Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium effects on the physiology and biomass yield of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
2017
Nemadodzi, Lufuno Ethel | Araya, Hintsa | Nkomo, Mpumelelo | Ngezimana, Wonder | Mudau, Nixwell Fhatuwani
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.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library