Response of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to Vermicast and Organic Concoction as Solution in Kratky Method in Pet Bottles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20110509Keywords:
Lactuca sativa, hydroponics, vermicast, organic concoctions, Kratky method, PET bottles, economic analysisAbstract
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a high-value leafy vegetable commonly produced in hydroponic systems, yet most nutrient solutions rely on synthetic fertilizers. This study evaluated the growth, yield, and economic viability of lettuce grown using vermicast and organic concoctions as nutrient sources in a Kratky hydroponic system with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The experiment was conducted in Lamba, Banga, South Cotabato using a completely randomized design with nine treatments replicated three times. Treatments included a commercial hydroponic solution, diluted vermicast, fermented plant juice (FPJ), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), indigenous microorganisms (IMO), and their combinations with vermicast. Growth and yield data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD test at the 5% level of significance through the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research. Results revealed highly significant treatment effects across growth and yield parameters. The commercial solution produced the highest overall growth and yield, with a mean plant height of 16.67 cm and yield of 261.97 g. However, diluted vermicast produced statistically comparable leaf width, leaf length, and marketable yield, indicating its viability as an organic nutrient source. Standalone FPJ, FFJ, and IMO treatments produced no marketable yield, while combined treatments with vermicast remained inferior to diluted vermicast alone. Economic analysis showed that diluted vermicast achieved the highest return on investment at 387.25%, compared with 124.57% for the commercial control. The findings indicate that diluted vermicast can serve as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative nutrient solution for small-scale hydroponic lettuce production using recycled PET bottles.
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