Foliar Spraying of Aqueous Lavender Extract: A Cost-Effective and Sustainable Way to Improve Lettuce Yield and Quality in Organic Farming

Mena Ritota, Ulderico Neri, Laura Casorri, Eva Masciarelli, Marco Di Luigi, Massimiliano Valentini and Claudio Beni ()
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Mena Ritota: CREA-Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Ulderico Neri: CREA-Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Via della Navicella, 4, 00184 Rome, Italy
Laura Casorri: Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements (DIT), National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, INAIL, Via R. Ferruzzi 38/40, 00143 Rome, Italy
Eva Masciarelli: Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements (DIT), National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, INAIL, Via R. Ferruzzi 38/40, 00143 Rome, Italy
Marco Di Luigi: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene (DiMEILA), National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work, INAIL, Via di Fontana Candida, 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Massimiliano Valentini: CREA-Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Claudio Beni: CREA-Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing (CREA-IT), Via della Pascolare, 16, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: In recent years, a significant increase in the market availability of products with a phytostimulant effect on plants has occurred. However, these products are not always low-cost, and their effects on crops are not always reproducible. In this study, an alternative use of lavender, already known for its antimicrobial activity, is proposed: an aqueous extract from self-produced lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia Mill., var. Hidcote) flowering tops was tested for its phytostimulant activity on lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L., var. Bionda d’estate) cultivated under organic farming management. Lettuce plants were planted in an open field on a private farm (in the Lazio region, Italy): lettuce plants were treated weekly for two months with lavender aqueous extracts while control plants were sprayed with water. Results showed that treatment with lavender extract enhanced fresh edible production and dry biomass (12.08% and 15.09%, respectively) in lettuce plants, as well as leaf area index (28.01%) and photosynthetic efficiency (increased SPAD). At the same time, an increase in mineral content was observed: compared to the control, a 30.46% increase was observed for N, 31.10%, 35.52%, 36.19%, 47.51%, 48.11%, and 91.44% for K, Ca, Mg, P, Mn, and Fe, respectively. All these factors contribute to enhancing the commercial and nutritional quality of lettuce, as well as strengthening its self-defense and extending its shelf life. Results of this study showed that lavender aqueous extract exhibits phytostimulant activity and could be a useful product for obtaining higher yield and better nutritional quality of lettuce in organic farming.

Keywords: bioactive substances; elemental biofortification; lavender aqueous extract; lettuce; organic horticulture sustainability; phytostimulant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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