Abstract:
Spinach is an edible flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae native to central and western
Asia. It’s a cool season crop and the most accepted vegetable because it contains a high amount of
vitamins and minerals. It reaches to maturity in 45 days. Spinach is a relatively common grown
vegetable crop in Kenya with both commercial significance and reputed health benefits. Its
demand currently exceeds supply. To increase yield production ideal spacing or rather plant
population with a reasonable harvest frequency of the leaves is essential for optimum yields,
whereas too high or low plant density can result to relatively lower yields and quality. The aim of
the study was to evaluate the combined effect of plant density and harvest frequency on growth
and yield of spinach. The experiment was carried out in the University of Embu demonstration
farm. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used in this experiment. Four
treatment combinations were used, i.e., two leaf harvesting frequencies (after every 7 and 14 days)
combined with four plant densities (10, 16, 20 and 25 plants/m at plant spacing of 25×40, 25×25,
20×25 and 20×20 cm, respectively. Data was recorded on the number of leaves per plant, plant
height (cm), fresh biomass (kg/m
) and leaf area. Data on these parameters was recorded and
analyzed statistically using the analysis of variance. A plant population of 25 plants/m
2
at plant
spacing of 20×20cm found to be high yielding and therefore recommended to be used with a
harvesting frequency of 14 days that also was found to improve yields significantly.
