Influence of organic wastes amendment on growth and foliar yield of jute mallow Corchorus olitorius (linn.) In South Western Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the growth and foliar yield responses of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius Linn.) on soils amended with ashed and unashed corn cob and coconut husk agro-waste. Slightly acidic (pH=6.20) sandy loam soil were collected and incubated for six and twelve weeks respectively for the study, with agro-wastes [coconut husk ash (CHA), coconut husk unashed (CHU), corn cob ash (CCA) and corn cob unashed (CCU)] under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized design was adopted with three replicates. The results showed that the corn cob ash and coconut husk ash positively enhanced soil chemical properties than their unashed version. At 2 WAP, the mean plant height ranged from 2.70 ± 0.12 cm to 3.88 ± 0.12 cm; the mean total leaf count from 3.60 ± 0.05 to 4.0 ± 0.05 and mean leaf area from 0.54 ± 0.21 cm2 to 2.48 ± 0.21 cm2 and at 8 WAP, the mean stem girth ranged from 0.43 ± 0.07 cm to 1.02 ± 0.07 cm for C. olitorius planted in soils incubated for six weeks with agro-wastes. This trend increased with the age of C. olitorius and with increase in agro-waste applications in the order CCA>CHA>CHU>CCU. These growth parameters, except the plant height were of higher values in 6 weeks soil incubation than 12 weeks soil incubation. The highest mean yield (17.93
g/pot) of C. olitorius was obtained in soil pots amended for 12 weeks with 5 t/ha of CHU. The increase growth and foliage yield obtained in this study showed that soils amended with ashed and unashed corn cob and coconut husk waste have the potential of promoting the production of vegetables, especially C. olitorius and also ensuring environmental sustainability.

Key Words: Agro-waste, Amended soil, Coconut hust, Corn cob, Corchorus olitorius, Greenhouse, Vegetable