ABSTRACT

High tunnel production of horticultural food crops is becoming increasingly popular and has a significant impact on their growth, productivity and nutritional quality. The present study examines the effect of high tunnel production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. “Two Star” and “New Red Fire”) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. “Celebrity” and “Mountain Fresh”) on their nutritional quality relating to major nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals. High tunnel environment increased the concentration of N (protein) in both lettuce and tomato relative to the open field cultivation. The accumulation pattern of mineral nutrients in high tunnel was similar in green-leaf and red-leaf lettuce varieties. Lettuce varieties grown in high tunnel had higher accumulation of C, S and Zn relative to those grown in open field. However, high tunnel environment suppressed the accumulation of many micronutrients such as Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn in both lettuce varieties but not in tomato. For example, accumulation of Fe was reduced by more than 80% in “Two Star” and by more than 55% in “New Red Fire” under high tunnel. It also suppressed the levels of many health-promoting phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid, rutin and kaempferol in green-leaf lettuce and gallic acid in red-leaf lettuce. High tunnel environment improved the soil nutrient status but reduced the radiation levels (PAR, UV-A and UV-B) received by the crops. The results show that the high tunnel production has a significant impact on the nutritional quality relating to protein and mineral nutrients in both crops and health-promoting phytochemicals in lettuce.

Keywords:

High Tunnel, Lettuce, Mineral Nutrients, Nutritional Quality, Phytochemicals, Tomato

1. Introduction

High tunnel production of horticultural crops is increasingly becoming popular in the US because it can extend the growing season and lead to aesthetically better looking produce with greater consumer preference. High tunnels are passive protective structures that markedly alter the microclimate, soil characteristics and intensity and quality of light received by crops, which can impact both plant growth and its nutritional quality.

In spite of higher aesthetic appeal and often higher yields in high tunnels [1] , little is known about nutritional quality of the produce. Many studies have reported that crops grown in high tunnel have reduced nutritional value, especially in relation to health-promoting phytochemicals compared to those grown in open field. Zhao et al. [1] examined the effect of growing green- and red-leaf lettuce in high tunnels on phenolic compound accumulation and found that it was suppressed in both green- and red-leaf lettuce varieties grown in high tunnels with more pronounced differences in the red-leaf lettuce variety. Similar results were observed in young green- and red-leaf lettuce varieties grown in high tunnels [2] . Furthermore, it is likely that greenhouse grown plants which typically receive reduced light intensity may also show similar results. Romani et al. [3] showed that lettuce grown in a greenhouse which received approximately 27% less light intensity than open field had reduced concentration of many individual polyphenols as well as the total phenolic compounds. Similarly, high tunnel cultivation of red raspberry resulted in reduced level of carotenoids including β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthins in the fruits compared to open field culture [4] .

The impact of high tunnel or protected environment production of food crops on the nutritional quality relating to major nutrients such as protein and mineral composition is not well understood. Protein and micronutrient deficiency is a serious challenge in public health, especially in the developing regions of the world. Many studies and the World Health Organization (WHO) have addressed protein and energy (calories) deficiencies together as they typically occur together in many countries afflicted with malnutrition [5] . It is estimated that about a third of world’s population and 80% of the children in South Asia are affected by protein-energy deficiency [5] . It has a devastating impact on children as it affects their physical and mental development resulting in stunted growth and impaired cognitive development [5] [6] . The problem is likely to get worse as the global population is projected for a rapid growth in the coming decades, especially in developing countries [7] .

Micronutrients include minerals essential for physical and mental development and to prevent diseases, and for the general wellbeing of humans. They are obtained through diet and are not produced in our body. Although they are needed in small quantities, their deficiency can lead to permanent disabilities, poor health and death, if not treated. Plant food is an important source of minerals for humans and their deficiency is a significant global health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 billion people globally suffer from this. It is especially a major concern in young children as it can lead poor physical and mental development, negatively affecting their productivity, future potential and wellbeing including predisposition to or exacerbation of many illnesses and mental retardation [8] [9] .

While there are some studies dealing with the effect of high tunnel production of horticultural food crops in relation to health-promoting phytochemicals, very little is known about its impact on major nutrients important for human health. In the present study, we investigate the effect of high tunnel production of commonly grown vegetables such as lettuce and tomato on their nutritional quality relating to both major mineral nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals.

