Major practice in leafy vegetable production using Hydroponics technology [manuscript]
Date
2019
Authors
Efren S. Madayag
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Abstract
The major practice (MP) was conducted at the Central Luzon State University Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technologies (CHAT), Demonstration Farm and Experimental Station of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, under the College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University from October 2017 to January 2018.
The general objective of the major practice was to develop skills of the student in the production management of leafy vegetables using hydroponics technology and to gain more knowledge about cultural management and post-harvest practice in leafy vegetables, to acquire first hand experience in leafy vegetables specifically lettuce and mustard production using hydroponics technology, to become more familiar with hydroponics technology and how it works and to present a cost and return analysis and producing leafy vegetable using hydroponics technology.
All labor requirements were provided by the major practice student while inputs and other facilities were provided by the project. During the conduct of the major practice, the student was able to develop skills involved in the actual cultural management production practices of leafy vegetables using the technology at CHAT. The skills indicate the understanding the operation and maintenance of the greenhouse system, preparation management of nutrient solution, harvesting, handling and marketing. The lettuce and mustard were grown in the layer type system with the recirculating production model and automated nutrient delivery of nutrient solution. The lettuce and mustard were grown in 6 pvc pipes with 8m long consisting of 350 holes with 5 cm distance between holes.
The profitability analysis of lettuce produced Php 398.00 with 45.90% return on expenses (ROE). On the other hand mustard, after deducting the total expenses from the gross income, net loss Php 532.00 recorded. Thus, between lettuce and mustard, growing lettuce was found more profitable than mustard because of higher valued resulting to higher net income.