Effects of Nitrogen Levels on Growth and Yield of Spider Plant in Kenya
Date
2019-06-13Author
Mutoro, Kenneth
Mwajita, Mwashasha
Ndenga, Charles
Mabele, Irendale
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The supply of spider plant (Cleome gynandra) as one of the African leafy vegetables in Kenya is
low and this is attributed to poor fertilizer use and limited access by farmers to improved
varieties. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different N forms on growth and
yield of spider plant. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in
Ruiru and Juja. Objectives were: to determine the plant growth and yield of spider plant cultivars
under different nitrogen levels. 8 lines that were developed at the World Vegetable Centre,
Arusha, were evaluated alongside the commercial variety (control). All experiments were
undertaken for 2 seasons, where both variety and nitrogen factors were investigated under split
plot design. Plants were harvested at 7-10-day intervals. Data was analyzed in SAS 9.1.3 software.
Accessions were ranked from 1-9 in terms of performance. Results indicated that application of
manure resulted in increased yield and other growth parameters compared to other nitrogen
fertilizers (P≤0.05). Availability of improved and high yielding cultivars coupled with use of manure
will increase supply of spider plant and, thus, enhance food security, a major pillar of the Big 4
Agenda of the Kenya government.
Collections
- Conferences [159]
The following license files are associated with this item: