Mainstreaming Low-Cost Hydroponics Using Fermented Plant Juice for Sustainable Lettuce Production in Urban Farming
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.06.09.35Keywords:
Mainstreaming low-cost hydroponics, Fermented plant juice, Sustainable lettuce production, Urban farmingAbstract
This study investigated the viability of a low-cost hydroponic system for food security in the Zamboanga Peninsula, employing a mixed-methods approach. The research assessed the acceptability, growth performance, and economic feasibility of hydroponic lettuce production using locally sourced organic inputs, specifically Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ). Hydroponics is seen as beneficial for addressing space limitations and improving food security in the region, though adoption is hindered by limited technical knowledge, material access, and capital. Estrosa and Olmetie lettuce varieties showed optimal performance. Nitrate levels in Estrosa and Green Wave were undetectable, and while Olmetie and Invicta absorbed more nitrate with FPJ, all levels remained within international safety limits. Cadmium was not detected. Recommendations for the Zamboanga Peninsula include agricultural modernization through technical training, start-up assistance, material accessibility, and R&D support. Public awareness campaigns for low-cost hydroponics using FPJ, crop diversification, farmer engagement, and urban/peri-urban adoption incentives are also suggested. Growers are advised to prioritize Estrosa and Green Wave for lower nitrate uptake and ensure correct FPJ preparation.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, Z. F., Alnuaimi, A. K., Askri, A., & Tzortzakis, N. (2021). Evaluation of Let-tuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Production under Hydroponic System: Nutrient Solution Derived from Fish Waste vs. Inorganic Nutrient Solution. horticulturae.
Chowdhury, M., Samarakoon, U. C., & Altland, J. (2024). Evaluation of Hydroponic Sytems for Organic Lettuce Production in
Controlled Environment. Frontiers in Plant Science , 1-12.
David, C. C. (1995). Philippine Agriculture: Its Path to Modernization, DISCUSSION PA-PER SERIES NO. 95-29. Quezon City : UP PIDS.
Ezziddine, M., Liltved, H., & Seljasen, R. (2021). Hydroponic Lettuce Cultivation Using Or-ganic Nutrient Solution from Aerobic Di-gested Aquacultural Sludge. Agronomy.
Garcia, D. (2022). PRODUCTION TRIAL OF LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa L.) USING FORMULATED ORGANIC FOLIAR FERTI-LIZER IN LAHAR-LADEN AREAS. Journal of Xi'an Shiyuo University .
Gunapala, R., Gangahagedora, R., Wanasinghe, W., Samaraweera, A. M., Gamage, A., Rathanayaka, C., . . . Merah, O. (2025). Urban agriculture: A strategic pathway to building resilience and ensuring sustain-able food security in cities. Farming Sys-tem, Vol. 3, Issue 3, 1-15.
McCandless, J. G. (2022, April 7). The Kratky Method: Set-and-Forget Hydroponics. Re-trieved November 18, 2024, from Ponics Life: https://ponicslife.com/the-kratky-method-set-and-forget-hydropon-ics/#:~:text=In%20the%20Kratky%20meth-od%2C%20plant,other%20methods%20of%20hydroponics%20use.
Paturu, P., & Varadarajan, S. (2025). A system dynamics model to assess the commercial viability of hydroponics product service system. Ecological Modeling.
Payen, F. T., Evans, D. L., Falagan, N., Hard-man, C. A., Kournpetli, S., Liu, L., . . . Da-vies, J. A. (2022). How Much Food Can We Grow in Urban Areas? Food Production and Crop Yields of Urban Agriculture: A Meta-Analysis. Earth's Future , 1-22.
Qu, B., Xiao, Z., Upadhyay, A., & Luo, Y. (2024). Perspectives on sustainable food produc-tion system: Characteristics and green technologies. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research Vol. 15, 1-9.
Resh, H. M. (2022). Hydroponic Food Produc-tion A Definitive Guidebook for the Ad-vanced Home Gardener and the Commer-cial Hydroponic Grower. Boca Raton: CRC Press
Santamaria, P. (2005). Nitrate in vegetables: toxicity, content, intake and EC regula-tion. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture .
Shawaqfeh, S., Altarawneh, M., Hasan, H., & Abu Salma, B. (2024). Farmer's Aware-ness, acceptance, and challenges for adopting soilless culture (hydroponic technology) for Vegetable Production in Jordan. The Seybold Report Vol. 19 , 1-11.
Solis, E. S., & Gabutan, J. U. (2023). HYDRO-PONIC LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa L. var. Lalique) PRODUCTION USING COMMER-CIALLY AVAILABLE NUTRIENT SOLU-TIONS. International Journal of Agricul-ture and Environmental Research.
Vogelmann, E. S., Böhmer Júnior, J., & Tiruneh, G. A. (2025). Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic let-tuce cultivation. Discover Applied Scienc-es , 1-15.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Zandra Anciano Quirante, Eric Randy R. Politud
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access).
