No aeration in baby leaf nutrient solution leads to a slight decrease in plant growth, but an improved final nutritional quality

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of different levels of aeration of the nutrient solution on the growth and quality of a baby leaf lettuce crop. The green batavia ?Ganeria? was grown in a floating system in a autumn cycle. Three levels of aeration of the nutrient solution (high, low and no aeration) were tested. Two harvests were carried out; the first at 22 days after sowing (DAS) and the second after 27 DAS. The aerial part growth, total phenols, antioxidant capacity and hue angle were measured in lettuce leaves at the harvesting day in both harvests. The differences among the levels of dissolved oxygen in nutrient solution were maintained between the two harvests. Regarding to aerial part growth, only significant differences between plant heights were found among aeration levels in both harvests. Total phenols content and antioxidant capacity were increased at the second harvest, but the hue angle value was maintained. Aeration significantly decreased total phenols content and antioxidant capacity in both harvests. In conclusion, under conditions in which no aeration was provided, there was a slight decrease in plant growth, but the final quality of the product was improved because the content of functional phytochemicals were increased. Original title, authors, and sources Influencia de la aireaci?n de la soluci?n nutritiva y de la fecha de cosecha en la producci?n y calidad de lechuga baby leaf ??????????????? Diana Ni?irola Campoy; Catalina Egea-gilabert; Juan Antonio Mart?nez L?pez; Josefa L?pez-mar?n; Encarna Conesa Garc?a; Juan A. Fern?ndez Hern?ndez VII Congreso Ib?rico de Agroingenier?a y Ciencias Hort?colas, Madrid, 26-29 agosto 2013, http://sechaging-madrid2013.org/eposter/?seccion=search The picture shows seeds from Intersemillas, who counts on a large assortment of baby leaf varieties. ?