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Swiss Chard
Frank J. Dainello,
Extension Horticulturist
Department of
Horticultural Sciences,
Texas A&M University |
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VARIETIES
White Rib Type = |
Fordhook Giant |
Red rib type = |
Lucullus |
Yellow rib type = |
Orea |
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SOIL PREFERENCE
Well-drained, clay loam; will tolerate wide range of loamy soils with
pH range of 6.5 - 7.5. |
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS
Cool dry conditions; 60 - 75oF days, 40 - 45oF nights. |
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS
Direct seeded or transplanted
Optimum time= |
Soil temperature < 100oF in seed zone and/or day
time air temperature, < 95oF |
| Seeding rate lbs/A= |
6 - 8 (high seeding rate when planting in high temperature soils. |
| Approx seed/oz= |
1,600 |
| Seeding depth= |
1/4 - 1/2" |
| Seedling spacing= |
Double plant rows on 38 - 40" raised beds with 4 - 6"
in-row spacing. |
Direct seeded |
6 - 8 seed / row ft. 6 - 8 seeds / ft and thin to 6 - 12"
apart inrow or |
Transplant |
6 - 12" apart 24 - 36" between plant rows |
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FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION
Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N, P2O5 and K2O (base actual rates
on soil test results).
| Generalized rate lbs/A: |
120 - 75- 80 |
| N- |
100 - 150 lbs, 75 - 100 lbs preplant + 20 - 30 lbs sidedressed
or injected into irrigation water after each cutting (use tissue
analysis to determine supplemental N rates. |
| P- |
75 - 100 lbs banded 2" below seed at planting. |
| K- |
70 - 100 lbs, not normally needed in most spinach production areas
of Texas. |
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WATER/IRRIGATION
Low - moderate demand (10 - 15"). If soil moisture low, irrigate after
each cutting. Overhead sprinkler irrigation not advisable due to increased
incidence of foliar diseases experienced with this method. |
PEST MANAGEMENT
| Major Diseases |
Control |
| Damping off (Pythium) |
Ridomil Gold |
| Downy Mildew |
Aliette |
| Powdery mildew |
Sulfur |
| Leaf spots |
Amistar |
| Heart rot |
Factors related by rapid growth and boron nutrition |
|
| Major Insects |
Control |
| Beet army worm |
B.t.'s, Intrepid, Lannate, Larvin, Proclaim, Spintor |
| Web Worm |
Intrepid, Lannate, Mustang/Fury, Permethrin, Proclaim, Spintor |
| Aphid |
Admire, Fulfill |
| Flea beetle |
Mustang/Fury, permethrin, Sevin |
| Leafminer |
Trigard |
| Weeds |
Control |
| Preplant incorporated |
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| Pre-emergence |
|
| Post-emergence |
Poast, Select |
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| * 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 to 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
Normal method = Hand cut
| Days after planting= |
50 - 60 |
| Containers= |
none specified |
| Packaging/Handling= |
none specified |
| Anticipated yield= |
150 hundred weight per acre |
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TRANSIT/CONDITIONS
32oF at 95 - 100% RH; shelf-life 10 - 14 days. |
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS
- Raised beds suggested, cannot tolerate water logged soil.
- High soil temperatures (95oF + in seed zone) can cause
heat induced dormancy and subsequent stand reduction.
- High air temperature (80oF +) tends to reduce leaf body,
thickness, soluble solids and color.
- Excessive plant populations can cause poor leaf/stem ratio (critical
for processing quality) and early bolting.
- Immediate crop destruction upon crop termination and 3 - 5 year
rotation essential to reduce white rust/blue mold inoculum levels
to assist white rust control.
- Delayed insecticide applications for aphid avoids killing beneficial
insects. Essentially no aphid control obtainable with insecticides.
- If Gibberellic acid (ProGib) is used as a harvest aid, cease use
by February 1. Later use enhances bolting rate.
- Bolting induced by long days (14+ hrs) following cold temperatures.
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Texas Cooperative
Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series
Revised November, 2003
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/lettuce.html
Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger |