Spinach Cultivation: A Farmer’s Guide to Success

Financial Calculations

• Total Crop Cost: ₹15,000 - ₹20,000 per acre
• Total Income: ₹40,000 - ₹50,000 per acre
• Net Profit: ₹25,000 - ₹30,000 per acre

Spinach Crop Calendar

Month	Activity Details
September - October	Soil Preparation and Initial Management: Do soil testing before sowing, plough the field 2-3 times. Mix well-decomposed farm yard manure. Sow seeds in rows, do initial irrigation, and manage weeds.
October - November	Crop Management: Continuously monitor the field, manage irrigation and weeds. Identify and manage pests and diseases.
November - December	Harvesting: Harvest the crop based on maturity.

*Note: Choose the sowing month according to your state's climate and harvest based on crop maturity.

Varieties

1. Punjab Green: Crop can be harvested in 30 days after sowing, yield: 125 quintals per acre.
2. Punjab Selection: Leaves are mildly sour in taste, yield: 115 quintals per acre.
3. Jobner Green: Light green and tender leaves,crop can be harvested 5-6 times.
4. S 23: Broad, dark green leaves, crop can be harvested in 30 days.

Cultivation Practices

Activity	Description
Soil	Sandy loam soil with high organic content and a pH of 6.5-7.5 is suitable for spinach cultivation. Plough the field 2-3 times and mix well-decomposed farm yard manure.
Climate	Moderate and dry weather.  Temperature: 10-27°C.  Annual rainfall: 80-120 cm.
Sowing Time	Sowing should be done from September to October.
Seed Rate	Use 8-10 kg seeds per acre.
Seed Treatment	Biological Treatment: Treat 1 kg seed with 5 gm Trichoderma viride or 10 gm Pseudomonas fluorescens.  Chemical Treatment: Treat 1 kg seed with 2 gm Thiram 75 WP or 2.5 gm Carbendazim 50 WP. In termite-affected areas, treat 1 kg seed with 4-5 ml Chlorpyrifos 20 EC. Dry the seeds in the shade after treatment.
Fertilizer Management	Use fertilizers based on soil test report.  Urea: 70 kg per acre  Single Super Phosphate: 100 kg per acre
Sowing	Maintain a distance of 5-10 cm between plants and 25-30 cm between rows. Sow seeds at a depth of 5 cm.
Water Management	Irrigate the spinach crop 3-4 times based on soil moisture and local weather conditions.
Harvesting	Cut leaves 6-7 cm above the ground using a sharp knife. Harvest in the evening.
Yield	Yield varies based on variety, soil quality, and rainfall. The average spinach yield is 36-48 quintals per acre.

Pest Management

1. Aphids
• Symptoms: Curling and yellowing of the leaves,  stunted plant growth.
• Control: Use 25-30 yellow sticky traps per acre. For control, mix 40-60 gm Acetamiprid 20 SP or 80-100 ml Imidacloprid 17.8 SL in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
2. Tobacco Caterpillar
• Symptoms: Holes in the leaves, leaves appear papery.
• Control: For control, mix 800 ml Chlorpyrifos 20 EC or 40 ml Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC in 200 liters of water and spray on one acre.
3. Leaf Miner
• Symptoms: Small white tunnels on the leaves, premature leaf drop.
• Control: For control, mix 360 ml Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD or 80-100 ml Imidacloprid 17.80 SL or 500 ml Quinalphos 25 EC in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.

Disease Management

1. Downy Mildew
• Symptoms: White powder on the underside of the leaves and yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves, drying of the leaves.
• Control: For control, mix 250-300 ml Hexaconazole 5 SC or 200 ml Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.30 SC in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
2. Leaf Spot
• Symptoms: Brown spots on leaves, premature drying of the leaves.
• Control: For control, mix 750-1000 gm Copper Oxychloride 50 WP or 500-600 gm Mancozeb 75 WP in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
3. Anthracnose
• Symptoms: Brown spots on the leaves, leaves appear papery.
• Control: For control, mix 200-400 gm Chlorothalonil 75 WP or 400 gm Mancozeb 75 WP in 200 liters of water and spray it in one acre area.
4. Damping Off and Root Rot
• Symptoms: Seeds do not germinate, rotting of the seedlings, decaying of the roots, new leaves turn yellow and wilt, spots on the stems.
• Control: Treat 1 kg seed with 2 gm Thiram 75 WP or 2 gm Captan 70 WP before sowing. For severe infestation, mix 1-2 gm Chlorothalonil 75 WP or 1-1.5 gm Metalaxyl 8 + Mancozeb 64 WP in one liter of water and do soil drenching.