CARRIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

NAME OF CANDIDATE: Divia Mohabir

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

CENTRE NAME: Hope Secondary School

CENTRE NUMBER:090025

TITLE OF PROJECT: The Effects Of Growing Lettuce Using Synthetic

Mulching And Organic Mulching From Seedlings To Maturity

INTRODUCTION

Name of candidate: Divia Mohabir

Name of project: Crop production

Location: Hope Secondary School Farm

Starting Date:

Termination Date:
TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Statement of problem

2. Aim

3. Experimental design

4. List of materials

5. Description of activities

6. Data of collection

7. Presentation of data

8. Interpretation of data

9. Discussions of findings

10.Conclusions

11.Limitation

12.Recommendations

13.References

14.Projected budgets

15.Actual budget

16.Comparing of budget
1.STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Over the years farmers have complained about their lettuce plant not being fully develop

when is expose to dried sunlight’s they are unable to make a maximums profit. As a

result of this an experiment has been conducted do determine the effect of using synthetic

mulching as a opposed to organic mulching to grow the lettuce plant.

 2. AIM

To determine whether lettuce grows better using synthetic mulching or organic mulching.

3.EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
For the purpose of this experiment, the researcher will sow lettuce seedlings on two beds of

same dimensions. The researcher will label the two beds, bed A and B. The lettuce on bed A will

be done using synthetic mulching while bed B will be using organic mulching. The experiment

will be carried out until the crops are ready to be harvesting.

During the course of the experiment, the researcher will select five random lettuce from each

bed. The height of the lettuce and width of its leaf will be measured white the colour will be

observed. The data recording will be placed on a table in separate columns. The data recorded to

determine which method is the best for growing lettuce plant.

4.LIST OF MATERIALS
  File

 Water can

 Twine

 Fork

 Shovel

 Measuring tape

 Pegs

 Hoe

 Spade

 Bucket

 Construction plastic

 Dry grass

 Knife

 Wheelbarrow

 Insecticide

 Knapsack spray

5.DISCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES
  Land preparation

A plot of land from the school's farm was selected for the cultivation of lettuce plants under the

conditions organic mulching and inorganic mulching. The plot of land was cleared manually

with the use of a cutlass (hand pulling). This was done to remove unwanted vegetation, foreign

objects and existing plant residue. Clearing also allows crop plants to obtain sufficient soil

nutrients moisture, direct sunlight and adequate root space. Hosts of various insects' pests and

weeds were destroyed thus encouraging healthy growth and maximum yield.

 Ploughing/Forking

Ploughing was done alone with the use of large garden forks. This was done to break surface

Soil and to turn the top up soil to a desirable depth by doing this the subsoil is exposed to

sunlight and done on the next farm visit. ther atmosphere condition.. Ploughing also helpy the

soil Particles to boom loose this allows Various objects such as plastic bottles, plastic bags, food

boxes, glass bottles, pieces of Sticks and pieces of rocks were observed on this plot during

clearing. These objects were collected discarded ploughing of the plot will be done on the next

farm visit.

 Constructing of beds and drains

Constructing beds and drains, or ridges and furrows The formation of beds and drains, or ridges

and furrows allows the removal of excess soil from the root zone of plants. Well balanced soil

particles have an abundance of small pore spaces with a good balance air and water. This was

done by the use of a fork, shovel, spade, cutlass and hands.

 Transplanting of seedlings

You should transplant lettuce outside after it has grown undercover for 4-6 weeks, and reached

the height of 2-3 inches. The earliest time to do this is 3-4 weeks before the last frost, but you

can transplant lettuce any time after that. Allow for 7-10 days of hardening off before moving

outside. Growing lettuce directly in the ground is easy, especially when setting it up for the “cut-

and-come-again” method. You just sprinkle the seeds in rows and you’re good to go. Often times

you don’t even need to thin loose-leaf lettuce, since the stronger seedlings tend to suppress the

smaller seedlings from growing. So why go through all the hassle of tending to lettuce seedlings

for weeks to come? The answer is simple: growing head lettuce requires different conditions than

growing loose-leaf lettuce. 

 Care and maintainace

Lettuce grows best in loose, cool soil with good drainage. The addition of organic materials,

such as compost or manure, will increase drainage, provide essential nutrients and improve your

lettuce growing conditions. If you've had trouble with lettuce growth, consider purchasing a soil

test kit.
  Pest and diseases control

Lettuce Insecticides or Chemical Control Bacillus thuringiensis is a natural soil bacterium, which

can aid in the eradication of caterpillars. Spinosad is used to control the Lepidopteron larvae and

leaf miners. Its use over years; however, has resulted in resistance in some insects species. Over-

watering or planting in poorly drained soils must be avoided to prevent root diseases and seed

decay. Plants should be irrigated without applying water to the foliage, which helps reduce most

foliar lettuce diseases, particularly bacterial leaf spot.

