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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Importance of the study

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) is plant in the aster or sunflower family

(Asteraceae) that is one of the Philippines most valuable commercial crops.

It is often grown as a leaf vegetable that grows up to 30 cm in height.

Lettuce has loose to compact leaves that are typically green and red color.

However, some varieties are variegated, while others have a yellowish or

gold tinge. On the ground or on a short stalk, the plants form a rosette of

leaves. As the plant matures, the number of leaves increases. (Divina C.,

2001)

Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is well-known for serving as the backbone for

salads. Its health benefits are primarily due to its nutrient concentration. (Nazario, B.,

2020) Lettuce is a cool-season crop that commonly thrives in most locations during

the spring and fall. It is an excellent leafy green to grow because it multiplies,

produces for an extended period, and has relatively little maintenance to keep it

adequately watered. Additionally, (Old Farmer’s Almanac., n.d.) As a sedative,

antispasmodic and anodyne lettuce dried latex was recommended to help people fall

asleep. (Nagdeve et.al-,2021)

Hydroponics is an imaginative innovation which permits individuals to

develop plants without soil. Plants are put in a development medium, for
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example. Dirt balls and are taken care of with supplements disintegrated

straightforwardly into the water where their underlying foundations are

suspended (Lee, 2015)

Hydroponics farming have consented to improve the cropping

management and to reach higher produce quality standards in leafy

vegetables (Santamaria et al., 2002). However, the identification of optimal

soilless practices such as plant density and nutrient solution composition are

critical factors in order to increase yield, reduce pathogen incidence, enhance

dry matter production, improve antioxidant activity, and reduce nitrate content

(Chen et al., 2004; Fravel and Larkin, 2002)

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Objectives of the Study

Generally, this will be conducted to determine The Effect of Different

Growing Media on the Growth and Yield Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca

Sativa) Under Hydroponic System. Specifically, it will be conducted to:

1. To determine the growth performance of lettuce in different growing

media under hydroponic system;

2. To determine the yield performance of lettuce in different growing

media under hydroponic system, and;

3. To evaluate the best growing media on the growth and yield

performance of lettuce under hydroponic system.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will be limited to the effect of different growing media on the

growth and yield performance of lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) under hydroponic

system.

Time and Place of the Study

This study will be conducted from April to June 2022 at Purok. Lovers,

Brgy. Ambalgan Sto. Niño, South Cotabato.

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