Effectiveness of Solutions on Soilless Production of Lettuce Grown in Makurdi and Plateau, Nigeria

Abstract

The experiment aimed to investigate the effectiveness of solutions on the growth and yield of lettuce grown in Makurdi and Plateau, 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 varieties used where (Loose-leaf and Butter-head). During the investigation, some physiological variables, such as growth, plant height and the number of leaves, leaves diameter were measured. Other characteristics like dry weight, plant girth weight, root length, 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 (10.00cm), the number of leaves(20.05), dry weight (10.17g), girth weight (48.22g) and yield (30.10kg/ha). On varieties Loose-leaf out performed Butter-head in both growth, yield and yield related characters such as plant height (9.45cm), the number of leaves (20.20), dry weight (10.92g), girth weight (32.27g), root weight (18.27g), fresh weight (42.27g) and yield (14.92kg/ha) and Jos location was  superior in both growth and yield related characters. 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.