Proximate and Phytate Accumulation in Solanum nigrum L. Cultivated on Fertilizer-Amended Soils

Abstract

ABSTRACTSolanum nigrum was subjected to five fertilizer treatments on the field and glasshouse to determine the wild vegetable’s nutritional response to fertilizers with maturity and best fertilizer option for optimum harvesting period of the leaves for nutritional benefits. The application of 50 kg N/ha + 4.07 t manure/ha fertilizer increased protein uptake on the field and glasshouse, vitamin C in the glasshouse, and lipid on the field. The addition of 100 kg N/ha + 8.13 t manure/ha increased the uptake of vitamin C on the field and lipid content in the glasshouse. The control increased the accumulation of fiber on both the field and glasshouse while also lowering the phytate content in the glasshouse. Fiber was at peak 11 and 4 weeks after transplanting on the field and glasshouse, respectively, while lipids were highest 11 and 6 weeks after transplanting. Vitamin C was highest 9 and 6 weeks after transplanting on the field and glasshouse, respectively, after which it sharply declined toward senescence. Protein was at peak between the third and fourth weeks after transplanting. Although various nutrients responded differently to fertilizer treatments, these results indicate the potential of S. nigrum to meet the human nutritional recommended daily adequate intake values. Also, the results of this study indicate that the cultivation of this wild vegetable increases its nutritional composition as compared with the wild species. The best fertilizer option and best time to harvest the plant is best advised according to specific nutritional challenges. The consumption of S. nigrum could be expected to contribute a large proportion of the nutritional requirements in the human body.