<![CDATA[Dry land soils generally have poor physical quality, requiring intensive management to be used effectively as planting media. Verticulture is applied to improve the growing medium by incorporating biochar and compost. The development of verticulture integrated with a fertigation system allows uniform distribution of water and nutrients along the vertical pipes. This study aimed to examine the effects of planting medium composition and boron concentration on the growth and yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under a verticulture fertigation system. The experiment employed a split-plot design. The main plot consisted of different planting medium compositions: soil (control), 50% soil + 50% compost–biochar mixture, 75% soil + 25% compost–biochar mixture, and 25% soil + 75% compost–biochar mixture. The subplot was the boron concentration, consisting of 0 g/L (control), 1 g/L, and 1.5 g/L. The results showed that the interaction between planting medium composition and boron concentration significantly affected plant height and number of leaves at 21–28 days after planting (DAP), as well as root volume. The planting medium had a significant effect on all observed parameters, while boron concentration significantly affected plant height at 35 DAP. The combination of compost and biochar in balanced proportions, together with optimal boron concentration, enhanced lettuce growth performance in the vertical wick fertigation system.]]>
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