Effects of Illite-Containing Fertilizer Prototypes on Nutrients Uptake and Antioxidant of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Illite, a clay mineral, contains high levels of K+ content to be available by plants. Effect of illite on soil and crops have been reported, but more examples are needed to extend to a variety of crop plants. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of illite-containing prototypes as an alternative fertilizer on nutrient uptake and antioxidant activity of lettuce. Lettuce was grown for 30 days with six different fertilizer treatments (control, NPK, illite, prototype-A, prototype-B, and prototype-C) using acidic nutrients-poor soil (AC-NPS) and alkaline nutrients-rich soil (AK-NRS). The pH adjustment by illite-containing prototypes was not observed from both two soils, AC-NPS and AK-NRS. Prototype-A resulted in an enhancement of total nitrogen content of soil at both AC-NPS and AK-NRS. Total nitrogen of lettuce shoots was remarkably higher in prototype-B and -C at both soils. Illite-only treatment showed the highest level of total ploypenols (19.5 mg g-1), flavonoids (3.8 mg g-1) and ABTS (37.2%) in the AC-NPS. Overall, illite-containing prototype B- and -C showed a significant increase not only macro nutrients (nitrogen, calcium and magnesium) but antioxidant activity in the AC-NPS. Accordingly, it is considered that illite-containing prototypes might be an alternative or supplement of chemical fertilizer to promote lettuce growth.Effect of illite-containing prototypes on total nitrogen and antioxidant ability of lettuce plant.