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SPINACH Descriptor Form
(Form adapted by Seeds of Diversity Canada from the International Board of Plant Genetic Research
descriptor forms for The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security.)
Please observe several plants in the same row. Use a separate form for each variety.
If you cannot answer any of these questions, just leave them blank
For questions asking for averages, please take 10 measurements from different plants. See chart on last page
Variety name
____________________
[ ] Variety name is unknown
Observer
____________________
Location
____________________
Population size
How many seeds did you plant in total?
_________
Germination rate
What percent of the seeds germinated?
_________
Final Population
How many plants did you harvest seeds from at the end of the season?
_________
Dates
Date when you sowed the seeds:
____________________
Date when 50% of the seeds germinated:
____________________
Date when the spinach was ready to harvest:
____________________
Date when the spinach began to bolt:
____________________
Date when the first flowers opened:
____________________
Date when the first dry seeds were ready to harvest:
____________________
Rogueing for Seed Production
Rogueing should be done periodically throughout the season especially:
At the seedling stage for lack of vigor
As plants grow for off-type foliage
At flowering for off-type flowers
For spinach, characteristics to look for when rogueing include:
Leaf colour and variation (rogue at 4-6 true leaf stage)
Leaf shape (rogue at 8-12 true leaf stage. Look at degree of lobing, savoying/blistering and overall shape)
Leaf texture (rogue near maturity for leaf thickness and crispness)
Flavour (rogue at maturity for harvest size, sweetness, lack of bitterness and distinctive flavours)
Disease resistance (rogue throughout season and remove diseased plants)
Resistance to premature bolting (remove early bolters)
Early/Mid-Season
Roughly how many plants were removed after rogueing for seedling vigour? (Typically remove about 10% of the weakest
seedlings and any seedlings showing signs of disease after germination)
____________ (# plants removed)
or
__________ % of plants removed
Late Season / Plant Maturity
Please describe the plant posture at harvest stage?
Erect
Semi-erect
Intermediate
Semi-spread
Spread
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What is the average number of leaves per plant at the harvest stage?
_________
What is the average length of the largest leaf blade on the plant?
_________ cm
What is the average width of the largest leaf blade on the plant?
_________ cm
What is the average height of the mature plant prior to bolting?
_________ cm
What colour are the leaves?
Very pale green
Pale green
Light green
Slightly light green
Green
Slightly dark green
Dark green
Very dark green
Extremely dark green
How many wrinkles are present on the largest leaf blade?
None
Very Few
Some
Many
Very Many
What is the shape of a mature spinach leaf?
What is the shape of the leaf tip? (Observed from the largest leaf)
Sharp
Slightly Sharp
Intermediate
Slightly Round
Round
Flowers
What colour are the flowers?
Yellow
Blue
Purple
Mixed
What is the average diameter of the flowers when fully open?
________ mm
Seeds
What is the total weight of seeds harvested from planted population?
_________ g
Disease
Are there any signs of disease on the plants or fruit? (if so please take a picture and include a brief description)
Yes (picture)
No
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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Based on your knowledge and growing experience please rate this variety on the following characteristics on
a scale from 1-5 (1 being very poor, 5 being excellent)
Productivity
Uniformity
Flavour
Disease resistance
Uniformity of leaf size
Uniformity of leaf shape
Suitability for your location/climate
General customer appeal (i.e colouring/size)
Efficiency of harvesting
Ease of transport (i.e. wilting etc.)
Would you want to grow this variety again?
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Yes
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
No
Please list any pros/cons related to growing this variety.
Pros
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Leaves per
Plant
Leaf Length
Cons
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Leaf Width
Plant Height
Flower
Diameter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Please write any notes or special observations that you would like to mention. Thank you for your help!