Utilizing the power of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on reducing mineral fertilizer, improved yield, and nutritional quality of Batavia lettuce in a floating culture

Abstract

Abstract In soilless cultivation, plants are grown with nutrient solutions prepared with mineral nutrients. Beneficial microorganisms are very important in plant nutrition. However, they are not present in soilless culture systems. In this study we investigated the impact of introducing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) as an alternative to traditional mineral fertilizer in hydroponic floating lettuce cultivation. By reducing mineral fertilizers at various ratios (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%), and replacing them with PGPR, we observed remarkable improvements in multiple growth parameters. Applying PGPR led to significant enhancements in plant weight, leaf number, leaf area, leaf dry matter, chlorophyll content, yield, and nutrient uptake in soilles grown lettuce. Combining 80% mineral fertilizers with PGPR demonstrated a lettuce yield that did not significantly differ from the control treatment with 100% mineral fertilizers. Moreover, PGPR application improved the essential mineral concentrations and enhanced human nutritional quality, including higher levels of phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and total soluble solids. PGPR has potential as a sustainable substitute for synthetic mineral fertilizers in hydroponic floating lettuce cultivation, leading to environmentally friendly and nutritionally enriched farming.