It is customary that growers apply high doses of nutrients to the soil in order to achieve high yields, with detrimental consequences for the environment; but no information exists with regards to the crop response to high fertilization levels. To evaluate the physiological response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to various root zone nutrient concentrations (expressed as electrical conductivity, from 0.6 to 10 dS m-1), a replicated experiment was conducted using increasing concentrations of macronutrients applied to the root zone in an aeroponic system. Leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured using a portable infrared gas analyzer attached with a fluorometer. Leaf nutrient content was analyzed by mass spectrometry and NO3-N was determined by flow injection analysis. Leaf photosynthetic rates increased when the solution concentration was raised from 0.6 to 4.8 dS m-1, but further increases in solution concentration did not result in any differences. The enhancement in photosynthetic rates was related to higher concentrations of N, P, Mg, and S in leaves. Leaf K content was correlated with stomatal conductance. Maximum growth was achieved with solution concentrations between 1.2 and 4.8 dS m-1 while at 10.0 dS m-1 leaf production was reduced by 30%. It is concluded that at high concentration of nutrients supplied in the root zone, yield reduces because of a combination of decreased stomatal conductance and leaf area.

Background and aims: Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) stimulate plant growth by a series of mechanisms, including atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization and the synthesis of plant hormones. Within the group of PGPMs, several species of bacteria and fungi have been extensively studied. However, little information is available with regard to soil yeasts. The present study was conducted to identify yeast strains isolated from different soils in Chile that present plant growth promotion activity. Methods: Twenty-three strains were evaluated either for their capacity to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid or show aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. The effect on tomato seedling growth was evaluated in vitro, and two strains were selected for in vivo evaluation of plant growth and root ethylene synthesis. Results: All the strains analyzed presented IAA synthesis within the range between 0.8 and 3.3 μg IAA mL⁻¹. Solicoccozyma terrea (YCPUC75 and YCPUC79 strains) was the only yeast with ACC deaminase activity. In vitro inoculation of tomato seeds with eight of the evaluated strains resulted in an increase in the root volume and the number of lateral roots. In the second experiment, a 40% reduction in root ethylene synthesis was achieved by adding S. terrea (YCPUC79) to the root zone, which resulted in a 26% increase in plant growth. Conclusions: Solicoccozyma terrea YCPUC79 is an effective plant growth promoter stimulating root growth and reducing root ethylene synthesis.

Nitrate content in leafy green vegetables has raised concerns among consumers and policy makers worldwide. Several cultural practices have been evaluated to manipulate NO3- content in fresh leaves with varying degrees of success. The present study was conducted to evaluate different concentrations of the nutrient solution applied during the day (D) and night (N) to aeroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Davis, California, USA, in the spring of 2012 with the objective of assessing the effect on growth, leaf photosynthesis, and nitrate accumulation in leaves. Two different treatments in the nighttime solution concentration (D25/N75, EC: 1.8 dS m-1; and D25/N50, EC: 1.2 dS m-1), a day nutrient solution of EC 0.6 dS m-1, plus a day and night treatment with constant EC (D50/N50, EC: 1.2 dS m-1) were applied. Plant growth, leaf photosynthesis, and leaf nutrient content were evaluated after 3 wk of growth. Mean shoot weight was 106.3 g with no differences among treatments. Root biomass was lower with D25/N75 (0.14 vs. 0.85 g in the other treatments). The maximum rate of leaf photosynthesis was 66% lower with D25/N75 than in the other treatments. Nitrogen, P, K, Ca, and Mg were lower in leaf tissue in the treatments with different solution concentrations where leaf NO3- content was reduced by approximately 75%. Switching nutrient solution concentration between day and night is a viable practice to reduce NO3- in lettuce leaves with no detriment to leaf production.