SUMMARY/CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

Summary

This study aimed to determine the effect of decayed rice straw on the growth and yield performance of lettuce. Twenty lettuce seedlings were transplanted on 20 polyethylene pots having a height of 150 cm each and were placed on a bamboo fenced area. There were two treatments that were observed for four weeks (T1 = plain garden soil, and T2 = decayed rice straw) which were replicated ten times.

Results revealed that lettuce grown using decayed rice straw (T2) obtained the tallest plant height, most number of leaves, and heaviest herbage yield as compared to lettuce grown using plain garden soil (T1). On the other hand, lettuce grown on plain garden soil (T1) appeared to have the longest root length and have a bigger leaf area. Results implied that Treatment 2 (using decayed rice straw) showed to be the most appropriate type of soil based on the parameters gathered.

Conclusion

Data suggest that using decayed rice straw as planting medium gave the more beneficial effect on the growth and yield performance of lettuce.

Recommendation

Another trial must be conducted in order to verify the results of this study. The use of decayed rice straw as planting medium using different crops belonging to the same family (Asteraceae) should also be undertaken.

Vegetative Potential of Sweet Pepper

Table 1 shows the plant height of lettuce variety Grand Emperor grown under two different planting mediums. Although there were no great significance observed between treatments, data revealed that T2 (decayed rice straw) appeared to obtain taller plant height (6.50cm) than T1 (garden soil) at 5.41 cm. These results could be best described in Figures 1, 2 and 3 showing the growth performance of lettuce grown under two different mediums. The growth and performance of the crop under T2 implied that it contains more nutrients and has good soil structure necessary for plant growth as compared to T1 which was shorter due to lack of nutrients available and poor soil structure.

Furthermore, there were no big differences between treatments in terms of number of leaves. However, T2 appeared to produce the greater number of leaves (4.53cm) as compared to T1 which produced only an average of 4.98 cm. These data coincides with the result in the plant height of lettuce where T2 got the tallest height thus, produced the greater number of leaves (Table 2 and Figure 4).

Table 3 presents the leaf area of lettuce grown under two different mediums. Data revealed that T1 and T2 almost appeared to have the same average leaf area. T1 got 54.85cm and T2 got 53.99cm. Figure 5 shows the comparative performance between the two treatments.

Table 1. Plant Height of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) variety Grand Emperor as affected           

              by different planting mediums.

Treatments	Plant Height (cm)				Treatment Total	Treatment Mean
	W1	W2	W3	W4
T1 = Plain garden Soil         (Control)	2.66	4.82	6.27	7.88	21.63	5.41
T2 = Decayed Rice         Straw	2.39	5.1	8.16	10.33	25.98	6.50

 

·         = Average of 10 replicates per treatment

·         1 plant per replicate

Table 2. Number of leaves of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) variety Grand Emperor as    influenced by different planting mediums.

Treatments	Number of Leaves				Treatment Total	Treatment Mean
	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
T1 = Plain garden Soil   (control)	2.29	4.50	4.1	4.50	15.39	3.85
T2 = Decayed Rice Straw	2.80	5.40	5.40	4.50	18.1	4.53

 

·         = Average of 10 replicates per treatment

·         1 plant per replicate

Lettuce - Collection, Preparation of Planting Materials and Planting Method

Collection and Preparation of Planting Materials

Lettuce seedlings (var. Grand Emperor) were secured from Rosa L. Fernandez (co-learner). There were 20 polyethylene pots, measuring 150 cm in height, that were purchased from Nijosa Enterprises, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. For the plant’s growth medium, garden soil was collected within the vicinity of SUCA Farm while decayed rice straw materials were also gathered from the nearby rice field areas of SUCA Farm. The soil as well as the decayed rice straw was properly pulverized so that there would be proper aeration during the entire growing operation of lettuce plants.

Planting Method

Seedlings were transplanted in each polyethylene pots. The depth of transplanting was more or less 3 cm from the soil surface so that each roots of the seedlings were properly covered with soil and during watering operation, each seedlings would not lodge easily. Popsicle sticks were used as labeling material and were placed in each of the pots. Ten pots were filled with garden soil and other set pots were filled with decayed rice straw as the planting mediums of the lettuce plants.

There were two treatments which were replicated ten times as follows:

T1 = Plain Garden Soil (Control)

T2 = Decayed Rice Straw

Care and Maintenance of Plants

The pots were placed inside the bamboo fenced area beside the old canteen room, in order for the plants to be protected from the occurrence of any stray animals. Rice straw and rice hulls were placed within the experimental area for the weeds not to germinate and so that there would be no competition of the nutritional requirements needed by lettuce plants. Watering was done everyday or whenever necessary.

