In the present investigation, effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2) used as foliar application (0, 10, 20 mM) was studied on morphological, yield, and quality of lettuce (Romaine and Green Waves cultivars) during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. Our results indicated that, foliar spray of calcium chloride either at 10 or 20 mM significantly increased vegetative growth and yield parameters i.e., leaf number per plant, fresh and dry leaf weight compared to control treatment. Also, foliar spray of calcium chloride resulted in a significant increase in yield and quality parameters i.e., TSS, chlorophyll content and Vitamin C. ‘Romaine’ cultivar was significantly superior to ‘Green Waves’ cvs in plant height, fresh and dry weight of the leaves, TSS and chlorophyll content. However, there was no significant difference in vitamin C content between the two tested cultivars. ‘Green waves’ cv. sprayed with 20 mM CaCl2 gave the highest significant leaf number per plant. Fresh and dry leaf weight of ‘Romaine’cv recorded the highest values when the plants were sprayed with 20 mM CaCl2 in both seasons., In the first season, ‘Romaine’cv sprayed with 20 mM of CaCl2 produced the highest total yield, while the highest total yield in the second season was obtained from plants of both tested cvs sprayed with 20 mM CaCl2. ‘Romaine’ cultivar treated with 20 mM of calcium chloride as foliar application had the highest TSS and chlorophyll content. Fascinatingly, high association existed between total yield and all studied traits, except leaf number per plant. Overall results suggest applying calcium chloride as foliar application at 20 mM for improving yield quantity and quality in both ‘Romaine’ and ‘Green Waves’ cultivars.
Research Abstract
Research Date
Research File
Research Journal
Assiut J. Agric. Sci.,
Research Member
Research Vol
52(4)
Research Year
2021
Research Pages
116-128