Effects of Inflorescence Management, Harvest Frequency and Cutting Height on Growth and Yield of Waterleaf (<i>Talinum fructicosum</i> (L.) Juss)

Abstract

A study was conducted in the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm to investigate the effect of inflorescence management, harvest frequency and height at harvest on the growth and yield of Talinum fructicosum. A 2 x 2 x 3 Factorial experiment laid out in a randomised complete block design was adopted. The treatments included inflorescence removal and retention, harvesting frequency (14 and 21 days' intervals) and cutting height (5, 7 and 9 cm). The stem cuttings were planted in the field in the early cropping seasons of 2003 and 2004. The result showed that inflorescence removal depressed the growth of plant whereas it increased significantly the number of leaves per plant, number of branches and the leaf area as well as increasing the fresh weight (1.93 and 1.80 tonnes/ha) over the plots where inflorescences were retained (1.21 and 1.68 tonnes/ha) in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Waterleaf harvested every 21 days were significantly taller; had more branches as well as higher fresh weights than those harvested every 14 days in 2003 and 2004. Also, waterleaf harvested at 1cm above the ground had higher fresh leaf yield than those harvested at either 5cm or 9cm above the ground.