Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate

Agricultural Science
School Based Assessment
Crop Production and Cost Analysis

Name of candidates: Rabena Outram

Candidates Number: 0900250836
Center Name: Hope secondary school
Center Number: 090025
Title of project: The effects of growing lettuce using organic mulching from
seedlings to maturity
Introduction
Name of candidate: Rabena Outram

Name of project: Crop production

Location: Home secondary school

Starting Date: 17th January, 2023

Termination Date: 14th February, 2023

Table of contents
Statement of problem
Aim
Experimental Design
List of materials
Description of materials
Data collection
Presentation of Data
Interpretation of Data
Discussion of finding
Conclusion
Limitations
Recommendations
References
Projected Budget
Actual Budget
Comparison of Budget
Statement of problem

Local farmers have complained about their lettuce plants not being fully developed when planted

using traditional farming techniques and as such, they are unable to make a maximum profit. As

a result an, experiment is being conducted to determine the effect of using organic mulching to

grow lettuce plants.

Aim

- To determine whether lettuce plants will grow better when organic mulching is used.

- To assess the profitability of growing lettuce using organic mulching as opposed to no

mulching.
Experimental Design

Lettuce seedlings were sown on two separate beds with the same dimensions. The beds were

labelled ‘Bed A’ and ‘Bed B’. Bed A was prepared and seedlings were sown directly to the beds.

Bed B was prepared and seedlings were sown and a thin layer of organic grass was placed on the

base each seedling root. The experiment was carried out until the crops were fully matured and

ready to be harvested.

During the course of the experiment, lettuce plants were selected from each bed weekly. The

height and width of the plant were measured while it’s leaf was observed for variation in colour.

The data collected was recorded and placed on separate tables. The information was then

interpreted and analyzed to determine which method used gave better results.
List of materials

Cutlass

Garden fork

Shovel

Hand fork

Shade

Rake

Hoe

wheel barrow

water can

knife
Description of Activities
The following activities were done

⮚ Land clearing

⮚ Ploughing

⮚ Construction of bed and drain

⮚ Care and maintenance

⮚ Irrigation

⮚ Mulching

⮚ Weed control

⮚ Harvesting

Land clearing- this is the removal of unwanted vegetation and other foreign objects from the

surface of the plot. Land clearing was done manually on the school’s plot with the use of a

cutlass.
Ploughing- was done with the use of a large garden fork. It is the breakup of surface soil and the

turning up of the top soil to a desirable depth. This exposed the sub soil to sunlight and other

atmospheric conditions.

Harrowing- this was done after ploughing. A cutlass was used to break up the large soil clods

into smaller ones. This prepared the soil structure to a suitable tilth necessary for planting.

Construction of bed and drain- a shovel was used to construct beds and drains. This it enables

you to avoid this and to maintain a good soil structure. The guiding principle is a width that

enables you to reach all parts of the bed comfortably when tending or harvesting the crops.
Mixing in manure- Farmyard manure refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of

farm animals along with litter and left over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle.

Well rotten pen manure was incorporated into the soil to supply various plant nutrients.

Transplanting of seedlings- seedlings were transplanted late in the afternoon when the was

cool. They were planted 30cm within rows and 38cm between rows.

⮚ Mixing in manure

⮚ Transplanting of seedling

Care and Maintenance

The following activities were done

Irrigation of Crops – the crops were irrigated artificially with the use of a

watering can on a daily basis.

Mulching- this is the application of a thin layer of dried grass or other related

materials to the base of the plant root. This is done to conserve soil moisture as

well as suppress weed growth.

Weed Control – weed control was done manually by hand pulling of weeds. This

was done to control and growth of weeds thus preventing competition among

plants for soil nutrients as well as a built up of pest and diseases.

Harvesting – this was done when the plants were fully matured. The plants were

first carefully pulled from the soil. A sharp knife was used to separate the root

from the remaining plant. It was washed and packaged in transparent bags, then

sold to the school population.

Data collection

Table 1 shows the average width of plants from the mulched and traditional planted beds.

Method Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Mulched 4.6cm 8.3cm 8.8cm 9.4cm

Traditional 4.1 6.1 6.7 8.2

Table 2 shows the average height of plants from the mulched and traditional planted beds
Method Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Mulched 9 cm 8 cm 10.2cm 11cm

Traditional 8.3 7.3 8.0 8.3

 Presentation of Data

Comparison of the Width of Lettuce Plants

grown using Organic Mulching as against the
Traditional Method
9.4
10 8.8
8.3 8.2
9
8 6.7
6.1
7
6 4.6
4.1
5
4
3
2
1
0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Organic Traditional

Comparison of the Height of Lettuce Plant Grown

using Organic Mulching as against Traditional
Method

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Organic Mulching Traditional

Interpreting of data

The researcher will be interpreting the data that was collected during the four-week period.

