Leek

Botanical Description

BOTANICAL NAME: Allium porrum

L.

CHROMOSOME NUMBER:

2n=4x=32

FAMILY:

Amarylidaceae

ORIGIN:

Southern Europe,North Africa and the middle East.

NUTRITIVE VALUE :

a) energy - 77 kcal b) moisture - 78.9 g c) protein - 1.8 g d) fat - 0.1 g e) carbohydrates - 17.2 g f) vit. A - 30 IU g) thiamine - 0.23 g h) calcium - 50 mg g) iron - 2.3 mg

Adaptability:

• Leeks grow best in a cool to moderate climate.

• The Willamette Valley and Oregon Coast are ideal.

• They can be grown here year round.

Soil

 A well-aerated soil with both good drainage and good moisture retention capacity with a pH of 6.5 to 7 is best, which should not be subjected to flooding at any time.

 Deep ploughing is recommended so that a longer shaft can be developed.

 They can be grown successfully on mineral soils but in heavy, clay soils harvesting may be delayed.

Climate

 Leeks grow best in a cool to moderate climate.

Varieties / Hybrids Main fall varieties

(August October): American Flag, Jolant, Kilima, King Richard, Primor.

Late fall

- winter (October through December): Derrrick, Electra, Goldina, Goliath, Kilima, Tivi, Wintereuzen.

Overwinter

(spring harvest): Carina, Conqueror (moderate bulbing), Eskimo, Siberia.

Sowing time Mid hills

- September – October

High hills-

March – May

Seed rate 1.5 kg/ha

Manures and Fertilizers

 A soil test is necessary to determine phosphate and potash requirement.

FYM – 250 q/ha CAN – 600 kg/ha SSP – 375 kg/ha MOP – 185 kg/ha

Spacing

30 × 15 or 45 ×10 cm

Irrigation and weed control

 Irrigate uniformly to maintain vigorous, uniform growth and tender stalks.

 A total of 12-15 inches of water may be required depending on planting date, seasonal variation and variety.

 Soil type does not affect the amount of total water needed, but does dictate frequency of water application. Lighter soils need more frequent water applications, but less water applied per application.

 Application of 1 kg Bladex + 1.5 kg Tribonil controls weeds

Harvesting

 Leeks do not bulb or go dormant in the fall but continue to grow slowly.

 The time of harvest is, therefore, very flexible, depending on the time of planting, market conditions, and variety of leek planted.

 Small leeks can be sold starting in early August, and varieties that have frost tolerance may be harvested throughout the fall and winter months.

Yield

300 q/ha

Seed Production

Methods of seed production Seed to seed method :

in this method, the first season bulb crop is left to overwinter in the field, so as to produce seed in following season.

Bulb to seed method

:  Bulbs stored in previous season are lifted, selected and replanted to produce seed in 2 nd year.

 Mostly bulb to seed method is followed because :  It permits selections of true to type and healthy bulbs for seed production.

 Seed yields are comparatively high.

Sowing time

– Middle of October to middle of November

Seed rate

- 8-10 kg/ha

Manures and fertilizers

FYM – 200q/ha N – 60 kg/ha P – 60 kg/ha K – 80 kg/ha

Transplanting

: 8 weeks old seedlings are planted in small beds in well prepared fields.

Spacing

: Depends upon variety and bulb size and varies from 10 – 15 cm.

Irrigation

: Fortnightly irrigation during winter and weekly irrigation during hot weather.

Interculture

: Post emergence application of Tenoran @ 2kg/ha.

Storage

Store leeks at 32 0 F and 95 to 100 % relative humidity.

Packaging

 Leeks are commonly trimmed to 12-inch length, bunched in 3`s depending on diameter, and often placed in polyethylene film bags.  They are usually packaged in 10-lb cartons or wirebound crates, holding 10 film bags, each 1 lb.

 Other crates may be packaged with 18-24 bunches with a net weight up to 30 lb.

SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS a) General requirements : i) Isolation : Contaminants Mother bulb production stage

F C 1) field of other 5 5 Varieties 2) field of same 5 5 Variety

b) specific requirements

:

Factors Max. permitted

F C 1) Bulb not 0.10% 0.20% Confirming to varietal characters.

2) Off types 0.10% 0.20%

SEED STANDARDS

:

Factors Standards F C

1) Pure seed 98% 98% (min) 2) Inert 2% 2% Matter(max) 3) Other crop 5/kg 10/kg Seeds(max) 4) Weed seeds 5/kg 10/kg (max) 5) Germination 70% 70% (min) 6) Moisture 8% 8% (max) 7) For vapour Proof Containers 6% 6%

Thanks