This document outlines a school-based agricultural science project investigating crop production methods for lettuce. The student grew 152 lettuce seedlings in 6 beds, with 3 beds receiving inorganic fertilizer and 3 receiving no fertilizer. Over 6 weeks, plant heights and weights were recorded. Results showed fertilized plants grew taller and heavier. The student concluded inorganic fertilizer produced optimal lettuce growth. Limitations included a small sample size and single location. Recommendations were to increase sample size and repeat the study in different locations and soil types.

1. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL BASED
ASSESSMENT
Name of candidate: Shanella Moore
Candidate's Number:
Title of Project: Crop Production Investigation
Name of School:
Territory: St. Vincent
Center Number:
Teacher:
Year of Examination: 2022
Start Date: 25th
January, 2022
Termination Date: 13th
April, 2022
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2. TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE PAGES
INTRODUCTION, Problem Statement, Aim
METHODOLOGY: Experimental Design
Materials and Equipment used
Activities and Description
Photographs
Data Collection
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION, Limitation, Recommendation
REFERENCE
COST ANALYSIS: Complete Budget
Actual Budget
COMPARISON

3. INTRODUCTION
In this project, you will get to know about lettuce. Lettuce is a leafy and annual plant of the daisy
family, Asteraceae and has a scientific name ‘Lactuca Sativa’. Lettuce originated in the
Mediterranean area and was first grown as a weed. The first documentation of cultivation begins in
Ancient Egypt over 6,000 years ago, but it may have been cultivated in the Middle East prior to this
day. Ancient Egyptian artwork, especially tomb paintings, depicts different varieties of lettuce.
There are several popular types of lettuce which includes: Leaf Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Iceberg
Lettuce, Boston Lettuce Spinach and more. The most popular lettuce is called the Crisp head or
Iceberg. Lettuce is a source of vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones, hydrates the body,
improves vision and improves sleep. Lettuce also varies in different shapes and colors. It is most
often grown as a leafy vegetable. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in
other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
❖ Lettuce is a crop that is commonly grown at the North Union Secondary School as a source
of income. However, the most appropriate method for the optimum growth and production
of lettuce at the North Union Secondary School is unknown.
AIM OF PROJECT
❖ To determine the most appropriate method of lettuce production for optimum growth.

4. METHODOLOGY
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
An investigation of a total of 152 lettuce seedlings was planted. Six beds of the same dimensions
were created and labeled from A to F. The first three beds (beds A, B and C) inorganic manure
(urea) were applied. These beds were treated with an organic fertilizer of 20:10:10 (N.P.K).
Beds D-F received no fertilizer. Weekly, five plants were randomly selected to obtain the height. At
the end of the six week period, the lettuce plants were harvested according to group and were
weighted. The data collected was used to provide the results.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AND THEIR USES
Materials/ Equipment Used/ Functions
Water Can A small portable container that is used to irrigate crops manually.
Hand Spade This is used to loosen the ground, break lumps by digging up the soil.
This provides soft soil for the lettuce to growth stress-free.
152 Seedlings These are very small plants that grow into large lettuce.
Cutlass This was used for cutting weeds.
Scissors This is a very small tool that is sharp. It was use to cut the lettuce stem
and the brown leaves at harvesting.

5. Urea (Fertilizer) To help the lettuce provide new leaves very often and to reduce the
bitterness.
ACTIVITIES
1. Land Preparation- The land was prepared for the growth of the lettuce by clearing the land
using a cutlass, making ridges and furrows and preparing drains to make sure the water runs
properly. All this was done so that the lettuce wouldn’t be covered in bushes, to protect the
plants from water erosion and to make the work and project easier.
2. Transplanting of Seedlings- Seedlings was transplanted manually so that they could
maintain the right amount of space and fertilizers can be given to them separated to carry out
the project. They was planted at 38cm between rows and 30cm between the rows.
3. Weed control- Weeding of small plants around the lettuce was done every week. Weeds
were removed by hand. This was done to protect other plants from racing with the lettuce
plants so that they can’t grow stunted.
4. Fertilizer and Water Application- Fertilizers were added to only four beds to determine for
the project if it’s best to grow lettuce plants organically or inorganically. Adding fertilizer
involves broadcasting which is making small circles around the lettuce and applying a small
amount of fertilizer. Fertilizers help to produce new leaves quickly. Applying a large amount
of water to the lettuce plants was done twice daily for the full six weeks because lettuce
requires large amounts of water.

6. 5. Harvesting- Harvesting of lettuce was done over a six week period. Harvesting includes the
cutting off of the stem and brown leaves using a scissors or a knife for selling. After
removing the spoiled leaves of the lettuce, they was washed, bagged and weighed then sold.
PHOTOGRAPHS

7. DATA COLLECTION
Table 1 showing average height of lettuce per treatment.
Weeks Inorganic Fertilizer No Control
1 11cm 6cm
2 11cm 8cm
3 10cm 5cm
4 12cm 9cm
5 16cm 13cm
6 18cm 14cm
Table 2 showing total weight (lbs.) of lettuce per treatment
Inorganic Fertilizer (lbs.) No Control (lbs.)
250lbs 125lbs

8. RESULTS
Figure 1 : The Bar Graph shows the Average Height of Lettuce Per Treatment
Figure 1 shows the average height of the lettuce per treatment. In this presentation, lettuce that had
inorganic fertilizer has grown better in height than those that had no control because fertilizer has an
impact on the growth of lettuce which allows it to grow faster and healthier.

