Do plant biostimulants affect the survival of in lettuce?

Introduction: Considering that plant biostimulants can be sprayed multiple times on leafy crops even just before harvest, it is relevant to know the impact of biostimulant applications on population dynamics of lettuce leaves to ensure food safety. Two trials were carried out to investigate whether the applications of a seaweed extract and a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate (PH) could affect the growth in shake flasks (Exp. 1) and plant growth and survival of artificially inoculated on the leaf surface of lettuce grown in a floating system (Exp. 2).

Methods: The non-pathogenic strain K12 was used in both trials. In Exp. 1, biostimulants' inhibitory/stimulatory effect on growth was evaluated in liquid culture after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C. The 31-day agronomic trial (Exp. 2) was conducted in a polyethylene greenhouse on lettuce grown in a floating system.

Results: In Exp. 1, growth was not affected by LB medium amended with biostimulants, whereas both biostimulants stimulated total aerobic bacteria and inhibited population on lettuce leaves with a more pronounced inhibitory effect of PH applications on (Exp. 2). Total plant biomass and its partitioning (on fresh and dry weight basis), and N concentrations (as total N and nitrates) of leaves were not influenced by both biostimulant treatments.

Conclusion: The use of plant biostimulants could be a valuable and sustainable strategy to improve the microbiological quality of leafy greens to produce ready-to-eat foods.