BIOCHEMICAL METABOLISM, PRODUCTION, NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION AND POST-HARVEST IN LETTUCE PLANTS SUBMITTED TO THE APPLICATION OF SILICON
Lactuca sativa L., beneficial element, shelf time, horticulture, mineral nutrition.
Lettuce belongs to the family Asteraceae, which originates in the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for a long time in the world for consumption in salads as an ingredient of sandwiches and is considered the most consumed hardwood. However, some obstacles need to be overcome in this productive chain, such as shelf life, that is, because it is a hardwood crop, has a high water content in its leaves, favoring rapid deterioration, compromising quality and reducing the period of post-harvest conservation. However, studies have been showing positive results using silicate fertilization, since Si although not considered an essential element but beneficial has contributed to the final quality of the plant, proving to be effective due to its accumulation in the leaves cuticle, allowing protection plants, increasing the photosynthetic capacity and reducing the loss of water of fruits and vegetables, thus promoting greater growth and production. In the same way, the Si can also act in the metabolism of carbon and nitrogen and help in the absorption of nutrients by lettuce plants.