the first time, ZnO nanoparticles were green-synthesized using water lettuce extract and incorporated into MIP-202(Zr) via a mild hydrothermal route. The resulting hybrid was applied as a visible-light photocatalyst for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation in real pharmaceutical wastewater. Structural analyses (XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS) verified the successful incorporation of ZnO into the MIP-202(Zr) framework. The composite exhibited a narrowed bandgap of 2.74 ± 0.1 eV compared to 4.05 ± 0.06 eV for pristine MIP-202 and 3.77 ± 0.04 eV for ZnO, highlighting enhanced visible-light utilization in ZMIP. Operational parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, where CBZ removal reached 99.37% with 84.39% TOC mineralization under the optimal conditions (90 min, pH 6, 15 mg/L CBZ, 1.25 g/L catalyst). The catalyst maintained stable performance over five reuse cycles. Radical quenching and UHPLC-MS analyses identified the dominant reactive oxygen species and generated intermediates, elucidating the degradation mechanism and pathways. Beyond CBZ, the ZMIP photocatalyst effectively degraded other pharmaceuticals, including doxorubicin, tetracycline, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, achieving degradation efficiencies of 82.93%, 76.84%, 72.08%, and 67.71%, respectively. Application on real pharmaceutical wastewater achieved 78.37% TOC removal under the optimum conditions. Furthermore, the supplementation of the photocatalytic system by inorganic oxidants ameliorated the degradation performance, following the order KIO₄ > K₂S₂O₈ > KHSO₅ > H₂O₂. Overall, ZMIP demonstrates excellent activity, reusability, and versatility, underscoring its potential as a sustainable photocatalyst for real wastewater treatment. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for plant growth and productivity. Improving P use efficiency is important for crop production. In Lactuca sativa (lettuce), five phosphate starvation response 1 (PHR1) genes were identified and characterized through a bioinformatics approach. The expression patterns of LsaPHR1s were examined using qRT-PCR under various treatments, including devoid phosphorus (DP), low phosphorus (LP), high phosphorus (HP), darkness, ABA, IAA, and MeJA. The results indicate that LsaPHR1s in lettuce responded to phosphorus stress, hormones, and darkness. Furthermore, we engineered LsaPHR1.1 knock-out mutants via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Then, the mutants were subjected to phosphorus stress (DP, LP, and HP). In contrast to WT, the mutants improved nitrate and ammonium contents, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and elevated antioxidant and chlorophyll contents. Our results offer a potential strategy for improving phosphorus stress tolerance in lettuce, which holds great significance for maintaining yield and quality. Full article