Effect of Unigel Plantum on Lettuce Quality

Greenhouse farming is an innovative model of agriculture that promotes sustainable production. Advanced greenhouse complexes use hydroponics, which makes it possible to grow vegetables and salads as far north as in Russia’s polar regions and on Sakhalin Island. To improve the yield and quality of lettuce, local farmers need an efficient mineral wool substrate and hydroponics. Biodegradable gels in combination with soil microorganisms are known to stabilize and prolong the effect of organic and mineral complexes. The research featured Aficion green lettuce grown hydroponically in a greenhouse. The control plants were grown in line with the industrial technology, which involved a four-fold weekly foliar treatment with a combination of Ecogel and Agrocen at 0.5 and 0.15%, respectively. The experimental samples were grown on substrate treated with Yunigel Plantum at 0.03 g per pot. The weight of lettuce leaves without roots was determined after cutting; their moisture content was determined after drying to a constant weight. The quality of leaf lettuce was assessed by the content of solids (State Standard GOST 31640-2012), crude protein (GOST 13496.4-2019), and amino acids (M 04-87-2009). The effect of Yunigel Plantum on quality and yield was evaluated by the ripening period, weight, root development, root hair development, moisture content, protein, and amino acids. The study also involved the effect of three different concentrations of humic and fulvic acids (Beres-8) to identify the optimal concentration. Yunigel Plantum_12 increased the yield and growth rate by 20%: as it boosted the root development, the experimental lettuce absorbed nutrients and became rich in essential amino acids. Yunigel Plantum can be recommended for greenhouse lettuce farming since it proved able to increase the yield and improve the nutr itional value of lettuce.