Evaluation of a suitable seed processing method for increased production of edible nightshade (Solanum scabrum) leafy vegetable
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Date
2019-08Author
Linguya, K. S.
Dora, K.
Wangai, K. J.
Muiru, M. W
Type
ArticleLanguage
en_USMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables has increased tremendously
over the last decade and in Africa, for example, research shows that they
account for 30% of all vegetables sold in market outlets. However, there is a need to
address problems of low production and improve the quality of seed used by
farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate seed processing methods used
by farmers and recommend the most suitable one for the production of clean
nightshade seed. One hundred and twenty seed samples were collected from farm
fields. Seed quality tests were conducted at University of Nairobi plant pathology
laboratory and field evaluation experiments in Muthara; Meru County in Kenya. Four
seed processing methods: dry processing, wet processing, dry fermentation and wet
fermentation were evaluated. The study revealed that farmers in Upper midland
zone two (UM2) and Lower highland zone two (LH2) preferred to use dry seed
fermentation while those in Upper midland zone four (UM4) and lower midland zone
two (LM2) preferred wet seed processing. Seed processing methods determined the
level of seed purity. Evaluation of seed processing methods revealed that the wet
seed fermentation method produced seeds with the highest seed purity of 96.3%
and yields (913.8kg/ha). This implies that the method of seed processing with the
highest seed purity was the most suitable as it yielded more. Therefore, this study
URI
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311932.2019.1659212http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/109219
Citation
Linguya, K. S., Dora, K., Wangai, K. J., & Muiru, M. W. (2019). Evaluation of a suitable seed processing method for increased production of edible nightshade (Solanum scabrum) leafy vegetable. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 5(1), 1659212.Publisher
Cogent OA