Evaluation of the effectiveness of supplemental lights vs no supplemental lights on hydroponically grown lettuce
Date
2017
Authors
Al-Houti, Fatima, author
Newman, Steven, advisor
Heuberger, Adam, committee member
Bunning, Marisa, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the literature from the past 20 years regarding the evaluation of the Effectiveness of Supplemental lights vs No supplemental lights on Organic and Synthetic lettuce production via hydroponically growing lettuce in a greenhouse. The two types of lettuce are 1) green salad bowl and 2) gourmet blend mix. This research was conducted in the Colorado State University, Ft. Collins (CSUFC). The Researcher used quantitative research design with basic agricultural, horticultural, quantitative, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) quantitative statistical calculations. This research method addressed agricultural horticulture research findings from agriculturalists, farmers, horticulturalists, policy makers, researchers, scientists, universities, and/or other key stakeholders in the agriculture, farming, greenhouse, and horticulture industry. The student researched the historical and current literature and the effects of altering the Supplemental lights for the maximum growth and development of healthy mineral rich lettuce. Twenty-three minerals were tracked and measured using the ICP-MS after production via Supplemental light vs. No Supplemental light using parts per million (ppm) converted from mg, (ng/g), and other amounts. This Thesis contains five chapters including: (1) Introduction, (2) Literature review, (3) Material and Methods, (4) Results and Discussion and (5) Conclusion. Finally, research recommendations are made for future replications and studies to accentuate and increase the validity and reliability of this study.