Effect of Different Rates of N and Intrarow Spacing on Growth Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Gurage Zone, Wolkite University, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted in Wolkite University, Horticulture department practical demonstration site, from February to June 2019 with the objective of determining the optimum level of N and intrarow spacing for better growth of lettuce. The experiment consisted of four levels of N (N0 (0 kg/ha), N1 (50 kg/ha), N2 (100 kg/ha), and N3 (150 kg/ha)) and three levels of intrarow spacing (S1 (15 x 30 cm), S2 (20 x 30 cm), and S3 (25 x 30 cm)). The interrow spacing was maintained as 30 cm. The experiment was laid out in 3 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The main effect of nitrogen resulted maximum yield (9.45 ton/ha), dry weight per plant (28.75 g), and fresh weight per plant (57.57 g) which were recorded by the application of 150 kg/ha nitrogen. Likewise, the main effect of intrarow spacing gave maximum yield (8.01 ton/ha), dry weight per plant (21.31 g), and fresh weight per plant (59.15 g) from 25 x 30 cm plant spacing. For interaction effect, the highest yield (10.38 ton/ha), dry weight per plant (50.96 g), and fresh weight per plant (77.88 g) was found from N3S3 (150 kg/ha N and 25 x 30 cm plant spacing). Therefore, in the study, area using 150 kg/ha urea with 25 x 30 cm plant spacing could be advisable for optimum lettuce production.