CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAMINATION

CERTIFICATE
AGRICULTURE SCIENCE
SCHOOL BASED ASSESMENT
CROP PRODUCTION AND COST ANALYSIS

NAME OF CANDIDATE- CHAKA STEPHENS

CANDIDATE NUMBER-
CENTER NAME- HOPE SECONDARY SCHOOL
CENTER NUMBER- 090025

TITTLE OF PROJECT-: The effects of growing lettuce using organic mulching from seedlings
to maturity.
Introduction

NAME OF CANDIDATE- CHAKA STEPHENS

NAME OF PROJECT- CROP PRODUCTION

LOCATION- HOPE SECONDARY SCHOOL FARM

START DATE: 17TH JANUARYY, 2023

TERMINATION DATE: 14TH FEBRUARY, 2023

Table of contents

1. Statement of problem……………………………………………………….page1

2. Aim…………………………………………………………………………page2

3. Experimental Design……………………………………………………….page3

4. List of materials…………………………………………………………….page4

5. Description of materials……………………………………………………page5-7

6. Data collection……………………………………………………………...page8

7. Presentation of Data…………………………………………………..…..page9-10

8. Interpretation of Data…………………………………………………….page11

9. Discussion of finding…………………………………………………….page12

10. Limitations……………………………………………………………….page13

11. Conclusion……………………………………………………………….page14

12. Recommendations………………………………………………………..page15

13. Projected Budget………………………………………………………....page16

14. Analysis of Budget………………………………………………….……page17

15. Cost analysis……………………………………………………………page18

16. Comparison of Budget…………………………………………………...page19

17. References………………………………………………………………..page20
 Page1
Statement of Problem

Over many of years, traditional farmers have complained about their lettuce plants not

being able to fully develop and how they are unable to make maximum profit. When

lettuce plants are exposed to direct sunlight they will not grow to maximum size and the

plant would be hard to profit from. As a result, an experiment was conducted to

determine if synthetic mulching is more effective on lettuce plants growth than organic

mulching.
 Page2
Aim of investigation: -

 To determine whether lettuce plants will grow better when using mulch or without

using mulch.

 To assess the profitability of growing lettuce using mulch as opposed to no

mulching.
 Page3
Experimental Designs

Lettuce seedlings were sown on two separate beds with the same dimensions. The beds were

labelled ‘Bed A’ and ‘Bed B’. Bed A was prepared and seedlings were sown directly to the beds.

Bed B was prepared and seedlings were sown and a thin layer of dried grass was placed on the

base of each seedling root. The experiment was carried out until the crops were fully matured

and ready to be harvested.

During the course of the experiment, lettuce plants were randomly selected from each bed on a

weekly basis. The height and width of the plants were measured while their leaves were observed

for variation in colour. The data collected was recorded and placed on separate tables. The

information was then interpreted and analyzed to determine which method used gave better

results.
 Page4
List of Materials

Materials used during the experiment:

 Gardening fork

 Shovel

 Rake

 Hoe

 Bucket

 Wheelbarrow

 Spade

 Water can

 Cutlas

 Twine

 Pegs

 Knife

 Plastic bag

 Dry grass

 Measuring tape

 Pesticides
 Page5

Description of Materials

The following activities were done in the experiment with the materials above.

 Land clearing

 Ploughing

 Construction of beds and drains

 Mixing manure

 Transportation of seedlings

 Care and maintenance

 Pests and disease

Land clearing

This was done to remove weeds, stumps and other vegetation from the area that

was needed to do the experiment.

 Page6
Ploughing
This was done to turn up the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface while

burying weeds and crop remains to decay.

Construction of beds and drains

Having raised beds with good drainage is essential. Not only will
it prevents overwatering or underwatering your plants, but it can also reduce the

risk of various diseases associated with water issues, like root rot.

Page7
Mixing in Manure

The best way to use manure as a crop fertilizer is by mixing it I with compost.

Composting manure eliminates the possibility of the crops ever burning.

Transportation of seedlings

The seedlings are placed into the soil or it can be the transporting of stem, that can

be placed in the soil and would eventually grow new roots and start many plants

future.

Care and maintenance

The tools used for the experiment are cleaned thoroughly and stored. The crops

are watered regularly and mulching also is done to the crops as they grow.
These activities were done to ensure that the lettuce plants were success:

1. Irrigation of Crops – the crops were irrigated artificially with the use of a

watering can on a daily basis.

2. Mulching- this is the application of a thin layer of dried grass or other

related materials to the base of the plant root. This is done to conserve soil

moisture as well as suppress weed growth.

3. Weed Control – weed control was done manually by hand pulling of

weeds. This was done to control and growth of weeds thus preventing

competition among plants for soil nutrients as well as a built up of pest

and diseases.

Controlling pests and diseases

Chemical pesticides are often used to control pests, diseases and weeds in farms

based on the substances that are toxic to them.

 Page8
Data Collection

Table 1 shows the average width of plants from the mulched and traditional beds.
Method Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Mulched 4.6cm 8.3cm 8.8cm 9.4cm

Traditional 4.1cm 6.1cm 6.7cm 8.2cm

Table 2 shows the average height of plants from the mulched and traditional beds
Method Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Mulched 9 cm 8 cm 10.2cm 11cm

Traditional 8.3 7.3 8.0 8.3

 Page9

Presentation Of Data

Comparison of the Width of Lettuce Plants grown

using Organic Mulching as against the Traditional
Method
9.4
10 8.8
8.3 8.2
9
8 6.7
6.1
7
6 4.6
4.1
5
4
3
2
1
0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Organic Traditional

Figure 1 depicts a column graph showing the comparison between organic mulching and
traditional method used in growing lettuce.

