Effect of biochar as a hydroponic substrate on growth, colour and nutritional content of red lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Hydroponic is a technique of growing plants in soilless medium by using sponge, rock wool, hydroton, coconut coir, and perlite as an alternative for crop production systems. Recently, biochar has been reported to be potential substrate hydroponic cultivation techniques due its physicochemical properties which can help increase vegetable production. A greenhouse study was conducted investigate the effect on growth, colour nutritional content red lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). This utilized nutrient film (NFT) system randomized complete block design with five treatments, including T1 (hydroton only), T2 (perlite T3 (palm kernel biochar), T4 + hydroton), T5 perlite). Data analysis revealed treatment, consists both palm hydroton (T4) resulted significant plant growth yielded highest height (19.86 cm), leaf width (14.16 fresh weight (68.19 g), dry (8.29 g). The leaves (N, P, K, Mg, Ca) grown substrates suggested presence optimal conditions ensuring optimum yield high quality. application also showed higher lightness value (L* = 66.67). Besides, methanolic extracts from bioactive metabolite content. In addition, (T3) decreased algal density solution. conclusion, combination observed best enhancing performance, colour, L.), it therefore recommended used NFT system.