Nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium effects on the physiology and biomass yield of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) |
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| Authors: | Lufuno Ethel Nemadodzi Hintsa Araya Mpumelelo Nkomo Nixwell Fhatuwani Mudau |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa;2. Indigenous and Medicinal Plants Department, ARC-Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute, Pretoria, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | Baby spinach is a relatively new crop of commercial significance in South Africa with considerable health attributes. Three parallel trials to investigate its response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were conducted. N and P (0, 45, 75, 105, and 120 kg·ha?1) and K (0, 63, 85, 127, and 148 kg·ha?1) treatments were applied to baby spinach in a randomized block design with four replications. After the parallel trial, NPK combination trial was also done. The biomass yield, chlorophyll content, and leaf area index increased significantly with increase in N and P rates; K had no effect on the yield, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and leaf area index. Yield and chlorophyll content peaked at 75 kg·ha?1 of N/P but growth was best optimized at the NPK combination of 45:45:60 kg·ha?1. |
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| Keywords: | baby spinach biomass mineral nutrition |
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