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Content Type
Author or Institution as Author
Innocent Maseko
Co-authors

Yacob G Beletse, Noluyolo Nogemane, CP du Plooy & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

Date of publication
Institution
South African Journal of Plant and Soil
Language
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Description/Abstract

Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata are traditional leafy vegetables with potential to improve nutritional security of vulnerable people. The promotion of these crops is partly hindered by the lack of agronomic information. The effect of plant spacing on growth, physiology and yield of these three leafy vegetables was evaluated under commercial-scale production at Roodeplaat, Pretoria over two summer seasons, 2011/12 and 2012/13. A randomised complete block design was used with plant density (100 000, 66 666 and 50 000 plants ha−1) as a factor. Chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, leaf number, leaf area index (LAI) and biomass were measured in situ. Planting at 100 000 plants ha−1 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) LAI, CCI and biomass per plant for A. cruentus and C. olitorius. Total yield of A. cruentus, C. olitorius andV. unguiculata was higher (P < 0.05) at 100 000 plants ha−1 relative to 50 000 and 66 666 plants ha−1. For A. cruentus and C. olitorius, higher leaf attributes (CCI, plant height, leaf number, biomass per plant and LAI) were obtained and this indicated that traditional leafy vegetables can be produced commercially under lower densities using a drip irrigation system. Using 66 666 plants ha−1 is suitable for commercial production of A. cruentus and C. olitorius, whereas 50 000 plants ha−1 may be recommended under low water availability. For V. unguiculata 100 000 plants ha−1 is recommended.

Keywords
Chlorophyll content index,
Chlorophyll fluorescence,
Production,
Stomatal conductance
Contact name (for further information)
Innocent Maseko
Contact email (for further information)
Contact institution (for further information)
South African Journal of Plant and Soil
Citation

South African Journal of Plant and Soil. (2014). Growth, physiology and yield responses of Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata to plant density under drip irrigated commercial production. South Africa.

CCARDESA Category

Funding Partners

4.61M

Beneficiaries Reached

97000

Farmers Trained

3720

Number of Value Chain Actors Accessing CSA

41300

Lead Farmers Supported