Influence of different agronet covers on vegetative growth, yield and quality of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum mill.) and spiderplant (Cleome gynandra l.)

Abstract

African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) contribute significantly to improved nutrition and food security. However, the potential to meet the growing demand for AILVs has not been met. This study determined the effect of agronets on growth, yield and nutritive values of African nightshade and spiderplant. The experiment was laid on a RCBD, replicated thrice. Blue, gray, white, yellow agronets and uncovered plants (control) were used as the treatments. Spiderplant was direct seeded and later thinned to a spacing of 30 cm by 30 cm. Nightshade was started in the nursery and transplanted five weeks after sowing. From 7 weeks after planting (WAP), and thereafter at two weeks interval, growth, yield and leaf nutritive value were measured and data analyzed using SAS, version 9.1. Blue net yielded significantly taller plants of nightshade by 25 and 38% than the control by 13 WAP for trial 1 and 2, respectively. Spiderplant were taller under white net by 13% and 88% by 13 WAP than the control for trial 1 and 2, respectively. Compared to control, yellow net improved branching of nightshade by 20% and 14% by 13 WAP in trial 1 and 2, respectively; while number of branches of spiderplant improved by 40% under yellow net and 35% under white net by 13 WAP for trial 1 and 2, respectively. Blue net significantly delayed flowering of nightshade by 13 and 9 days and for spiderplant by 20 and 15 days compared to control in trial 1 and 2, respectively. Yellow net improved leaf yield of nightshade by 27% and 15% and for spiderplant by 26% and 27% compared to control in trial 1 and 2, respectively. Leaf calcium improved under yellow net by 166% and 7% in nightshade and 64% and 17% under white net for spiderplant by 15 WAP than control in trial 1 and 2, respectively. Leaf iron content also improved under yellow net and blue net by 267% and 83% at 15 WAP in trial 1 for nightshade and spiderplant, respectively; and also by 104% and 86% at 15 WAP in trial 2 for nightshade and spiderplant, respectively. Agronet covers reduced vitamin C content with highest reduction registered under the blue net by 70% and 51% in nightshade and 171% and 65% in spiderplant compared to control by 15 WAP in trial 1 and 2, respectively. β-carotene increased by 6% under white net in nightshade by 13 WAP compared to control in trial 1 and 2, respectively. Spiderplant β-carotene was significantly high in the control compared to blue net. Phenolic content was significantly high under white net and open field for both vegetables than the other treatments. Based on the results, agronet covers influence growth, yield and nutritive quality of nightshade and spiderplant. Yellow net is recommended for use in nightshade and spiderplant production since it improved leaf yield and nutritive quality.