Effect of Seed Coating on Performance of Lettuce Seeds in Greenhouse Soil Tests1

Performance of raw seeds of 2 lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., cultivars was compared with that of seeds from the same lots that had received 7 different seed coatings. Total emergence and coefficient of variability Of plant weights at 20 days were equal for coated and raw seeds in most instances. Coated seeds emerged 1 to 2 days later than raw seed and resulted in lower seedling weights. Seed coatings make possible precision planting of lettuce with apparently no sacrifice in overall performance.