Comparison of nutrient use efficiency,antioxidant assay,and nutritional quality of butter-head lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.)in five cultivation systems

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the comparison of nutrient use efficiency,antioxidant assay,and nutritional quality of butter-head lettuce in five cultivation systems.For this experimental study,a split-boxes experimental arrangement in a completely randomized design(CRD)with three aeroponics systems(high pressure(T1),low pressure(T2),and ultrasonic nozzle(T3)),hydroponic system(T4),and conventional cultivation system(T5)was designed.The analyses of variance(ANOVA)were employed to assess yield,chlorophyll content,relative water content(RWC),nutrient use efficiency(NUE),2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DDPH),Hydrogen Peroxide(H2O2),Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power(FRAP),total phenolic(TPC),flavonoid content(TFC)and nutritional quality of butter-head lettuce.The experimental comparative results indicated that the shoot and root(fresh and dry)weight,root-to-shoot ratio,chlorophyll contents,CWC,NUE,DDPH,H 2O 2,FRAP,TPC,TFC,nitrate,vitamin C,and protein level were significantly(p<0.05)higher in T 2 treatment,and the values were significantly(p<0.05)lower in T 1 followed by T 5 treatment.Moreover,as mentioned earlier,the median values of the above-mentioned parameters were measured in aeroponics systems with low-pressure nozzle(T 3).It also found a strong positive correlation(r>0.7)among the Shoot(FW),Chlorophyll,RWC,NUE,and among TPC,TFC,DDPH,H 2O 2,and FRAP.This study demonstrates that butter-head lettuce grown in aeroponics systems with high-pressure nozzles may serve as a potential dietary source and is rich in natural antioxidants.