Effects of bio-extract on growth and quality of baby red cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated in hydroponics system

Abstract

Bio-extract is the local wisdom of farmers by using plant and animal waste fermented with molasses and microorganism. However, many farmers are still not convinced about using bio-extract instead of using chemicals due to lack of academic information. The objective of this study was to compare the 4 bio-extracts and Phranakhon nutrient solution on growth and quality of baby Red Cos Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the hydroponics system with dynamic root floating technique (DRFT). The study used completely randomize design. The 4 bio-extracts comprised of bio-extract from milk, fruit, fish scrap, and Pomacea canaliculata. The cultivation time was 28 days. The results showed that Phranakhon nutrient solution had the best of stem height (10.43±0.20 cm) following by bio-extract from milk (9.48±0.29 cm). The bio-extract from milk had the best of plant width (17.56±0.43 cm). The Phranakhon nutrient solution had the best of leaf number (32.08±0.47 leaves) following by bio-extract from milk (30.21±0.53 leaves). The Phranakhon nutrient solution had the best of fresh and dry weight (20.22 ±0.45 and 0.86±0.78 g, respectively) following by bio-extract from milk (14.89±0.86 and 0.84±0.45 g, respectively). For pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and total carotenoids), the Phranakhon nutrient solution had the best (119.97±0.5, 43.27±0.25, 43.05±0.54, and 158.23±0.32 SPAD unit, respectively) following by bio-extract from milk (90.04±0.67, 35.90±0.85, 35.21±0.34, and 125.95 ± 0.46 SPAD unit, respectively). In conclusion, comparison of Phranakhon nutrient solution with the 4 bio-extracts revealed that bio-extract from milk yielded close to Phranakhon nutrient solution in baby Red Cos Lettuce. The data from this study was suggestion to the farmers which could reduce their use of chemicals for growing of baby Red Cos Lettuce and use bio-extracts as an alternative choice.