Spinach

Common name: Spinach/ palak (India)

Botanical name: Spinacia oleraceae

Family: Amaranthaceae

Origin: Persia (Iran)

Introduction:

• Spinach is grown throughout the world it is perennial leaf vegetable.

• Name of spinach stands on equally with the term “health” as it has excellent nutritional value.

• It is very good source of vitamin A and C. It also contains sufficient amount of protein, calcium and iron.

• Comparatively, it is easy to grow. People grow spinach in pots, containers and in back yards.

• It is an annual and cross pollinated crop.

• The leading spinach producing states in India are Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

Climate:

Spinach is a rabi season crop but its cultivation is possible throughout the year with moderate temperature conditions.

• Leave of spinach is resistant to frost as compare to other crops.

• Spinach is also tolerant to warm weather but it can affect the productivity and premature bolting would occur.

Soil:

• We have wide range of variety of soil to cultivate spinach. Available soil should have good fertility and well drainage capacity.

• However sandy loam soil is comparatively best for the high yield.

• It is also resistant to slightly alkaline soils.

• For the best output, soil should have pH ranging from 6.0-7.5.

Fertilizer and manure:

Spinach comparatively requires more nitrogen as it is leafy vegetable. It is recommended that the soil must go through a clinical test. This would help to identify the right amount of fertilizers.

• It is recommended to mix well farm yard manure with phosphorus and half dose of nitrogen during land preparation.

• Generally, 25 t/ha of farmyard manure is sufficient with 90kg/ha of phosphorous and 30kg/ha of potassium oxide.

• Another half does of nitrogen should be applied in two divided doses, one after each cutting along with light irrigation.

Seed rates:

• For winter season seed rate: 4 to 6 kg per acre.

• For summer crop seed rate: 10 to 15 kg per acre.

Land preparation:

• Land should have soft soil and fine tilth and this can be done when field is being ploughed 5 to 6 times.

• Land should be weed free and leveled.

• We can also add micronutrients in case of nutrient deficiency in the soil.

• Proper irrigated channels should also be made in the field.

Plant spacing:

Broadcast and line sowing method are generally preferred by the farmers, as it facilitates weeding, harvesting and hoeing.

• Required space for row to row: 25-35cm.

• Required space for plant to plant: 10-12cm.

• Required depth for plantation: 1.5-2.0cm.

Variety:

There are three main varieties of spinach- savoy, semi-spinach and flat leafed spinach. Each of these varieties has their own sub-varieties mentioned below:

Irrigation:

• In cultivation of spinach, irrigation should be based on availability of moisture in the soil. Climatic conditions also play important role.

• Spinach crop should be irrigated at 10-12 days of interval in the winter season.

• Process of irrigation is not much required in the rainy season

Harvesting:

• Time of harvesting depends upon the adopted variety, soil and climatic conditions.

• Generally first cutting can be done in 25-30 days of sowing.

• Subsequent cutting can be done at interval of 20-25 days, depending on the variety of the spinach.

Yield:

Quality and quantity of the crop depends on the variety and adopted management practices. On an average 60-80 quintal/ha can be expected.