Influence of Spacing and Nutrition on Yield and Economics of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under Protected Cultivation

This research was done to investigate the influence of spacing and nutrition on its yield and cost economics under protected cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) during Rabi of 2021-22 at ICAR-KVK, Hadonahalli of Karnataka. It was undertaken with Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, to study the application of three different spacing such as 45×22.5 cm, 45×30 cm and 45×45 cm and three nutrient levels such as 75%, 100% and 125% of Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) along with 25 t ha-1 FYM. The results revealed that significantly higher head girth (12.93 cm) and yield per plant (407.02 g) were recorded at 45 cm × 22.5 cm spacing. The higher head girth (12.80 cm), yield per plant (388.45 g) and yield per hectare (280.63 q ha-1) was recorded with application of 125% RDF. However, higher net returns (Rs. 10,26,435 /-) and higher cost benefit ratio (3.07) were recorded in 45 cm × 22.5 cm spacing + 125 % RDF.