Data Collection

Average Height and Width of Plants

 Table 4, showing the average height of inorganic and organic mulched beds

Week 1 2 Week Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6

4.6 cm 8.3cm 8.8cm 9.4cm 9.8cm 10.2cm

4.1cm 6.1cm 6.7cm 6.7cm 6.7cm 8.9cm

Table 4, showing the average height of inorganic and organic mulched beds

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6

9cm 9cm 10.2cm 11cm 11.8cm 12.7cm

8.3cm 7.3cm 8.0cm 8.3cm 8.8cm 9.2cm

Plants      Week 1           Week 2           Week 3           Week 4             Week 5            Week 6

Height Width Height Width Height Width Height Width Height Width Height Width
of of of of of of of of of of of of
plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants
Pla 7cm 4cm 10.2c 8.3c 11.3c 8.8c 11.8c 9.2c 12.7c 9.8c 13.9c 10cm
nt 1
m m m m m m m m m
 Pla 11c 5cm 9.9c 8.6c 10cm 10.5c 10.9c 10.9c 11.4c 11.2c 12.6c 11.8c
nt 2
m m m m m m m m m m
Pla 9cm 5cm 9.2c 7.8c 9.8c 8cm 11cm 8.7c 11.2c 9cm 11.8c 9.6c
nt 3
m m m m m m m
Pla 9cm 5cm 8cm 9.8c 8.9c 9.2c 10cm 9.8c 10.9c 10.2c 11.9c 10.7c
nt 4
m m m m m m m m
Pla 9cm 4cm 7.7c 6.4c 9.2c 7cm 10.3c 7.5c 10.7c 7.9c 11.6c 8.3c
nt 5
m m m m m m m m m
Pla 9cm 5cm 11.5c 9cm 12.4c 9.5c 12.8c 10cm 14cm 10.8c 14.8c 11cm
nt 6
m m m m m m
Table 1, showing width and height of inorganic mulched beds

Plant       Week 1           Week 2            Week 3             Week 4            Week 5          Week 6

Height Width Height Width of Height of Width Height Width Height of Width Height of Width
of of of plants plants of of of plants of plants of
plants plants plants plants plants plants plants plants
Plant
1
10c 5cm 7.5c 7.5c 7.9cm 7.8c 8.3c 8.1c 8.8cm 8.9c 9.2cm 9.4c
m m m m m m m m
Plant
2
9cm 3cm 10.5 4.5c 10.7c 5.2c 11c 5.7c 11.4c 6.9c 11.8c 7.3c
cm m m m m m m m m m
Plant
3
8cm 5cm 8cm 7cm 8.9cm 7.5c 9.2c 8cm 9.8cm 9cm 10cm 9.6c
m m m
Plant
4
7cm 3cm 5cm 5.5c 6cm 6.3c 6.5c 6.9c 6.8cm 7.7c 7.3cm 8.2c
m m m m m m
Plant
5
9cm 5cm 6cm 6.5c 6.7cm 7cm 6.9c 8cm 7.4cm 8.6c 7.9cm 9.5c
m m m m
Plant
6
7cm 4cm 7cm 5.5c 7.5cm 6.1c 8cm 8cm 8.5cm 8.9c 9cm 9.7c
m m m m
Table 2, showing width and height of organic mulched beds

Presentation of Data
 Interpretation of Data

The bar graph in figure 1 shows a comparison of the width of lettuce grown in inorganic and
organic mulch. As can been seen from figure 1 the average width for inorganic mulched beds of
lettuce was 4.6cm while inorganic average which was 4.1cm at week 1. By the end of week 2 the
width for both had increased approximately 45% more than week 1 with inorganic being 8.3cm
and organic 6.1cm. It was recorded in week 3 for inorganic mulches 88.8cm and organic 6.7cm.
On the 4th week there was a gradual increase of 9.4cm or inorganic mulched beds and 8.2cm or
organic. At the end of the 5th week of cultivating lettuce the average width where 9.8cm and
8.3cm respectively. For the final week of cultivation before harvesting the average width per
lettuce plant was recorded at 10.2cm for inorganic mulching and 8.9cm for organic mulched bed.
It was discovered that plants grow on inorganic mulched beds grow a few centimeter wider than
that of the lettuce grown on organic mulched beds. 

