Effect of cow manure on growth and bioactive components of Gynura pseudochina (Asteraceae)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of different amounts of cow manure on growth and leaf content of Gynura pseudochina, a medicinal plant. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design. The first factor was the dose of cow manure with three levels (0 g polybag-1 (control), 500 g polybag-1 and 1000 g of polybag-1). Each experiment was repeated as 4 times. The data were analyzed with variance analysis by SAS 9.1.3 programme, significant differences at 5% were also analyzed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. As a result of the studies, it was observed that the fertilization treatment with different doses of cow manure did not provide a significant difference in growth after 3 weeks after planting, but the leaf width was the highest after 4 weeks. In this study, it was determined that cow feces and fertilization did not increase the content of bioactive compounds of the leaf of Gynura pseudochina and the growth of canopies and tubers. The high rate of caterpillar infestations that occurred two weeks after planting disrupted the growth of Gynura pseudochina and the production of bioactive compounds. The results of the study clearly showed that cow manure did not properly increase the growth of canopies, tubers and the content of bioactive compounds of Gynura pseudochina.