The effect of nitrogen rates on the growth, leaf yield and nutritive quality of the black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.)
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted between August,
1988 and March, 1989 at the Field station of the Fac~lty
of Agricul t ur e , Kabete Campus, Uni versi ty of Nairobi, to
study the effect of " .. nl.,-rogen (N) rates on growth, leaf
yield and nutritive quality of black nightshade (Solanum
nigrum L.). Four N rates (0, 5, 1~ and 15 9 per plant) in
the form of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (26%N) were used. The
plant growth was assessed by the determination of plant
number of leaves and bran-ches per plant, while fresh weight of edibl e portions in tons per hectare was
used to assess the plant yield. The plant height, number
of leaves and branches per plant increased significantly
(p = 0.05 ) with increasing rates of N fertilizer.
However, plants top-dressed with N higher than 5g per
p Iant did not show significant increase in growth.
Nitrogen rates had significant effect on fresh weight
with plants that were top-dressed with 5g of N per plant
giving the highest yield of 44.5 tons per hectare.
The 1eaves were anal y sed for proximate chemi cal
cornposition, B-carotene, ascorbic acid and six minerals
including calcium and iron. B-carotene, total ash, crud e
fat, crude protein, potassium, calcium and ma cn es i urn
levels increased with increasing rates of ~~ application.
(xiii)
However ~he levels of ascorbic acid and crude fibre were
significantly decreased by higher N rates. Sodium, iron and
zinc contents in leaves tended not to be influenced by Nrates.
The evaluation of anti-nutrient factors in leaves
involved the determination of nitrate-Nitrogen (N03-N),
oxalates and total phenolics. Nitrate-nitrogen in the
leaves increased significantly with increasing rates of N
application while the oxalate content in leaves tended to
decrease with increasing N rates. Nitrogen rates had no
significant effect on the total phenolic content in
the leaves.
Citation
Murage, E. N(1990). The effect of nitrogen rates on the growth, leaf yield and nutritive quality of the black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.)Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi
Description
Msc Thesis