Abstract

The production of iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa) has been shown to be a potential source of nitrogen (N) leaching to ground water. Growers are concerned that reduced levels of N will lead to reduced yield and lowered quality. Experiments with a wide range of N levels the previous season showed that placed N fertilizer at planting had potential to reduce total N levels needed. This project was designed to verify these findings with use of commercially used, and lower, levels on N. The N content in the lettuce dry material at harvest and the N content in the soil profile (N-min) at several stages during the season were studied. By using placed starter N fertilizer, the total amount of N applied could be reduced by more than 25% without loss in yield or lowered quality. By using this strategy the risk of N leaching from the field could be significantly reduced at planting, during growth and after harvest.

Keywords

broadcast; placed; leaching

Published in

Acta Horticulturae
2012, Volume: 936, pages: 299-304
ISBN: 978-90-66054-94-3
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science

Conference

28th International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC) / International Symposium on Quality-Chain Management of Fresh Vegetables - From Fork to Farm

SLU Authors

• Mogren, Lars

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Asp, Håkan

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ekengard, Klara

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Horticulture
Food Science


Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.936.38

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42369