Response of nitrogen on the growth and productivity of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most critical nutrients for plant growth and development. Hence its optimum use in crop cultivation is a prerequisite for sustainability of Agriculture. A field trial was conducted during the growing season of 2014-15 to evaluate the response of nitrogen (N) on the growth and productivity of spinach. The study was designed according to randomized complete block design with three replicates. Five N doses viz; 0, 35, 70, 105 and 140 kg ha-1 were applied to evaluate the growth and yield parameters of spinach. The results revealed that various N levels had significant (P<0.05) effects on all the growth and yield contributing traits of spinach. The crop treated with the highest N level of 140 kg ha-1 showed positive effects on all the investigated parameters. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in all the growth and yield related attributes in control plants, where N was not applied. The crop fertilized with highest N level (140 kg ha-1) showed maximum plant height (26.50 cm), took less days for the first cutting of the crop (21.633), produced increased number of leaves plant-1 (17.167), and leaf length (23.767 cm), highest fresh weight of leaves (25.550 g), and maximum yield plot-1 (11.700 kg) and yield ha-1 (9777.8 kg). However, a non-significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between N levels 140 kg ha-1 and 105 kg ha-1 for all the investigated growth and yield related parameters. Hence, 105 kg ha-1 was considered an optimum level for better growth and production of spinach.