The Grow Impact of Electrical Stimulation and Grow Lights on Lettuce Plant (Lactuca Sativa) in Hydroponics System

Abstract

In today's agricultural production, hydroponics has become one of the most popular approaches to producing vegetables in a limited space. With its technological advancement, the concept of farming is well adapted. In this study, the researchers develop a process to improve the growth yield production of lettuce through electrical stimulation and the application of grow lights through an aquarium-type hydroponics system. Three comparative set-ups were made during the experiment, a lettuce plant in the soil for the outdoor set-up, and two sets of lettuce planting in an indoor set-up provided with pink and blue LED lights. Each aquarium set-up undergoes an electrical stimulation with different settings of voltage. Based on the results, it was observed that the plant grew quicker in the aquarium set-up with the pink LED lights and a voltage setting of 20V. Based on observation, it showed a substantial impact on the growth as well as their quality, weight, and appearance. Results showed that electricity boosted the yield of lettuce plants where it only takes 24 days for the lettuce plant to be ready for harvest from a normal of 65 days to mature. On the other hand, the outdoor lettuce plant also developed and produced a result of its quality, height of the plant, and appearance. However, the plant takes a long time to grow and per inspection, the leaves eventually dry out. This study manifested that the electrical stimulation and growth lights could trigger biological activities that could enhance the efficient growth yield of hydroponically grown plants.