Comparison of the Height of Lettuce Plant

Grown using Organic Mulching as against
Traditional Method
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Organic Mulching Traditional

Figure 2 depicts a column graph showing the comparison of the height of lettuce plants
grown using organic mulching as against the traditional method.
 Page10

Interpretation of Data
The researcher will be interpreting the data that was collected during the four-week period.

Figure 1 shows a column graph depicting the comparison of the width of lettuce plants grown

using organic mulching and the normal traditional method. It shows that in the first week plants

had a width of 4.6cm for the organic mulching and 4.1cm for the traditional. This shows a 0.5cm

difference in grater high for the organic mulching. In the second week the organic mulched plant

again recorded the highest width with a difference of 2.2cm more width. In the third week again

organic mulching recorded the highest width when compared to the normal traditional method.

In the fourth week organic mulching had the highest width of the two, with a difference of 1.2cm

greater width.

Figure 2 shows a column graph depicting the comparison between the height of plants grown

using organic mulching and the normal traditional method. In the first week the height for the

organic mulched plant was 9cm, while the traditional planted was 8.3cm. A difference of 1.3cm

greater height for the organic mulching. In the second week the organic mulched plant was 8cm,

while the traditional planted was 7 cm, a difference of 1cm greater for the organic mulched plant.

In the third week the height for the organic mulched plant was 10.2cm, while the traditional

planted was 8cm, a difference of 2.2cm grater height for the organic mulched pant. In the fourth

week the organic mulched plant shows a height of 11.8cm, while the traditional planted shows a

height of 8.8cm. A difference of 3cm greater height for the organic mulched plant.

Overall, the organic mulched plant showed greater height than the traditional planted through out

the four week period.

 Page11

Discussion of Findings

During my research I found out that mulching would be more effective than the lettuce plants

that were without it. This is said because farmers all over the world, have giving their revue on

both methods and said that they would prefer mulching methods for their lettuce plants. But on

the other hand, there were other old fashioned/ tradition farmers across the world saying that they

would be likely not to use any sort of mulching because they had found success with the methods

they were using, even though they had never tried mulching. That is why my team and I caried

out this experiment to prove the traditional farmers wrong.

 Page12

Limitations

The following shortcomings were encountered by the research during the conduct of the
experiment:

 Shortage of water on the school’s plot. This resulted in plants not being watered

sufficiently.

 Insufficient tools, dull and broken tools. This resulted in more time for land preparation

as well as the incorrect tool had to be used to conduct certain activities.

 Poor drainage. This resulted in water logged conditions on rainy days.

 Page13

Recommendations

The following are recommended to prevent or limit future short comings on the school’s plot:

 Have storage barrels to store water on the farm. This will provided a steady supply of

water constantly on the farm.

 Raise funds to purchase new tools to conduct various farm activities

 Construct main drains to drain off water from the soil surface quickly.
 Page15

Conclusion
 Page14

References

https://morningchores.com/raised-beds-drainage/#:~:text=Having%20raised%20beds
%20with%20good,water%20issues%2C%20like%20root%20rot.

https://www.greener.land/index.php/product/plowing/

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/the-benefits-of-manure-in-
your-garden.htm#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20best%20ways,as%20during%20fall
%20or%20winter.
 Page15

Cost Analysis
Projected Budget

Projected Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Income

Sale of Lettuce 100 Heads $160 $16,000

Total projected $16,000

income

Projected Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Expenditure

Lettuce seedlings 110 Bags $10 $1100

Polythene 1 Bags $300 $300

Insecticide 1 Bottle $1000 $1000

Pen manure 2 Bags $300 $600

Transportation 1 - $1000 $1000

Miscellaneous 1 - $1000 $1000

Total projected - - - $5000

Expenditure

Projected profit = Total projected income – Total projected expenditure

Projected profit

Projected profit = $16000 - $5000 = $11000

Projected profit = $11000
Actual Budget

Actual Income Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Sale of Lettuce 100 Heads $200 $20,000

Actual Income $20,000

Actual Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Expenditure

Lettuce seedlings 110 - $10 $1100

Polythene 1 - $300 $300

Insecticide 1 Bottle $800 $500

Pen manure - - - -

Transportation 1 - $1000 $1000

Miscellaneous - - - -

Value Addition 2 2lbs Pack $250 $500

Transportation
Plastic bags

Actual - - - $3,400
Expenditure

Actual Profit = Actual income – Actual Expenditure

Actual Profit = $20,000 - $3,400

= $16,600

Total Actual Profit = $16,600

Comparison of Budget

Upon completion of the project, there was an actual profit/surplus of $16.600 when

compared to a projected profit/surplus of $11000. This shows a difference of

$5600. The reason for this increase in profit is due to the scarcity of lettuce during

that period, thus the demand for the same was higher also being sold at a higher

price.

In addition, an actual income of $20,000 was made compared to a projected

income of $16,000. This shows an increase of $4000 more in profit. Even though

10 fewer heads of lettuce were sold, the actual cost obtained was higher. This also

was due to the higher demand as well as health reasons. Consumers rushed for

produce that is organic and beneficial to their health.

Further, there was a projected expenditure of $5000, while the actual expenditure

was $3,400 instead. This shows a difference of $1,600. The reason for this was

that no money was spent on pen manure and miscellaneous. However, money had

to be solicited for value addition, which was not projected for.

Overall, there was a drastic increase in the profit/surplus obtained at the

commencement of the project.