Data Gathered

The vegetative growth parameters that were acquired were as follows: (1) plant height (cm), (2) number of leaves, (3) leaf size (L x W) (cm), (4) total herbage yield (g), and (6) root length (cm).

The plant height and number of leaves were determined weekly, while the other vegetative growth parameters were noted upon harvesting time.

Lettuce - Description ,Cultivation and Pests

Description

The  plant has a short stem initially ( a rosette growth habit), but when it gradually blooms, the stems and branches lengthens; and produces many flower heads that look like those of dandelions, but smaller. This is referred to as bolting. When grown to eat, lettuce is harvested before it bolts. Lettuce is used as a food plant by larvae of some Lepidoptera (Wikipedia, 2009).

Cultivation

Lettuce is grown commercially worldwide, requiring light, sandy, humus rich, and moist soil. Dry conditions can cause the plants to go to seed (known as bolting). It is normally grown by early and late sowing in sunny positions, or summer crops in shade (Wikipedia, 2009).

Bullock (1950) as cited by Ybañez (1981) suggested that whichever types are grown, lettuce should have the richest spot in the garden or fields, as it requires a long time to develop satisfactorily on poor soils. Thus, soils rich in organic matter should be provided for successful gardening.

Pests

Lettuce is bothered by very few pests and diseases. Slugs are its biggest enemy, and they can be thwarted by setting out a saucer of beer to trap them in, or by sprinkling diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around plants. These sharp substances cut the slugs' underbellies when they slide across it, and kills them (Vanderlinden, 2010).

Aphids can also be a problem. If they are, try killing them off with a blast of water from the hose or try a homemade spray to get rid of them. Cutworms can also be a problem, and the best way to protect against them is to install a collar made of thick paper or cardboard around the base of any newly-planted lettuce seedlings (Vanderlinden, 2010).

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a temperate annual or biennial plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable. In many countries, it is typically eaten cold, raw, in salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, and in many other dishes. In some places, including China, lettuce is typically eaten cooked and use of the stem is as important as use of the leaf. Both the English name and the Latin name of the genus are ultimately derived from lac, the Latin word for milk, referring to the plant’s milky juice. Mild in flavor, it has been described over the centuries as a cooling counterbalance to other ingredients in a salad (Wikipedia, 2009).

Origin

Lactuca sativa, the only domesticated Lactuca species, is a native to the eastern Mediterranean basin. Its early use probably was medicinal and for edible seed oil. A landrace lettuce, known as USDA Plant Introduction 251245, is used for seed oil (Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997).
Wild types of lettuce often have prickly leaves and stems, are non-heading and bitter tasting, and contain abundance of latex. Domestication probably emphasized absence of spines, slow bolting, large non-shattering seed, less latex, and less tissue bitterness. Heading lettuce is a relatively recent cultivated crop, being first described as cabbage lettuce in 1543 (Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997).

Lettuce

  Lettuce, botanically known as (Lactuca sativa L.), the only domesticated Lactuca species belonging to family Asteraceae or Compositae. It is the world’s most used salad crop and is a major and extensively grown cool season vegetable best adapted to temperate locations. Records show that cultivation of this herb dates back 500 B.C. In some countries, lettuce consumption is large enough to make a significant nutritional contribution. Its early usage was probably on medicinal field and for edible seed oil (Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997). According to various authors as cited by Ybañez (1981), it has been derived from a wild species – L. scariola and some type do not thrive in hot, dry weather.

  Like some other crops, lettuces are grown in a wide range of soil types. Soils having good moisture retention qualities with adequate drainage, such as sandy loams or organic soils are preferred. Lettuce is sensitive to soil compaction and acidity. Seedlings have a low tolerance to salinity, whereas older plants are more tolerant. Growth optimized by uniform moisture supply and prolonged soil saturation should be avoided (Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997).


 From the studies of Deanon and Celestino (1959) as cited by Ybañez (1981), they found out that sub-irrigation produces more vigorous lettuce plants with higher yields. Moreover, in the country, Sarian (1973) as cited again by Ybañez (1981) said that the best production of lettuce is usually from September to February, when it is relatively cool. He further stated that price heading lettuce can be grown successfully here. This statement is correlated with Tindal’s view (1968) as mentioned by Ybañez (1981), that the country is one of the areas in which lettuce is widely grown, with reference to leafy types, and for the heading to be protected from excessive sun and rainfall.

The prime consideration of this study is to observe the growth performance of lettuce as affected by decayed rice straw.