Productivity of Leek Hybrids Depending on Planting Schemes and Etiolation Methods

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The research aimed to evaluate whether plant population density of the leek cultivars ‘Jumper’ F1 and ‘Matejko’ F1, and the method of pseudostem etiolation could improve leek yield. The row spacing variants were 45 cm, 60 cm, and 70 cm, with a plant spacing of 15 cm within each row. Seedlings were planted either one or two per hole. Etiolation was launched at the BBCH 17 (7th leaf >3cm) growth stage, with the stems either hilled up with the soil from the inter-rows or shaded with vertical panels of black agrotextile, with a shading height of 20 cm. The planting scheme significantly affected leek growth and development parameters. The largest leaf area and plant and pseudostem mass were observed with the 70 × 15 cm plant-ing; however, the yield per hectare was the lowest. The F1 Matejko cultivar yielded higher in the variant with a 45 × 15 cm planted singly and etiolated under black agrotextile. For growing F1 ‘Jumper’, it is recommended to plant two seedlings per hole at a density of 45 × 15(2) or 60(2) x 15 cm, etiolated under black agro-textile. The obtained results will help to improve the leek cultivation technology.