EFFECT OF HARVESTING METHOD AND PINCHING ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SPIDER PLANT (Cleome gynandra L.).

Transcription

1 EFFECT OF HARVESTING METHOD AND PINCHING ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SPIDER PLANT (Cleome gynandra L.). Okungu, Calvin A56/75334/2012 University of Nairobi. Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection Dr. Ambuko, Jane, First Supervisor. Dr. Chemining wa, George, Second Supervisor.

2 Cleome gynandra

3 BACKGROUND Spider plant (Cleome gynandra (L), Briq) is a traditional leafy vegetable consumed in Kenya, whose utilization surveys indicate has been on the increase. Being a C4 plant makes it well adapted to tropics and sub tropics and can be highly productive in areas under these conditions (Masinde et al, 2005). The consumption of both vegetables (Spiderplant and Black nightshade) in urban areas is on the rise probably due to rural-urban migration, necessitating market gardening. Moreover, these crops are grown and consumed as leafy vegetables in various parts of Africa and South East Asia (Masinde, 2003)

4 PROBLEM STATEMENT Growers of spiderplant and African nightshade obtain yields of tons/ha (MOALD&M, 1995; 1998), which are low compared to potential yields of tons/ha (Chweya and Mnzava, 1997; Edmonds and Chweya, 1997). The main reasons for this include poor agronomic practices such as lack of fertilizer use; lack of research information regarding various varieties and their optimum handling and nutrient requirements during cultivation to optimize yields. (Masinde and Agong, 2011).

5 PROBLEM STATEMENT (CONT D) Leaf yields as high as 19 tonnes per hectare have been realized with application of manure or inorganic fertilizers, but there is potential for increased yields as cultural practices for production of Gynandropsis are developed and improved (Waithaka and Chweya, 1991). Gynandropsis can be harvested once by uprooting whole plants or leaves are picked at intervals by cutting back or pinching established plants to 30cm of the base to encourage lateral growths. The lateral growths will provide successive harvests. (Waithaka and Chweya, 1991).

6 OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of pinching at different stages on yields of Cleome gynandra L. To establish the effect of different harvesting methods yields and nutritional quality of Cleome gynandra L.

7 LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction Spiderplant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.) and African nightshade (Solanum spp.) are important leafy vegetable crops consumed by various rural communities in Kenya. They are important sources of nutrients and have medicinal value (Masinde P. W. 2003). Harvesting Harvesting by uprooting whole plants, or by topping, cutting back to ground level, or picking individual leaves or leafy branches at frequent intervals constitute the different harvesting methods which have different impact on the yield and quality. (Mnzava 1986) 6/21/2014 OKUNGU, CALVIN A56/75334/2012 7

8 LITERATURE REVIEW (CONT D) Yields Growers of spiderplant and African nightshade obtain yields of tons/ha (MOALD&M, 1995; 1998), which are low compared to potential yields of tons/ha (Chweya and Mnzava, 1997; Edmonds and Chweya, 1997). The main reasons for this include poor agronomic practices such as lack of fertilizer use; lack of research information regarding various varieties and their optimum handling and nutrient requirements during cultivation to optimize yields (Masinde P. W & Agong S. G. 2011)

9 MATERIALS AND METHODS The two objectives are tested separately Objective 1: Effect of pinching at different stages. Treatments 1. Early pinching (removal of apical bud at 3 weeks) - EP 2. Late pinching (removal of apical and flower buds at 5 weeks) - LP 3. No Pinching (Control) NP Crop varieties 1. Variety 1 (V 1 ) cleome from Kisii 2. Variety 2 (V 2 ) cleome from Kitale 6 treatment combinations 3 replicates RCBD

10 EXPECTED OUTPUTS TREATMENT DETAILS PARAMETERS TO EVALUATE Early Pinching Pinching apical bud at week 3 Yield Quality attributes Late Pinching Pinching apical bud at week 5 Yield Quality attributes No Pinching Plants left un-pinched Yield Quality attributes

11 MATERIALS AND METHODS (CONT D) Objective 2: Effect of different harvesting methods on yield. Treatments 1. Piecemeal harvesting - P 2. Wholesome harvesting - W Crop varieties 1. Variety 1 (V 1 ) cleome from Kisii 2. Variety 2 (V 2 ) cleome from Kitale 4 treatment combinations 3 replicates RCBD

12 EXPECTED OUTPUT TREATMENT DETAILS PARAMETERS TO EVALUATE Wholesome Harvest Piecemeal Harvest Vegetables uprooted at week 5 stage just before flowering and a new crop planted on those plots Vegetables harvested at 1 week intervals Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 10 Yield Quality attributes Overall yield Quality attributes of vegetables harvested at the different stages

13 BUDGET ITEM ESTIMATED COST (KSHS.) Farm Inputs 9, Stationery 10, Transport 18, Labour 108, Supervision 30, TOTAL 175,100.00

14 WORK PLAN ACTIVITY Planting Season 1 Data Collection Planting Season 2 Data collection Jun 13 Jul Aug Sep Oct No v *** ### Dec Jan 14 *** *** *** ### ### ### *** ### Feb Mar Apr *** *** *** ### ### Data analysis *** *** 1 st draft *** *** - Original timelines ### - Revised timelines