Crop Profile for Greenhouse Lettuce in Canada - August 2006 (36 pp) - Synopsis

Greenhouse lettuce is grown in Canada in areas where light and energy costs favour greenhouse crop production and where production is close to major markets. Major production areas by hectares (2003) are Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Only butterhead lettuce, also known as 'Boston' or 'Bibb' lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) is grown in greenhouses.

Production of greenhouse lettuce requires strict control of temperature, light, carbon dioxide concentration and relative humidity. The development of greenhouse procedures for producing lettuce has allowed growers to produce lettuce year round.

The Crop Profile for Greenhouse Lettuce provides an overview of production and pest management practices for greenhouse lettuce in Canada. Information is provided on abiotic factors affecting its growth. The biology of key disease, insect and mite problems is presented as well as cultural, chemical and alternative methods of control. Detailed information is provided in tabular form on pest occurrence, integrated pest management options and registered pesticides available to growers.

Grower issues/ gaps in pest management, identified through stakeholder consultations are described in each of the three main sections (disease, insect and mite) and under each pest description. Research contacts are listed in the resources section at the end of the profile. Links are provided to national and provincial grower organizations and provincial ministry of agriculture websites, sources of additional information on greenhouse lettuce production.

Limited crop production and market statistics are provided in the profile to give context to the economic importance of the commodity. For more detailed statistics pertaining to the crop, the reader is referred to Statistics Canada.

The Crop Profile for Greenhouse Lettuce is not intended for use as a crop production guide. Please refer to provincial ministry of agriculture websites and crop specialists for detailed information on crop production and pest management in a specific region.

This profile is based on a report prepared under contract (01B68-3-0042) by:

Janice Elmhirst, Elmhirst Diagnostics and Research, Abbottsford, BC.

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