Effective Microorganism Effect on the Growth and Yield of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.)

Abstract

Cleome gynandra was tested under different Effective Microorganisms (EM) levels in a CRD greenhouse pot experiment. The study used two varieties (MSL-17 and MSL-F3), combined with five EM concentrations (EM 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/L) on ferralsol soil in Kibabii. Normal agronomic management practices were carried out. Data was collected weekly on plant height, leaf area, leaf fresh and dry weight, days to 50% flowering, leaf number, soil microbial count, water and chlorophyll content. Spider plant varieties varied significantly (P≤0.05) in number of days to seedling emergence, local spider plant variety recorded lower seed germination than the exotic variety (MSL-F17). Plant height decreased by 7.0% with reduction in EM concentration level. Number of days to flowering was significantly affected (P≤0.05) by EM concentration level. Single leaf area significantly decreased (P≤0.05) with decline in EM concentration level for both varieties. Control (EM 0g/L) led to a significant reduction in spider plant single leaf area by 10.97%. Reduction of EM concentration level reduced chlorophyll content by 8.2 % across the varieties. Increased chlorophyll content due to increasing EM concentration level may be attributed to nutrient richness due to use of EM. High EM concentration level at EM 200g/L led to a significant (P≤0.05) reduction in spider plant single leaf area that could be attributed to significant (P≤0.05) increase in chlorophyll manufacture as well as plant cell turgor pressure. Leaf relative water content significantly decreased (P≤0.05) with reducing EM concentration. Increase in EM concentration significantly increased (P≤0.05) leaf yield by 25.7% and 14.0%, in exotic and local varieties respectively. Increased EM concentration at 200g/L significantly increased (P≤0.05) plant height, number of leaves per plant, single leaf area, chlorophyll content, leaf relative water content, and leaf yield. There exist significant genotypic differences in adaptation to EM concentration levels among the evaluated genotypes. Spider plant varieties varied significantly (P≤0.05) in agronomic traits, with variety MSL-17 at EM 200g/L, recording superior agronomic traits for growth, hence may be used for production and in the development of improved spider plants. MSL-F17 could be recommended for adoption by small scale farmers for direct production.