Responses of Worowo [Senecio biafrae (Oliv. & Hiern.) S. Moore] to Composts enriched with Organic Nitrogen Sources

Abstract

Worowo (Senecio biafrae) is a semi-wild, indigenous and nutritious vegetable. Demand for worowo vegetable is increasing due to its nutritional values, thus necessitating its domestication for increased production. However, there is limited information on soil fertility requirements of worowo and the use of inorganic fertilizers could be expensive and detrimental to environment. Composts, on the other hand are environment-friendly and effective, but their use is constrained by low nitrogen contents, thereby necessitating enrichment with various nitrogen sources. Responses of worowo to organically enriched composts were therefore investigated. Composted Cattle Dung+Sawdust (CDS) and Poultry Droppings+Sawdust (PDS), at 1:1 (w/w) were enriched to 60 g N/ kg with meals from dried bone-BnM, blood-BM, hoof-HM, and horn-HnM, neem-NM and Tithonia leaves-TM. Compost treatments obtained were: CDS and PDS (no enrichment added), CDSBnM, CDSBM, CDSHM, CDSHnM, CDSNM and CDSTM; PDSBnM, PDSBM, PDSHM, PDSHnM, PDSNM and PDSTM. Worowo was raised in pots with CDS, PDS and 60 g N/kg enriched composts at 30 t/ha and control (soil alone), compared with 60 kg N/ha NPK 15-15-15 in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Data generated from the growth indices and edible Shoot Yield (ESY) of worowo (t/ ha), which were measured at 60, 120 and 180 Days After Planting (DAP) were analyzed using ANOVA at α0.05. ¬¬¬¬¬¬The ESY (t/ha) of 60 g N/kg CDSNM (54.93) was significantly higher than NPK (36.53) and others but similar to CDS (50.93) while pots treated with PDS were lowest (8.00). The CDSDNM at 60 g N/kg applied at 30 t/ha could hence be adopted for worowo production.