Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency

Abstract

Rocket and spinach baby leaves are valuable commodities since they are basic components of popular ready-made salads. Two methods may follow after harvesting: establishment of new cultivations or successive revegetations and harvests. This study aimed to investigate the yield and nutritional value of rocket and spinach baby leaves after individual cultivations or successive revegetations in a floating system to improve their production strategy. The crops were cultivated in a greenhouse for seven weeks using a floating system with an adjusted nutrient solution. The leaves were either harvested and immediately replaced with a new set of plants (control) or harvested and placed again in the same tank in order to revegetate (revegetation). Revegetated rocket baby leaves in five cuts produced similar yield, with greater antioxidant capacity (DPPH scavenging activity) and total phenolic content, and greater nitrate content (eight times below the maximum allowed by EU) compared to control. Revegetated spinach produced more yield with enhanced antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and the same nitrate content compared to the control. Colour was not affected in either crop, thus eliminating the possibility for market rejection. Production efficiency was increased, as shown by the yields and the reduced resources provided in the revegetation tank. Thus, successive harvesting and revegetation are suggested for increased production efficiency and quality of rocket and spinach baby leaves.

The potential of young vegetative quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) as a new sustainable protein-rich winter leafy crop under Mediterranean climate

“…Interestingly, in that same study, the reported cumulative fresh yield of three consecutive harvests of the same plots reached 18,999 and 13,900 kg ha -1 in the two respective seasons of the experiment. Thus, quinoa yield may be significantly increased by growing the plants after the first harvest and harvesting them at intervals, similar to spinach, alfalfa, elephant grass, and other leafy field crops [43][44][45]. However, multiple harvests may eventually reduce quinoa plant yield and quality [42].…”

“…However, multiple harvests may eventually reduce quinoa plant yield and quality [42]. Another suggested possibility for maximizing quinoa yield while retaining quality is to establish a new cultivation on the same plot following harvest, similar to spinach and rocket [45]. However, as pests and diseases may develop with high plant density and re-seeding of the same crop on the same plot, crop rotation should be considered to reduce possible adverse effects [46].…”

“…However, multiple harvests may eventually reduce quinoa plant yield and quality [38]. Another suggested possibility for maximizing quinoa yield while retaining quality is thus to establish a new cultivation on the same plot following harvest, similar to spinach and rocket [41].…”

Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species (NUS) from the Apulia Region Worthy of Being Rescued and Re-Included in Daily Diet

“…Roquette is characterized by a pungent and bitter taste, provided by a range of beneficial compounds (Vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolics, and glucosinolates) (Table 2) that contribute to its antioxidant capacity. Conversely, it can also accumulate anti-nutrients (e.g., nitrates) and heavy metals [27][28][29][30][31]. Besides the culinary uses, roquette has interesting medicinal properties, such as diuretic and depurative effects [26], and its extracts have antimicrobial properties [32], antigenotoxic properties in D. melanogaster [33], and cytotoxic effects in tumoral cell lines [34].…”

An Appraisal of Nonmicrobial Biostimulants’ Impact on the Productivity and Mineral Content of Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) Cultivated under Organic Conditions

“…In today's society, people demonstrate a growing propensity to stay informed about environmental issues, probably due to concerns about the possible adverse effects of climate change on human health. This concern has led consumers to adopt healthy eating habits [1,2], rich in vegetables with high antioxidant content, capable of preventing or reducing health problems [3,4]. However, in modern society, people often find themselves under pressure due to the hectic pace of their days.…”