Effect of Fertilizer Application on Production of Triumfetta Tomentosa Boj.(Fam. Tiliaceae), A Multipurpose Plant in Kenya

Abstract

Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. is a n indigenous perennial low shrub found growing naturally in moist habitats. It is commonly found on forest margins and along riparian zones. It is a multipurpose plant exploited by many communities in Kenya as a source of fodder, fiber for making baskets, ropes and hats, while the remaining debarked wood is used for making winnowing trays and firewood. However, as the population increases, more land is being converted into agricultural farms and settlement sites. These development activities coupled with global warming effects due to increasing green house gasses in the atmosphere are threatening the abundance and distribution of this species. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of fertilizer application on biomass of T. tomentosa, if brought under cultivation like any other crop. Seedlings were raised in nurseries from seeds and cuttings at Muguga( Kenya Forest Research Institute-KEFRI). These seedlings were transplanted to the experimental sites in Embu and Meru on eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya. Random Block Design was used at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and 45 cm × 45 cm in 3 replicates for each planting material. All plants were harvested after 7 months and above ground biomass was determined in terms of fresh weight in tones/ha. Analysis of variance was used to compare the biomass among different treatments. The results showed significant increase in biomass (p ≤ 0.05) of fertilizer application on T. triumfetta cultivation. Plants raised from cuttings grew faster than those raised from seeds and had more biomass. This study showed that T. tomentosa can be brought under cultivation like any other crop and its productivity can be improved through fertilizer application. This will help in its conservation as it is threatened in the wild