Performance of senecio biafrae (oliv. & hiern) j. moore under varying light intensities and compost rates in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Solanecio biafrae is an underutilized indigenous vegetable in southwest Nigeria. It is usually found in shades of other tree crops. This study investigated growth of S. biafrae as influenced by compost application under different light intensities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. The pot study was conducted twice at the Crop Garden of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan. Four levels of light intensities were examined under multiple layers of nets: Growth under four test light intensities of unshaded natural light (0 net), and three levels of shades (1 net, 2 nets and 3 nets) assessed under four levels (0, 10, 15 and 20 g/pot) of compost (ratio 3:1 Tithonia-Poultry waste) in a randomized complete block design with light intensity as Blocks. Growth and yield data were analysed using analysis of variance and post-hoc tests conducted with Fisher's LSD at 5% probability. Lowest light intensity resulted in increased number of leaves, from 7.75 to 15.50 at 4 WAT and 7.78 to 18.50 at 6 WAT. Application of 20 g/pot compost resulted in higher number of leaves, number of nodes, vine height, vine diameter, root and shoot dry matter of S. biafrae under reduced light intensities. Low light intensity in combination with increased compost rates enhanced growth performance of S. biafrae. Cultivation of S. biafrae is recommended using of Tithonia diversifolia compost at the rate of 20g/5kg soil under low light intensity for optimum yield.