Performance of Varieties and Standardization of Plant Density on Growth Parameters in Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis Roxb.) under Summer Conditions in the Central Telangana Zone

It was a Factorial Randomized Block Design, with two factors (three varieties (Arka Anupama, All Green, Mulayam) and four plant densities (25 cm × 10 cm, 25 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 10 cm, 30 cm × 15 cm) and three replications, conducted at Post Graduate Institute for Horticultural Sciences, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu from March to June 2024. The results revealed that Arka Anupama recorded maximum number of leaves per plant (10.51, 13.76, 12.36 and 11.35), length of leaves, width of leaves at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cuttings, leaf area (100.00 cm2) and leaf area index (1.51). The maximum plant height (23.35 cm, 26.99 cm, 25.59 cm and 20.46 cm) and length of leaf petiole was recorded in All Green at all cuttings. A 30 cm × 15 cm plant density ` recorded maximum plant height (23.53 cm, 27.11 cm, 25.46 cm and 20.36 cm), number of leaves per plant, length of leaf petiole, length of leaves, width of leaves at all cuttings and leaf area (109.96 cm2). Highest leaf area index (1.11) was recorded in 30 cm × 10 cm plant density. The V1S4 (Arka Anupama, 30 cm × 15 cm) exhibited maximum number of leaves, length of leaves, width of leaves and leaf area, while plant height and length of leaf petiole were highest in V2S4 (All Green, 30 cm × 15 cm). V1S1 (Arka Anupama, 25 cm × 10 cm) recorded highest leaf area index on par with V1S3 (Arka Anupama, 30 cm × 10 cm).