Yield and Quality of Spinach Cultivars for Greenhouse Production in Oklahoma

Abstract

Greenhouse spinach production is an alternative to fruiting vegetables produced in the greenhouse because it allows for multiple short-duration production cycles and a much faster economic return. Ten spinach (Spinacia oleracea) cultivars were evaluated for yield and quality using greenhouse float bed production techniques in Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. Time required for production was 52 days in Fall 2005 and 37 days in Spring 2006. Highest yields in Fall 2005 were 2093, 1996, 1956, 1920, and 1884 g·m−2 for ‘Olympia’, ‘Samish’, ‘Padre’, ‘Bolero’, and ‘F91-415’, respectively. ‘F91-415’ and ‘Bolero’ were the highest yielding cultivars in Spring 2006 with yields of 1649 and 1560 g·m−2, respectively. Bolting ratings were recorded in both tests and only ‘Samish’ had any bolting in Spring 2006 and none in Fall 2005. Quality ratings for leaf color and foliage mass were recorded in Spring 2006 with ‘Samish’, ‘Padre’, and ‘Cypress’ having the highest quality ratings. Color factors, including lightness, hue, and vividness, varied in Fall 2005 but not in Spring 2006. Based on yield and quality factors, the authors recommend further commercial trials of ‘Olympia’, ‘Samish’, ‘Padre’, and ‘F91-415’ for fall greenhouse production and ‘F91-415’ and ‘Padre’ for spring production.