Taleb Rateb Abu-Zahra
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
LiveDNA: 962.1885
ORCID: 0000-0002-1662-2555
Issa Mohammad Alghragher
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
Ragad Mohammad Bani-Issa
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
Mohammad Samer Bani-Fauaz
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
Zainab Ibrahim Alnsour
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
Salsabeel Mohammad Abufanar
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
Mohammad Nader Sawalmeh
Department of Plant Production and Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt 19117, Amman, Jordan
International Journal of Agricultural Research
Year: 2025 | Volume: 20 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 1-8
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Hydroponics is the most used cultivation method in controlled environment agriculture, where a nutrient solution substitutes for the soil. This study evaluates hydroponic lettuce production in comparison to various soilless culture methods to identify the most effective planting system. Materials and Methods: To identify the optimal growing medium for green and red leafy lettuce production, an experiment was conducted comparing different planting systems. The parameters measured included head fresh and dry mass, leaf moisture content, leaf fresh and dry mass, root fresh and dry mass, the ratio of root fresh and dry mass to plant fresh and dry mass, number of leaves per plant and leaf area. The study followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments (Hydroponic culture, Cocopeat media culture, 1:1 of Peat moss and Perlite media culture and 1:1:1 of Soil, Peat moss and Perlite media culture). Data from replications were analyzed using ANOVA in Statistics 8.1 for a Completely Randomized Design, with mean comparisons via LSD test at p<0.05. Results: The hydroponic system (nutrient solution) had a positive impact on all plant growth parameters, including head fresh weight, head dry weight, leaf fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, root length, number of leaves and leaf area. Cocopeat culture treatment produced the highest significant leaf moisture content while using soil in amendments reduced root penetration, which reflected negatively on the root-to-head fresh and dry mass ratio. Conclusion: These findings underscore the benefits of hydroponics for maximizing overall plant growth and yield, while cocopeat offers a specialized advantage in enhancing leaf moisture content and soil systems require optimization to improve root development and plant balance.
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Article History
Received: November 21, 2024;
Accepted: February 27, 2025;
Published: March 06, 2025
How to cite this article
Taleb Rateb Abu-Zahra, Issa Mohammad Alghragher, Ragad Mohammad Bani-Issa, Mohammad Samer Bani-Fauaz, Zainab Ibrahim Alnsour, Salsabeel Mohammad Abufanar and Mohammad Nader Sawalmeh, 2025. Optimizing Lettuce Yield and Quality: A Comparative Analysis of Hydroponic Cultivation with Different Soilless Amendments. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 20: 1-8.
DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2025.1.8
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijar.2025.1.8
DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2025.1.8
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijar.2025.1.8
INTRODUCTION
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a vegetable widely grown in temperate climates. Known for its strong response to mineral fertilizers, lettuce is primarily consumed fresh, making cleanliness in its cultivation and handling a key priority1,2. Lettuce grows best in cool to moderate climates, with an ideal temperature range of 10-20°C. Its quality improves when nights are relatively cool3. Optimal growth occurs in sandy-loam soil rich in organic matter and proper field drainage is essential to prevent fungal diseases like bottom rot. Lettuce also thrives when the average daily temperature ranges between 15 and 21°C4. It is best planted in early spring or late summer, as high temperatures can stunt growth, produce bitter leaves and cause rapid seed stalk elongation. Nevertheless, certain types and varieties of lettuce are more heat-tolerant, enabling it to be cultivated year-round5.
Traditional farming methods often rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which promote higher yields, off-season cultivation, enhanced resistance, longer shelf life and greater overall crop mass6. However, the exclusive use of chemical fertilizers can reduce soil fertility and crop productivity over time due to nutrient imbalances in the soil, a key factor limiting crop yields. Consequently, chemical fertilizers alone may not sustain soil health and productivity in the long term7. While organic fertilizers are beneficial, they do not provide nutrients in sufficient quantities compared to inorganic fertilizers. The use of inorganic fertilizers has been shown to enhance the vegetative growth of lettuce8.