2. Materials and Methods

Seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. “Two Star” and “New Red Fire”) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv, “Celebrity” and “Mountain Fresh”) were germinated in plastic trays (53 cm × 27 cm) containing Premier Promix soil medium in a growth chamber set at 22˚C (day/night) and 8h photoperiod with a photon flux of 300 μmol/cm²/sec. After 4 weeks, seedlings were transplanted into pots (10 cm × 10 cm) containing Metromix 350 with 1 seedling/pot. Seedlings were transferred to a greenhouse maintained approximately at constant 22˚C and grown for 2-3 weeks. Lettuce and tomato seedlings were watered daily before transplanting them to the field. Tomato seedlings were fertilized via irrigation once a week using Peat Lite (20-10-20) at 200 ppm of N. The field experiments were conducted at the Willow Lake Horticulture Farm, Manhattan, KS from June 25^th through late September of 2016 and consisted of separate experimental plots in open field (OF) of and high tunnel (HT). The experimental plots were similar in size and adjacent to each other. The high tunnel (14.6 m × 9.4 m) was covered with a single layer of 6 mil - 4 year UV clear polyethylene sheet (Hummert International, Topeka, KS). The sides of the high tunnel were kept open (about 1 m high) for air circulation and to prevent large air temperature differences between the inside and outside the high tunnel. The experiments were conducted using a completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Each replication consisted of 12 seedlings for each lettuce variety and 6 seedlings for each tomato variety. Seedlings were transplanted into the open field and high tunnel onto the raised beds covered with black plastic mulch (Harris Seeds, Rochester, NY) to reduce soil water loss and suppress weeds. For lettuce, the spacing between rows was 25 cm and 20 cm within rows, and for tomato it was 0.91 m both between and within rows. The crops were irrigated with drip-tape irrigation system as needed and were grown using the recommended management practices. After 1 - 2 weeks of transplanting, the crops were fertilized with Alaska Fish Fertilizer (5-1-1; Lily Miller Brands, Walnut Creek, CA) at a rate of 1 tbs/gal and Hi-Yield blood meal (Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Bonham, TX) at recommended levels for lettuce, and with Alaska Fish Fertilizer in the case of tomato. Both crops were treated with Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control containing diatomaceous earth (Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc. Bonham, TX) and liquid Thuricide at recommended doses to reduce pest incidence. Crop management practices followed for each crop in open field and in high tunnel were identical.

Daily weather data with regard to mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, and solar radiation (data not presented) were collected during the growing season from the weather station located near the test plots, and complete weather data are archived at mesonet.ksu.edu (Rockyford, KS).

2.1. Light Measurements

Photon flux density of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured using Quantum Radiometer (LI-185B, Li-Cor, Lincoln, NE) in high tunnel and open field. UV-A and UV-B irradiance was measured using Research Radiometer (ILT-5000, International Light Technologies, Inc., Peabody, MA) around noon on a clear day (July 21st) when the annual total solar radiation was near the maximum level (28.1 MJ/m²). The sensors were placed on a flat surface at the canopy level to measure the radiation. Each plot was divided into 4 quadrants and one light measurement was made in each quadrant.

2.2. Soil Nutrient Analyses

After clearing the soil surface of plant debris and roots, one soil sample from each quadrant was collected from top 10 inch of soil in mid-season and mixed thoroughly to obtain a composite sample. The composite sample was used for analyzing for contents of organic matter, ammonium-N, nitrate-N, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, sulfur-SO₄, manganese, iron and zinc. Total nitrogen was analyzed using LECO TrueSpec CN combustion analyzer. Extractable nitrate N and ammonium-N were extracted in 1 M KCl and assayed (cadmium reduction for nitrate-N and indophenol colorimetric method for ammonium-N) using Rapid Flow Analyzer (Model RFA-300-Alpkem Corp., Clackamas, OR). Total organic matter was measured using Walkley-Black method. Extractable cations (Ca, K and Mg) were quantified using ammonium acetate extraction and other micronutrients (Cu, Fe, S, Mn and Zn) using an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrometer (Model 720-ES ICP Optical Emission Spectrometer, Varian Australia Pty Ltd., Australia).

