CROP GUIDE

HYDROPONIC
LETTUCE

www.rijkzwaan.asia | www.rijkzwaan.com
 Content
Introduction
Lettuce – Crop Story 1
Where to use this crop guide 2
Crop Guide
Instructions for sowing seeds 3
Preparation 5
Planting on hydroponic system 6
Fertilizing & Irrigation 7
Taking care of the plants 8
Common pests, diseases & Solutions 9
Physiological disorders & Solutions 12
Harvesting 14
Contact
Contact 15

Jos van der Knaap

Crop Specialist Lettuce

Disclaimer
Rijk Zwaan's descriptions, illustrations, advice, and other information regarding when to sow,
how to sow, and techniques for planting, caring, and harvesting are based on the experience of
Rijk Zwaan from field trials . However, under no circumstances will Rijk Zwaan be liable for any
loss resulting from the use of the descriptions, illustrations, or growing instructions. Growers
are solely responsible for whether planting recommendations are consistent with their local
grower's plans, methods, growing conditions and weather.
CROP STORY

LETTUCE
Lettuce is well known as a fresh vegetable in family meals as well as in restaurants in Asia and
other countries around the world. It is rich in vitamins A, C and K to help reduce
arteriosclerosis, rich in cholesterol to help prevent obesity and bring beautiful skin, rich in
fiber, low in calories to help lose weight.

Today, with the growing trend of having diets, lettuce is proving its dominance in the dishes
because of its nutritious content, sweet and crispy tastes, eye-catching colors and versatility
in different types of recipes.

Rijk Zwaan is proud to be the leading lettuce breeding company in the world. By innovative
technologies, Rijk Zwaan has developed many different types of lettuce such as Crystal,
Batavia, Romaine, Butterhead, Oak-leaf and small-leaf lettuce (Salanova®) to serve the needs
of Asia consumers.

Rijk Zwaan puts a lot of effort in developing different growing

methods, especially hydroponic lettuce production technology that
has brought very high economic efficiency to growers.
By shortening the crop cycle and so increasing the number of crops
and so yield per year.

Hydroponic lettuce is a perfect way to creates a clean and safe

product for consumers.

Information on recipes using lettuce and other vegetables are

shared by Rijk Zwaan to consumers through the Love My Salad
social network. This is an interactive platform for salad lovers,
consumers and professionals.

See more at:

lovemysalad.com

Rijk Zwaan Crop Story 1

 WHERE TO USE
THIS CROP GUIDE?

All growers who are interested in growing lettuce using a hydroponic

system in South-East Asia, including high land as well as lowland locations.

Rijk Zwaan Introduction 2

 1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOWING SEEDS
1.1 SEEDING MATERIALS 1.2 THE PROCESS OF SOWING SEEDS

• Media: coir, peat or other sterile media like

foam are used for sowing seeds,
• Hydroponic net pots (optional)
• Seeds / pills
Media

Put the media into the hydroponic net pots,

gently compress the media to fit each container
(not too tight) so that the top of the media is
slightly below the surface, and water well

Sow the seeds in the center of the media. Not

too deep or too shallow: best is in a way that the
seeds or pills are just covered with media.

After sowing, water well, so there is a good

contact between the seed and the media.

After sowing, all trays are taken to a cool place

Seeds / pills for 1,5 – 2 days, to ensure the optimal
germination rate.
Pills are less sensitive for high temperatures and
so these can be sown directly in the nursery, but
take care to shade out the heat.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 3

1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOWING SEEDS
1.3 MONITOR & CARE

• After the seeds have germinated, bring the pots or trays to the nursery table.
• Check seedlings daily
• Irrigate based on the dryness of the media. Do not irrigate too often, to avoid diseases and to
stimulate root-growth.
• Water the seedlings with only clean water from germination until the appearance of the
cotyledons.
• Stage of plants with true leaves (the length of true leaves is about 1 cm): Start fertilizing with
EC= 1.0 mS/cm and pH=5-6. In the following watering days, increase EC by 0.2 with a
maximum EC of 2.0 mS/cm. Do not use clean water to irrigate the seedlings once fertilizing
has started.
• Apply fungicides or pesticides when needed.

