Normally, the substrates available in the market are recommended indistinctly for a great number of crops, without taking into account its characteristics and nutritional requirements during the plantlet stage. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse, where three different substrates (Plantmax, Sphagnum and G-III) were evaluated in the development of lettuce cv. Regina plantlets. Chemical and physical analysis such as pH, macro and micronutrients and sodium, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation (V%) were calculated as well as physical analysis such as electric conductivity, maximum water holding capacity and particle size of the substrates were carried out. The sowing was done in trays of expanded polystyrene with 128 cells each. We analyzed the fresh and dry mass of the aerial parts and of the roots, number of true leaves and mean height of the plantlets. Among the evaluated substrates, the Plantmax showed to be the most efficient in yielding lettuce plantlets with better quality.
Lactuca sativa L.; quality plantlets; vegetable
