Effects of photoperiod on the growth and morphology of butterhead lettuce in a vertical hydroponic system

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Published: Jan 19, 2026
Keywords:
hydroponic system Butterhead lettuce Plant growth Light duration Vertical farming

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Nawaphon Arjudom
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Tanatip Yottasaen
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Patsakorn Arsaisuk
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Kanokporn Loonaudom
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Suphawut Khakhammark
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Sarut Srikapa
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Pakon Sakdee
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of light duration on the growth of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) cultivated in a three-tier vertical hydroponic system. A total of 131 plants were grown: 47 in the first tier and 42 each in the second and third tiers, over a 74-day cultivation period including the seedling stage. The first and second tiers received 12 h of artificial light daily, while the third tier initially received 10 h, later increased to 12–14 h to correct leaf elongation. Environmental factors such as light intensity (105–126 lux), nutrient temperature (22–25 °C), relative humidity (64–81%), pH (6.8–7.5), and EC (1.0–1.15 mS/cm) were continuously monitored. Results showed that longer light exposure enhanced plant growth in terms of leaf number, leaf size, plant height, and overall biomass.

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How to Cite
1.
Arjudom N, Yottasaen T, Arsaisuk P, Loonaudom K, Khakhammark S, Srikapa S, Sakdee P. Effects of photoperiod on the growth and morphology of butterhead lettuce in a vertical hydroponic system. Ag Bio Eng [internet]. 2026 Jan. 19 [cited 2026 Jan. 25];3(1):30-4. available from: https://ph04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/abe/article/view/12164
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): January-March 2026
Section
Original Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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