Cultivo hidropônico com fornecimento de silício: definição de vida de prateleira e análise sensorial no cultivo de alface (Lactuca Sativa L)

Abstract

Latin American countries point to higher post-harvest losses than developed countries, impacting the economy of these countries. Silicon (Si) has been disclosed to provide increments in harvest and post-harvest characteristics, becoming an ally in combating food loss. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of silicon on production, shelf life and consumer preference for iceberg lettuce of the Lucy Brown variety. Two cultivation benches built with Hidrogood's hydroponic profiles were used, measuring 10 meters (m) in length by 1 (m) in height and 1.50 (m) in width. The benches had 3 profiles in the nursery with a capacity for 94 plants each. The benches also had 4 profiles for adult plants with a capacity of 39 plants each. How lettuces were arranged in triangular spacing. Each bench was supplied by a thousand liter reservoir which was connected to a pump. The design was completely randomized (DIC), with a variety of lettuce and two nutrient solutions, totaling two treatments and 30 repetitions. The addition of Si in the American lettuce variety Lucy Brown was responsible for providing increases in the diameter of the stem and number of leaves, inaccuracies in more robust plants and with a greater quantity of leaves. Si was responsible for increasing shelf life, decreasing with water loss, hindering the development of fungi and reducing the number of leaf lesions. Plants fertilized with Si have greater preference for those evaluated, with the best characteristics of Appearance, Flavor and Overall Quality.