Evaluation of Economic Viability and Production (growth) of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris cicla) and Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) in Vertical Hydroponic Systems: A Case Study

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_11How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa); Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris cicla); hydroponics; environmental factors; profitability; Economic viability

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate plant production (growth) and economic viability in vertical Hydroponic systems. The quantitative approach, utilizing an experimental method and financial analysis, was employed for the project. The evaluation of plant growth of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris cicla) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in terms of germination, as well as factors affecting growth rate in vertical hydroponic systems, was considered. A random sample of 28 Lettuce and 30 Swiss Chard plants was used to measure plant growth during harvest time. The results showed that the percentage of seed germination is higher in the germination mix than in the vermiculite medium. Lettuce germinated faster than Swiss chard. The t-test results for Swiss chard indicated a significant mean difference in the number and width of leaves, as well as the weight of roots, grown in two different growth cycles. In contrast, lettuce showed a significant mean difference in root weight. Pearson correlation results indicated that potential for Hydrogen (pH) had a weak negative relation with Electrical conductivity (EC), a Moderate negative relation with Temperature. The multiple regression analysis results predicted the weight of lettuce based on pH, EC, and Temperature. The financial evaluation of the project was conducted by calculating the breakeven units and profitability, thereby establishing its economic viability. Current research suggests that to increase profitability, there is a need to increase production capacity. This project is economically viable and has potential for developing a model for self-employment.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Aparna Kadiyala
AU  - Shantha Indrajith
AU  - Shiva Pal
AU  - Sivakumar Venkataraman
AU  - Mini Sebastain
AU  - Faro Kunzvi
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/12
TI  - Evaluation of Economic Viability and Production (growth) of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris cicla) and Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) in Vertical Hydroponic Systems: A Case Study
BT  - Proceedings of Botho University International Research Conference (BUIRC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 191
EP  - 214
SN  - 3005-155X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_11
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_11
ID  - Kadiyala2025
ER  -