Determining the Effect of Water Consumption and Different Photosynthetic Photon Flux Densities on Yield of Lettuce Grown in a Hydroponic System

Cafer Gencoglan; Serpil Gençoğlan

doi:10.24925/turjaf.v14i8.2109-2121.9181

Authors

Cafer Gencoglan Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Agricultural, Department of Biosystem, 46050, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4559-4354
Serpil Gençoğlan Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Agricultural, Department of Biosystem, 46050, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7390-8365

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v14i8.2109-2121.9181

Keywords:

Lettuce, hydroponic, water culture, PAR, NFT, PLC, PPFD

Abstract

This study aimed to determine crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and evaluate the effects of different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) on the growth and yield of hydroponically grown lettuce cultivated in a modified Nutrient Film Technique (MNFT) system. The experimental system consisted of three vertically arranged PVC growing channels equipped with a PLC-based automation and control system. White LED projectors were installed above the upper channel to create three PPFD treatments. Average PPFD values measured at the plant canopy level were 160, 260, and 320 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, designated as PPFD160, PPFD260, and PPFD320, respectively. Forty-two ‘Maritima’ lettuce seedlings were transplanted into the system and grown for 59 days. Nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC), pH, temperature, relative humidity, and water consumption were continuously monitored. Daily crop evapotranspiration ranged from 0.0046 to 0.11 L plant⁻¹, while total ETc reached 3.3 L plant⁻¹ during the growing period. A strong power-function relationship was observed between cumulative ETc and growing days (ETc = 0.0022GD¹·⁷⁵, R² = 0.98). Final whole plant fresh weights under PPFD160, PPFD260, and PPFD320 were 143.86, 311.77, and 498.98 g plant⁻¹, respectively. Statistical analyses indicated that PPFD significantly affected total plant weight, head weight, and root weight (p < 0.01). Lettuce grown under higher PPFD levels produced greater biomass and yield components than plants grown under lower light intensity. The results demonstrated that increasing PPFD enhanced plant growth and productivity in the MNFT system while maintaining efficient water use. These findings provide useful information for optimizing artificial lighting and irrigation management in hydroponic lettuce production systems.

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