Example of interactions in babyleaf spinach

Some recent research on baby-leaf spinach shows a very interesting interaction between CO₂, concentration and growing temperature.

Two baby-leaf spinach varieties, Donkey (slow growing) and Racoon (fast growing), were grown at two CO₂ concentrations, 400 ppm (ambient) and 640 ppm (high), over three temperature regimes, 22, 26 and 30^oC. Both varieties grew best at 22^oC and progressively worse at 26 and 30^oC.

The higher CO₂ concentration had a significant positive impact on growth at the two lower temperatures. In the faster-growing variety – Racoon – the elevated CO₂ counteracted the adverse effect of higher temperature on growth at 26^oC but was not able to do the same at 30^oC.

This type of study shows the critical impact of temperature on the growth of cool-season leafy crops such as spinach and the complicated interactions that occur between variety type and the direct effects of higher CO₂ levels.

Source : J. Conroy.