Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-HERNANDEZ, María del Carmen  and  GARMENDIA, Idoia. Implementation of ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) production under semi-controlled conditions. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Agrar., Univ. Nac. Cuyo [online]. 2021, vol.53, n.2, pp.47-54. ISSN 1853-8665.

Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is regarded as a drought and saline stress-tolerant plant with many biological properties, and especially valued in gourmet cuisine. The objective of this work was to find an optimum plant cultivation mode to produce edible parts under greenhouse conditions. Three soilless media were evaluated: peat, vermiculite and hydroponic culture. Peat pot culture yielded reduced biomass. Vermiculite and hydroponics, however, led optimum M. crystallinum growth. Plants grown in vermic ulite and irrigated with nutrient solution presented a significantly higher yield. In fact, vermiculite-grown plants presented enhanced leaf area and leaf fresh weight as well as high foliar N, Mg, Mn, Fe, Na, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. To conclude, greater succulence and Na concentration in edible parts of the vermiculite-grown glacier lettuce can offer consumers a more interesting taste, consistency and improved nutrient contents.

Keywords : Mesembryanthemum crystallinum; Hydroponic culture; Substrates; Pot culture.

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