Healthy seedlings ready for planting

IDEAL Seedlings grow uniformly, without signs of disease

or disorder, with many white roots at the root tips.

SEEDLINGS Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 4

 2. PREPARATION
2.1 NEW SYSTEM

• New hydroponic gullies and pots should be washed with filtered water before use.
• White is the preferred color as this helps to reflect the heat.

Gullies and net-pots: NFT is the most common used system in Asia.

2.1 STERILIZING THE SYSTEM

• It is recommended to disinfect the system before starting a new crop.

• Remove all plant parts and roots from the previous crop, and clean the system with
clean water. Then, disinfect inside and outside the system with an agent like chlorine
and rinse well.

Disinfect the
hydroponic
system

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 5

3.PLANTING ON HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
TRANSPLANTING

• 20-25 days after sowing, the young plants are ready for transplanting.
• For the last 3 days in the nursery, it is recommended to increase the amount of light
and ventilation, so the seedlings will be hardened off so the are stronger.
• The density and spacing can vary, depending on the type of lettuce and the wanted
size at harvest.

Lettuce seeds have germinated well Lettuce plants ready for transplanting

In-between phase, to create bigger

Lettuce plants on the gullies
seedlings

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 6

 4. FERTILIZING & IRRIGATION
4.1 USES OF FERTILIZER

Fertilizer mixes for A & B solution.

Crop: general lettuce in NFT (all except Iceberg & Salanova)

Ca(NO3)2 kg 19
A tank KNO3 kg 14
FE 6% g 700

KH2PO4 kg 9
MgSO4 kg 7
KNO3 kg 12
B tank MnSO4 g 35
ZnSO4 g 35
Borax g 60
CuSO4 g 10
NaMo g 3

• Mixed in 2 different tanks (A & B), the volume of each tank is 200 liters
• Tanks A & B are 100-time-concentrated parent solution.
• From tanks A and B the same volume is taken and put in a large mixing tank C.
• Before using, the EC and the pH need to be checked and adjusted.
• The EC in the irrigation prgram is the EC measured from tank C.
• The target EC depends on the climate conditions & the varieties used.

Notes on irrigation

In Southeast Asia, lettuce is irrigated 24/7

• It is recommended to have the source water tested before use.

• This fertilizer program is calculated based on the practical experience of Rijk Zwaan,
applicable only to the varieties provided by Rijk Zwaan. For implementation, relevant
technical knowledge and materials with technical demand are required.
• Outcomes depend on objective factors such as technical proficiency, weather, etc...
Therefore, Rijk Zwaan will not be responsible for the results when users apply this
fertilizer program.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 7

 5. TAKING CARE OF PLANTS
5.1 EC, pH 5.2 CHECK WATER TEMPERATURE

• Check the EC and pH of the water in • Check water temperature, especially

the mixing tank regular. during the midday heat.
• If needed, make adjustments. • Avoid too high (above 28C) or too low
(below 15C) water temperature, for this
will affect the growth and development of
the lettuce.

EC and pH meters Thermometer

5.3 SHADING

• It often is useful to shade lettuce

during the midday heat, for example
from 10 am to 3 pm.

• There is no need to use the shade net

for days when the weather is not
sunny.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 8

 6. COMMON PESTS, DISEASES
& SOLUTIONS
FROGG-EYE LEAF SPOT

SYMPTOMS
The disease starts from the seedling period.
Infected spots are round or oval white spots
with brown edges. These infected spots will
spread on the leaf surface.