9. Figure 2 : The Bar Graph Shows the Total Weight of Lettuce Per Treatment
Figure 2 shows the weight of the lettuce in pounds. Lettuce that had inorganic fertilizer weighed
more in pounds than those that had no control. This was because fertilization helped the lettuce
plant to grow faster. Also it reduces the bitterness of the lettuce.

10. DISCUSSION
According to Mou, B. (2008). Lettuce. In Vegetables I (pp. 75-116). Springer, New York, NY,
lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a major fresh vegetable and its leaves are commonly found in salad
mixtures and sandwiches.
According to Stewart, Robert E."fertilizer". Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Feb. 2022,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fertilizer. Accessed 13 April 2022, fertilizer is a natural or
artificial substance containing the chemical elements that improve growth and productiveness of
plants.
The word organic fertilizer means compost obtained from animal products and plants remaining
containing sufficient nitrogen. Three types of organic fertilizers are animal manure, green manure
and compost.
Inorganic fertilizers impact the growth of lettuce plants as fertilizer helps the plant to develop new
healthy green leaves very often and reduce the bitterness which makes growth much quicker in size
and have a better taste. Broadcast, side dressing and foliar application are some methods of fertilizer
application. According to slam, M. D. S., et al. "Effects of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield
of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) used as vegetables." International Journal of Agricultural Science and
Research (IJASR) 2.3 (2012): 116-128, fertilizer is said that fertilizer improves soil quality, texture,
water retention and soil erosion.
When farmers do not use fertilizer on lettuce production, they are more likely to experience
problems with their lettuce such as slow growth, damaged leaf (brown leaf) or stem or unhealthy
shade of green (light green). In this case, the lettuce may not have enough nutrients.

11. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the first three Beds (A,B,C) that were applied with inorganic manure(urea)
performed better than lettuce that was on bed D-F which received no fertilizer. So, the most
appropriate method of lettuce production for optimum growth was the use of fertilizer.
LIMITATION
1. The number of plants grown were too few to make a generalized statement.
2. This experiment was done only at one time and at one location
3. The results could have been affected by varying field conditions such as uneven soil moisture
content.
RECOMMENDATION
1. The number of lettuce should increase for this study to make the statement more generalized.
2. The study should be reduplicated at least 3 times at a different location, on different soil types
where the weather condition won’t affect the plant before a generalized statement can be made.
3. The study should be conducted on a level land so that a large amount of water does not affect the
lettuce plant.

12. REFERENCE
1. Mou, B. (2008). Lettuce. In Vegetables I (pp. 75-116). Springer, New York, NY, lettuce
(Lactuca sativa L.)
2. Stewart, Robert E.. "fertilizer". Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Feb. 2022,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fertilizer. Accessed 13 April 2022.
3. slam, M. D. S., et al. "Effects of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of lettuce
(Lactuca sativa L.) used as vegetables." International Journal of Agricultural Science and
Research (IJASR) 2.3 (2012): 116-128.

13. COST ANALYSIS
COMPLETE BUDGET
Income Quantity(Head) Unit Cost ($) Total ($)
Sale of crop 50 $4.00 $200
Quantity× Unit
cost
Projected
Income
(50×$4.00)
$200
Expenditure Quantity Unit Cost ($) Total
Seedlings 110 $1.00 $110
Inorganic Manure 1lb $5.00 $5.00
Packaging Bags 1 pack $3.50 $3.50
Projected
Expenditure
Project income=
income- expenditure
($200.00-$118.50)
$118.50
$81.50

14. ACTUAL BUDGET
Income Quantity(Head) Unit Cost ($) Total ($)
Sale of crop 40 $5.00 $200
Quantity×Unit
cost
Actual Income
(40×$5.00)
$200
Expenditure Quantity Unit Cost ($) Total
Seedlings 152 $1.00 $152.00
Inorganic Manure 2 ounces $2.00 $4.00
Packaging Bags 1 pack $4.00 $4.00
Actual Expenditure
Total income=
income-expenditure (200.00-160.00)
$ $160.00
($40.00)

15. COMPARISON
Comparison of Projected Income vs Actual Income
PROJECTED INCOME= $200.00
ACTUAL INCOME= $ 200.00
The projected income and the actual income was both $200.00. There was a balance in the figures
because there was a thought that the quantity of the items would be 50 items per $4.00 each which
turns out that the actual income was 40 items per $5.00 each which is the same mathematical
calculation.
Comparison of Projected Expenditure vs Actual Expenditure
PROJECTED EXPENDITURE= $118.50
ACTUAL EXPENDITURE= $160.00
The projected expenditure was $118.50 and the actual expenditure was $160.00. The actual income
was higher. The reason for this is the seedlings was extra in quantity by 42 which increased the
price and 1 pack of packaging bags at $4.00 was brought instead of 1 pack at $3.50.
Comparison of Complete Budget vs Actual Budget
COMPLETE BUDGET= $81.50
ACTUAL BUDGET= $40.00
The complete budget cost was $81.50 and the actual budget was $40.00. The complete budget was
higher than the actual budget. This was because the projected income was $200.00 and items were

16. expected to be bought in larger quantities where some were expected to be more expensive.
However, the actual income turns out to be less although there were more items purchased but at a
lower cost.