Lettuce

Description

Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a leafy herbaceous annual or biennial plant in the family Asteraceae grown for its leaves which are used as a salad green. The lettuce plant can vary greatly in size, shape and leaf type but generally, the leaves of the plant form a dense head or loose rosette. The stem of the plant is short, with larger leaves arranged at the bottom and becoming progressively smaller further up the stem. Leaves can be smooth or curly and are usually green or red in color. The lettuce plant can grow to a height of 30–100 cm (12–40 in) in height and is typically grown as an annual, harvested after only one growing season. Lettuce may be referred to as garden lettuce and is believed to originate from Asia Minor and the Middle East.


Uses

Lettuce is primarily eaten raw as a salad green. Some varieties can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.


Propagation

Requirements Lettuce is a cool season crop which will grow optimally at daytime temperatures of 15–20°C (59–68°F). The plant can be grown in a wide range of soils as long as it is fertile and moisture retaining due to the small root system of the plant. It is often grown in alkaline soil (pH greater than 7.0) but will not tolerate acid soil. Heat tolerant varieties can be grown over the summer months and care should be taken to protect the leaves from strong sun by shading or covering to prevent the plants from bolting. Sowing seeds Lettuce seeds can be sown directly in the garden or field as soon as the soil can be worked as the seeds will germinate at temperatures of 4.4°C (40°F) and above and seedlings will tolerate a light frost. Seeds should be sown 0.3–0.6 cm (1/8–1/4 in) deep and 2.5 cm (1 in) apart, leaving 50 cm (20 in) between rows. Cover the seeds lightly, tamp the soil and water the seeds. Seedlings should emerge in 2–15 days. When the plants have 2–3 true leaves then they should be thinned to a final spacing of 25–45 cm (10 to 18 in) depending on the variety. Plant new seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Transplants Sow seeds in seedling trays in a sterile seed starting mix at a rate of approximately 3–4 seeds per inch (2.5 cm). Young plants can be potted up into larger pots or cell trays when they are about 2 weeks old. Plant transplants in the garden after hardening off, spacing plants 25–45 cm (10 to 18 in) (depending on variety) and allowing 50 cm (20 in) between rows. Plant new seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest.


References

CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Lactuca sativa (lettuce) datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/29609. [Accessed 10 February 15]. Paid subscription required. Davis, R. M., Subbarao, K. V., Raid, R. N. & and Kurtz, E. A. (Eds.) (1997). Compendium of lettuce diseases. American Phytopathological Society Press. Available at: http://www.apsnet.org/apsstore/shopapspress/Pages/41868.aspx. Available for purchase from APS Press. Williams, M. (2012). Organic lettuce and leafy greens. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension service. Available at: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/organiclettuce.pdf. [Accessed 10 February 15]. Free to access.


Common Pests and Diseases

Diseases

Category : Fungal

Anthracnose (Shot-hole) Microdochium panattonianum

Symptoms
Small water-soaked tan spots on outer leaves which may expand and turn straw colored; centers fall out of mature lesions giving plant a shot-hole appearance
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus survives in crop debris in soil; disease spread by splashing water
Management
Rotate crops; plow crop debris into soil; control wold lettuce populations around plantation; avoid overhead irrigation

Leaf drop (Sclerotinia drop) Sclerotinia minor
Sclerotininia sclerotiorum

Symptoms
Wilting of outside leaves which spreads inwards until whole plant is affected; soft watery lesions on leaves; leaves collapse and lie on soil surface; black fungal structures on infected leaf tissue and soil surface
Cause
Fungi
Comments
Fungi can survive in soil for 8-10 years
Management
Disease significantly reduced by application of fungicides immediately after thinning plants; plow soil deeply; rotate crops with non-hosts

Powdery mildew Erysiphe cichoracearum

Symptoms
White, powdery fungal growth on the top and underside of older leaves; leaves turning yellow or brown; small black fruiting bodies may be visible
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Disease emergence favors humid weather conditions; disease can be spread over long distance by wind movements
Management
Disease can be controlled by application of sulfur at first sign of symptoms, as long as temperatures are high enough

Septoria leaf spot Septoria lactucae

Symptoms
Small, irregularly shaped chlorotic spots on oldest plant leaves which enlarge and turn brown and dry out; lesiuons may fall out of leaves creating holes; leaf spots may have chlorotic halos; if plant is severely infected, lesions may coalesce forming large necrotic patches, wilting leaves and plant death
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus survives in infected seed and in crop debris; disease spreads in humid or wet conditions; can be spread by splashing water; wild lettuce is an important overwintering site for the fungus
Management
Plant pathogen free seed; plant in areas where Septoria is uncommon; ideal planting sites are in regions with low rainfall; hot water treatment of seeds prior to planting may help reduce levels of disease

Category : Viral

Big vein Mirafiori lettuce big-vein virus (MiLBVV)

Symptoms
Veins enlarged and clear; puckered or ruffled leaves; upright outer leaves
Cause
Virus
Comments
Virus is soil-borne and is introduced to plants via the fungus Olpidium brassicae; disease more prevalent during cool weather
Management
Planting resistant varieties is the best method to control MiLBVV

Category : Other

Slugs & snails (Gray garden slug, Spotted garden slug, Brown garden snail, European garden snail , etc.) Decoratus reticulatum
Limax maximus
Helix aspersa
Cornu aspersum

Symptoms
Irregularly shaped holes in leaves and stems; flowers and fruit may also be damaged if present; if infestation is severe, leaves may be shredded; slime trails present on rocks, walkways, soil and plant foliage; several slug and snail species are common garden pests; slugs are dark gray to black in color and can range in size from 2.5 to 10 cm (1-4 in); garden snails are generally smaller and possess a rounded or spiral shell
Cause
Mollusc
Comments
Slugs and snails prefer moist, shaded habitats and will shelter in weeds or organic trash; adults may deposit eggs in the soil throughout the season; damage to plants can be extensive
Management
Practice good garden sanitation by removing garden trash, weeds and plant debris to promote good air circulation and reduce moist habitat for slugs and snails; handpick slugs at night to decrease population; spread wood ashes or eggshells around plants; attract molluscs by leaving out organic matter such as lettuce or grapefruit skins, destroy any found feeding on lure; sink shallow dishes filled with beer into the soil to attract and drown the molluscs; chemical controls include ferrous phosphate for organic gardens and metaldehyde (e.g. Buggeta) and carbaryl (e.g Sevin bait) for non-organic growers

Pests

Category : Others

Bottom rot Rhizoctonia solani

Symptoms
Small red to brown spots on lower leaves, usually on underside of midrib which may expand rapidly causing the leaves to rot; amber colored liquid may ooze from leaf lesions; as stems rot, head of lettuce becomes slimy and brown and collapse; a tan or brown mycelial growth may be visible in infected tissue
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus survives on crop debris in soil; disease emergence favored by warm, wet weather
Management
Disease is most effectively managed by combining cultural control with fungicide application; plow soil before planting; rotate crops regularly; avoid irrigation close to harvest; plant varieties with an erect growth habit to reduce leaf contact with soil; apply appropriate foliar fungicides

Downy mildew Bremia lactucae

Symptoms
Light green or chlorotic angular lesions on topside of leaves which turn yellow; fluffy white growth on underside of leaves
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Disease favors cool, moist conditions; can be spread via infected seed; fungus survives in plant debris and in wild lettuce plants
Management
Disease is controlled primarily by planting resistant varieties and/or by applying appropriate fungicides
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