Abstract
The efficacy of crude extracts of Senna alata in the improvement of vegetative and reproductive growth in Celosia aregentea was investigated. Fresh leaves of S. alata were blended with a homogenizer in 1 litre of distilled water. The resultant green paste was filtered under suction. Different concentrations (75%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, 12%, 10%, and 5%) were prepared from the 100% crude extract. Seeds of C. argentea were presoaked in these different concentrations including a control (0%) and planted out after 24 hours. Results obtained showed that seedling height, leaf area, dry weight and leaf area ratio were promoted and enhanced by presoaking seeds in the extract. At the end of the experimental period (six weeks), seedling height in 75% and 100% treatments were 109 ± 16.12 cm and 117 ± 19.32 cm, leaf area 128 ± 17.91 cm2 and 125 ± 18.12 cm2, dry weight 7.48 kg and 7.0 kg respectively. Seedlings raised from seeds presoaked in water (control) however, flowered earlier (8 weeks) than the treatments (10 weeks in 75% and 100%). Presoaking seeds of C. argentea in crude extracts of S. alata before planting is recommended for optimum production of the leafy vegetable. The procedure is cheap and easily implementable by resource-poor farmers who are the main growers of C. argentea.
Highlights
The genus Celosia (Amaranthaceae) is represented in Nigeria by six species, which have been described [1] [2]
Seedlings of C. argentea that emerged from seeds pretreated with S. alata water extract were observed to be significantly taller than the control after 6 weeks (Figure 1)
These results generally agree with earlier observations, which reported improved height and leaf area in plants treated with crude extracts of S. alata [22]-[24] [33]
Summary
The genus Celosia (Amaranthaceae) is represented in Nigeria by six species, which have been described [1] [2]. Bélanger et al [9] reported lutein and β-carotene (both carotenoids) in fresh samples of C. argentea Both substances play important roles in maintenance of eye health. Despite the importance of this leafy vegetable, recent researchers have identified poor soil conditions resulting from continuous cultivation [8] and obsolete cultural practices employed in its production, such as low plant density and non-use of manure/fertilizer input among others [13], limiting the production of the crop. These have advocated improvement through use of both organic and inorganic manure/fertilizer
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