ISSN 2756-3863
International Journal of Manures and Fertilizers Vol. 1 (12), pp. 240-243, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels on fresh leaf yield of spider plant (Cleome gynandra) in Western Kenya
Kimani Slade, Simon E. Bedan and Anyiri Natasha
Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 23 November, 2012
Abstract
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.