The use of photoselective nets affects the leaf characteristics of lettuce cultivars

R. R. Pinheiro, M. V. M. Pinheiro, L. A. Thiesen, M. I. Diel, J. dos Santos, B. O. Caron and D. Schmidt

Abstract: The quality of light can influence plant morphogenesis through a series of light receptor mediated processes, principally within the spectral regions of red and blue. Photoselective shading nets combine physical protection with the filtration of specific light wavelengths which can thus alter the light spectrum. The objective of the present study was to analyze changes in density and stomatal morphometry and the concentration of leaf pigments in lettuce cultivars grown in protected environments under different photoselective nets (40% shading). Cultivars of lettuce (Vera, Vanda and Solaris) were grown in a hydroponic system with a laminar flow of nutrients using red, blue and silver nets to provide shading coverage (treatments) in addition to a control with no shading nets. At the end of the production cycle, it was observed that the lettuce cultivars grown under a red net and without a net showed greater stomatal densities and chlorophyll contents. The concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid content) showed variations dependent upon the cultivar, demonstrating that the genotypes respond differently to environmental conditions.

Keywords: Lactuca sativa; morphometry; photosynthetic pigments; stomatal density

Date published: 2020-08-28