Dataset on the organic acids, sulphate, total nitrogen and total chlorophyll contents of two lettuce cultivars grown hydroponically using nutrient solutions of variable macrocation ratios

Abstract

The data presented in this article were derived from dry and fresh samples of soilless-grown butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Capitata). Organic acids, total nitrogen, sulphate and total chlorophyll concentrations varied in response to cultivar (red or green butterhead Salanova) and to nutrient solution macrocation ratios (high proportion of K, Ca or Mg). Kjeldahl, spectrophotometry and ion chromatography were the principal employed methods. Data of total nitrogen and sulphate concentrations contribute to the understanding of macrocation uptake by plants and may drive prospective relevant research. Organic acids are indicators of plant tolerance to stress, including nutrient deficiencies, and the variability of their concentrations provide insights to plant stress physiology. The data reported in this paper are related to the research article “The bioactive profile of lettuce produced in a closed soilless system as configured by combinatorial effects of genotype and macrocation supply composition”, authored by El-Nakhel et al. (2020) [1]. Keywords: Lactuca sativa.L, Malate, Tartrate, Oxalate, Citrate, Isocitrate, NFT, Growth chamber