STUDY ON THE USE OF ASFAC IN LACTUCA SATIVA L. CULTURE University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest Faculty of Horticulture International Student Symposium “Hortus Academicus” March 29, 2019, Bucharest, Romania STUDY ON THE USE OF ASFAC IN LACTUCA SATIVA L. CULTURE Student: Mara-Ioana Perianu Professor coordinator: Gheorghița Hoza International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Introduction Biostimulators are defined as “containing substance(s) and/or micro-organisms whose function when applied to plants or the rhizosphere is to stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality.” ASFAC-BCO-4 is a biodegradable product which has a role in increasing plant vigor and production. It is used as a foliar fertilizer in different concentrations. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Materials and Methods Our proposed experience was in 2018 in the solariums of the Department of Vegetables. 11 varieties of Lactuca sativa L. were used: Great lakes, May king, Touareg F1, Marulă de Brăila F1, Centore F1, Analena F1, Fristina F1, Sotalis F1, Shangore F1, Tizian F1 and Sunstar F1. One week after planting, the two rates of Asfac 0,1% and 0,3% were sprayed once every two weeks. At the harvest, the average weight of the Lactuca sativa L. plant was determined, and also the amount of nitrates,phosphates and potasium absorbed the plants. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Results and discussions Regarding the average weight(g/plant/variant), it can be seen that 7 varieties showed the best results with the first fertilization with Asfac 0,1% and only 4 varieties had better results with the second fertilization with Asfac 0,3%. The analyzes show that all our varieties absorbed nitrates in amounts raging from 323ppm at Marulă de Brăila F1, to 1178ppm at Tizian F1, well below the maximum permissible limit of 3000 ppm in human consumption(Wang,2006). Also, the minimum level of phosphates was 121,92ppm for Marulă de Brăila, and maximum was 350,52ppm for May King .The level of potassium was from 1720ppm to 2750ppm.

Results The average weight (g) of Lactuca sativa L. captains in each variant International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Results for nitrates International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Results for phosphates International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Results for potassium International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

Conclusions and recommendations All the varieties were influenced by Asfac 0,1% and Asfac 0,3%. The best results were obtained for the fertilization with Asfac 0,1%, with 7 varieties out of 11. The levels of nitrates, phosphates and potassium were in the permissible limits for human consumption. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

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