Research data for enhancing water use efficiency (WUE) and yield in Lactuca sativa: a comparative study of simplified soilless cultivation (SSC) versus traditional soil-based systems in Colombia

This dataset explains a study conducted in Popayán, a city in Cauca region of southern Colombia, aiming a evaluate the effectiveness of a simplified soilless system for growing lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) compared to traditional soil-based cultivation. The soilless system "Garrafas PET," was built using locally available materials such as bamboo poles and recycled plastic bottles, making it an accessible and cost-effective solution. Different types of growing substrates were tested, including coconut fiber, peat, carbonized rice husk, and a combination of all three (1:1:1).