Economic analysis of crisp lettuce production in different planting spacing and soil cover

The objective of this study was to estimate and evaluate the economic indicators of lettuce production, cultivated using different soil cover and plant spacing. The experiment was conducted in subdivided parcels, with four replications. The treatments were composed by a combination of three soil cover (uncovered soil, straw and plastic cover) and three planting spaces (0.25 x 0.20, 0.25x0.25 and 0.25x0.30 m). The productivity and economic indicators were evaluated for a production area of 1000 m2. For the different treatments, a total operating cost of USD 781.80 to USD 663.30 1000 m-2 was obtained. It was observed that for the cultivation of lettuce in soil covered by straw, from the rubbing, and spacing of 0.25x0.25 m the economic indicators were raised. With a productivity of 687.70 boxes 1000 m-2, for this treatment was obtained gross revenue of USD 1,828.99, operating profit of USD 1,135.41 and a profitability index of 62.08%. Thus, lettuce cultivation provides positive profitability regardless of the spacing or type of cover used and the combination between the 0.25 x 0.25 m planting spacing and the use of straw as a soil cover culminates in higher monetary gains.