Morphophysiological response of iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to rice hull biochar
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Abstract
Global food insecurity necessitates innovative, localized solutions to improve agricultural resilience, particularly in sloped or marginal lands where conventional farming is limited. This study evaluated the morphophysiological response of iceberg lettuce to varying concentrations of rice hull biochar in a raised-bed system under highland agro-ecological conditions in the Philippines. A randomized complete block design with three replications was implemented, testing five treatments: conventional practice, raised-bed with growing media (RBGM), and RBGM amended with 5%, 10%, and 15% rice hull biochar. Morphological parameters, chlorophyll content, and yield components were measured across two cropping cycles. Statistical analysis revealed that biochar-amended systems significantly improved head size, plant vigor, chlorophyll content, and dry matter yield compared to the control. The 5% and 15% biochar treatments consistently outperformed the conventional and unamended systems, with the latter yielding the largest head sizes in the second cropping cycle, suggesting both immediate and residual effects. The findings underscore the potential of rice hull biochar as a cost-effective, sustainable amendment that enhances soil properties and crop productivity in household-scale gardening systems. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting biochar’s role in regenerative agriculture, especially for resource-constrained settings, and offers practical recommendations for strengthening food self-sufficiency through home-based production.
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