Interactive effects of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), irradiance, and ferulic acid in axenic, hydroponic culture

Ferulic acid (FA) is released by living roots and by decaying plant material and is involved in chemical interactions between plants. Effects of FA on plant growth and root development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids) cultivated in axenic nutrient solution were studied in two factorial experiments. Root and shoot growth was impeded when 200 μM trans-FA was added to the nutrient solution and the light intensity was in the range of 250–380 μmol m-2 s-1. Root growth showed a stronger response to FA than did shoot growth. At 200 μM, FA strongly inhibited root hair formation and reduced mean lengths of primary, secondary and tertiary roots, but stimulated primary and secondary root branching. Both isomerization to the cis isomer and the presence of the plant reduced the concentration of trans-FA in the nutrient solution during the two weeks exposure period. A third experiment was conducted to assess the influence of irradiance on the phytotoxicity of FA. At a light intensity of 489 μmol m-2 s-1, or in the presence of microorganisms, the concentration of FA in the nutrient solution was lowered and the phytotoxic effects were reduced.