ABSTRACT Baby spinach is a relatively new crop of commercial significance in South Africa with considerable health attributes. Three parallel trials to investigate its response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P),… Click to show full abstract
ABSTRACT Baby spinach is a relatively new crop of commercial significance in South Africa with considerable health attributes. Three parallel trials to investigate its response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were conducted. N and P (0, 45, 75, 105, and 120 kg·ha−1) and K (0, 63, 85, 127, and 148 kg·ha−1) treatments were applied to baby spinach in a randomized block design with four replications. After the parallel trial, NPK combination trial was also done. The biomass yield, chlorophyll content, and leaf area index increased significantly with increase in N and P rates; K had no effect on the yield, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and leaf area index. Yield and chlorophyll content peaked at 75 kg·ha−1 of N/P but growth was best optimized at the NPK combination of 45:45:60 kg·ha−1.
               
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