Abstract

This study investigated the suitability of three organic planting media (sawdust, rice husk, and loamy soil) for growing lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in an open environment in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A randomized complete block design with three treatments (media types) replicated five times was employed. The pH values of the media ranged from 8.5 (loamy soil) to 11.7 (sawdust). Porosity values were highest in sawdust (0.84) and lowest in loamy soil (0.20). Rice husk exhibited the highest moisture retention capacity, followed by sawdust and then loamy soil. Lettuce grown in the loamy soil medium had the highest total number of leaves (573), followed by sawdust (370) and rice husk (56). These findings suggest that while rice husk offered superior moisture retention, it may not provide optimal conditions for lettuce growth compared to other media with lower porosity but higher initial nutrient content (loamy soil). This research highlights the importance of considering both moisture retention and inherent nutrient content when selecting organic growth media for lettuce production under specific climatic conditions.

Key Words: Lettuce, Soil Moisture, Organic Planting Media, Drip Irrigation, Soilless Cultivation