Production of lettuce plantlets using biofertilizer and substrates

The development of lettuce plantlets was evaluated, employing different substrate types and applying foliar biofertilization. The research was done in a green house in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The experimental design was of randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were composed of the interaction substract type (composed organic, Golden Mix 11, washed sand and humus + washed sand 1:1) and fertilizer (the commercial organo-mineral Fertamin, the witness and tree biofertilizer types). Plantlets were foliar fertilized 8 and 15 days after sowing date. Plantlets treated with Fertamim presented the best results in the dry matter of the aerial part, dry matter of roots and number of leaves. Among the biofertilizers, the one based on cattle manure, leached ash, milk and broth of sugar cane presented the lesser values for the same evaluated characteristics. The organic substract presented the highest values for all the appraised characteristics, except for root length.

Lactuca sativa L.; foliar fertilization; dry matter