Automated thinner benefits romaine lettuce size, uniformity

(American Society for Horticultural Science) Experiments compared the effects of automated thinning and hand thinning on uniformity of in-row spacing, plant size, and crop yield of romaine lettuce. Individual lettuce plant weight and heart weight from the automated thinning plots was significantly greater, and plants were more uniform than hand-thinned plants. Results suggested that automated thinning increases lettuce plant size and uniformity and makes it possible for growers to increase plant population and crop yield by optimizing in-row spacing.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news