Cultivation

Field-grown lettuce

Lactuca sativa L.

Growing lettuce in open fields requires the selection of varieties resistant to bolting under long-day conditions and the management of downy mildew. The crop is characterized by high earliness, which allows for succession planting, and the ability to tolerate frosts down to -2 °C.

In the reference 1 060 varieties crop Lettuce, where this is mentioned in the description.

When cultivating lettuce in open fields, sensitivity to photoperiodism and temperature is a critical factor. Summer varieties must possess bolting resistance, as excessive light and heat trigger premature transition to flowering. The plant's shallow root system requires consistent soil moisture maintenance, and non-woven row covers are often used to protect against heat stress.

Open-field technology involves using lettuce as an intercrop, which is feasible due to its short growing period of 25–40 days. Soil requirements are limited to a pH range of 6.0–6.8, and the quality of seedbed preparation must exclude large clods due to the small size of the seeds. Cold hardiness allows for winter and early spring sowing, while considering the necessity of protection against downy mildew, caused by the pathogen Bremia lactucae.

General information about the subject — on the page Open field.

Sources8

Varieties of Lettuce mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.