Abstract

MARTINEZ CARRILLO, Gerardo et al. Technical and financial evaluation of greenhouse lettuce crop as a winter alternative. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2015, vol.33, n.3, pp.251-260. ISSN 2395-8030.

In Jerez, Zacatecas, the effect of three varieties and three planting densities on yield and economic profitability of a lettuce crop in a medium-technology multitunnel-type greenhouse was evaluated and compared, in the winter period after a tomato crop. The experiment was set up under a factorial arrangement with three treatments (lettuce varieties Durango, Orejona PX and EZ-1) combined with three planting densities (20, 6.6 and 5 plants m-2) in a complete block design with four replications. The variables evaluated were yield, leaf, stem and root fresh weight, and profitability. Durango variety yield was 1.22 and 1.18 times higher than that of EZ-1 and PX Orejona, respectively. Density of 20 plants m-2 yielded (kg m-2) 2.1 and 2.7 times more than the density of 6.6 and 5 plants m-2, respectively. However, weight per plant was contrary to weight per square meter: 5 plants m-2 weighed 1.01 to 1.49 times more than 6.6 and 20 plants m-2, respectively. The benefit/cost relationship of the tomato crop was 1.28, while that of tomato + lettuce was 1.37, 1.29, 1.30 with 20, 6.6 and 5 plants m-2, respectively. Therefore, lettuce, mainly the Durango variety at a density of 20 plants m-2 is a recommended option for winter cropping.

Keywords : Lactuca sativa L.; varieties of lettuce; planting densities; profitability.