Effects of Myko Plus and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Romaine Lettuce and on Soil Properties under Conventional Farming System

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Agroforestry Experimental Area of Benguet State University from January 2016 to May 2016 with the following objectives; 1) Determine the effect of MykoPlus and rates of inorganic fertilizer on the soil physical, chemical and biological properties; 2.) Determine the effect of MykoPlus and rates of inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of romaine lettuce and 3.) Determine the profitability of application of MykoPlus and rates of inorganic fertilizer in conventional romaine lettuce production. The application of MykoPlus and rates of inorganic fertilizer had a lower bulk density of the soil, higher soil pH, lower nitrogen content of the soil and lower phosphorus content of the soil. Moreover, it affected also the growth and yield of romaine lettuce. It affected the growth parameter as leaf diameter, root length, final height and yield parameters which are individual weight without trimmings, individual weight with trimmings, marketable yield, non-marketable yield and total yield. However, the combined application of MykoPlus and inorganic fertilizer had significant interaction effect on the following: soil bulk density, soil water holding capacity, soil pH of the soil, nitrogen content of the soil. But it had significant effect on the individual weight without trimmings, individual weight with trimmings, marketable yield and total yield Plants applied with MykoPlus and 150% recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer had registered the highest marketable yield that resulted to higher return on cash expense.