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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161095
Title: THE EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER RATES AND TIMING ON PRODUCTION AND MICRONUTRIENT ELEMENT LEAF CONTENT OF 'MALABAR' SPINACH (BASELLA ALBA L).

Author
item VADHWA, O - ALCORN STATE UNIV
item Shaw, Donna
item Spiers, James

Submitted to: Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2003
Publication Date: 1/1/2004
Citation: Vadhwa, O.P., Marshall, D.A., Spiers, J.M. 2004. The effects of fertilizer rates and timing on production and micronutrient element leaf content of 'malabar' spinach (basella alba l).. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. vol 49(1) pp.21-22.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effects of four fertilizer treatments on yield, plant growth parameters, and leaf elemental micronutrient content of 'Malabar' spinach (Basella alba L.) were evaluated in a Ruston fine sandy loam soil (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult) at the USDA Small Fruits Research Station in Poplarville, MS. Fertilizer (13-6-11) treatments consisted of (1)112 kg/ha applied twice during the season (June and August) for a total of 224 kg/ha, (2)112 kg/ha applied 4 times during the season (June, July, August, September) for a total of 448 kg/ha, (3) 224 kg/ha applied twice for a total of 448 kg/ha, and (4) 224 kg/ha applied 4 times for a total of 896 kg/ha. Plant growth was positively correlated with total N applied regardless of application timing. Leaf yield followed the same pattern as total plant growth, except frequent N applications was as important as total applied N. Leaf size was smallest with the 224 kg/ha per year N fertilization rate. Nitrogen rates of 448 to 896 kg/ha per year did not result in different leaf size regardless of the number of applications. Leaf Fe concentrations were decreased as levels of N fertilizations were increased. Similar trend was also observed for B concentrations in leaves. N fertilization rates had no effect on leaf concentration of Mn, Zn, and Cu.