EFF'ECT OF PHOSPHORUS AND PLANT SPACING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF LETTUCE

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from November 2008 to February 2009 to find out the effect of phosphorus and plant spacing on the growth and yield of lettuce. The experiment consisted of two factors, such as factor A: 4 levels of phosphorus Po: 0 kg P20slha; P1: 24 kg P205/ha; P2: 48 kg P20s/ha and P3: 72 kg P20s/ha; factor B: 3 levels of plant spacing; S1: 40 x 20 c111, S2: 40 x 25 cm; S3: 40 x 30 cm. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on growth, yield contributing characteristics and yield were recorded. At 30, 40, 50 and 60 DAT all the highest value of growth parameter and the yield per hectare (5.31 ton, 6.03 ton, 6.61 ton and 7.06 ton) was recorded from P3. At 30, 40, 50 and 60 DAT the tallest plant was recorded from S1, maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded from ,S2 and the highest yield per hectare ( 4.58 ton, 5.33 ton, 6.07 ton and '6.51 ton) was observed from S2. At 30, 40, 50 and 60 DAT highest value for plant height was recorded from P3S1 and maximum number of leaves per plant was found from the treatment combination of P3S2. The highest yield per hectare (5.95 ton, 6.49 ton, 7.26 ton and 7.68 ton) and the highest benefit cost ratio (2.,08) was recorded from P3S2 and the lowest was observed from P0S3 respectively. So the best results were obtained from the treatment receiving 72 kg P20sfha with plant spacing 40 x 25 cm.