OFF-SEASON GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF TWO LETTUCE VARIETIES IN VERTICAL GARDEN INFLUENCED BY GROWTH MEDIA

Abstract

n experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University to evaluate the influence of growth media on off-season growth and yield performance of lettuce varieties in vertical garden. The experiment comprised of two factors, viz., Lettuce varieties (Green wave,V 1 and New red fire, V ) and Growth media (Control (100% Soil) P 0 2 , SVC (40% Soil + 40% Vermicompost + 20% Cocodust) P , SV (50% Soil + 50% Vermicompost), P 2 1 and SVS (20% Soil + 40% Vermicompost + 40% Spent Mushroom Compost), P ). Among the lettuce varieties, the highest yield per growth device (0.63 kg) was found from V 3 1 and the lowest (0.60 kg) from V . Considering the growth media, P 1 2 produced the highest yield per growth device (0.67 kg) and the lowest (0.57 kg) was from P . Regarding the interaction effect, the highest yield of individual growth device (0.71kg) was obtained from treatment combination V 0 and the lowest (0.54 kg) from V 2 P . According to single treatments and treatment combinations V 1 , P 1 and V 1 P 1 0 performed significantly better in terms of plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf area, circumference of canopy and fresh and dry weight of individual plants. V 2 P 1

performed better than others for marketable qualities and safety parameter. The highest (17011BDT) and lowest (13440BDT) gross income was obtained from V 1 P 1 and V 2 P treatment combination, respectively. The highest (1.37) and lowest (1.04) benefit cost ratio was noted for V 0 1 P 1 and V treatment combination. So, Green Wave variety with SVC mixture (40% Soil + 40% Vermicompost + 20% Cocodust) can be economically used for summer lettuce production in vertical garden.