Synergistic Effects of Biofertilizers and Chemical Fertilizers on Yield and Nutritional Quality of Greenhouse-Grown Lettuce

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of biofertilizers, chemical fertilizers, and their combined application on lettuce yield and nutrition. A randomized block design experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, comparing control, chemical fertilizer (CF), Bio Veria (BF1), Bacillus Mix (BF2), CF+BF1, and CF+BF2 treatments. Results showed that combined applications of CF+BF1 and CF+BF2 significantly increased lettuce fresh weight by 56% and 61%, respectively, and dry weight by 80% and 112% compared to the control. The CF+BF2 treatment achieved the highest yield at 34.6 t ha-1, a 61% improvement over the control and a 28% increase compared to CF alone. Furthermore, the mixture treatments demonstrated the highest nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) contents in lettuce leaves. Specifically, CF+BF2 had the highest N content, a 29% improvement over the control and a 20% increase over CF. The CF+BF1 treatment resulted in a 54% improvement in P content over the control and a 21% increase over CF. The CF+BF2 treatment also produced a 54% improvement in Ca content over the control and a 25% increase over CF. The integrated application of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers significantly improved lettuce yield and nutritional content, highlighting the potential of biofertilizers containing multi-species in optimizing lettuce production.

Keywords

• Bacillus licheniformis
• Calcium
• Glomus intaradices
• Nitrogen
• Nutritional content

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