Fish-based organic nutrients in hydroponics: A viable alternative to chemical fertilizers for lettuce growth

Abstract

These findings indicated that butterhead lettuce in the presence of commercial chemical nutrient solution was remarkably superior to any of the methods applied to grow it in all attributes, as depicted: average height of the plants was 11.87 cm, leaf width was 10.57 cm, as well as an increase in leaf length, canopy size, root length, and post-trim weight. The variance was above odds at 95% accuracy. Of all organic solutions, the one supplemented with fish fertilizer, vermicompost extract, and liquid organic fertilizer at a 3:1:1 ratio yielded the second-best growth, with improved height, leaf width, and plant mass. Additionally, the existing research is indicated that using organics (presumably fish-based additives) to enhance an environmentally friendly and effective alternative to conventional fertilizers for hydroponic vegetable production, as it can reduce the use of these chemicals.