RESPONSE OF LETTUCE (Lactuca Sativa L.) TO DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES AT VOM, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A two-year study was conducted to test the effect of various organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The treatments which were laid out in a randomized block design and replicated three times consisted of a zero manure control, cow dung, poultry and rabbit manures applied at 30 tonnes ha-1. Poultry manure consistently and significantly produced the tallest plants (by 24 % and 49 %) and more leaves (by 45 % and 101 %) at 2- and 10 weeks after transplanting respectively compared to the control. The study showed that lettuce leaves can be harvested as from 6 weeks of age (with about 16 leaves) and fed to rabbits. Lettuce grown with organic manure did not contain parasitic pathogens and can therefore not become a direct source of infection to animals fed on the produce. In the absence of poultry manure, rabbit manure is a satisfactory substitute for leaf lettuce production. Organic vegetable producers should be mindful of the possibility that pathogenic parasites in their growing media may contaminate the greengrocery