Studies on the growth rate and nutrient absorption of head lettuce

Zink, F; Yamaguchi, M

Studies on the growth rate and nutrient absorption of head lettuce

Authors

F. W. Zink
M. Yamaguchi

Authors Affiliations

F. W. Zink was Specialist in the Experiment Station, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis; M. Yamaguchi was Associate Olericulturist in the Experiment Station, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 32(11):471-500. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v32n11p471. June 1962.

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Abstract

Abstract does not appear. First page follows.

Introduction

California ranks first among the states in the commercial production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), averaging slightly over 60 per cent of the national monetary value (Dean and McCorkle, 1960); (Hoos and Phelps, 1948).4 Spring, summer, and fall production is concentrated in the central coastal region of the state, and the winter crop is grown in the warmer interior desert areas of the Imperial and Palo Verde valleys.

For such an important crop, only limited information is available regarding the rate of growth and course of nutrient absorption (Fujimura et al., 1960); (Lorenz and Minges, 1942); (McGeorge et al., 1940); (Veihmeyer and Holland, 1949). A thorough knowledge of the growth pattern and nutrient uptake of lettuce is essential to a better understanding of its fertility requirements, as well as insect and disease control in the crop.

The purpose of this study was to determine the growth rate and nutrient absorption of the Great Lakes variety of lettuce during development for the spring, summer, and fall crops in the Salinas Valley of California. Although this study was restricted to the Salinas Valley, the information reported is also applicable to the Great Lakes variety when grown in other central coastal districts of California, because of the similarity in growing conditions.

Methods and Materials

Culture and Growth Measurements

During 1957 and 1958, seventeen commercial fields in the Salinas Valley were selected for study. The trials were located on seven soil types that were representative of the lettuce-production area. Thermograph records were kept of the air temperatures six inches above the ground during the growing period of each of the crops.

Literature Cited

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Dean G. W., McCorkle C. O. Jr. Trends for major California crops. Calif. Agr. Expt. Sta. Circ. 1960. 488:54-59. http://archive.org/details/trendsformajorca488dean

Fujimura T., Mori T., Kitano T., Aoki Y. Studies on fertilization for lettuce. I. Nutrient absorption at different stages of growth and effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth. Jour. Hort. Assoc. Japan. 1960. 29:191-96.

Hoos S., Phelps H. F. Commercial head lettuce economic status, 1947. Calif. Agr. Expt. Sta. Circ. 1948. 378:1-18.

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Lorenz O. A., Zink F. W., Howard F. D. Nutrient survey of lettuce in Salinas Valley, 1954. Univ. Calif. Dept. Veg. Crops Series. 1956. 87: 15 pages

Madariaga F. J., Knott J. E. Temperature summations in relation to lettuce growth. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1951. 58:147-52.

McGeorge W. T., Wharton M. F., Frazier W. A. Fertilization of lettuce on alkaline-calcareous soils: soil and plant studies. Arizona Agr. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bul. 1940. 85:399-451.

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Yamaguchi M., Minges P. A. Brown checking of celery, a symptom of boron deficiency. I. Field observations, variety susceptibility, and chemical analyses. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1956. 68:318-28.

Zink F. W., Grogan R. G. The interrelated effect of “big vein” and market price on the yield of head lettuce. Plant Disease Reptr. 1954. 38:844-46.

Zink F. W., Kimble K. A. Effect of time of infection by lettuce mosaic virus on rate of growth and yield in Great Lakes lettuce. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1960. 75:448-54.

Zink F. W., Welch J. E. Performance of commercial head lettuce varieties and strains in the central coastal section of California in 1953. Univ. Calif. Dept. Veg. Crops Series. 1954. 62:27 pages

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