GROWTH AND MINERAL COMPOSITION RESPONSE OF AGAVE (AGAVE AMERICANA) TO FERTILIZER RESIDUE AND SHADE LEVEL

Abstract

Agave is an ornamental plant which is used in landscape for beautification. The experiment was conducted at Student Field School, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The research site lies between latitude 8o 10'' N and longitude 4o 16'' E in the Southern Guinea savannah zone of Nigeria. A pot experiment of 2 X 3 factorial fitted into Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was conducted. The factors considered were residual compost (0, 5 and 10 t/ha) and shade level (shade and no shade). Data were collected on the following parameters; plant height, number of leaves, canopy diameter, leaf area, fresh biomass, dry biomass, light intensity, chlorophyll content and mineral composition which were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT 12th edition and separation of treatment means was done by the use of standard error at 5% level. The results showed that Agave raised under no shade had higher number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorous and chlorophyll B content while Agave raised under shade had wider canopy and higher chlorophyll A content. Agave from residual compost of 10 t/ha had taller plant, higher number of leaves,
wider leaves, higher fresh and dry biomass, more calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and chlorophyll A contents when compared with 0 and 5 t/ha compost. Agave from residual compost of 5 t/ha gave higher potassium and chlorophyll B contents than 0 and 10 t/ha compost. Plant raised under shade and from residual compost of 10 t/ha had higher calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and chlorophyll A and B contents than other treatment combinations. In conclusion, Agave raised under no shade had better growth and chlorophyll content. The higher the rate of compost application the higher the residual effect on growth of Agave. Plant raised under no shade or shade and with compost residue from 10 t/ha compost had better growth and chlorophyll content.