| Abstract: | Abstract Nitrite (NO2 ?‐N) toxicity symptoms have been observed on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) at various locations in California. The objective was to evaluate the symptoms of ammonium (NH4 +‐N) and nitrite (NO2 ?‐N) toxicity on Sundevil iceberg lettuce and Paragon romaine lettuce and to determine lettuce growth and biomass production under different levels of NO2 ?‐N. Hydroponic studies under greenhouse conditions were conducted using nutrient solutions containing nitrate (NO3 ?‐N) and two other forms of nitrogen (NO2 ?‐N and NH4 +‐N) applied at a constant concentration (50 mg NL?1) or using different NO2 ?‐N levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg N L?1) and a constant NO3 ?‐N level (30 mg N L?1). Crown discoloration (brownish color) was observed for lettuce grown in both NO2 ?‐N and NH4 +‐N solutions approximately 3 weeks after transplanting into the hydroponic systems. Lettuce grown in NO3 ?‐N solution produced larger biomass and greater number of leaves per plant than lettuce grown in NO2 ?‐N or NH4 +‐N solutions. Increasing the concentration of NO2 ?‐N suppressed plant height, fresh and dry biomass yield, and number of leaves and increased the root vascular discoloration. Lettuce growth was reduced more than 50% at NO2 ?‐N concentrations greater than 30 mg N L?1. Even at 5 mg NO2 ?‐N L?1, growth was reduced 14 and 24% for romaine and iceberg lettuce, respectively, relative to that obtained in nitrate solution. Although concentrations between 5 and 40 mg NO2 ?‐N L ?1 reduced dry biomass similarly for both lettuce types, toxicity symptoms were more severe in iceberg lettuce than in romaine. |
