Rates of Compost for Organic Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var.Xanadu) Production under Open Field

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Benguet State University Organic Demo Farm, La Trinidad, Benguet to determine the effects of the different rates of compost on some physical and chemical properties of the soil; determine the effect of different rates of compost on the yield of romaine lettuce and determine the economics of applying the different rates of compost on lettuce production under open field. The application of the different rates of compost significantly decreased the bulk density and increased the water holding capacity including the OM, N, P and K content of the soil and pH value. The marketable yield per square meter of romaine lettuce supplied with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 tons/ha produced a yield higher than what is reported in the literature. Application of 60, 80 and 100 tons/ha significantly affected the highest marketable yield of romaine lettuce per plot and per square meter but among the three rates 60, 80 and 100 tons/ha, application of 60 tons/ha gave the highest return on cash expense.