Abstract
The influence of induced growth patterns on the yield of Amaranthus cruentus L. (Large Green variety) was investigated in the 2009 and 2010 early cropping seasons at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru, Nigeria. Four growth patterns (periodic harvesting without cut back, cut back at 10 cm from the base of the stem, cut back at 20 cm from the base of the stem and continuous removal of inflorescence) were compared in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The three induced growth patterns enhanced shoot regrowth and development of leaves and branches. In the 2009 trial, green yield from the cut back at 10 cm (9.22 t ha –1 ) was significantly (P–1) was significantly different from the yield for cut back at 20 cm (6.07 t ha –1 ). Floral initiation which was delayed by 29 days (2009) and 21 days (2010) after cutting the stem at 10 cm from the base prolonged the proliferation of branches. The lowest number of branches and weight of leaves were recorded under natural growth conditions in the two trials. The findings in this study indicate that Amaranthus cruentus growers could adopt the method of cutting back the stem at 10 cm from the base at 21 days after transplanting in order to take full advantage of the yield potential of the crop.
Highlights
Amaranthus cruentus is grown widely in humid tropical Africa for the green leaf
Green yield results (Table 2) in the two trials indicate that the induced growth patterns influenced the total yield of the Large Green A. cruentus variety
The findings in this study indicate that the yield of Amaranthus cruentus can be increased significantly if the main stem is cut back before periodic harvesting commences
Summary
Amaranthus cruentus is grown widely in humid tropical Africa for the green leaf. The crop is one of the few leaf vegetables that can be used to improve the nutrition and income of rural farming families because of its high nutritional quality, ease of establishment and potential for good yields with low level of inputs. It is a fast growing annual plant that is ready for consumption from 4–6 weeks after planting. Protein content of the cultivated A. cruentus is estimated at 16% [2]. A. cruentus has an erect growth habit and can grow up to a height of 1.2 m if it is not disturbed through harvesting
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