Effects of different bioactive products used as growth stimulators in lettuce crops (Lactuca sativa L.)

New all-natural products for agricultural uses are currently being developed from several plants, such as fertiliser extracts and beneficial microorganisms (among others), which help crops grow and develop properly as well as protect themselves from pests. The present research aims at evaluating the response of the lettuce crop to several bioactive products. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of INCA - National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, in San Jose de las Lajas – Mayabeque province, Cuba. For this purpose, different products were tested in several crops: Pectimorf ® (344 mg·ha -1 ), Liplant ® (1L·ha -1 ), and Biobras-16 ® (20 mg·ha -1 ), and the results were compared to those of a control crop without the applications of these products. Growth and development variables, such as length and width of the leaves or foliar NPK content, were measured. Also, the agricultural output was measured at the end of the crop cycle. The results proved the efficiency of bioactive products in the growth, development and performance values. Those crop treatments where plants received foliar applications of Pectimorf ® and Biobras-16 ® showed significant differences with respect to both the crop treated with Liplant ® and the control crop.