Spinachbeet(Palak)

 

Climatic Requirements Palak is a cool season crop, but has a much wider range of adaptability to climatic conditions. It produces seed freely in theNorth Indian Plains.  

 

Land Requirements Land to be used for seed production shall be free of volunteer plants. In addition,the soil of the selected fields should be rich in organic matter.  
Isolation Requirements Palak is corss-pollinated by wind. Air currents may carry the pollen toconsiderable distances. Seed fields must be isolated from fields of other varieties of palak, or of the same variety not conforming to varietal purity requirements for certifidcation, and from Swisschard, sugarbeet or stockbeet and gardenbeet, by at least 1600 metres for foundation seed production, and 1000 metres for certified seed production.

 

Cultural Practices

Time of Sowing
For seed crops, sowing should be done in October toNovember
  


Preparation of Land Prepare the field to a fine tilth by ploughing and 3to 4 harrowings followed by leveling.


Source of Seed Obtain breeder's/foundation seeds from source approved by a seed certification agency.


Seed Rate 25-30 kg per hectare.


Sowing of Seeds Sow the seeds in rows 20 to 25 cm apart. Place the seeds close to each other at the depth of about 2 cm. Sufficient soil moisture is required for good germination.


Fertilisation Apply 35-40tonnes of well-rotted farmyard manure at the time of land preparation; and 100 kg of amonium sulphate or C.A.N. as top -dressing after every cutting..


Spacing  


Irrigation Frequent irrigations according to season are required to obtain a good yield.


Interculture Keep the fields free of weeds, especially in the early growth period. the field should be kept completely clean of pig weed (Bathua), after the crop has been left for seed.


Insect and Disease Control Adopt recommended IPM methods


Roguing Careful roguing for off-types, early bolters, and pig weed plants is necessary. the first roguing may be done at preflowering stage to remove off-types on the basis of foliage characters. Subsequently early bolters, off-type plants and pig weed plants may be removed immediately, as and when they are noticed.


Harvesting

Harvesitng of the crop should be done when most seed is firm, before shattering. The crop is cut by hand and allowed to dry in the field. Afterdrying is complete, the seeds can be threshed by flailing them with sticks. After cleaning the seed must be dried to nine per cent moisture, before storage.


Seed Yield The average seed yield is about 1000 to 1500 kg per hectare.