Effect of Sowing Dates on Lettuce Yield, Grown in Open Field and Partial Shade

Abstract A study on the “effect of sowing dates on lettuce yield, grown in the Open field and partial shade” was conducted at the Ornamental Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during 2020–2021. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement having two factors, replicated three times was used in the experiment. The lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.), variety ‘Large Speed’ was grown in two growing conditions (open field and partial shade) at different sowing and transplanting dates, and their effect was studied. The seeds of lettuce were sown on six different dates i.e., 24th December 2020, 8th January, 23rd January, 7th February, 22nd February, and 9th March 2021. The results showed that the growing conditions and sowing dates significantly affected the growth and yield of the lettuce crop. Regarding the growing conditions, the plants grown in the open field produced maximum chlorophyll content, number of leaves plant⁻ ¹, head diameter, head fresh weight, head dry weight, leaf Area, number of seeds plant⁻ ¹, seed yield, and root length plant⁻ ¹. On the other hand, maximum head height plant⁻ ¹, days to flowering, days to seed production, plant height, and better taste were recorded in partial shade. In terms of sowing dates, maximum chlorophyll content, number of leaves plant⁻ ¹, head height, head diameter, head fresh weight, head dry weight, leaf area, number of seeds plant¹, seed yield, root length, taste, days to flowering, days to seed production and plant height were recorded for the plants of first sowing and transplanting date (24th Dec). These parameters decreased with delayed sowing and transplanting.