Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and quality traits of lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam during winter (rabi) seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatment combinations were T-1, Control; T-2, 40:20:40 NPK kg/ha; T-3, 40:20:40 NPK kg/ha + FYM 2 tonnes/ha; T-4, 40:20:40 NPK kg/ha + FYM 2 tonnes/ha + PSB; T-5, FYM 3 tonnes/ha + PSB; T-6, 40:20:40 NPK kg/ha +VC 1 tonnes/ha; T-7, 40:20:40 NPK kg/ha + VC 1 tonnes/ha + PSB and; T-8, VC 2 tonnes/ha + PSB. Observations on the growth parameters were taken at 30 DAP, 45 DAP and at harvest. Among the treatments, T-7 recorded the highest yield (27.5 tonnes/ha), net income (192703.00) and other quality parameters. However, the benefit-cost ratio was found maximum (2.6) in the treatment T-4 due to lesser cost of FYM as compared to vermicompost used in the treatment T-7. Therefore, the combined use of NPK, FYM and PSB (T-4) may be recommended for economic as well as environment friendly production of lettuce.