Hydroponics is a soil-free method of growing plants, where they are cultivated in either a nutrient solution (water culture) or an inert medium (media culture). In media culture, the choice of medium is crucial for plant growth, as it provides root stability and space for development, like soil in traditional farming9. This document introduces the basic properties of growing media and highlights common options used in hydroponics, catering to beginners10.
Hydroponics is the most used cultivation method in controlled environment agriculture, where a nutrient solution substitutes for soil11. Its popularity has consistently increased over time12. Hydroponics culture has many benefits needing no soil, conserving water, facilitating micro-climate, predictability and seasonality, crops grow faster, maximizing space, producing higher yields and requiring less labor13-15.
This nutrient solution, a complex salt mixture, was originally formulated in the Twentieth Century by Hoagland and Arnon and remains in use today with minor modifications based on crop or grower needs16. Typically, plants are grown in a slightly acidic nutrient solution, with an optimal pH range of 5.5-6.5 for cultivating leafy greens17. However, different pH levels may be used for specific purposes; for example, reducing the nutrient solution’s pH to 4.0 can limit root rot severity from Pythium aphanidermatum without affecting basil growth18. Conversely, a low pH of 4.5 decreased spinach fresh shoot weight by 62%19. Interestingly, a pH as low as 4 enhanced the nutritional and dietary value of Taraxacum officinale (L.) and Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth in a floating hydroponic system17.
In hydroponics, the growth of lettuce depends upon the composition of the nutrient solution. Due to its nutrient absorption, conductivity and pH suffer continuous variations20,21. It was shown that the hydroponic system positively impacted all growth parameters of lettuce, including plant height, number of leaves, fresh plant weight, dry plant weight and shoot-root ratio2. Additionally, the floating raft system (FRS) was recommended for use in hydroponic lettuce production. experimented to evaluate the impact of different growing media-peat moss, perlite and a peat moss-perlite mix-on lettuce growth and yield in a hydroponic system. Lettuce cultivation in Jordan is relatively simple, with the crop growing year-round and covering approximately 3.5% of the country’s cultivated land. It takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety and weather conditions22. While most lettuce is grown for local consumption, leafy varieties are primarily exported to Gulf markets23. This study evaluates hydroponic lettuce production in comparison to various soilless culture methods to identify the most effective planting system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area: A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Al-Balqa Applied University in As-Salt, Jordan, during the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. The study focused on cultivating green leafy lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under four different treatments, each replicated four times, as summarized in Table 1.
| Table 1: | Treatments description and number of replications | |
| Treatment | Description | Number of replications |
| T1 | Hydroponic culture (nutrient solution) | 4 |
| T2 | Cocopeat media | 4 |
| T3 | Peat moss and perlite media (1:1) | 4 |
| T4 | Mixture of soil, peat moss and perlite media (1:1:1) | 4 |
| Treatments 2-4 received 2 g of Fe and 2 g of a complete fertilizer (12 N: 12 P: 36 K) per liter, applied twice a week. On the third application each week, only water was used for all three treatments | ||
 |
| Fig. 1: | Production of lettuce under a hydroponic system |
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| Fig. 2: | Lettuce cultivation in cocopeat media |
 |
| Fig. 3: | Cultivation of lettuce in pots containing a blend of peat moss and perlite |
 |
| Fig. 4: | Cultivation of lettuce in pots containing a blend of soil, peat moss and perlite |
Treatments: The treatments were designed as shown in Fig. 1-4 as follows:
| • | First treatment: Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponics system in a controlled environment, mimicking typical vertical farming conditions. The nutrient solution pH was maintained between 5.0 and 6.5, with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.5-2 m mhos/cm, following the guidelines of Kudirka et al.24 |
| • | Second treatment: Cultivation in raised beds filled with cocopeat as the sole growing medium |
| • | Third treatment: Pots filled with a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and perlite as the growing medium |
| • | Fourth treatment: Pots filled with a 1:1:1 mixture of soil, peat moss and perlite |
After 40 days from plantings, the following parameters were determined:
