Evaluación de la productividad de lechuga crespa (Lactuca sativa) en un sistema hidropónico NFT, en la Estación Agropecuaria UTPL.

Abstract

Abstract: Vegetable production is one of the main economic activities of small farmers in the canton of Loja-Ecuador. The present study evaluated the yield of lettuce cultivation in a hydroponic NFT (Nutrient FilmTechnique) system, and compared it with the open field production records of the UTPL Agricultural Station. The variables evaluated were: yield, total production, B/C economic analysis. The results indicate that the NFT hydroponic system achieved a better performance when compared with the open field production data of the UTPL Agricultural Station. In the parameters evaluated, it should be noted that yield (survival) showed no statistical difference, harvest time was less in the hydroponic system (55 days) compared to the open field (80 days). Total weight production in the NFT system was 13.66% higher than in the open field system. The Benefit/Cost (B/C) ratio of the NFT hydroponic system indicates profitability in the fifth year of production, this is due to the high implementation costs of the hydroponic system.