Experimental dataset on Lactuca sativa yield and water use efficiency: simplified soilless vs. 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 purpose of the research came by an increasing pressure on land and water resources intensifies the need for innovative approaches, especially in regions struggling with unpredictable rainfall patterns, limited arable soil, as well as issues related to low-quality water and food scarcity. Simplified soilless cultivation systems (SSC) have emerged as a viable solution for sustainable fresh food production and climate change conditions. 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).
The adoption of the SSC system significantly enhanced WUE compare than traditional soil cultivation. In particular, peat demonstrated a significant improvement in efficiency of water use followed by rice hulls, either alone or mixed with peat and coconut fiber which also performed well, while coconut fiber alone was less effective but still improved the use of water than soil-based cultivation. Regarding marketable yield, the results varied based on the type of substrate used. The SSC system with peat achieved similar productivity levels to traditional soil cultivation, showing that soilless methods can achieve or even enhance conventional techniques performance. The combination of rice hulls with other materials also resulted in favorable yields, while coconut fiber alone produced the lowest output.
Overall, this research highlights the potential of simplified soilless cultivation as a sustainable farming solution. By reducing water consumption and adapting to different environmental conditions, SSC systems can contribute to more resilient food production in regions facing water shortages, poor soil quality, and unpredictable weather patterns.