Leaf Morphological Chara cteristics of Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as Affected by Different Colored Plastic Mulch

Abstract

Looseleaf and Romaine lettuce were grown in a vegetable experimental station in the University of the Philippines Los Banos to determine the effect of the different colored plastic mulch on the leaf morphological characteristics of the two lettuce varieties. A split plot following the Randomized Completely Block Design was used. Results of the study showed that red plastic mulch exhibited better response in terms of the different leaf morphology of the leaf lettuce. Lettuce leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf fresh and dry weight were higher when grown with red plastic mulch compared with the other colored plastic mulch. The result of the study showed that the color of the mulch had significant effect on the leaf morphological characteristics of the leaf lettuce.