Quality and Storability of Spinach Grown on a Solution Culture (NFT) in Summer and Winter

Abstract

Quality and storability of spinach cultivars grown on solution culture method known as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) during the summer and winter months were studied. The temperature of the nutrient solution was kept constant or non-controlled. 1. Cultivars grown in winter weighed more than those grown in summer. Some cultivars were grown fully in summer, and the growth was improved by cooling the solution of the culture. 2. There were not much difference on ascorbic acid and chlorophyll contents at harvest time between summer- and winter-grown spinach. 3. Quality, based on freshness of spinach, declined equally during storage of both summer and winter spinach; Shelf life was estimated to be around 12 days at 8 °C. Ascorbic acid content was decreased gradually, corresponding to the decrease in quality and chlorophyll content in winter spinach, whereas in summer spinach, ascorbic acid content was almost disappeared within 5 days of storage although the quality and chlorophyll content remained high.