Growth and yield response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris (L.) to media mixture ratios of sand, acacia soil, and goat manure
University of Namibia, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Crop Science, Private Bag 5520, Oshakati, Namibia.
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy, 2020, 01(01), 018-024
Article DOI: 10.30574/msabp.2020.1.1.0015
Publication history:
Received on 22 September 2020; revised on 10 October 2020; accepted on 20 October 2020
Abstract:
Northern Namibian soils are predominantly sandy. A mixture of Acacia soils, sandy and goat manure is frequently used for growing various plants. However, the extent to which variations in proportions of these substrates affect growth and yield is not known. The study was conducted at the University of Namibia, Ogongo campus during the period April to August 2020 to determine optimum mixing ratios for sandy, Acacia erioloba soil and goat manure on the growth and yield of Swiss chard. Treatments were Sandy, Acacia soil and goat manure mixed in 5 different ratios of respectively; 1:2:1; 2:3:2; 1:1:1, 2:1:2, 1:1:2 and Acacia soil (control). Samples from each mixture used for pot filling were taken to the soil laboratory for textural analysis. A complete randomized experiment with 8 replications was laid under the University’s shade house. Measured parameters were plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry matter weight and chlorophyll content. Results showed that media was significantly different across all the measured parameters at 1 % probability level. The medium mixture 2:3:2 outperformed the rest of the mixtures in almost all the parameters. The results of the study indicated that acacia soil alone is not optimum for pot filling but must be supplemented with substrate that is rich in mineral content like goat manure. However, the mixing ratio is a key consideration for optimal vegetable production. We recommend the use of media mixture 2:3:2 to improve yield of Swiss chard.
Keywords:
Nursery; chlorophyll content; leaf area; fresh weight; basin; leaf elongation
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0