Marketable production of lettuce cultivars in Bananeiras, Brazil

Marketable production of lettuce cultivars in Bananeiras, Brazil An important issue when choosing cultivars for specific environmental conditions is to estimate the marketable production, which indicates the potential production per area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the marketable production of lettuce cultivars under the soil and climatic conditions of Bananeiras, Paraiba, Brazil, during the rainy season. The experiment was carried out as a complete randomized blocks design with eight cultivars (Cindy, Elba, Grand Rapids, Kaesar, Mimosa, Sabrina, Summer Green and Veronica), with 4 replications, in plots with 27 plants in a 30 x 30 cm spacing. At 51 days after transplanting, plants were harvested and evaluations of total and marketable fresh mass, dry matter, number of leaves, plant diameter, marketable index, and marketable production were carried out. The greatest values of total and marketable fresh mass, plant diameter, and marketable production were verified with the Kaesar cultivar. Kaesar and Elba cultivars had the highest values of dry matter. Greater leaf number values were obtained with the cultivars Mimosa, Elba, Sabrina, and Summer Green. Grand Rapids, Veronica, and Kaesar cultivars were the most susceptible to Septoria, mainly in the older leaves. Based on results and consumer's preferences, 'Kaesar' and 'Summer Green' were the most promising for introduction and testing in marketable production areas.