| • | Head fresh mass: Six plant samples were taken to determine the head fresh weight (g) and then average readings were considered. Weights were taken by digital balances after removing the lower part of the plant (roots)25 |
| • | Head dry mass: The same plant samples that were used for head fresh weight, were used to determine the head dry weight, in which the plant material was dried in an oven with forced air circulation at 70°C until a constant weight was achieved, also average readings were considered26 |
| • | Leaf fresh mass: Lettuce leaves were collected immediately after harvest and any debris or soil was removed without washing, as excess moisture can affect the weight, then a precision digital scale was used to measure the fresh weight of the leaves27 |
| • | Leaf dry mass: Fresh leaves were placed in a drying oven set at 60-70°C until they reached a constant weight (usually 48-72 hrs). The dried leaves were allowed to cool in a Lab Desiccator (Borosilicate 3.3-Lab Desiccator with sLid Plain, Die Presses Neutral Glass150210250300MM-Glassco Laboratory Equipment Pvt., India), to prevent reabsorption of moisture, then the same digital balances were used to measure the dry weight of the leaves26 |
| • | Leaf moisture content: The moisture content of lettuce leaves was determined by comparing the fresh and dry mass of the leaves using the following formula28: |
 |
| • | Root fresh mass: Plants were carefully removed from the growing medium or soil to preserve the root structure. Roots were gently rinsed with water to remove soil or other debris, ensuring no damage occurred, then a precision Double Display Digital Balance 300/0.1 g (WANT Balance Instrument Co. Ltd., China), was used to measure the fresh weight of the cleaned roots immediately after harvesting |
| • | Root dry mass: The cleaned roots were placed in a Laboratory Drying Oven (readability 0.1 degree, Rajesh Hans G.G. Technologies J-II/18, Sanjay Market, Wazirpur, New Delhi-110052, Delhi, India), set at 60-70°C until they reach a constant weight. This process typically takes 48-72 hrs. Then the dried roots were allowed to cool in a desiccator to prevent moisture reabsorption. After it cooled, the same digital scale was used to record the dry weight25 |
| • | Ratio of root fresh mass to plant fresh mass: It was determined according to the following formula27: |
 |
| • | Ratio of root dry mass to plant dry mass: It was determined according to the following formula27: |
 |
| • | Root length: Average root length (for each harvested plant; all the roots were removed, its length was determined by the ruler, then average readings were considered per plant25 |
| • | Number of leaves per plant: Six lettuce plant samples were collected per replicate and the total number of leaves from all plants was counted. The total leaf count was then divided by six to calculate the average number of leaves per plant |
| • | Leaf area: Measured using a Portable Area Meter (Patent Pending, LI-3000A, SR. No. 2516. LI-COR, U.S.A.)25 |
Statistical analysis: The data collected from the different replications were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with statistical software (Statistics 8.1), appropriate for a Completely Randomized Design29. Productivity and quality criteria were assessed through bivariate analysis of variance and mean comparisons were performed using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a significance level of p<0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Results obtained showed that hydroponic culture often produced the highest head fresh and dry mass, the highest leaf fresh and dry mass for lettuce (Table 2) and the highest leaf area and number of leaves (Table 3), compared to other soil and soilless culture treatments due to several key advantages in water, nutrient availability and root oxygenation.
Hydroponic systems deliver nutrients directly to the plant roots in a soluble and readily available form, ensuring a consistent and precise nutrient supply. Unlike soil or other soilless media, hydroponics eliminates nutrient competition or uneven distribution, allowing plants to take up nutrients efficiently13. Although, in hydroponics, plants have constant access to water without the risk of drought stress. The system maintains an ideal water balance, preventing under- or over-irrigation, which can negatively impact growth in soil-based systems, these factors combined make hydroponic systems more efficient in promoting plant growth, leading to the highest fresh mass in lettuce heads as observed15.
In contrast, the cocopeat culture treatment resulted in the highest significant leaf moisture content (Table 3). This can be attributed to the unique physical properties of cocopeat, which offers excellent water retention while maintaining good aeration, thus providing an optimal environment for maximizing plant hydration. As a result, lettuce grown in cocopeat exhibited the highest leaf moisture content when compared to hydroponic, soil and other soilless culture systems30.
