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Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels on fresh leaf yield of
spider plant (Cleome gynandra) in Western Kenya
L. W. Mauyo1*, V. E. Anjichi2, G. W.
Wambugu2 and M. E. Omunyini2
1Kenya
Agricultural Productivity Project (KAPP), P.O. Box 4500,
Eldoret, Kenya.
2Department
of Horticulture, Moi University, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret,
Kenya.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
lmauyo@yahoo.com.
Tel: +254 722403226.
Accepted
23 May, 2008. |
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This
study was conducted in
Moi
University, Kenya to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on fresh leaf yield of
spider plant (Cleome gynandra). The objectives were
to determine the plant height, number of shoots, number of
marketable leaves and fresh leaf weight under different
nitrogen fertilizer levels. The crop was planted during the
short rains of 2003. The treatments were CAN (26%N) at 0
(control) 50, 80 and 106 Kg ha-1 in randomized
complete block (RCBD) design with three replications. Data
on growth parameters were collected one week after top
dressing at intervals of seven days for three weeks. Type of
data collected included; plant height, number of shoots,
number of marketable leaves and fresh leaf weight. Data
collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and
the means separated by Duncan’s multiple Ranges Test (DMRT)
at p<0.05. The results indicated that nitrogen fertilizer
increased plant height, number of marketable leaves, number
of shoots and fresh yield. During the first week, there was
no significant difference (p<0.05) in all parameters, while
in the second and third weeks there was a significant
difference (p<0.05) in the third treatment. Use of increased
N levels increases plant height, number of shoots,
marketable leaves and yield. Farmers are advised to use 80
kg ha-1 of N for growing spider plant.
Key
words:
Cleome gynandra, Kenya, leaf yield, nitrogen fertilizer.
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