Growth Responses and Root Characteristics of Lettuce Grown in Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Substrate Culture

TLDR

Aeroponics is a relatively new soilless culture technology that can produce food in space‑limited cities or on non‑arable land with high water‑use efficiency. Further research is needed to determine optimal pressure, droplet size, and misting interval to maintain continuous nutrient and water availability in aeroponics for above‑ground lettuce production. The study measured shoot and root growth, root characteristics, and mineral content of two lettuce cultivars in aeroponics and compared them with hydroponics and substrate culture. Aeroponics significantly increased root biomass, root/shoot ratio, total root length, area, and volume, yet this did not translate into greater shoot growth compared with hydroponics because of limited nutrient and water availability, suggesting aeroponics may be preferable for high‑value root crops.

Abstract

Aeroponics is a relatively new soilless culture technology which may produce food in space-limited cities or on non-arable land with high water-use efficiency. The shoot and root growth, root characteristics, and mineral content of two lettuce cultivars were measured in aeroponics, and compared with hydroponics and substrate culture. The results showed that aeroponics remarkably improved root growth with a significantly greater root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and greater total root length, root area, and root volume. However, the greater root growth did not lead to greater shoot growth compared with hydroponics, due to the limited availability of nutrients and water. It was concluded that aeroponics systems may be better for high value true root crop production. Further research is necessary to determine the suitable pressure, droplet size, and misting interval in order to improve the continuous availability of nutrients and water in aeroponics, if it is to be used to grow crops such as lettuce for harvesting above-ground parts.