Figure 1 shows a column graph depicting the comparison of the width of lettuce plants grown

using organic mulching and the normal traditional method. It shows that in the first week plants

had a width of 4.6cm for the organic mulching and 4.1cm for the traditional. This shows a 0.5cm

difference in grater high for the organic mulching. In the second week the organic mulched plant

again recorded the highest width with a difference of 2.2cm more width. In the third week again

organic mulching recorded the highest width when compared to the normal traditional method.

In the fourth week organic mulching had the highest width of the two, with a difference of 1.2cm

greater width.

Figure 2 shows a column graph depicting the comparison between the height of plants grown

using organic mulching and the normal traditional method. In the first week the height for the

organic mulched plant was 9cm, while the traditional planted was 8.3cm. A difference of 1.3cm

greater height for the organic mulching. In the second week the organic mulched plant was 8cm,

while the traditional planted was 7 cm, a difference of 1cm greater for the organic mulched plant.

In the third week the height for the organic mulched plant was 10.2cm, while the traditional

planted was 8cm, a difference of 2.2cm grater height for the organic mulched pant. In the fourth

week the organic mulched plant shows a height of 11.8cm, while the traditional planted shows a

height of 8.8cm. A difference of 3cm greater height for the organic mulched plant.

Overall, the organic mulched plant showed greater height than the traditional planted through out

the four week period.

Discussion of findings
Based on the investigation carried out, the reason for applying mulch included conservation of
soil moisture. Mulching is a valuable method to use in almost every area in your garden and also
a great way to save money and effort. Mulching is very good for the soil and gives it nutrients.
Conclusion
Mulching is very important for your garden and helps the soil to grow faster. Mulch is basically

materials which can be placed on the surface of the soil to protect and improve its productivity.

Non-mulch and mulch have both good results.

Limitations
The following short comings were encountered by the research during the conduct of the
experiment:

 Shortage of water on the school’s plot. This resulted in plants not being watered

sufficiently.

 Insufficient tools, dull and broken tools. This resulted in more time for land preparation

as well as the incorrect tool had to be used to conduct certain activities.

 Poor drainage. This resulted in water logged conditions on rainy days.

Recommendations

The following are recommended to prevent or limit future short comings on the school’s plot:

 Have storage barrels to store water on the farm. This will provided a steady supply of

water constantly on the farm.

 Raise funds to purchase new tools to conduct various farm activities

 Construct main drains to drain off water from the soil surface quickly.
Reference
Cost Analysis

Projected Budget

Projected Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Income

Sale of Lettuce 100 Heads $140 $14,000

Total projected $14,000

income

Projected Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Expenditure

Lettuce seedlings 110 Bags $10 $1100

Polythene 1 Bags $300 $300

Insecticide 1 Bottle $1000 $1000

Pen manure 2 Bags $300 $600

Transportation 1 - $1500 $1500

Miscellaneous 1 - $1000 $1000

Total projected - - - $5500

Expenditure

Projected profit = Total projected income – Total projected expenditure

Projected profit

Projected profit = $14000 - $5500 = $8500

Projected profit = $8500

Actual Budget

Actual Income Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Sale of Lettuce 100 Heads $200 $20,000

Actual Income $20,000

Actual Quantity Unit Price ($) Total ($)

Expenditure

Lettuce seedlings 110 - $10 $1100

Polythene 1 - $300 $300

Insecticide 1 Bottle $800 $500

Pen manure - - - -

Transportation 1 - $1000 $1000

Miscellaneous - - - -

Value Addition 2 2lbs Pack $250 $500

Transportation
Plastic bags

Actual - - - $3,400
Expenditure

Actual Profit = Actual income – Actual Expenditure

Actual Profit = $20,000 - $3,400

= $16,600

Total Actual Profit = $16,600

Comparison of Budget

Upon completion of the project, there was an actual profit/surplus of $16.600 when

compared to a projected profit/surplus of $8500. This shows a difference of $8100.

The reason for this increase in profit is due to the scarcity of lettuce during that

period, thus the demand for the same was higher also being sold at a higher price.

In addition, an actual income of $20,000 was made compared to a projected

income of $14,000. This shows an increase of $6000 more in profit. Even though

10 fewer heads of lettuce were sold, the actual cost obtained was higher. This also

was due to the higher demand as well as health reasons. Consumers rushed for

produce that is organic and beneficial to their health.

Further, there was a projected expenditure of $5,500, while the actual expenditure

was $3,400 instead. This shows a difference of $1,100. The reason for this was

that no money was spent on pen manure and miscellaneous. However, money had

to be solicited for value addition, which was not projected for.

Overall, there was a drastic increase in the profit/surplus obtained at the

commencement of the project.