Effects of Nitrogen and Intra Row Spacing on Growth and Yield Component of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) in Eastern Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) an annual plant of Asteraceae family is one of the most important vegetables in human diet. It is the most popular salad crop in the world. A research was conducted in Debremarkos University College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Horticulture field research in the year 2018/19 G.C cropping season under rain fed condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Nitrogen and intra –row spacing on growth and yield components of lettuce. The treatment consisted of three rates of nitrogen (0, 75 and 150 kg ha-1 of N) and three level plant spacing (40x20cm, 40x25 cm and 40x30cm). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. The results revealed that the interaction effects of N and spacing were found to be highly significant on plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width and yield of lettuce. The highest yield of lettuce (8.31ton/ha) was recorded from treatment combination (150 kg N/ha, 25cm). Therefore, lettuce growers can practice supplementing optimum Nitrogen fertilizer with adequate spacing is the most appropriate option for sustainable lettuce production. Keywords: Lettuce, spacing, nitrogen fertilizer DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-2-01 Publication date: January 31st 202