Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
ASPHC Baner

ONLINE FIRST

Research paper

Effects of different organic fertilizer applications in soilless lettuce cultivation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2026.5677
Submitted: 9 March 2026
Published: 22.06.2026

Abstract

The present study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the potential of different organic fertilizers as alternatives to chemical fertilizers. To this end, three distinct organic fertilizers (PH; Protein hydrolysate, BSF; Black soldier fly manure and WA; wood ash) and a chemical fertilizer (15.15.15+ME) were employed as a control. The fertilizers were administered at a rate of 1.5 ds/m once a week, at a rate of 1L/plant. The results obtained demonstrate that the highest values were recorded for plant height (23.9 cm), number of leaves (29.7), crown diameter (35.2 cm), photosynthesis rate (83.2 µmol m-2s-1), plant dry weight (16.2 g) and yield (324.8 g/plant) in lettuce plants treated with PH organic fertilizer. The highest values for leaf chlorophyll content (8.6 CCI) and stomatal conductance (408.7 mmol m-2s-1) were recorded in the control application, while BSF manure significantly increased root length (36.8 cm) and root dry weight (6.2 g). The potential of organic fertilizers as a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of soilless lettuce has been demonstrated. The utilization of protein hydrolysate has emerged as a pivotal aspect in the cultivation of lettuce. The %N content of organic fertilizers has been identified as a plant nutrient element affecting success in lettuce cultivation.

References

  1. Aruho, C., Kasozi, N., Atukunda, G. et al. (2026). Comparative performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a coupled aquaponics system using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under tropical conditions. Horticulturae, 12(2), 175. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020175
  2. Bantis, F., Tostsidis, N., Zervoudakis, G. et al. (2026). Root-zone heating boosts the production of mini romaine lettuce grown in nutrient film technique and aeroponics systems. Plants, 15(3), 422. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030422
  3. Caberoy, J., Ortuoste, J. (2025). Performance of lettuce cultivars applied with organic concoctions. Aloysian Interdiscip. J. Soc. Sci. Educ. Allied Fields, 1(6), 382–405. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18294502
  4. Choi, S., Colla, G., Cardarelli, M. et al. (2022). Effects of plant-derived protein hydrolysates on yield, quality, and nitrogen use efficiency of greenhouse grown lettuce and tomato. Agronomy, 12(5), 1018. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051018
  5. Choi, S., Colla, G., Cardarelli, M. et al. (2025). Effects of vegetal protein hydrolysate application method, nitrogen level, and nitrate-to-ammonium ratio on growth and composition of hydroponic lettuce. J. Sci. Food Agric., 105(1), 599–610. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13857
  6. Çilingir Tütüncü, A., Kutay Saka, A., Ay, A. et al. (2025). Potential use of different organic fertilizers in lettuce cultivation. Comp. Sci. Util., 32(3–4), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2025.2498328
  7. Durak, A., Polat, A.S. (2025). Reduction of chemical use in soilless lettuce cultivation with the use of mycorrhiza and vermicompost. Agrozal, 2(1), 34–41. https://izlik.org/JA64MH59BR
  8. Ghimire, S., Giri, H., Pandey, U. et al. (2026). Effect of various growing media on growth and yield of lettuce in hydroponics system at Lalitpur, Nepal. Int. J. Hortic. Sci., 32(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.31421/ijhs/32/2026/15782
  9. Kacar, B., İnal, A. (2008). Plant analysis. Nobel Yayın No 1241, Ankara, 892 p.
  10. Kilim, M., Yörük, E., Hazneci, E. et al. (2022). The effect of used different waste growing media on soilless lettuce cultivation. Anadolu J. Agric. Sci., 37(2), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.7161/omuanajas.1027549
  11. Korkmaz, K. (2018). Production and quality control of hydrolysates from the wastes of different fish types using commercial enzymes. PHD Thesis. Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Fisheries Engineering, Ordu University.
  12. Maboko, M.M., Du Plooy, C.P. (2007). Production of crisphead lettuce in a soilless production system. Afr. Crop Sci. Conf. Proc., 8, 319–325.
  13. Okudur, E., Ercan, N., 2016. The effects of different fertilizer application on yield and quality of lettuce grown in floating culture. Nevşehir Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, 5, 69–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.17100/nevbiltek.210967
  14. Parra, X., Musté, M., López, M. et al. (2026). Sustainable nutrient recovery from porcine slurry: agronomic evaluation of filtered and ozonated effluents in Internet-of-Things-enabled aeroponic lettuce cultivation. Horticulturae, 12(3), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030258
  15. Ramos, A.P. (2026). Vermitea and SNAP’s potential as a nutrient solution for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under a non-circulating hydroponics system. J. Agric. Sci., 21(1), 84–100. https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v21i1.11210
  16. Şahin, G. (2016). The fertilizer use state in Turkey and problems experienced about fertilizing. Turk. J. Agric. Econ., 22(1), 19–32. https://izlik.org/JA89UT53CJ
  17. Saraçoğlu, Ö.A., Kılıç, C.C., Duyar, H. (2020). The effects of different salinity levels (NaCI) on yield and plant growth in soilless culture head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). J. Inst. Sci. Technol., 10(2), 1370–1381. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.662029
  18. Savci, S. (2012). An agricultural pollutant: chemical fertilizer. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Dev., 3(1), 73.
  19. Turan, M., Ekinci, M., Yigider, E. et al. (2026). Biostimulants enhance the growth and nutritional quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Horticulturae, 12, 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010075
  20. Yıldırım, M., Bahar, E., Demirel, K., 2015. The effects of different irrigation levels on the yield and physical properties of lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa var. campania). COMU J. Agric. Fac., 3(1), 29–34. https://izlik.org/JA92AN95MN
  21. Yörük, E., Duran, H., Özer, H. et al. (2021). Determination of growth models in organic lettuce cultivation. Anadolu J. Agric. Sci., 36, 276–281. https://doi.org/10.7161/omuanajas.870778
  22. Zirebwa, F.S., Mhindu, R.L., Mhengera, L. et al. (2026). Liquid biofertilizers: types, production methods and potential use for vegetable production in hydroponic systems. In: A.D., Nciizah, H.A., Mupambwa, P., Nyambo, (eds), Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture in Africa. Sustainability Sciences in Asia and Africa. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-6009-7_3

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

<< < 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.