CAUSE
Caused by the fungus Cercospora sp. Under
wet and humid conditions, the fungus is
spread by plant residues and neighboring
gardens.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND

TREATMENTS
Clean the system before and after each crop,
plant at a reasonable density, choose
disease-resistant varieties and clean up plant
residues. Some pesticides can be used to DAMPING OFF
prevent diseases as recommended.
SYMPTOMS
Lettuce plants wilt during the midday heat
and then freshen up again. After a few days,
the plant will completely wilt and die. Often
the stem and the root of the lettuce plant
show black-brown symptoms.

CAUSE
Caused by the fungi like Rhizoctonia solani,
Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium ssp.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

Disinfect systems and greenhouse before and
after each crop. Preventive fungicides are
available.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 9

 6. COMMON PESTS, DISEASES
& SOLUTIONS
SOFT ROT

SYMPTOMS
The leaves slightly wilt during the day and
freshen up when night falls. After some days,
the leaves completely wilt and cannot be
recovered. Eventually, the entire stem and
shoots of the lettuce plant get rotten.

Cause
Caused by the bacterium Erwinia
carotovora.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Plant at the proper density for each type of
lettuce.
• Use the right fertilizer formula.
• Don’t use too much NH4 in the formula.

THRIPS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Black spots and small irregular scars on the
leaf surface. Thrips can spread the TSWV virus.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

Clear the planting areas & surroundings from
weeds. Use natural enemies when available.
Chemicals are available but not always very
effective.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 10

 6. COMMON PESTS, DISEASES
& SOLUTIONS
CATERPILLARS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Visible holes and green-brown stools on
leaves.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Clean before, during and after each crop to
limit pathogens.
• Use insect traps to get rid of moths.
• Use insect nets
• Pesticides are available.

LEAF MINERS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Small pale green spots on leaves. Infected
leaves are not qualified for the market.
• The severely infected leaves will wither and
die. Those holes create a good opportunity
for fungal infection.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND

TREATMENTS
• Clean before, during and after each crop
to limit pathogens.
• Use insect traps.
• Use natural enemies.
• Apply IPM.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 11

 7. PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS
TWISTING

SYMPTOMS
The plant has not the right shape; the outer
leaves are curled around the center. Romaine
lettuce is more sensitive but also other types
can get this problem.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Plant at the right stage, avoid seedlings that are
too big and too old.
• Prevent a too high humidity by creating enough
airflow.

LEAVES TURNING YELLOW

SYMPTOMS
Young leaves turn yellow, the veins often
remain green, and the plant poorly grows.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Do not keep the media too wet throughout
the nursery stage.
• Make sure the pH is not too high.
• Check the Fe in the formula.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 12

 7. PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS
TIP-BURN

SYMPTOMS
• Calcium deficiency, sudden weather
changes.
• Root pressure is not sufficient to PUSH
Calcium to the growing point.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Use a balanced fertilizer formula.
• Not too high EC on hot days.
• Create enough healthy roots.

ELONGATION / BOLTING

SYMPTOMS
• Seedlings are too big or planted when it is
too hot.
• Sudden changes in EC.
• A combination of high humidity, high
temperatures and rather low light levels.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENTS

• Plant at the right stage and when the weather
is cool (so better in late afternoon).
• Maintain a proper water flow
• Control EC.
• Have enough air flow , specially on dark days.

These are some of the pests, diseases,

and physiological disorders we often see
when growing hydroponic lettuce. Wish
you success with the prevention and
treatment!

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 13

 8. HARVESTING
• Products meet the customer’s requirements in terms of weight and
quality.
• Should harvest early in the morning to ensure product freshness and to
make the cooling down in the storage faster.
• Hydroponic lettuce can be harvested with or without roots.
• Many different forms of packaging are available.

Rijk Zwaan Technical guidelines 14

 Jos van der Knaap
Crop Specialist Lettuce

“Growing lettuce using hydroponics is a major trend world wide.

Asia is a real front runner in using mid-tech solutions.
With a young, growing population and a growing middle class the
demand for high quality lettuce will keep on growing for many
years to come.
This creates a golden opportunity for growers like you!”

Find your local contact at: https://rijkzwaan.asia/contact-us/

Rijk Zwaan Contact 15