Effect of Poultry and Goat Manures on the Nutrient Content of <i>Sesamum alatum</i> Leafy Vegetables
2021
Khulekani Cyprian Mbatha | Charmaine Ntokozo Mchunu | Sydney Mavengahama | Nontuthuko Rosemary Ntuli
<i>Sesamum alatum</i> Thonn. is one of the less-popular but nutritious leafy vegetables that is still collected from the wild or as weeds among crops in South Africa. The plant is also used in medicines and cosmetics in Africa and elsewhere. Despite its importance, the cultivation of <i>S. alatum</i> under different agronomic systems for improved harvestable yield and nutrient content is still lacking. The study aimed to determine the response of <i>S. alatum</i> nutrient content to the application of poultry and goat manures. Plants were grown in pots under rain-fed shade cloth conditions, with poultry and goat manures applied at 0, 1, 2, and 3 t ha<sup>–1</sup> each, and they were laid in a completely randomized design. Shoot tips were harvested at 60 days after planting and analyzed for nutrient content. Shoots contained better nutrients in <i>S. alatum</i> plants grown during the first than the second season, with minor exceptions. Poultry and goat manure application led to an increase in Ca, Mg, K, P, and micro-nutrients. Goat manure had potential to increase the nutrient content in <i>S. alatum</i> than poultry manure, although differences were not substantial. Therefore, both manures could be equally used to improve nutrient content of <i>S. alatum</i>.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]