Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part C (2025)

The present study, titled "Variability Studies in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)", was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Latur (VNMKV, Parbhani). Ten different genotypes (varieties) of lettuce were evaluated using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications. Transplanting was done on 31st December 2024 with a spacing of 45 cm × 30 cm. Each treatment included 20 plants per genotype per replication. Observations were recorded on 22 different characters from five randomly selected plants in each plot.The results showed that there was a wide range of differences among the genotypes for all the traits studied. High values of both genotypic and phenotypic variation were observed for head weight, yield per plant, and total yield. High heritability was found in traits like yield per plant, iron content, dry leaves weight, head weight, total yield, marketable yield, leaf breadth, leaf area, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, dry matter, plant height, and leaf length. These traits also showed high genetic advance, suggesting they can be improved through selection. Among the genotypes, ‘Padma’, ‘Argula’, ‘Iceberg Lettuce’, ‘Oakleaf Lettuce’, ‘Coral Lettuce’, and ‘Great Lakes’ performed better for yield and growth traits. For quality traits, ‘Padma’, ‘Argula’, and ‘Romaine Lettuce’ were found superior. These genotypes are suitable for commercial cultivation and future breeding programme.