Parsley Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
VARIETIES Plain leaf types = Dark Green Italian Hy, Decora, Forest Green Curled leaf types = Moss Curled, Jade Hy
SOIL PREFERENCE Wide variety of soils but prefers well drained, sandy loams with pH 6.0 - 7.0.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Grows well under wide range of temperatures, does best with temperatures ranging between 45 - 85oF. Temperatures below 45oF for 1 - 2 months causes bolting as temperatures increase.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded Optimum time- Soil temperature 50 - 80oF. Seedling spacing- Multiple rows per bed (6 - 12 between rows on the bed surface, 4 seedling lines/ 40" wided beds, 10 - 12, on 80" wide beds (in-row spacing, drop 24 - 30 seeds/ foot). Seeding rate lbs/A- 20 - 40 Seeding depth- 0.25 - 0.3" Approx seed/oz- 15,000 - 18,000
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N2, P2O5 and K2O (base actual application rates on soil test results). General rate: 120 - 50 - 120. N= 80 - 100, 1/2 pre-plant broadcast incorporate 20 - 25% of total; top or side dress 20 - 25 lbs/A when rapid growth flush initiates after each cutting. P= 50 - 80, banded approx 1 - 2" below seed at planting. K= 100 - 120, applied only if needed as indicated by soil test. Apply all with first nitrogen application.
WATER/IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS Maintain uniform soil moisture, 6 - 12" per season.
PEST MANAGEMENT Major Diseases Control Damping-off (Pythium) Ridomil Gold Leaf Spots fixed copper, Amistar Powdery mildew Flint, sulfur Downy mildew Aliette Nematode K-Pam, Telone II Major Insects Control Armyworm B.t.'s, Intrepid, Lannate, Mustang, Permethrin, Proclaim, Spintor Aphid Admire, Fullfill, Provado Flee beetles Mustang, Permethrin, Sevin Leafminers Trigard Weeds Control Preplant incorporated Prefar Pre-emergence Lorox Postemergence Poast
*NOTE- The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer for product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
HARVEST Days to maturity = 70 - 80 from seeding. Harvest Method Hand clipped and bunched. Anticipated yield/A= 100 - 200 field crates per acre (100 bunches per crate) Packaging 5 dozen bunches per carton (20 - 22lbs)
STORAGE/TRANSIT/CONDITIONS 32oF at 95 - 100% RH; shelf-life 8 - 10 weeks.
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS Shallow rooted crop, requires uniform soil moisture levels, water stress will reduce leaf growth development which restricts yields. Good weed control a must due to plant growth habit and harvest methods. Moderately susceptible to ozone injury. Multiple harvest, approx 30 days on regrowth. Boron tolerance up to 6 ppm in irrigation water Market demands product to be dark green, fresh in appearance, and free from defects, seed stems and decay.
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series Revised November, 2003 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/pepper.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger