Production Methodology of Lettuce Prepared by Md J Meagy

Lettuce - Introduction S/N - Lectuca sativa L. Family - Asteraceae Temperate annual plant Mostly use as leaf vegetables

Lettuce – Health benefits Low in Saturated Fat & Na Very low in Cholesterol Good source of Vit B6, Ca & Mg Very good source of Fiber, Vit A, Vit C, Fe, K & Mn Reduces risk of cancer, and heart disease Source: Nutrient data provided by USDA SR-21

Lettuce - Cultivars Butterhead- e.g. Buttercrunch Loose leaf- eg. Salad Bowl Cos or Romaine- eg. Red Rosie Crisphead- eg. Great Lakes Stem or asparagus lettuce- eg. Celtuce

Lettuce - Production Soil - Loamy sands/sandy loams & well drained Temperature - In summer average 87oF, In winter average 55oF Fertilization - N: 60 to 100 lbs, P2O5: 80 to 120 lbs, & K2O: 60 to 170 lbs per acre. Generalized rate (lbs/A): 70-80-120. Irrigation - 38 to 50 inches of water per acre

Lettuce - Production Temperature: Seed Germination – Optimum 70 to 75oF Growth & Development – Optimum 55 to 60oF pH: 6.0 to 7.6 Amount of seed/acre - 16 to 20 oz.

Lettuce - Production Planting depth of seed - 1/4 to 3/8˝ Row width - 60˝ In-row spacing - 12˝ in double rows Days required to grow - 40 to 60 days Plants/acre - 20,000 to 46,000 plants

Lettuce – Insects Management Loopers Aphids Armyworms Cutworm Management - Crop rotation, destruction of crops residues, & IPM Leaf miners

Lettuce – Diseases Management Bottom rot Mildews Lettuce mosaic Grey mold Damping-off Leaf drop Management: -Use resistant varieties & well drained soil

Lettuce - Harvest Hand Harvest - 40 to 60 DAP Containers - Field cartons 18 - 30 heads each Grades - Graded based on defects & head firmness Average yields - 22,500 lbs/A (400 to 500 24-head cartons)

Lettuce - Post harvest Packaging/Handling - 40 - 45 lb fiberboard boxes; immediate cooling (preferably vacuum type) Storage temp & RH – 32oF & 95% (2-3 wks) Transit temp & RH– 32oF & 98%

Acknowledgement Usha R Palaniswamy Prof. Allen Barker Prof. Lyle Craker Md J Meagy