Influence of Cow Dung Extract Complemented with Nutrient Solution on the Growth Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L)

Limited studies have focused on plant growth performance using organic-based solutions complemented with mineral elements in a hydroponic system. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the growth performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as influenced by cow dung extract combined with a hydroponic nutrient solution. Treatments considered as four different levels of aerated cow dung extracts (C), viz., C1 = 50 g l-1, C2 =100 g l-1, C3 =150 g l-1 and C4 =200 g l-1 and four strengths of standard nutrient solution (S), viz, S1 = 30% of standard nutrient solution, S2 = 40% of standard nutrient solution, S3 = 50% of standard nutrient solution and S4 = 60% of standard nutrient solution. The experiment was carried out using a deep flow technique in a semi-greenhouse. Various growth and physiological parameters were measured in this experiment. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis with 4 replicates by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS. In the case of growth parameters, the tallest plant (23.54 cm), maximum number of leaves per plant (17.01) broadest leaf (13.32 cm), and the highest fresh weight (112.05 g/plant) were recorded from C3 while the lowest in C1. For hydroponic nutrient solution, the tallest plant (23.13 cm), the maximum number of leaves per plant (16.66), the widest leaf breath (14.17 cm), and the highest fresh weight (116.0 g/plant) were recorded from S4 while the lowest in S1. On the other hand, physiological traits viz. leaf area, net assimilation ratio, and relative growth rate were statistically higher in C3 and lowest in C1. In the nutrient solution, all physiological parameters were highest in S4 and the lowest in S1. In the case of the interaction effect, the highest fresh weight and almost all the parameters were found best in C3S4 and the lowest in C1S1. Therefore, the analysis showed that in terms of growth promotion properties hydroponic nutrient solution along with cow dung extract had a substantial impact and C3S4 was the most preferable treatment combination. Based on these findings, in a hydroponic system, an inorganic nutrient solution combined with organic liquid fertilizer derived from cow dung extract (as an alternative nutrient source) requires further improvements to achieve optimal growth and yield.