The influence of nitrogen and molybdenum doses was evaluated on the productive characteristics and postharvest quality of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), at Três Pontas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from October to December 2002. A randomized complete block design in a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement with three replications was used. The factorial consisted of four doses of nitrogen (0; 60; 120 and 180 kg/ha) in top dressing, in addition to the usual farmers doses (60 kg/ha), and five doses of molybdenum in foliar application (0.0; 35.1; 70.2; 105.3, and 140.4 g/ha). The highest total fresh weight was obtained with the doses of 86.9 kg/ha of nitrogen in top dressing and 87.4 g/ha of molybdenum. Highest commercial fresh weight was obtained using the doses of 89.1 g/ha of nitrogen in top dressing, while the doses of 94.2 g/ha of molybdenum resulted in the highest yield. The doses of 85.3 kg/ha of nitrogen in top dressing and 72.9 g/ha of molybdenum were the best for highest commercial head circumference. There was no significant effect of the treatments on stem length and post-harvest conservation. The highest percentage of dry matter was obtained with the doses of 89.9 kg/ha of N in top dressing and 77.2 g/ha of Mo in foliar spray.
Lactuca sativa L.; fresh weight; nutrition; storage