Results of root length (Table 3) and root fresh and dry weight (Table 4), were the highest in the hydroponically produced lettuce compared to other treatments. Hydroponic setups typically use techniques like aeration to ensure roots receive adequate oxygen, essential for optimal nutrient uptake and root metabolism. This is more challenging in soil-based systems, where overwatering can lead to hypoxic conditions9.
In soil or soilless media systems, nutrient and water availability often depend on the physical properties of the medium, which may not uniformly supply these essentials. Media like cocopeat can retain water well but may not deliver nutrients as consistently as hydroponic31.
Additionally, there was a significant statistical difference in the root-to-head fresh and dry mass ratio across all treatments. In contrast, small but significant differences were observed in treatments that contained soil in their amendments, so using soil in amendments reduced root penetration, which reflected negatively on the root-to-head fresh and dry mass ratio32.
| Table 2: | Effect of hydroponics and soil amendments on lettuce head fresh and dry mass and leaf fresh and dry mass | |||
| Treatment | Head fresh mass (g/plant) | Head dry mass (g/plant) | Leaf fresh mass (g/leaf) | Leaf dry mass (g/leaf) |
| T1 | 134.13a | 8.50a | 11.18a | 0.49a |
| T2 | 124.53b | 6.48b | 7.68b | 0.48a |
| T3 | 39.50d | 2.31d | 4.23c | 0.25c |
| T4 | 49.98c | 4.19c | 4.95c | 0.38b |
| LSD0.05 | 6.28 | 0.95 | 0.75 | 0.053 |
| *Means within each column having different letters, are significantly different according to LSD at 5% level, T1: Hydroponic culture (nutrient solution), T2: Cocopeat media, T3: Peatmoss and Perlite media (1:1) and T4: Mixture of Soil, Peat moss and Perlite media (1:1:1) | ||||
| Table 3: | Effect of hydroponics and soil amendments on lettuce leaf area, number of leaves, leaf moisture and root length | |||
| Treatment | Leaf area (cm2) | Number of leaves/plant | Leaf moisture (%) | Root length (cm) |
| T1 | 292.94a | 26.75a | 93.60b | 36.25a |
| T2 | 266.77ab | 20.50b | 95.44a | 26.13b |
| T3 | 176.52c | 11.00d | 94.16b | 21.50c |
| T4 | 229.56bc | 15.75c | 91.82c | 25.85b |
| LSD0.05 | 6.67 | 3.03 | 1.24 | 3.62 |
| *Means within each column having different letters, are significantly different according to LSD at 5% level, T1: Hydroponic culture (nutrient solution), T2: Cocopeat media, T3: Peat moss and Perlite media (1:1) and T4: Mixture of Soil, Peat moss and Perlite media (1:1:1) | ||||
| Table 4: | Effect of hydroponics and soil amendments on lettuce root fresh and dry mass and root per head fresh and dry mass ratio | |||
| Treatment | Root fresh mass (g/plant) | Root dry mass (g/plant) | Root to head fresh mass ratio | Root to head dry mass ratio |
| T1 | 19.40a | 7.103a | 14.47c | 84.61b |
| T2 | 14.50b | 6.428a | 11.69d | 99.11a |
| T3 | 10.20c | 2.220b | 25.86a | 97.83a |
| T4 | 11.13c | 2.443b | 22.30b | 59.79c |
| LSD0.05 | 1.3 | 0.72 | 2.54 | 9.64 |
| *Means within each column having different letters, are significantly different according to LSD at 5% level, T1: Hydroponic culture (nutrient solution), T2: Cocopeat media, T3: Peat moss and Perlite media (1:1) and T4: Mixture of Soil, Peat moss and Perlite media (1:1:1) | ||||
The results of this study demonstrate the varied strengths of different cultivation systems for lettuce. Hydroponic systems significantly enhance overall plant growth, yielding the highest head fresh and dry mass, leaf fresh and dry mass, leaf area and leaf count. This makes hydroponics a promising method for maximizing plant yield. On the other hand, cocopeat-based systems provide a specialized advantage in promoting higher leaf moisture content due to cocopeat’s unique physical properties that balance water retention and aeration, leading to better hydration for the plant. However, soil-based cultivation presented challenges, particularly in terms of restricted root penetration, which hindered balanced growth and the root-to-head fresh and dry mass ratio.