The column graph in figure 2 shows a comparison of the height of lettuce grown in inorganic and
organic mulch. As is shown in figure 2 the average height for inorganic mulched beds of lettuce
was 9cm while organic average which was 8.3cm at week 1. By the end of week 2 the height for
both had increased approximately 45% more than week 1 with inorganic being 8cm and organic
7.3cm. It was recorded in week 3 for inorganic mulches 10.2cm and organic 8.0cm. On the 4th
week there was a gradual increase of 11cm or inorganic mulched beds and 8.3cm or organic. At
the end of the 5th week of cultivating lettuce the average height 11.8cm where 9.8cm and 8.3cm
respectively. For the final week of cultivation before harvesting the average width per lettuce
plant was recorded at 12.7cm for inorganic mulching and 9.2cm for organic mulched bed. It was
discovered that plants grow on inorganic mulched beds grow a few centimeter wider than that of
the lettuce grown on organic mulched beds.
 Discussion

The experiment was carried out to determine the effects of the growing of lettuce using
organic and synthetic mulching from seedlings to maturity. The purpose of this experiment, the
researcher sowed lettuce seedlings on two beds of equal dimensions. The researcher named two
beds, bed A and bed B. The lettuce on bed A was done using organic mulching and bed B was
done using synthetic mulching. The experiment was carried out until the crops was ready to be
harvested.
During the experiment, the researcher selected 6 random lettuces from each bed. The height
of the lettuce and width of it’s leaves was measured while the color was observed. The data
recorded was placed on a table in a separate columns. The researcher was then interpret and
analyze the data recorded to determine which method is the best for growing lettuce plants.
 Conclusion
It has concluded based on how lettuce grows better using organic mulching or synthetic
mulching.
 Limitations
Throughout the research the researcher had encounter difficulties some of those difficulties are:
 Tools
Some of the problems faced with the tools were, they were blunt, rusted and some were
broken
 Covid 19
It has affected the demand and the production of the crop

 Larceny
There have been numerous thefts of crops.

 Insects 
This is one of the main problems faced in the growing of lettuce.
 Recommendations

One way of fixing the problem with the tools is by getting new ones and have better storage and
handling of tools, also keep records of each tools used which can prevent them from being stolen
or even lost.
To maximize insects from attacking the plants by using natural pest control it can prevent the
insects from entering and destroying the crops.
Keep records for the farm tools, crops and other implements and have proper fencing.
 References

 Agarwal S, Sariam RK, Meena RC, Tyagi A and Srivastava GC (2006) Effects of excess
and deficient levels of iron and copper on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes
activity in wheat. J. Plant Sci., 1: 86-97.

 Abdel-Kader DZEA (2007) Role of nitric oxide on iron homeostasis, chlorophyll

biosynthesis and antioxidants system in two wheat cultivars. Am. J. Plant Physiol., 2:
237-250.
 Analysis
Upon completion of the project there was an actual profit/surplus of $12,200 compared with a
projected profit of $10,000. This shows an increase of $12,200 in the actual profit based on what
was projected. There was also a lower actual expenditure $3800 in comparison to a projected
expenditure of $5000, a decrease of $550, even though no money was spent on pen manure and
miscellaneous, money had to be spent on value addition, which was not projected for. In addition
maximum profit was made due to an increase in the actual income, $16000, compared to
projected income $15000. This was due to an increase in the price because of the vegetables
scarcity and demand. This actually accounted for the drastic increase in the profit made.
 Projected Budget
Growing Lettuce 
Projected income Quantity Unit Price Total ($)
($)
Sale of Lettuce 100 head $100 $10000
s
Total projected income 150 head $100 $15000
s

Projected expenditure Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Lettuce seedlings 110 bags $10 $1100
Polythene 1 bags $300 $300
Insecticide 1 bottl $800 $800
e
Pen manure 2 bags $250 $500
Construction plastic 2 yards $150 $300
Transportation 1 - $1000 $1000
Miscellaneous 1 - $1000 $1000
Total projected Expenditure - - - $5000

Projected profit = Total projected income – Total projected expenditure

Projected profit = $15000 - $5000 = $10,000
Projected profit = $10,000
Actual Budget
Actual Income Quantity Unit Price Total ($)
($)
Sale of 100 heads $160 $16000
Lettuce
Actual Income $16000

Actual Expenditure Quantit Unit Price Total ($)

y ($)
Lettuce seedlings 110 - $10 $1100
Polythene 1 - $300 $300
Insecticide 1 bottle $800 $500
Pen manure - - - -
Construction Plastic 2 yards $200 $400
Transportation 1 - $1000 $1000
Miscellaneous - - - -
Value Addition Transportation Plastic bags 2 2lbs pack $250 $500
Actual Expenditure - - - $3,800
Actual Profit = Actual income – Actual Expenditure
                      = $16,000 - $3,800
                      = $12,200
Total Actual Profit = $12,200
Comparison of Budget
Comparison of projected and Actual Income
The actual income was higher than the projected income because it was projected that the lettuce
would have been sold at $100 but was actually sold for $160 due to the current market price at
the time of harvest. 

Comparison of projected and Actual Expenditure

The actual expenditure was higher than the projected expenditure because it was projected that
the total cost for all the items needed was $3,800 but the total cost for all the items needed was
actually $5000.