Influence of Soil Variability on Lettuce Cultivation: A Case Study in Indian Agro-Climatic Zones

Lettuce cultivation is influenced by soil composition and climatic variables, which affect productivity and plant health. There is limited localized research analysing how soil variability impacts lettuce growth under India’s agro-climatic conditions. This study compares lettuce growth across four soil types (black, clay, sand, and sand mix) under controlled laboratory settings in Nagpur, India. Lettuce showed the highest growth and biomass in black-loamy soil with pH 6– 6.5 under moderate temperature (30°C). Soil pH and texture significantly influence lettuce yield; loamy soil combinations optimize water retention and nutrient balance. The experiment provides a scalable model for school-based agricultural science research and supports sustainable urban farming practices.