Document Type : Research paper
Authors
1
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Famaillá, Tucumán CP4132, Argentina.
2
AER Tafí Viejo INTA.
3
Centro de Estudios de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad de La Habana, Vedado CP10400, Cuba.
4
Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, and Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), San Miguel de Tucumán CPT4000ILI, Argentina.
5
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Famaillá, Tucumán CP4132, Argentina. Facultad de Agronomía, Zootecnia y Veterinaria. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán CP4000ACS, Argentina.
10.22059/ijhst.2025.386512.977
Abstract
The use of brassinosteroids (BRs) in various crops is increasingly studied to improve yields and productivity. This study evaluated the effect of two BRs on the growth of Lactuca sativa var. 'Divina' under soil and hydroponic conditions. Treatments included 24-epibrassinolide (EP24) and a formulation based on a spirostan analogue (BB16). Both BRs showed growth-promoting effects, with EP24 showing stronger effect. Canopy fresh weight and root fresh weight exhibited an increase of 107% (soil) and 60% (hydroponics), and 34% (soil) and 110% (hydroponics), respectively, in response to EP24. Likewise, the canopy dry weight rose by 35% in soil and 76% in hydroponics, while root dry weight increased by 42% and 118%, respectively, in response to EP24. Leaf area increased by 34% and 68% in soil, and 28% and 33% in hydroponics, in response to BB16 and EP24, respectively. Leaf number rose by 24% (soil) and 34% (hydroponics) with BB16, and 29% and 56% with EP24. Chlorophyll content in hydroponically grown plants also showed an increment of 37% and 40% when treated with BB16 or EP24, respectively, as compared with control plants. Both BRs promoted root development and improved postharvest performance, as evidenced by a reduction of 18% when treated with BB16 and 22% with EP24 in cut leaves under hydroponic cultivation, while the whole canopy loss decreased by 25% and 49%, respectively. In soil, EP24 reduced the whole canopy loss by 35%. These findings highlight the potential of BRs as sustainable bioinputs to enhance lettuce growth and reduce postharvest losses.
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