Package of Practice for Spinach Cultivation
It is a winter season crop but can be grown throughout the year. It can also tolerate frost. It can be grown almost on all soils but sandy loam with pH 7.0 is the best for its cultivation.
Agronomic Practices
Sowing Time and Seed Rate : Winter crop is sown during September-October and spring/summer crop from mid-February to April. Normally palak is grown almost throughout the year. For winter crop, use 4-6 kg. and for summer crop 10-15 kg. of seed per acre.
Spacing : Seed should be sown 3-4 cm deep in rows at 20 cm apart.
Manures and Fertilizers : Apply 10 tonnes of farmyard manure alongwith 35 kg of N (75 kg of Urea)and 12 kg of P2O5 (75 kg of Superphosphate) per acre to harvest a good crop. Apply whole of farm yard manure, P2O5 and half N before sowing and the remaining half N may be applied in two splits after each cutting followed by irrigation.
Irrigation : First irrigation should be given immediately after sowing. Subsequent irrigations should be given at an interval of 4-6 days during summer and 10-12 days during winter.
Harvesting, Care and Marketing
The crop will be ready for harvest in about 3-4 weeks after sowing. Subsequent cutting should be done at an interval of 20 to 25 days depending upon the variety and season. During summer only one harvesting should be taken.
Insect Pests
| Pest | Symptoms | Control Measures |
| Aphids (Aphis sp.) | Minute insects suck sap from the foliage resulting in twisting of leaves. | Eradicate weeds growing onfield bunds, waste lands, road side and irrigation channels/canals as they serve as reservoir for aphids Use fertilizers judiciously, as aphid populations tend to be higher in plants that are fertilized liberally with nitrogenous fertilizers |
Note:
These recommendations are based on research center findings. Yield may vary due to soil, weather, pest/disease attacks, and crop management.
Farmers are responsible for their crop outcomes. Local agricultural department guidelines may also be followed.
