Performance of spinach genotypes for yield and associated traits under north Indian plain conditions

AbstractSpinach (Spinacia oleracea L), a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable widely consumed across the globe, holds significant agronomic and nutritional importance. The present investigations were carried out at the experimental farm of DAV University, Jalandhar, Punjab, during the winter season of 2019-2020 to evaluate genetic variability, analyze variance and assess mean performance across twenty diverse spinach genotypes. The experiment followed a randomized block design with three replications. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all fifteen quantitative and biochemical traits, indicating a wide genetic base. Traits such as leaf area, number of leaves per plant and first cutting yield exhibited high variability, suggesting their potential for effective selection. Genotypes such as Ananya Green, Komal Spinach and Supriya consistently outperformed others in multiple traits including yield and vegetative growth, while All Green and Local Selections showed superior biochemical profiles with higher chlorophyll and phenolic content. The findings underscore the potential of these genotypes for future breeding programmes focused on yield enhancement, early maturity and improved nutritional quality in spinach cultivation under north Indian agro-ecological conditions.