Cicli extrastagionali di ruchetta per la IV gamma: aspetti produttivi e qualitativi

The results of a research carried out in Southern Italy to assess the effects of sowing date and harvest time on yield and quality of 'wild' rocket salad [Oiplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.] grown in an unheated plastic-greenhouse during autumn-winter period, are reported. From October 19th to November 6th 2004 rocket salad was sown in four dates with one week interval. For each sowing date 3 harvests, by cutting the plants 2-3 cm above soil level and picking the whole leaves, were performed. Results showed that sowing dates and harvests significantly affected yield and quality of 'wild' rocket salad. In the first two crop cycles yield was 78% higher than the latter two, while the leaf nitrate content was lower by 1,000 mg . The third picking doubled yield and hardly reduced leaf nitrate content compared to the first one; leaf dry matter content was higher in the last harvest too.