The response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) to nitrogen levels and intra-row spacing in Debre Berhan Central Ethiopia

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) is highly appreciated for its nutritional properties, year round availability, low cost and wide use. In central highlands of Ethiopia, Swiss chard has been producing in urban and peri-urban areas but limited information is available about its nutrition and planting distance. An experiment was designed to study the effects of 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1  and control (0 kg ha-1), and different spacing with row including 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm distance on growth, yield and nutritional composition of Swiss chard in Debre Berhan. Treatments were set in randomized complete block design with three replications making 45 treatment combinations. Results indicated that total plant fresh weight, total plant dry weight, above ground fresh weight, above ground dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, plant height, leaf number per plant were significantly affect by the interaction effect of plant spacing and N levels. Leaf area index was significantly affected by intra-row spacing but not by N rate and their interaction. Remarkable difference was recorded on total nitrogen, nitrate contents and vitamin C of leaves due to varied N levels. Generally, growth attributes, yield performance and nutritional composition of Swiss chard obtained best at the combination of 100 kg N ha-1 N and 40 cm plant spacing. Intra-Row needs further study above the 40 cm planting distance. combination of 100 kg N ha-1 and 40 cm in-row spacing can be used for Swiss chard production in Debre Berhan central highlands of Ethiopia.