Comparative effects of growing media and starter nitrogen fertilization on the growth and nutrient uptake of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings

The growth and nutrient uptake of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) are strongly influenced by the choice of growing medium and nitrogen fertilization strategy. This study investigated the comparative performance of soil, coco peat, and hydroponics under different starter nitrogen regimes using a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and four replications. Data on seedling emergence, chlorophyll content, plant height, root number, dry weight, and nutrient concentrations (N, P, K) were collected. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.001) across the treatments. Hydroponics supported the fastest seedling emergence (2 days), the highest chlorophyll content (0.632 at week 2), the tallest plants (5.53 cm at week 3), and the greatest biomass (1.31 g), while soil with NPK recorded the highest nitrogen concentration (7.17%). Hydroponic full-strength and half-strength nutrient solutions achieved the greatest phosphorus uptake (7.69 and 7.67 g kg??, respectively). Root number did not differ significantly among treatments. Overall, hydroponics demonstrated superior performance, with the half-strength nutrient solution offering a more economical approach without compromising growth. These findings highlight the potential of hydroponics and coco peat as sustainable alternatives to soil-based systems for lettuce production in resource-limited environments.