| dc.description.abstract | Two field studies and laboratory experiments were carried out at Kabete Campus,
University of Nairobi, between November 1994 and October 1995. The aim of the study
was to find out the effect of nitrogen and phosphorous applications on growth, leaf yield
and nutritional quality of vegetable amaranth. There were four levels of each treatments
and it was conducted on a split plot design with three replications.
Growth parameters evaluated included plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index and
stem diameter. Fresh weight and dry weight were taken to determine yields. Nutritional
quality of leaves was evaluated by analysing for crude fibre, crude protein, dry matter,
beta carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorous as well as oxalates and nitrate contents.
It was observed that applying seventy five kilogrammes of nitrogen in one hectare gave a
.maximum height of thirty three centimetres. A height of thirty two point six centimetres
was achieved with the application of sixty kilogrammes of phosphorous n one hectare.
Nitrogen application gave a significant effect on stem diameter. Phosphorous application
gave a significant effect on leaf area index.
Both fresh weights and dry weight were significantly increased with increased application
of nitrogen and phosphorous.
The nutritional quality of leaves were modified by the application of nitrogen and
phosphorous. Crude protein and beta carotene contents increased with the application of
nitrogen. The mineral contents of calcium, iron and phosphorous tended to increase with
the application of nitrogen and phosphorous. However, the levels of crude fibre and
oxalates were significantly reduced with the application of nitrogen and phosphorous. | en |
