Performance of lettuce plants under organic mulch and LEDs light colors

Abstract

This study was performed out at net house, privet farm, Cairo-Alexandria desert road, 80 Km, to present the positive role of using different types of organic mulch; different LEDs (light-emitting diodes) light colors and their combination on lettuce plants as growth and yield. Three types of organic mulch i.e., (mushroom wastes, compost and palm fibers) compared to bare soil and four LEDs light colors i.e., (white, yellow, green and "red + blue + green") plus natural light. Seedlings of lettuce cv. Iceberg were transplanting at 1^st November through 2019 and 2020seasons. The study was conducted in a split plot design with three replications. Results obtained that using different types of organic mulch, different LEDs light colors and their combination had a significant overall tested parameters (plant length, number of leaves/head, fresh and dry weights of leaves, leaves contents from N, P and K and total heads yield/m²). In general, cultivated lettuce plants with using different types organic mulch and different LEDs light colors enhanced all tested parameters compared to bare soil or/and natural light. The most positive role of tested factors was noticed with using compost mulch, LEDs "R + B+ G" colors and their combination as compost mulch plus LEDs "R + B+ G colors", which, had greatest values of all tested parameters more than other treatments.