2.3. Tissue Nutrient Analyses

Lettuce leaf samples were collected at the time of harvest and oven dried at 75˚C for 3 days. The samples were ground in an electric grinder before the nutrient analyses. Pericarp of fully ripe tomato fruits were separated and freeze-dried. The samples were ground into fine powder as outlined above before the analyses. Total carbon and nitrogen concentrations in tissue were assayed using a LECO TruSpec CN combustion analyzer and the protein contents were calculated according to Fujihara et al. [10] . The concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, iron and zinc were determined using perchloric digest method as outlined by Gieseking et al. [11] . The nutrient concentrations were quantified using an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrometer (Model 720-ES ICP Optical Emission Spectrometer, Varian Australia Pty Ltd., Australia). All the soil and tissue analyses were conducted in the KSU Soil and Tissue Analysis Lab.

2.4. Extraction of Phenolic Compounds

Following chemicals and standards were used in quantifying the phenolic compounds; gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) and quercetin-3-rutinoside (rutin) (ACROS Organics, Morris Plains, NJ); chlorogenic acid , caffeic acid (3,4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid) and formic acid (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO); luteolin-7-glucoside and apigenin-7-glucoside (Indofine Chemical, Hillsborough, NJ); ethanol and HPLC grade solvents (Alfa Aesar, Ward Hill, MA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fair Lawn, NJ).

Freeze-dried and ground lettuce leaf samples (0.15 g) were extracted with 15 ml of 70% aqueous methanol containing flavone as an internal standard by vigorous agitation on an orbital shaker (Benchmark, Edison, NJ) overnight. The extract was centrifuged at 3950 rpm for 30 min and then filtered to remove the cell debris. Aqueous methanol (70%) was added to make up the final volume (25 mL) and 2 mL of this was evaporated to dryness under streaming nitrogen gas. The residue was re-dissolved in 200 μL of 70% methanol and then filtered using 0.45 μm Whatman syringe (Corning Inc., Corning, NY) for HPLC analyses.

2.5. Quantification of Phenolic Compounds

The phenolic compounds in lettuce leaves quantified included gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, chicoric acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, rutin, apigenin-7-glucoside and kaempferol. With regard to carotenoid profile for tomato, valid analyses and comparative examination could not be accomplished as the cultivars used in this study were indeterminate and identifying the same physiological maturity stage for fruits among different treatments was difficult. Hence we report here the phenolic profile for lettuce grown in open field and high tunnel. The phenolic compounds in lettuce were analyzed using a Shimadzu HPLC system (Kyoto, Japan), consisting of a DGU-20A3 degasser, a LC-20AB liquid delivery pump, a SIL-20ACHT auto-sampler and a CTO-20AC column oven along with a SPD-20A diode array detector. The phenolic compounds were separated using a C18 reversed phase column (250 mm L × 4.6 mm D, Waters, Milford, MA). The elution was performed with mobile phase A (5% formic acid in deionized water) and mobile phase B (5% formic acid in 95% methanol) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and 31˚C oven temperature. The gradient used for solvent B was 0% - 10% for 5 min. 10% - 40% for 25 min, 40% - 70% for 10 min and held at 70% for 16 min before returning to 0%. Phenolic compounds in samples were identified and quantified using UV/VIS scans from 190 to 800 nm with diode array detector using authentic standards. The data were analyzed using the Shimdzu LC Solution Software (Kyoto, Japan). Phenolic acids were expressed as equivalent of vanillic acid and flavonoids as equivalent of quercetin.

2.6. Data Analyses

The statistical differences in nutrients and phenolic compounds between open field and high tunnel were determined using ANOVA (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC and XLSTAT, Addinsoft, New York, NY) and the means were compared using Tukey’s method at p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01.

3. Results and Discussion

The maximum, minimum and average temperatures and the precipitation data during the growing season from mid-June to the end of October are shown in Figure 1. The differences in temperatures inside the tunnel and open field were insignificant (data not shown) because of the efficient air circulation in and out of the tunnel through the side vents. The plots in the open field and in high tunnel were irrigated regularly as needed to avoid water stress. The radiation inside the tunnel and open field was measured during mid-day (July 21^st). The largest reduction in radiation inside the tunnel relative to open field was in UV-B (~46%), followed by UV-A (~33%) and PAR (~17%, Table 1).

