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Sorrel, information about crop management
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. It is a vegetable that is appreciated by consumers because of its fresh and sour taste, being consumed as salad, soup, puree, etc. It does not have a high-calorie content but contains high amounts of minerals and vitamins. Sorrel is considered a revitalizing food that helps digestion and regulates intestinal transit. It should be mentioned that the sorrel plant contains oxalic acid and potassium oxalate. These substances are toxic if consumed in high amounts. Sorrel also has therapeutic properties.
The origin of this species is in central and northern Europe. In its native areas, it grows and develops spontaneously in river valleys. Although it has been consumed since ancient times, sorrel was introduced into cultivation in the 15th century and is now cultivated worldwide.
Botanical particularities
Develops a well-developed taproot that penetrates the soil to a depth of 60 cm. Leaves are rosette-shaped with a bushy appearance. They have a long petiole, are lanceolate, and have curled edges. It is a unisexual dioecious plant and develops two types of flowers. In the apical part, it develops a panicle, with greenish-pink flowers. The flowering period is between May and June. The plant forms a very large number of seeds. These are small and can germinate even after four years.
Climate and soil requirements
It is a plant that can adapt to a wide variety of environmental conditions. It can withstand low temperatures well and is not affected by low winter temperatures. During the growing season, it is not affected by negative temperatures, withstanding temperatures down to -9 °C. The limiting factor for the sorrel crop is water. The best results are obtained in conditions of high humidity of both soil (70%) and air (85%). It is not affected by shading and can be grown in poorly lit fields. It prefers fertile soils that provide the necessary water and those with a medium texture.
Cultivation
Crop rotation
It prefers to be grown after plants that leave the soil loose: zucchini, melons, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, aubergines, and tomatoes.
Soil preparation
This step starts by clearing the soil. The next step is basic fertilization. After this operation, it is recommended to plow deeply to a depth of 30 – 35 cm. The soil must be tilled before sowing. It can be done manually (with a hoe) or semi-mechanically with a tiller.
Sowing
Even if the sorrel crop can be established by splitting the bushes, the most suitable method of establishment is direct sowing in the field. The following planting scheme is used: 25 – 30 cm between rows and 10 – 15 cm between plants per row. Sowing depth is 1 – 2 cm. There is no specified optimal time, so sowing can be done in several periods:
- early spring, after temperatures exceed 2 – 3 °C;
- in summer, so that the plants can grow until frost;
- late autumn, so that the seeds do not germinate until winter.
Care works
Being a perennial crop, which is exploited for 3 to 4 years, it requires several maintenance works. In the first year of cultivation, it is necessary to thin the plants when they form 2 – 3 true leaves. This work aims to maintain a distance of 10 – 15 cm between plants per row. Another critical procedure is removing the dry foliage. These can be hosts for diseases and must be removed and destroyed. Also, remove flower stalks immediately after their appearance to stimulate leaf production.
Starting with the second year, the crop should be fertilized. In the spring, shortly after the plants have started growing, you can apply granular fertilizers. Also, sorrel can be foliar fertilized with specific fertilizers.
Weed control can be done manually or mechanically. Apply hoeings whenever necessary. Irrigation is mandatory in areas where drought is present. Mulching can be used to maintain soil moisture and to prevent weeds. For this operation, you can use polyethylene foils, straw, unfermented manure, or other materials. Depending on the environmental conditions, you should irrigate at a rate of 200 – 300 m3 per hectare at intervals of 10 – 15 days.
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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Harvesting
The optimum time to harvest is when the plant has formed 4-5 well-developed and tender leaves. The operation can be carried out in several stages, at intervals between 10 and 15 days. Sorrel leaves are harvested by hand by tearing or cutting. Harvesting is done on the same day as the sale because sorrel has no storage capacity. The sorrel crop gives economically efficient yields for 3-4 years.
