Nitrogen and Phosphorus effects on Postharvest Quality of Lettuce. (C03-hoque361573-poster)
Authors:
M.M. Hoque* - Univ. of California H.A. Ajwa - Univ. of California, Davis
Abstract:
The production of high quality lettuce depends on soil fertility. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer application rates on yield and postharvest quality of lettuce, and to determine relationships between lettuce tissue composition, yield, postharvest
parameters, and soil nutrients. Two types of lettuce [Lactuca sativa L., romaine (var. Green Tower) and iceberg (var. Sharp Shooter)] were evaluated in factorial experiments with four application rates of fertilizers N (0, 112, 225, and 337 kg/ha) and P (0, 112, 168 and 225 kg/ha). For both lettuce types, no significant differences were found in yields between treatments that received N fertilization.
Postharvest quality of lettuce stored in a cooler (at 4 ºC) was evaluated weekly for three weeks after harvest. Deterioration in postharvest quality of stored lettuce was more noticeable in romaine than in iceberg for all treatments. Our results suggest that iceberg lettuce can be stored up to 21 days without reduction in postharvest quality parameters. High N had a negative effect on most of the postharvest quality parameters, especially when stored for more than 14 days. The postharvest indices for lettuce stored in a cooler for 21 days will be presented.
Speaker Information: Md Hoque, Univ. of California, UC-Davis, C/O. USDA-ARS, 1636 E. Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905; Phone: 831-755-2801; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Presentation Start: 10:00 AM (Poster Board Number: 604)
