Sustainable Production Techniques in Greenhouses: A Case Study on Economic Analysis of Organic Lettuce Production in Turkey

This study is an economic analysis of the use of different organic fertilizers for organic greenhouse lettuce production as an on-farm trial during the autumn season of 2001-2002. The selected site is located in the preservation area of the Tahtali Dam, which is the most important water source providing drinking water to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. The tested fertilizer applications were composed of: (a) farmyard manure, 15 tons/ha-1 + E 2001 + All grow Bioplasma; (b) farmyard manure, 30 tons/ha-1; (c) chicken manure, 15 tons/ha-1 + E 2001 + All grow Bioplasma; (d) chicken manure, 30 tons/ha-1; and (e) control (no fertilizer). The total net profit ranged between $0.38 and $0.90/m2, depending on organic fertilizer applications. The results showed that organic lettuce production with different organic fertilizers can be achieved in greenhouses, but there is still a need to solve some problems related to greenhouse climate control, pest and disease control, biological control, crop rotation, marketing and training of growers. © 2004 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.City, University of London, CityThe authors wish to acknowledge the research support of TUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey), IZSU (Municipality of the city of Izmir), and EBILTEM (Ege University Science and Technology Application and Research Center). -