What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate the growth and quality of different lettuce varieties under aeroponic systems.

April 13, 2026Plant Science Today0 citationsOpen Access

Assessing lettuce genotypes for yield and quality under aeroponic systems: Toward sustainable nutri-dense urban food production

SAS B AnandCentral Institute For Subtropical Horticulture SSS K Singh YVY Vikas

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate the growth and quality of different lettuce varieties under aeroponic systems.
Evaluated 5 lettuce varieties in an aeroponic system
Assessed morphological traits such as weight, height, and leaf characteristics
Conducted measurements of nutritional components like vitamin C and carotenoids
Bingo variety exhibited the highest plant weight at 345.50 g
Tango showed the greatest height (29.25 cm) and leaf length (23.01 cm)
Summer Star achieved the highest yield of 213.15 q/ha
Black Rose had the highest vitamin C content at 15.80 mg/100 g and total carotenoids at 7.97 mg/100 g

Abstract

A evaluation of 5 lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (Summer Star, Grand Rapid, Tango, Bingo and Black Rose) was carried out at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture’s experimental block in Rehmankhera, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) India during 2021 to 2022 to assess the phenotypic variability among them in respect of growth and quality parameters under uniform agronomic conditions in aeroponic system. Significant differences were recorded in morphological traits including plant weight, plant height, leaf length and width, total leaf weight, stem diameter, root characteristics, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and yield. Bingo showed the highest plant (345.50 g) and leaf weight (293.25 g), imputed its compact leaf structure while Tango represented highest plant height (29.25 cm), leaf length (23.01 cm), root length (41.23 cm), leaf area index (1.03), number of leaves (25.83) and total chlorophyll content (0.68 mg/g FW), refereeing strong vegetative vigour. Summer Star observed the highest yield (213.15 q/ha), along with superior leaf width, stem diameter and root weight, suggesting better overall biomass accumulation. Quality traits also have significant variation among the varieties. Black Rose recorded the highest vitamin C (15.80 mg/100 g) and total carotenoids (7.97 mg/100 g), may be due to its red pigmentation. While chlorophyll a content was not significantly observed, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll value varied significantly among varieties, with Tango and Black Rose performing best. Dry matter content showed no significant variation among the varieties, while it is an important post-harvest trait. The findings highlight the substantial phenotypic variability among lettuce varieties, offering valuable insight for breeding programs focused on improving yield, market appeal and nutritional quality under aeroponic system. This study reinforces the importance of strategic varietal selection for enhancing lettuce productivity and functional quality also aeroponic system where provided the uniform soil media and environment condition retreated the value of germplasm collection and evolution for further breeding program.

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