Ring characterization of quality indices in butterhead lettuce cultivated under mulch and bare soil

GOÑI MARÍA GABRIELA; AGÜERO MARÍA VICTORIA; MOREIRA MARÍA R; PONCE ALEJANDRA G; ROURA SARA INES

JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY

Blackwell Publishing

Año: 2010 vol. 33 p. 439 - 460

0146-9428

Butter head lettuce was characterized by physical, microbiological and nutritional quality indices as a function of plant zoning and soil management (bare soil and mulch). Quality indices were measured in all the rings from the external towards the internal ratio. Assayed indices were: relative water content (RWC), water content (WC), free (FW) and bound water (BW) and the ratio between free water to total water (FW/TW)), leaf area and color, Total Microbial Counts (TC) and ascorbic acid content (AA). The lettuce characterization by rings showed a remarkable plant zoning as a function of leaf development, also some initial indices were affected by the soil management employed. Plastic mulches affect the microclimate around the plant, resulting in better plant water status. However, the use of black plastic covers could absorb sun light increasing soil temperature, causing lower AA in lettuce tissues and higher TC.