Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth and

Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) of Cebu Youth Farmers Organization in

Taptap Cebu City, Cebu.

Mary Jairen C. Santander

INTRODUICTION

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and

other nutrients. It contains incredible sources of essential nutrients and its
benefits to health has been confirmed be modern scientific researchers
(Masasirambi et al..2010).It is among the most important crops that need to be
grown originally. Current, many commercial growers produce lettuce like
gourment’s farm because it is still one of the most demanded salad kits foe
heathier lifestyle, when is grown organically (Poliquit et al.. 2019).According to
Bersale at al..(2018)in Philippine Statistics Authority , the production of lettuce in
the year of 2017 was 4,033 metric tons from 494 hectares in the year of 2016.

Fertilizer is a very essential input in lettuce production. The application

of fertilizer in necessary for enhancing the oil nutrient status and increasing crop
yield (Olaniyi et al.. 2010).lettuce required adequate level in nitrogen
(N),phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for a high quality harvest. The use of
inorganic fertilizer can improve crop yield, soil Ph and total nutrient content and
availability, but its use is limited due to scarity, high cost, nutrient inbalance and
soil fertility has been advocated (Lion Heart Farm,2020). Fermented organic
fertilizer can contribute with an additional supply of N by the mineralization of
the organic matter , having impact on more advanced stages of the plants (Sogn
et ..,20218). Thus , a fermented organic grower need not fear reduced yields,
and in growing and marketing lettuce in a crisp , fresh and attractive condition,
pot culture is recommended (University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment
Station et al..,1997). Using the fermented organic fertilizer in growing crops will
result in improving soil fertility that helps to increase crop productivity without
harming the environment, ecosystem and especially the health of human. Hence,
this study evaluated which of the organic fermented sources is the best and the
growth and yield of lettuce compared to inorganic fertilizers.
OBJECTIVES

This study specifically aimed to:

1. Examine the growth and yield performance of lettuce applied with

inorganic and organic fertilizers;
2. Distinguish the effective organic fertilizer compared to inorganic fertilizer
for the growth and yield of lettuce; and
3. Analyze and profitability of lettuce applied with organic fertilizer and to
inorganic fertilizer.
REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

Status of Lettuce Production in the Philippines

In the Philippines, lettuce is considered one of the most important salad

crops, and also used as garnishing for food preparations. Currently, many
commercial growers in the country produce lettuce because it is still one of the
most demanded salad kits for healthier lifestyle. It is mainly produced in the
highlands of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with a higher markets
(Estro et al., 2007). The number of medium to small farming operation in the
mid-to-high-elevation areas of the country producing mixed varieties of pechay
has increased in the last five years. Harvest volume of the leafy veggie have
grown because of the increase demand from farmer’s markets, suoermarkets,
hotel, restaurants, fast-food chains, and high-end food service companies
(Rodriguez st al., 2018).

The top pechay producing province in the country is Benguet in

Northern Luzon’s (CAR). The Northern Mindanao region has the highest
production among the regions in the Philippines as of year 2017 which was 1,687
thousand metric tons form a production area of 494 hectares (Philippines
Statistical Authority [PSA], 2017).