Lettuce cultivar Vera seedling production and performance in the field were tested using three different types of polystirene trays. The experiment for seedling production was set on randomized complete block design. For field evaluations the experimental design was completely randomized. At 26 days after sowing date, root size and leaf number per plant were evaluated. After transplanting to the field, production was evaluated by the root size and shoot fresh and dry weights. The best seedlings were obtained in the tray with greater cell volume (T1=128 cells). Seedlings from T1 (128 cells) and T2 (200 cells) presented similar performance in the field. T3 (288 cells), with a smaller volume of substrate, produced the worst seedlings and lowest yield.
Lactuca sativa L.; substrate volume; crop production