The growing conditions had significant impact on the nutritional quality of both lettuce and tomato. The changes with regard to the major nutrients in two lettuce varieties, a green, loose-leaf, “Two Star” and a red, loose-leaf, “New Red Fire”, were, by and large, similar (Figure 2). Leaf concentrations of N, S and Zn were significantly higher in both varieties grown in high tunnel than those grown in open field. However, in “New Red Fire” under high tunnel, in addition to the above nutrients there was a significant increase in the accumulation of P compared to the open field (Figure 2). Concentrations of K and Ca in the leaves were not affected by the growing conditions in both varieties.

It is important to note that low N content in these lettuce varieties grown in open field indicates low protein content which has a special significance because protein is a major essential nutrient group in human diet and is often deficient in staple diets of a large portion of global population. The ultimate source of protein and amino acids for human body is through diet and plant food rich in protein plays a crucial role in supplying N needed for protein synthesis. Thus, sound strategies to improve N (protein) content in food would be central to tackling the global malnutrition which is expected to sharply increase with the projected increase in population growth especially in developing countries. Henchion et al. [12] reviewed the current and future demands of protein considering the projected population growth and offered different scenarios for meeting the demands with traditional and novel sources of protein. In our study,

protein levels in “Two Star” and “New Red Fire” increased significantly by growing them in high tunnel (Table 2). A large increase in N concentration, more than 50% in “New Red Fire” and 70% in “Two Star” grown in high tunnel, was observed (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

In lettuce, C accumulation was significantly higher under high tunnel. High tunnel condition increased C accumulation by 49% in “Two Star” and by 20% in “New Red Fire” relative to the open field (Figure 3). This was in spite of reduced PAR in high tunnel suggesting that other growing conditions may favor higher photosynthetic activity in the plants grown in high tunnel.

However, the concentrations of many minor mineral nutrients such as Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn, with the exception of S and Zn were suppressed in both lettuce varieties grown in high tunnel compared to those grown in open field. The general trend of minor nutrient accumulation in high tunnel and open field was again similar in both varieties. However, the differences were notable between the varieties with regard the level of accumulation of some of these nutrients. The striking difference between the varieties was the accumulation of Zn under high tunnel. The Zn accumulation in “New Red Fire” more than doubled while it increased slightly, approximately by 10%, in “Two Star” grown in high tunnel compared to those grown in open field. Like other micronutrient deficiency, the data on the prevalence of Zn deficiency is not fully documented. Wessells and Brown [13] predicted, based on the available Zn in food consumed in several regions of the world and the possible symptoms of Zn, that more than 17% of the global population is at risk of Zn deficiency, and it is especially common in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In addition, Fe and Mn uptake was markedly suppressed under high tunnel, by more than 80% in “Two Star” and by more than 55% in “New Red Fire” for Fe, and by more than 50% in both “Two Star” and “New Red Fire” for Mn. The deficiency of Fe is considered a major part of malnutrition throughout the world, nearly 2 billion people worldwide suffer from Fe deficiency [14] which can lead to anemia and other major health issues [15] [16] . It is especially a serious problem in pregnant women in many countries, accounting for nearly 20% in North America and is as high as 50% in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa [9] . Therefore, open field cultivation of lettuce has the potential to mitigate the Fe and Mn deficiency problems in our diets.

In the case of tomato fruits as in lettuce, N (protein) concentration increased in both “Celebrity” and “Mountain Fresh” grown in high tunnel compared to those grown in open field (Figure 4). The increase in N content ranged from about 47% in “Mountain Fresh” to 51% in “Celebrity”. In addition, fruits from only “Celebrity” grown in high tunnel had higher Zn concentration than those from the open field. However, there were no significant differences in other nutrients between the fruits of both varieties grown in high tunnel and open field (Table 3). Thus, growing both varieties of lettuce and tomato in high tunnel has a distinct advantage in that the there is a significant improvement in the protein concentration of the edible parts of these crops (Table 2 and Table 3).

The data on the soil nutrient and organic matter status in high tunnel and open field are presented in Table 4. The status of most of nutrients and organic matter was better in high tunnel compared to open field. With the exception NH₄-N and Cu, there were significant differences in the contents of all nutrients between high tunnel and open field. However, soil NO₃-N content was significantly higher in high tunnel relative to that in open field. The results from this study that the general nutrient status of soil in high tunnel is higher than in open field is consistent with previous studies that showed that high tunnels modify the soil health with typically higher organic matter in high tunnels than

in open field (Fitzgerald and Hutton [17] . The study also found that the established high tunnels tend to accumulate more P and lower K levels compared to newly established high tunnels. Similar results were reported by Knewston et al. [18] who found that organic matter carbon was higher in high tunnels especially with organic management perhaps resulting from a slower decomposition of organic matter in high tunnels relative to open field.

