Optimization of Substrate and Nutrient Solution Strength for Lettuce and Chinese Cabbage Seedling Production in the Semi-Arid Environment of Central Myanmar

The growing population of tropical countries has led to a new awareness the importance vegetables as source essential foods and nutrients. success vegetable cultivation depends large extent on high-quality seedlings. This work aimed at evaluating effects different substrates nutrient solution concentrations development lettuce Chinese cabbage seedlings in semi-arid area. Three independent experiments were conducted Soil Water Research Station Yezin Agriculture University, Myanmar (Myanmar, 19.83° N; 96.27° E). In all randomized block design was implemented with four treatments three repetitions. first experiment adaptability seedling two (namely Hulls Manure mix composed by 50% mature cattle manure carbonized rice husk soil based substrate constituted 70% local soil, 20% burned husk, 10% fresh manure) solutions electrical conductivities (ECs) (W0.1, stored rainwater EC = 0.13 dS m−1 NS1.2, 1.20 m−1) tested. second third experiments, species (lettuce cabbage) assessed for their response concentrations. both crops, 4 fertigation (W0.1; NS0.6; NS1.2; NS1.8) supplied, modulating concentration compound mineral fertilizer (15:15:15) following ranges: W0.1: 0 g L−1, conductivity (EC) m−1, NS0.6: 0.3 0.60 m−1; NS1.2: 0.6 1.2 EC, NS1.8: 0.9 1.8 EC. Adopting applying significantly affected growth (fresh weight leaf morphology) some physiological parameters (stomatal conductance, temperature, chlorophyll content) seedling. From experiment, combination NS1.2 allowed us improve seedlings’ growth. highest associated NS1.8, respectively. presented results allow optimization media management when are produced Central Dry Zone Myanmar.