ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 3, pp: (26-32), Month: July - September 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
The Effect of Different Levels of Urea and Compost on the Growth and Yield of Solanum Americanum in Bali, Taraba State 1 1,2
Philemon J. Tukura, 2Rotimi Emmanuel
Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State. Email address: philemonjaphthah@gmail.com
Abstract: Solanum americanum, known as glossy nightshade is an herbaceous plant that perform well in most soil type in most part of Africa and Asia. There is less information in Nigeria on its fertility requirements for optimum growth and yield. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of urea (0, 50, 100, and 150 Kg/ha) and compost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) on the growth and yield of Solanum americanum. The experiment was carried out during mid-November, 2020 to late May 2021 at Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba state, Nigeria research farm. Treatments plots were laid out in a completely randomized block design and replicated four times. Data collected at two week interval were number of leaves, plant height, number of branches and stem girth. Leave yield was measured after harvesting. Data collected on the growth and yields were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant treatment means were separated using Tukey test at P<0.05. The results showed that the applications of urea and compost significantly (p<0.05) influenced all growth parameters and yield of Solanum americanum. The highest rates of compost (15 t/ha) and urea (150 Kg/ha) significantly increased the growth parameters and yield when compared to the control and have the highest mean values for all the parameters measured. The use of urea and compost is therefore essential in increasing the yield. Therefore compost and urea is recommended. Keywords: compost, urea, yield.
I. INTRODUCTION Solanum americanum is an annual or short-lived perennial plant, erect and widely spreading, growing up to 150 cm tall. They are considered to be among the family of leafy vegetable which are grown on arable land, gardens and soils rich in nitrogen. This type of vegetable is commonly cultivated in moderately light and warm weather conditions which occur in areas with high altitude levels. They are, however, also widely used as leafy vegetables, and sometimes for various medicinal purposes [1]. The plant is mostly consumed by people as leafy vegetable and fruits in some states within the north- east region of Nigeria. Seedling growth is fast after epigeal germination and flowering occurs within 2 months of seed germination. Normally self-pollinated, cross pollination does occur often facilitated by insects such bees and syrphid flies. Leaves and young shoots are boiled and used as a leafy vegetable. They possess a degree of bitterness which may be reduced by refreshing the cooking water or serving together with cooked amaranth. Although, at least in Africa, S. americanum is primarily used for food, but it is also used medicinally [2]. Leaf juice is used to treat eye complaints especially conjunctivitis in Tanzania while pounded leaves are used to treat sores and related skin problems in Nigeria, Cameroon and Brazil. Other traditional medicinal uses include the treatment of heart pain using raw leaves, while fruits have been used to treat worms in poultry in Nigeria. Normally S. americanum fruits are considered to be inedible but they are consumed when ripe in parts of Kenya and in the border region between southeastern Zimbabwe and Mozambique [3].
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