Evaluation of foliar application of aqueous Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) extract on vegetative growth of some vegetables in Kano metropolis

Abstract

Consumption of vegetables greatly enhances health and life quality and its production boosts economic and social status. This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano in order to determine the effectiveness of foliar application of six selected concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g/L) of aqueous extract of A. nodosum on growth of okra, watermelon and Amaranth. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with six replications and data were collected on plant height, number of leaves and branches, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry weight in all the three selected vegetables. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and the Fisher’s least significant difference was used to separate the means. The analysis has indicated that the measured parameters were significantly (P>0.05) affected by the foliar application of the extract where substantial growth was observed in selected vegetables treated with 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/L aqueous extract of A. nodosum. Therefore, at those concentrations the extract was found to be an effective growth promoting compound on the amaranth, okra and watermelon and extending this result on small and medium size farmlands could improve production and thus, benefit both local farmers and consumers in Kano and other places.