Leaf Morphological Chara cteristics of Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as Affected by Different Colored Plastic Mulch

Edmar Franquera

doi:10.12944/carj.3.1.04

Abstract

Looseleaf and Romaine lettuce were grown in a vegetable experimental station in the University of the Philippines Los Banos to determine the effect of the different colored plastic mulch on the leaf morphological characteristics of the two lettuce varieties. A split plot following the Randomized Completely Block Design was used. Results of the study showed that red plastic mulch exhibited better response in terms of the different leaf morphology of the leaf lettuce. Lettuce leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf fresh and dry weight were higher when grown with red plastic mulch compared with the other colored plastic mulch. The result of the study showed that the color of the mulch had significant effect on the leaf morphological characteristics of the leaf lettuce.

Highlights

Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) which produces crisps leaves and has loosely arranged stalk is one of the most widely adapted type of lettuce
The color of the mulch affects the net photosynthesis of the plant (Ibarra-Jiménez et al, 2011) affects the growth and development of its vegetative parts such as the leaves especially on the initial stage of the plant. It modifies the microclimate around the plant by modifying the underlying temperature and affecting the surface temperature which affects the development and growth of plants (Franquera, 2011).Research on different colored plastic mulch has an increasing trends since plastic mulch color has been reported to increase growth, yield and including crop quality in several crops (Diana-Perez and Batal, 2002; White, 2001; Franquera, 2011; Lamont 2004)
The objective of the study is to determine the effect of the different colored plastic mulch on the leaf morphological characteristics of leaf lettuce

Summary

Introduction

Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) which produces crisps leaves and has loosely arranged stalk is one of the most widely adapted type of lettuce. The color of the mulch affects the net photosynthesis of the plant (Ibarra-Jiménez et al, 2011) affects the growth and development of its vegetative parts such as the leaves especially on the initial stage of the plant. It modifies the microclimate around the plant by modifying the underlying temperature and affecting the surface temperature which affects the development and growth of plants (Franquera, 2011).Research on different colored plastic mulch has an increasing trends since plastic mulch color has been reported to increase growth, yield and including crop quality in several crops (Diana-Perez and Batal, 2002; White, 2001; Franquera, 2011; Lamont 2004). The objective of the study is to determine the effect of the different colored plastic mulch on the leaf morphological characteristics of leaf lettuce

Objectives

Methods

Results