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Spinach (Palak)All seasonsOpen-pollinatedUpdated 6 September 2026

Pusa Harit

An IARI variety bred from a sugar-beet × local-palak cross, upright growing with large, dark green leaves — notable for growing well on acid hill soils and over a longer part of the year.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodFirst cut ~30–35 days
Expected yield10–16 t/ha over all cuts
Suitable soilTolerant of acid hill soils

Quick facts

Crop
Spinach (Palak)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
First cut ~30–35 days
Seed rate
25–30 kg/ha sown in lines (about 10–12 kg/acre)
Expected yield
10–16 t/ha over all cuts
Suitable soil
Tolerant of acid hill soils
Release
Released by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi

About this variety

Pusa Harit is a palak variety from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, developed from a cross between sugar beet and a local palak line. It grows upright with large, dark green leaves and, unusually among palak varieties, tolerates acid hill soils well, which lets it be sown over a longer part of the year in hill and mid-altitude conditions than the plains-oriented varieties. This makes it a particularly useful choice for growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and similar hill belts.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    MaturityFirst cut ~30–35 days
    Yield potential10–16 t/ha over all cuts
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance claimed
    SoilTolerant of acid hill soils
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeCan be sown over a longer part of the year in hill conditions than the plains window
  • Seed rate25–30 kg/ha sown in lines (about 10–12 kg/acre)
  • SpacingRows 20–25 cm apart; thin to 5–10 cm between plants

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First cut ~30–35 days

Expected yield

10–16 t/ha over all cuts

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance claimed

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Tolerates acid hill soils where several other varieties struggle
  • Sowable over a longer part of the year in hill conditions
  • Large, dark green, upright leaves

Things to consider

  • Not specifically bred or tested for the hot plains rabi window

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand