The effect of irrigation duration and interval on morphological traits and nutrient distribution of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a vertical farming system under diverse nutritional treatments

Hosseinzadeh, Mahdi; Alavieh San, Seyedeh Elnaz; Shabahang, Javad

doi:10.22034/idj.2026.553397.2634

The effect of irrigation duration and interval on morphological traits and nutrient distribution of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a vertical farming system under diverse nutritional treatments

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mahdi hosseinzadeh ¹

Seyedeh Elnaz Alavieh San ²

Javad Shabahang ³

¹ دانشجوی گروه علوم و مهندسی آب دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

² Bachelor's degree, Department of Agriculture and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

³ Retired professor, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/idj.2026.553397.2634

Abstract

Vertical farming, as a new agricultural method, allows for the production of quality products in limited spaces and with less resource consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of irrigation duration and intervals along with different nutritional treatments on morphological traits and nutrient distribution of lettuce in a vertical cropping system. The experiment was conducted as a factorial with three replications and three levels for each factor (short irrigation with short intervals, medium and long irrigation with long intervals; and high nitrogen, high potash and full balance solutions) in PVC pipe structures. The results showed that the long irrigation treatment with long intervals and complete equilibrium solution achieved the highest plant height (20.2 cm), fresh weight (508 g), dry weight (50.3 g), and root length (18.1 cm), which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Also, the nitrogen content in this treatment was 8 to 10 percent higher. This combination improved growth, increased nutrient uptake, and improved lettuce quality in vertical cultivation. Therefore, the combination of long irrigation intervals with a complete balance solution helps improve growth and nutrient uptake and is recommended as the optimal method for vertical cultivation of lettuce in controlled environments.

Keywords

Complete balance solution

high potassium

long irrigation

PVC

root length