Production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under a soilless system based on coconut fibers (Cocos nucifera)

Urban agriculture increasingly occupies an important place in West Africa. With growing insecurity and the massive displacement of populations to cities, off-ground agriculture is a sustainable solution for feeding populations. The objective of this study is to contribute to the installation of soilless agriculture in Burkina Faso. The material used consists of lettuce varieties, and the substrate consists of coconut fibers. The agro morphological parameters were measured and the identification of diseases. At maturity, the heights of the plants vary between 27.7 and 8.7 cm. The diameter at the collar varies between 10.8 and 43 mm and the leaf areas vary between 111.34 and 10.69 cm2. Whole plant weights vary between 69 and 3 g. The amount of water used for production has been reduced by 75% and the amount of fertilizer has been reduced by 50% for the same area. Coconut fibers provide a favorable ecosystem for the growth of plants and allow you to participate in the recycling of waste left after consumption. Lettuce can be produced in a soilless system with satisfactory yield and thus reduce losses due to pathogenic microorganisms, and pests and thus reduce the amount of water needed for production. Key words: Lactuca sativa, aboveground, coconut fiber, yield, urban agriculture.