1. Production Methodology of Lettuce
Prepared by
Md J Meagy

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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):
Irrigation - 38 to 50 inches of water per acre

6. 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.

7. 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

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

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

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

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

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