Hydroponics Production of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as Affected by Variety and Nutrient Solutions, Grown in Makurdi, Benue. Nigeria
The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of solutions on the growth and yield of lettuce grown in Makurdi, Nigeria. The experiment is laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments used are organic nutrient source, inorganic nutrients source and control, a variety used where (Loose-leaf, Ice berg and Butter-head). During the investigation, some physiological variables, such as growth, plant height and the number of leaves, were measured. Other characteristics like leaf area index, crop growth rate, fresh weight and overall yield were also recorded. The results of the investigation revealed that lettuce generally responded to nutrient solution. All the parameter studies have significantly (P ≤ 0.05) responded to the nutrient solutions with inorganic nutrients solutions recorded higher in both growth and yield-related character such, as plant height (23.32cm), the number of leaves (16.74), crop growth rate (3.32), leaf area index (15.12), chlorophyll content (25.13), fresh weight (96.74) and yield (3.82t/ha). On varieties Butter-head out performed other varieties in both growth, yield and yield related characters such plant height (23.73cm), the number of leaves (17.53), crop growth rate (3.13), leaf area index (14.34), chlorophyll content (23.02), fresh weight (93.73) and yield (3.73t/ha). Based on the results obtained it can be suggested that lettuce farmers use inorganic nutrient solution which is better in both growth and yield characteristics leading to optimum yield in lettuce cultivation in the study areas.
Keywords: lettuce, Nutrient, Solutions and Variety
