| Abstract Detail
Production and Management Onyango, M.O.A. [1]. Effects Of Nitrogen Levels On Growth And Yield Of Broad Leaved African Nightshade (Solanum Scabrum). AFRICAN nightshade (Solanum scabrum ) is an important African Leafy Vegetable in many African countries yet factors affecting leaf yields have not been fully investigated. A market survey conducted in Kakamega Municipal market, Kenya revealed that broad leaved African nightshade was among the prefered African Leafy vegetables in the region. Besides being rich in micronutrients it has several medicinal properties and unlike the other vegetable nightshades the leaves are less bitter. For this potential to be exploited there is need to look at factors that would contribute to optimal leaf yields of such emerging crops. Nitrogen affects growth and development of many leafy vegetables through its effect on cell division and hence leaf expansion. Hardly any work has been reported on nitrogen effects on this emerging crop. The objective of the study was therefore to investigate effects of nitrogen rates on growth and yield of African nightshades. A pot and two field experiments were conducted at Maseno University, Western Kenya between June 2003 and December 2005. The pot experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications. The treatments included 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g of N per pot .(18cm diameter pot). The field experiments were set up in a randomized complete block design with six (6) Nitrogen rates and three replications. The treatments included 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 kg of N per hectare. Nitrogen levels significantly (p≤0.05) affected plant growth, and leaf yields in both pot and field experiments with optimal levels at 2.5 gN/pot and 40 kg N/ha respectively.
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1 - Maseno University, Department of Botany and Horticulture, P.O. Private Bag, Maseno, 40105, Kenya
Keywords:
african nightshade
Nitrogen rates
growth and yield.
Session: PAA12-1
Location: Hall of Ideas Room E/Monona Terrace
Date: Tuesday, July 25th, 2006
Time: 8:30 AM
Abstract ID:424 |
