GROWTH AND YIELD OF AMARANTH (Amaranthus cruentus) VARIETIES AS INFLUENCE BY DIFFERENT FORMS OF DEVIL’S CLAW APPLICATION IN OGBOMOSO.

Abstract

The study examined the performance of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) as influenced by different forms of Martynia annua on the growth and yield of Amaranth. A pot experiment was conducted during the rainy season of (2024), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in guinea savannah zone of Nigeria between May and October, (2024). Ogbomoso lies on latitude (8º N I0ºS) and longitude (4ºW, 10ºE) and annual rainfall was over 1000mm. Six (6) fertilizer treatments introduced were: NPK 15-15-15 at 300kgha-1 and four (4) forms of Martynia annua biomass (Shredded, Paste/suspension, Pelletized and Pulverized) applied at 4 tons ha-1 and the control. The trial was arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD), replicated thrice. Data were collected on growth (plant height, number of leaves and number of branches) and yield (shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight) parameters. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. Application of different forms of Martynia annua significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced the growth, yield and nutrient uptakes of the two amaranth varieties tested, compared to control. However, applications of pelletized and pulverized forms significantly improved the performances, irrespective of the variety concerned, compared to other forms of application and the control.