Tag Archives: spinach

Denmark Leads the World in Spinach Seed Production Thanks to Modern Crop Protection

Posted on by
Reply

Denmark is a world leader in production of vegetable seeds that meet very high quality standards and are exported to growers around the world. In order to grow a high quality seed crop economically, Danish seed growers use herbicides to control weeds and fungicides to control plant diseases. Recently, an assessment was made as to whether Denmark can maintain its position as the leading spinach seed supplier, and the results show…

Can Denmark keep the position as the biggest spinach seed producer in the world?

  • Yes, if Denmark is allowed to use proper herbicides and fungicides
  • Yes, because Denmark has good climatical growing conditions for spinach – good soil, sufficient rain and long days
  • Yes, because Danish farmers are highly skilled and have top mechanization
  • Yes, because Danish seed companies have very good processing facilities
  • Yes, because Denmark has a very good infrastructure
  • and… Yes, because Denmark will fight for it!

Author: Henning van Veldhuizen
Title: Can Denmark keep the position as the biggest spinach seed producer in the world?Presented at: 2011 International Spinach Conference, October 3-4, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Crop Breeding Failure Led to Increase in Fungicides in CA Spinach Fields

Posted on by
Reply

The breeding of crop varieties that are resistant to pest organisms is often touted as an effective means of replacing pesticide use. And yet, pest organisms mutate and overcome the plant’s resistance. According to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, fungicide use in California spinach fields has doubled in the last decade. The reason for the increase has been the breakdown of the plant’s resistance to mildew (Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae).

“Downy mildew disease is the most important disease problem facing the extensive spinach industry in California. … While downy mildew has been around California spinach fields for decades, the last few years have seen the development of four or five new races. Each new race potentially overcomes the resistance factors in the cultivars being planted at that time, leaving the crop susceptible to severe damage.”

“Integrated management steps must be used. … Resistant cultivars will remain a foundational piece of such a program. Judicious use of effective fungicides will remain important.”

Authors: Steven Koike and Jim Correll
Affiliation: University of California and University of Arkansas, respectively
Title: Spinach Downy Mildew: Outlining the Challenges.
Publication: Crop Notes (University of California Cooperative Extension)