Comparative Analysis of Growth Dynamics and Biochemical Composition of Lettuce Cultivars in Nutrient Film Technique and Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems

In response to the growing need for sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural systems, hydroponics has emerged as a viable approach for high-yield crop production under controlled environments. This study assessed the growth performance and biochemical attributes of five lettuce cultivars—Alanis, Aleppo, Carmesi, Saturday, and Kiribati—cultivated under two hydroponic systems: Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Ebb and Flow (E&F). Key parameters evaluated included leaf number at multiple stages (7, 14, 20, and 25 days after planting), plant diameter, fresh biomass, nitrate content, and carbohydrate concentration. Two-way ANOVA revealed that hydroponic system type significantly influenced early leaf development (p < 0.001), plant diameter, and carbohydrate content, while cultivar effects were significant only for leaf number at 20 days and nitrate content. Notably, Alanis exhibited superior growth performance, with the highest leaf count (21), plant diameter (21.66 cm), and biomass (281.17 g), along with elevated nitrate levels (1055 mg/kg). Kiribati also performed well in terms of biomass (235.50 g) and nitrate accumulation (961.5 mg/kg). While Carmesi showed moderate vegetative growth (145.50 g biomass), it excelled in nutritional quality, displaying the highest average carbohydrate content (4.30 g/100 g) and the lowest nitrate concentration (559.5 mg/kg). Overall, the NFT system favored vegetative development across cultivars, particularly for Alanis and Kiribati, whereas Carmesi stood out for its biochemical composition. These findings highlight the critical role of system design and cultivar-specific responses in optimizing hydroponic crop outcomes. The integration of agronomic and nutritional metrics provides a comprehensive framework for informed cultivar selection in controlled-environment agriculture.