Development of an outdoor vertical hydroponic system for lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Date

5-2013

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Saludes,Ronaldo B.

Committee Member

Dorado, Moises A. Relativo, Patrick Lemuel P.

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a vertical hydroponic growing system for lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Romaine lettuce plants were grown using a recirculating Deep Flow Technique (DFT) hydroponic system designed to utilize space efficiently. Two hydroponic set-ups, labeled as set-ups A and B, were developed that only differ in terms of arrangement of rectangular PVC pipes to which styro foam cups with plants were developed that only differ in terms of arrangement of rectangular PVC pipes to which styro foam cups with plants were fitted. Set-up has four layers positioned alternately while set-up B has additional PVC pipe at the opposite side of each layer, resulting to a total of eight PVC pipes. The growth of lettuce plants were evaluated by measuring leaf chlorophyll content, total leaf area, and dry matter content and performing visual observations including greenness of the leaves, root systems, and overall physique. For set-up A, the above mentioned parameters did not change significantly for all layers. For set-up B, leaf chlorophyll content of plants for all layers facing the West direction was significantly different at 5% level of significance. Total leaf area of plants for all layers facing the East direction was significantly different at 5% level of significance. The root systems of the lettuce grown in both set-ups were brown in color, suggesting a poor oxygenation. The lettuce plants grown in set-up A had deep root systems while some in set-up B were too shallow and not fully developed.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology

Call Number

LG993.5 2013 A2 S46

Document Type

Thesis

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