Evaluation of Yield, Marketability, and Nitrate Levels of Lettuce Cultivars Produced in Southern Louisiana

Abstract

Forty-five cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were field-grown using best management practices at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) Botanic Gardens in Baton Rouge during the Fall 2011 and Fall 2012 seasons. Recommended cultivars were selected for commercial production in Louisiana based on fresh weight and lettuce size (width and height). Nitrate (NO3–) concentration was analyzed for each cultivar, as lettuces are known to accumulate and concentrate NO3–, and were then compared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) oral reference dose (RfD—the EPA’s maximum acceptable oral dose of a toxic substance) of 1.6 mg NO3-nitrogen (N) per kilogram body weight per day. Recommended butterhead cultivars were Caliente and Harmony (21.6 and 13.9 ppm NO3–, respectively); recommended green-leaf cultivars were Salad Bowl and Tango (10.6 and 4.6 ppm NO3–, respectively); recommended red-leaf cultivars were Red Salad Bowl, Red Sails, and New Red Fire (15.2, 15.4, and 24.0 ppm NO3–, respectively). The only recommended romaine cultivar was Green Towers (11.2 ppm NO3–), and recommended crisphead cultivars included Raider and Ithaca (17.6 and 14.9 ppm NO3–, respectively). Of the highest yielding cultivars, New Red Fire accumulated the greatest NO3– concentration: 24.0 ppm in both years 1 and 2. The NO3– concentration is less than the levels of concern for both men and women 20 to 74 years old, 3.9% of the RfD for men and 4.59% of the RfD for women.

Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) Genotypes with Respect to Morphological, Yield and Quality Traits at Two Localities of Nepal

“…26.7-32.5 cm. Likewise, finding of Silva et al (2019), Poliquit (2019, Afton (2018), andTsiakaras et al (2014) are in line with the finding of this research in terms of morphological variation.…”

“…The fresh weight of lettuce varieties in the experiment ofAtikah, & Widyawati (2019) was 20.39 g to 115.35 g and this is very different from the finding of this experiment This 20.30 g weight was observed on sandy soil while 115.35 g was observed on peat soil so, varieties may perform differently in different planting media. Wide range of variation in yield of lettuce genotypes have also been found bySilva et al (2019),Lafta et al (2017),Afton (2018), M'Hamdi et al (2014 andTsiakaras et al (2014).…”

“…However, Lettuce Red Coral was observed with the yield 276.3 g/plant at the location Kavre. (Afton, 2018). Thus, the number of leaves, length and breadth of leaves, and head diameter tells about the amount of edible parts on lettuce genotypes.…”

Performance of Different Lettuce Cultivars Grown Hydroponically under Fluorescent and Light-emitting Diode Light Growth Conditions

“…In addition, the lettuce was harvested at the same time for measurement purposes, but each cultivar has its own mature date and the weight may change accordingly. Thus, a maximum HFW can be achieved by allowing the lettuce to mature before harvesting, and a similar HFW may be possible between different types of lettuces (Afton et al 2020). The competition for space and light in a tightly controlled environment may also contribute to the poor development of lettuce cultivars Little Gem, Jericho, All Year Round, and Lollo Rossa.…”

The Vegetable Variety Navigator Decision-support Tool: An Interactive Visualization of Variety Trial Meta-analysis Results

“…As recent examples, O'Connell (2021) evaluated eight varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in field and high-tunnel systems at one location in Georgia. Afton et al (2020) evaluated 45 varieties of lettuce at one location in Louisiana. Boyhan et al (2020) compared 13 pepper (Capsicum annuum) varieties at one location in Georgia.…”