Abstract
Soils from Ikorodu (Orthic Luvisol) and Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo campus (Dystric Fluvisol) were used in greenhouse experiments to determine N requirement of Amaranthus cruentus L. using five rates of NPK 15:15:15 at 0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 kg ha -1 . The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Soil treated with 300 and 450 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 significantly (p<0.05) enhanced plant height number of leaves shoot fresh and dry weight and plant N-uptake compared to other treatments at Ikorodu. Corresponding values were obtained from soil treated with 450 and 600 kg ha -I NPK 15:15:15 at LASU. Optimum N requirements for Amaranthus cruentus at Ikorodu and LASU were 45.0 and 67.5 kg N/ha-1 respectively.
Highlights
Vegetable cultivation has become a major aspect of horticulture in view of the value of its products
The soil at Ikorodu had higher organic carbon and N content compared to that of Lagos State University (LASU).The available P was similar at the two locations
Exchangeable bases at Ikorodu was twice that of Ojo while exchangeable acidity at LASU was half that of Ikorodu
Summary
Vegetable cultivation has become a major aspect of horticulture in view of the value of its products. According to FAO (1992), Amaranthus cruentus L. ranked among the best leaf vegetable in terms of its chemical composition and nutritional status It contributes much in ameliorating nutrient imbalance in human diet (Messiean, 1989). The study was set up to investigate N, P and K requirement of Amaranthus cruentus on two soil types The two locations are made up of two soil types: Ikorodu (Orthic Luvisol) and LASU ( Dystric Fluvisol) (FAO, 1992). The experimental soil at Ikorodu was classified as Orthic luvisol (F AO, 1992), formed on traditional geological area between the coast and basement complex formation They are mainly on old coastal plain sands, while soil at LASU location was Dystric Fluvisol formed on sedimentary alluvial deposit of tertiary sediment, mainly entisol and inceptisol. Analysis of variance was carried out on data collected and means separated using Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% of level of probability
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