COMPA RA TIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF

DIFFERENT SOIL pH - LEVEL ON THE GROW TH

A ND REPRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT OF LETTUCE
(L actuca sativa)

Barrameda, Bennedict G.
Campollo, Carl Henry J.
Gonzales, Naomi Eloiza T.
Maghanoy, Shaira Mae D.
Tapia, Ederlene Mishine D.
Background of the Study
Lactuca sativaor lettuce is a well-known plant worldwide due to its use in preparing popular
foods such as salad and soup

Lettuce production in lower lands in the Philippines is considered impractical due to its
tropical climate, which makes it hard for the crop to cultivate and foster (Gonzaga et al.,
2018). The increasing demand in the country's market has brought to fore the need to
produce lettuce (Gonzaga et al., 2018).
Several factors are considered in cultivating lettuce (Gonzaga et al., 2018), such as soil
condition to yield high-quality crops.

The pH-level of soil can naturally be acid or alkaline and having an equitable pH is healthy and
nourishing for the crop. Different soil pH-level contributes to numerous factors such as plant
growth, availability of fertilizer nutrients, and the crop's characteristics (Gentili et al., 2018).

In line with the Philippines, having a tropical climate means having less seasonal planting for
crops that require lower temperatures like lettuces (Nikesch, 2017).
Statement of the Problem
The researchers seeks to find the answer to the following question:

1.Which pH-level is the most effective in 2.What are the effects of various soil pH-
the growth and reproductive investment level in Lactuca sativa in the following
of the Lactuca sativa? parameters?

a. pH Level 3 a. Plant height

b. pH Level 5 b. Fresh and Dry weight
c. pH Level 7 c. Leaf area
d. pH Level 9 d. Leaf coloration
e. pH Level 11

3. Is there a significant relationship between soil pH level and the above-mentioned

parameters?
Methodology

Gathering of Tools/Equipment

Acquisition and Authentication of Lettuce

Collection and Preparation of Soil

Preparation of Deionized Water for the Analysis of Soil

Analysis of Soil pH Level

Methodology

Modification of Soil pH

Germination of Lettuce Seeds

Preparation of Experimental Set-Up

Testing of Parameters

Statistical Analysis
Results and Discussion
The Effects of different pH levels of soil in the growth and
reproductive investment of the Lactuca sativa.

Growth Development of Lettuce Plants on pH Level 3 Growth Development of Lettuce Plants on pH Level 5
from Day 1 to Day 5. from Day 1 to Day 5.
Results and Discussion

Growth Development of Lettuce Plants on pH Level 7 from Growth Development of Lettuce Plants on pH Level 9 from
Week 1 to Week 4 Week 1 to Week 4
Results and Discussion

Growth Development of Lettuce Plants on pH Level 11 Average Height of Lettuce Plants on varying soil pH
from Week 1 to Week 4 Level measured daily for 10 days after germination
period.
Results and Discussion

Dry Weight of Lettuce Plants on varying soil pH Level Fresh Weight of Lettuce Plants on varying soil pH Level
measured after harvesting on 24th day. measured after harvesting on 24th day.
 Conclusion
The Lactuca sativa planted on acidic Lettuce planted in a soil pH-level of 7
soil with a pH level of 3 and 5 did not obtained an average height of 5.78. The
show any evidence of growth. highest among all the set-ups.

While pH level 7 is ideal for microbial On the other hand, lettuce plants grown
activity, some plants can have difficulty at pH level 7 produced a total mean
extracting nutrients from the soil if the fresh weight of 2.63 g, the highest of all
pH is too low or too big. the set-ups.

2 out of 4 plants with a soil pH-level of There is no result for significance level
9 were unable to prosper but half of on the dry weight due to the fact that
them were able to acquire enough the data gathered were all equal to zero
nutrients to grow. (0).
 Conclusion
The total average leaf area of lettuce in The most effective soil pH-level in the
varying pH level in increasing order is growth and reproduction investment of
as follows: the Lactuca Sativa is the soil pH-level 7
0.82 cm² (pH level 9)
1.19 cm² (pH level 11)
1.52 cm² (pH level 7)
Lactuca sativa planted on acidic soil
were unable to sustain crop growth
while an alkaline soil fostering the
pH level 7 produced the best leaf production of selected plants.
coloration as it matches the predicted
color of lettuce.
Recommendation

01 Make the temperature as a controlled

variable. 04 Avoid having too low or too high pH levels.

Experiment with different pH levels for

02 Consider the amount of water that the
plants require based on their pH levels. 05 alkaline and acidic soils, try to choose
between 5, 6, 8, and 9 pH levels.

Consider the ideal growing location and Choose a plant that will thrive the most in
03 temperature for Lactuca sativa. If the
researchers intend to grow lettuce in a
06 the location where the experiment will be
conducted.
warm planting spot, the plants should have
indirect sunlight.
Thank you!