Thus, from the data on the nutrient status of plants, one would assume that the higher accumulations of certain nutrients in lettuce and tomato is a reflection of the better soil nutrient status in high tunnel, however, this assumption is not supported by the fact that many nutrient levels in leaves of lettuce grown in high tunnel were lower (Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn) compared to those in plants grown in open field although the levels of these soil nutrients was significantly higher in high tunnel than in the open field. In addition, there was no significant difference in most nutrients except N and Zn (only in celebrity) in tomato fruits despite the differences in soil nutrient levels between high tunnel and open field. Thus, the changes in the nutrient levels in edible parts of these crops suggest that they are not a reflection of the soil nutrient status but it may be a result of interactions of many other factors associated with variable growing conditions associated with high tunnel and open field.

With regard to health-promoting phytochemicals, a number of phenolic acids and flavonoids were measured in lettuce varieties at the time of harvest. The results were variable with regard to varieties and the phytochemicals. A typical HPLC profile of phenolic compounds for “Two Star” grown in high tunnel and open field is presented in Figure 5.

“Two Star” grown in open field had much higher concentration of many phenolic compounds than that grown in high tunnel. Plants grown in open field had significantly higher leaf concentration of chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid and luteolin-7-glucoside compared to those grown in high tunnel (Figure 6). Open field conditions increased concentrations of chicoric acid by more than 12-fold, luteolin-7-glucoside by more than 4-fold and chlorogenic acid by nearly 3-fold in the leaves of “Two Star.” However, no significant differences were observed in gallic acid, caffeic acid and apigenin-7-glucoside between open field and high tunnel. The higher accumulation of phenolic compounds in lettuce (“Two Star”) is consistent with the previous study by Oh et al. [2] who found that the concentrations of major phenolic compounds in lettuce, namely chlorogenic acid and chicoric acid, were significantly higher in both green-leaf and red-leaf cultivars including the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity during early stages of plant growth in open field. Zhao et al. [1] found similar results in which concentrations of chlorogenic acid and many flavonoids were higher in both green-and red leaf lettuce grown in open field but the response was variable depending on the season. Furthermore, high tunnel production was found to lower the antioxidant capacity in pacchoi and spinach grown in high tunnels [19] . Similar results were observed in lettuce grown in the greenhouse [3] . These results suggest that light intensity and its quality has a strong impact on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in lettuce. In fact, it has been shown that high light intensity can enhance not only the total phenolic content but also the accumulation of chlorogenic acid and chicoric acid [20] [21] . While open field cultivation clearly enhanced the accumulation of many phenolic compounds, it also suppressed the accumulation of some flavonoids such as rutin and kaempferol in

“Two Star” (Figure 6). However with regard to “New Red Fire”, the only significant difference in phenolic compound accumulation was in gallic acid which accumulated 4-fold higher in plants grown in open field than in high tunnel.

Thus, overall these results suggest that high tunnel production has a greater impact on the nutritional quality in leafy vegetable like lettuce than in tomato fruits.

4. Conclusion

High tunnel environment had significant impact on the accumulations of major nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals in both lettuce and tomato cultivars. While high tunnels provided better overall soil nutrient status and improved organic matter content they reduced the radiation level (PAR, UV-A and UV-B) received by the crops. Lettuce and tomato cultivars grown in high tunnel had higher N (protein) compared to those grown in open field. Lettuce grown in high tunnel also had higher concentrations of S and Zn. However, high tunnel cultivation of lettuce suppressed the accumulation of many micronutrients such as Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn and many phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid and luteolin-7-glucoside. Overall, the changes in the nutrient status in response to high tunnel environment were more pronounced in lettuce than in tomato. The results suggest that high tunnel environment can significantly alter the nutritional characteristics of commonly consumed vegetables such as lettuce and tomato.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Woolley, A., Sumpter, S., Lee, M., Xu, J.W., Barry, S., Wang, W.Q. and Rajashekar, C.B. (2019) Accumulation of Mineral Nutrients and Phytochemicals in Lettuce and Tomato Grown in High Tunnel and Open Field. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 10, 125-138. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2019.101011

References