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Evaluation of hydroponic systems for the cultivation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., var. Longifolia) and comparison with protected soil-based cultivation

Author

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  • Majid, Maliqa
  • Khan, Junaid N.
  • Ahmad Shah, Qazi Muneeb
  • Masoodi, Khalid Z.
  • Afroza, Baseerat
  • Parvaze, Saqib

Abstract

The expansion of the earth's population has led to the overuse of land and water resources, which has ultimately resulted in their scarcity. Changing climatic conditions and erratic weather behavior over the years has fueled the existing problems of land and water scarcity and continued to exact a toll on agriculture. Utilization of the latest technologies coupled with advanced methods of crop production will no doubt increase our capacity to deal with these modern challenges of the shortages of resources. Soilless or liquid culture may serve as an alternative to conventional soil-based cultivation systems. The present study was conducted to determine the suitability and viability of hydroponic cultivation as an alternative planting system to greenhouse soil-based lettuce cultivation in temperate regions of northern India. In the present study, two hydroponic techniques viz. deep water culture, and nutrient film technique were evaluated and compared to the conventional soil-based cultivation method under protected conditions. Crop performance, water consumption, and economy were the criteria chosen to assess the efficacy of planting techniques using Tukey’s multiple range test at a significance level of 0.05. Deep water culture system was found to be the most desirable concerning the duration of the crop, causing a reduction in the plant growth period by 15 days. Also, higher values of most of the photosynthetic parameters were observed in the deep water culture system, which translated into higher yield/plant for the system. The crop quality also improved under the deep water culture system, which was reflected by the higher values of quality parameters like chlorophyll, total soluble solids, protein, and crude fiber content. Both the hydroponic systems produced significantly higher yield, and nutritionally superior produce in lesser time than the soil-based system (P < 0.05). However, there was a significant reduction in the dry matter content under hydroponic conditions. Nutrient film technique resulted in significant water savings of 64% than the other two techniques. According to economic analysis indicators, both hydroponic techniques performed better than the soil-based systems, having benefit-cost ratios greater than 2. Out of the two techniques tested, deep water culture proved to be the most promising system for adoption under protected agriculture owing to its simplicity, ease of operation, higher yield, economic feasibility, and nutritionally superior produce. The results of the study established hydroponic lettuce production as an appropriate and sustainable alternative to conventional soil-based lettuce production.

Suggested Citation

  • Majid, Maliqa & Khan, Junaid N. & Ahmad Shah, Qazi Muneeb & Masoodi, Khalid Z. & Afroza, Baseerat & Parvaze, Saqib, 2021. "Evaluation of hydroponic systems for the cultivation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., var. Longifolia) and comparison with protected soil-based cultivation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:245:y:2021:i:c:s0378377420321193
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106572
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    1. R. Michael Lehman & Cynthia A. Cambardella & Diane E. Stott & Veronica Acosta-Martinez & Daniel K. Manter & Jeffrey S. Buyer & Jude E. Maul & Jeffrey L. Smith & Harold P. Collins & Jonathan J. Halvors, 2015. "Understanding and Enhancing Soil Biological Health: The Solution for Reversing Soil Degradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-40, January.
    2. José De Anda & Harvey Shear, 2017. "Potential of Vertical Hydroponic Agriculture in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Souza, Sulma Vanessa & Gimenes, Régio Marcio Toesca & Binotto, Erlaine, 2019. "Economic viability for deploying hydroponic system in emerging countries: A differentiated risk adjustment proposal," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 357-369.
    4. Maestre-Valero, J.F. & Martin-Gorriz, B. & Soto-García, M. & Martinez-Mate, M.A. & Martinez-Alvarez, V., 2018. "Producing lettuce in soil-based or in soilless outdoor systems. Which is more economically profitable?," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 48-55.
    5. Rattan Lal, 2015. "Restoring Soil Quality to Mitigate Soil Degradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-21, May.
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    1. Ehsan Daneshyar, 2024. "Residential Rooftop Urban Agriculture: Architectural Design Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-34, February.
    2. Mahrokh Farvardin & Morteza Taki & Shiva Gorjian & Edris Shabani & Julio C. Sosa-Savedra, 2024. "Assessing the Physical and Environmental Aspects of Greenhouse Cultivation: A Comprehensive Review of Conventional and Hydroponic Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-34, February.
    3. Theodora Karanisa & Yasmine Achour & Ahmed Ouammi & Sami Sayadi, 2022. "Smart greenhouses as the path towards precision agriculture in the food-energy and water nexus: case study of Qatar," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 521-546, December.
    4. Renata Rapisarda & Francesco Nocera & Vincenzo Costanzo & Gaetano Sciuto & Rosa Caponetto, 2022. "Hydroponic Green Roof Systems as an Alternative to Traditional Pond and Green Roofs: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-27, March.

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