Responses of Lactuca Sativa (Lettuce) to Fertilization Rates at Various Soil Moisture Conditions at Protected Cultivation

This research was performed to test the hypothesis that the optimal fertilization rate for lettuce is various with soil moisture conditions. The experiment was conducted under a rainfall-intercepted facility in Suwon, South Korea from 2002 to 2003. Soil was irrigated at 30, 50, or 80 kPa of soil moisture tension at 15 cm soil depth in 2002 spring and fall and 20, 30, 50, or 80 kPa in 2003 spring. Fertilization was performed with four levels in spring for both years: none, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 times of the recommended N, P, and K fertilization rate. The irrigation amount increased with decreased irrigation starting point as soil moisture tension. The maximum yield was found at the lowest soil moisture tension in spring while irrigation at 50 kPa resulted in the greatest yield in fall. The yield responses of lettuce to fertilization rates were various with soil moisture condition. In spring, maximum yield was found at 1.0 or 1.5 times of the recommended fertilization rate at 20, 30, and 50 kPa irrigation while 0.5 or 1.0 times of fertilization rate resulted in the maximum yield in fall. Especially for 80 kPa irrigation in 2003 spring, yield was decreased by fertilization. It suggested that the optimum fertilization rate for lettuce is affected by soil moisture condition and that lower fertilization rate should be suggested when soil is managed in drier condition.