I planted redsails lettuce in two different places one in field with normal sunlight and one in green house conditions. The lettuce in open field is much more red Probably it is much more rich in anthocyanin and redsails lettuce in GH is almost green. Can anybody provide me insights on this.
anthocyanin in lettuce cause that it be seen red. in field sun(PAR) is more intensive than in greenhouse and anthocyanin produced more in sunny there.
The open field soil may be deficient in phosphorus. So please check the phosphorus status of the soil. Plants growing in phosphorus deficient soils develop more anthocyanin.
osphorus
Perhaps increased sunlight is the main cause of red pigent formation (anthocyanin) and distribution in the lettuce leaves.
Anhocyanin is often associated with stress. Nutrient stress, cold weather, moisture stress, and the list goes on. In the field the growing conditions are much more variable than most greenhouses - more plant stress. The type of plant and its ability to deal with stress will determine the level of anthrocyanin production.
may be due to the fact that under field condition destruction for all other pigment is higher and then red pigment become evident.
Definitely agree with Brian Levene. Lettuce is one of those plant species that visibly react more to stress conditions. I guess your greenhouse has much more controlled conditions compared to an open field where lettuce plant must face several stressing factors. It is well known that pigments ant anti oxidants production is enhanced in difficult growth conditions.
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