Effect of Planting Dates on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Quality of Some Genotypes of Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.)

Abstract

This experiment was carried out at the Vegetables Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University for two successive seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021) to study the effect of three different planting dates (1 st November 1 st December and 1 st January) on vegetative growth, yield and quality in four spinach genotypes (Dash F1 hybrid, SCO-017 F1 hybrid, Green Shine F1 hybrid and Balady local Cultivar) Statistical analysis of the data revealed a significant interaction between four genotypes and three planting date. The tallest plant, the highest number of leaves per plant and the highest plant fresh weight were obtained from Dash, F1 hybrid and SCO-017 F1 hybrid when sowing on the first planting date (1 Nov) in the first and second season, respectively. These results may be due to the favorable weather with the first planting date and the adaptation of these F1 hybrids to these conditions. Thus, it can be concluded that Hybrid Dash grows better in early sowing (autumn sowing, Nov. 1 st ) and its growth is significantly affected in late sowing (winter sowing, Jan. 1 st ).