Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) At Abakaliki Agro-Ecological Zone of Southeastern Nigeria

Studies were carried out in 2005 and 2006 raing seasons at four locations (Abakaliki, Ezzamgbo, Ikwo and Okposi) within the Abakaliki Agro-ecological zone of southeastern Nigeria, to determine their suitability for the production of lettuce. The measurements included weather elements, soil physico-chemical propertiesand crop growth and yield. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) lower at Ezzamgbo than the other locations. Soil total porosity and conductivity were reciprocatingly higher at Ezzamgbo compared to the other locations. The soil pH, organic matter, total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and CEC were significantly (p<0.05) higher at Ezzamgbo, than the other locations. The lettuce planted at Ezzamgbo also possessed significantly (p<0.05) higher leaf area, number of leaves, shoot dry matter and taller than the ones grown at the other locations. The fresh weight yield range of 13.33-32.31 t ha was obtained in the study. The yield of lettuce at Ezzamgbo location was 12, 9.2 and 8.2 t ha 1 1 significantly (p<0.05) higher than the yield of the crops at Abaklaiki, Ikwo and Okposi in the first yearand by 10.2, 13.7 and 15.8 t ha in the second year. The results showed that it is possible to produce Lettuce within 1 Abakaliki agricultural zone, It was also observed that the highest lettuce yield (32.31 t ha ) was obtained at 1