Effects of Liquid Manure on Growth and Yield of Spinach (<em>Beta vulgaris</em> Var Cicla) in a Sub-tropical Environment in Swaziland

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of liquid manure on growth, development and yield of spinach. A randomized complete block design experiment was conducted in pots, in a 50% semi shaded lath house. The four treatments were solid kraal manure applied at 40 t/ha; liquid manure applied at 40 m3/ha; liquid manures solid remains applied at 40 t/ha and control of inorganic chemical fertilizer applied at 150 kg/ha. There were four replications per treatment. The growth parameters that were measured included the average number of leaf development per week, leaf height, leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index and the fresh biomass. For the growth parameters measured the results showed that the highest values were obtained in spinach plants fertilized with inorganic fertilizer followed in decreasing order by those fertilized with solid kraal manure, liquid manure solid remains and lastly liquid manure. The spinach fresh biomass mean yield for the treatment of inorganic chemical fertilizers was the highest at 54.4 g per plant. The lowest spinach yield of 17.9 g per plant was obtained from liquid manure treatment. The spinach yield from inorganic fertilized plants was significantly (p≤0.05) different from that of liquid manure and liquid manure solid remains. However, the yield from solid kraal manure treatment and inorganic chemical fertilizers was not significantly different, implying that kraal manure could be used to produce a high yield of the vegetable at a lower cost compared to inorganic fertilizer. Therefore it is recommended that farmers should continue to use solid kraal manure since the yields produced were similar to that of chemical fertilizers.