Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The influence of induced growth patterns on the yield of Amaranthus cruentus L. (Large Green variety) was investigated in the 2009 and 2010 early cropping seasons at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru, Nigeria. Four growth patterns (periodic harvesting without cut back, cut back at 10 cm from the base of the stem, cut back at 20 cm from the base of the stem and continuous removal of inflorescence) were compared in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The three induced growth patterns enhanced shoot regrowth and development of leaves and branches. In the 2009 trial, green yield from the cut back at 10 cm (9.22 t ha–1 ) was significantly (P<0.05) different from the yield obtained under natural growth conditions and continuous removal of inflorescence. For the 2010 early season trial, the green yield from cut back at 10 cm (8.55 t ha–1 ) was significantly different from the yield for cut back at 20 cm (6.07 t ha–1 ). Floral initiation which was delayed by 29 days (2009) and 21 days (2010) after cutting the stem at 10 cm from the base prolonged the proliferation of branches. The lowest number of branches and weight of leaves were recorded under natural growth conditions in the two trials. The findings in this study indicate that Amaranthus cruentus growers could adopt the method of cutting back the stem at 10 cm from the base at 21 days after transplanting in order to take full advantage of the yield potential of the crop.
Keywords: Amaranthus cruentus, Growth Pattern, Cut Back, Number of Branches, Weight of Leaves.