Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the response of lettuce on salinity, an experiment was carried out to determine its yield, growth components and organoleptic properties. Methods/Statistical analysis: It was laid out in completely randomized design, replicated thrice, and grown in the following treatments: T1 (Control) - 100%garden soil (GS); T2 - 100% strongly saline soil (SS); and T3 –strongly saline soil amended with vermicompost and pulverized eggshell in a 2:1:0.25 ratio (SVE). Findings: No germination occurred in strongly saline soil (8.32 ds/m) while germination and growth was observed in lettuce sown in saline soil amended with 50% vermicompost and 12.5% pulverized eggshell. There was also a decrease in soil salinity for about 77% (from 8.27 to 1.09 ds/m). As expected, profuse growth was observed in lettuce grown in GS (1.53 ds/m). Moreover, crops grown in GS and SVE had high sensory evaluation results since sensory attributes such as texture, succulence, color, taste and aroma were extremely liked by the respondents. Application/Improvements: Generally, the addition of vermicompost and pulverized eggshell in a strongly saline soil could lessen soil salinity, make the seeds germinate and induce lettuce to grow.

Keywords: Lettuce, Saline soil, Vermicompost, Pulverized eggshell, Sensory evaluation