The results indicated that lettuce grown in peat moss produced the highest number of leaves, heaviest stems, largest marketable heads and the greatest total yield. Another study investigated the impact of different growing media in an NFT hydroponics system on lettuce growth and yield33. The study found that cocopeat produced the highest plant yield and broadest leaf width, while perlite produced the shortest plant shoot height. Cocopeat, followed by sponge, outperformed perlite growth and yield, though combining these media showed no significant effect. The study recommends using cocopeat or sponge as the preferred growing media for hydroponic lettuce cultivation.
Organic farming minimizes or eliminates the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, animal feed additives and growth regulators, relying instead on practices like crop rotation, legumes, green manures and natural fertilizers34. Organic soil amendments improve plant growth and health by supplying bioactive compounds and beneficial microorganisms35. Studies show that organic fertilizers enhance plant traits such as stem diameter, height, leaf number and fresh and dry weights of both plants and roots, outperforming control treatments36. Organic treatments also significantly boost leaf dry weight and root biomass compared to both control and inorganic fertilizers37.
The findings suggested that hydroponic systems are ideal for maximizing overall growth and yield in lettuce, while cocopeat can be considered for improving leaf hydration. Soil systems, while effective, may require further optimization to enhance root development and balance growth across the plant.
These results can guide commercial lettuce growers in selecting the most suitable cultivation system based on their specific objectives, whether it’s maximizing yield with hydroponics or focusing on improving leaf moisture content with cocopeat. Additionally, the study may be useful for research into refining soil-based systems for better plant development.
Future research should explore the optimization of soil-based cultivation systems to enhance root penetration and overall plant balance. It is also recommended to investigate potential ways to combine the benefits of hydroponics and cocopeat, such as integrated systems, to further enhance plant growth and hydration.
The study was conducted under controlled conditions and results may vary under field conditions with differing environmental factors. Further research is needed to assess the long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of each cultivation system. Additionally, the study focused only on lettuce, so the results may not be directly applicable to other crops.
CONCLUSION
The hydroponic cultivation method positively influenced all measured plant growth parameters. It significantly enhanced head fresh weight, head dry weight, leaf fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and root length. Among the evaluated systems, hydroponics often resulted in the highest head fresh and dry mass, the greatest leaf fresh and dry mass, the largest leaf area and the highest number of leaves in lettuce.
In contrast, the cocopeat-based culture demonstrated a unique advantage in producing the highest significant leaf moisture content. This can be attributed to the distinctive physical properties of cocopeat, which offer an optimal balance of high-water retention and good aeration. These characteristics create a favorable environment for maximizing plant hydration, leading to superior leaf moisture content compared to hydroponic, soil and other soilless systems.
However, soil-based cultivation posed challenges. The use of soil amendments was found to restrict root penetration, which negatively impacted the root-to-head fresh and dry mass ratio. This limitation highlights the potential drawbacks of soil systems in supporting balanced growth across all plant structures compared to hydroponic and soilless methods.
Overall, these findings underscore the benefits of hydroponics for maximizing overall plant growth and yield, while cocopeat offers a specialized advantage in enhancing leaf moisture content and soil systems require optimization to improve root development and plant balance.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
The hydroponic cultivation method significantly improved all measured plant growth parameters, including head and leaf fresh and dry weights, root mass and leaf area. Among the systems, hydroponics consistently yielded the highest biomass, while cocopeat-based culture excelled in leaf moisture retention due to its superior water-holding capacity and aeration. In contrast, soil-based cultivation limited root penetration, affecting overall plant balance. These findings highlight hydroponics as the most effective method for maximizing growth, with cocopeat offering a specific advantage in leaf hydration, whereas soil systems require optimization for better root development.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to the agricultural engineers: Issa M. Alghragher, Ragad M. Bani-Issa, Mohammad S. Bani-Fauaz, Zainab I. Alnsour, Salsabeel M. Abufanar and Mohammad N. Sawalmeh for their skillful technical and field assistance.
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