ItemArticle

Hydroponic cultivation of lettuce: evaluating yield and quality across different systems

Title
Hydroponic cultivation of lettuce: evaluating yield and quality across different systems
Creator
Thomas, Tinu; Biradar, M.S.; Chimmad, V.P.; Janagoudar, B.S.
Description
The increasing demand for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in India, driven by changing dietary habits, health consciousness, and declining arable land, necessitates protected cultivation systems for a sustainable production of high-value vegetables. Limited research has been conducted on optimizing lettuce cultivation systems under protected conditions in India. This study evaluated the performance of three growing systems, soil-based, aggregate hydroponics, and a vertical A-frame nutrient film technique, under controlled greenhouse conditions. Three lettuce cultivars were assessed for growth, yield, and nutritional parameters. The nutrient film technique system achieved the highest leaf fresh weight (96.73 g) and marketable yield. Lettuce grown in the nutrient film technique also exhibited superior nutritional quality, with increased ascorbic acid (7.03 mg 100 g?1) and carotenoid (4.48 g g?1) content. Additionally, the vertical nutrient film technique system optimized space utilization, supporting 26 plants per square meter and significantly increasing the number of marketable leaves compared to soil-based and aggregate hydroponics. These results highlight the potential of vertical nutrient film technique cultivation to enhance lettuce productivity, nutritional quality, and resource efficiency, presenting a promising solution for sustainable urban agriculture and protected cultivation in India. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Source
International Journal of Vegetable Science;Volume;32;Issue;1;pp.53-70
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Subject
nutrient film technique; quality; soilless culture; Urban horticulture; vertical farming
Coverage
Thomas T., Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Karnataka, Dharwad, India, Department of Life Sciences, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Biradar M.S., Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad, Karnataka, India; Chimmad V.P., Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Karnataka, Dharwad, India; Janagoudar B.S., Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Karnataka, Dharwad, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 19315260;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Thomas, Tinu; Biradar, M.S.; Chimmad, V.P.; Janagoudar, B.S., “Hydroponic cultivation of lettuce: evaluating yield and quality across different systems,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 17, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22748.

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