Nutrient Management and Effects of Netting on Growth and Yield of Indian Spinach (Basella alba)

Best horticulture management has been practiced to reduce the amount of inorganic fertilizer in connection with net (mosquito net) for higher production of Indian spinach. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture promoted negative effect on the environment and human health in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during the period February to May 2016. Two factor experiments were conducted on nettings: control (N0), Netting (N1) and different fertilizers: control (F0), Vermicompost 10 t/ha (F1), Vermicompost 15 t/ha (F2), 2/3rdof F2+ 1/3rdof F4 (F3), Inorganic fertilizer (F4). Combination of mosquito net and combined of organic and inorganic fertilizers (N1F3) gave the significantly higher growth and yield of Indian spinach compared to other treatment combination. The maximum vine length (77.71 cm), after 45 days after sowing was found from N1F3 which was 72% higher compared to control. The highest yield of Indian spinach was 38.67 t/ha from N1F3 which was 80% higher compared to control. The treatment combination of N1F3 provided maximum leaf numbers per plant, leaf length.