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Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol. 3(1) pp.227-231,February 2012
Available online Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/?a=journal&id=jabs
Copyright ©2012 Global Research Journals.
Full length Research.
EFFECTS OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD, NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND QUALITY OF CELOSIA (Celosia argentea) VARIETIES.
Olaniyi, J. O.* and Ojetayo A. E.
Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,
P M B 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author’s, E mail: Olaniyikunle2005@yahoo.com
Accepted 5th October.
Abstract
A pot trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso during 2007 planting season to examine the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on growth, shoot yield, nutrient uptake and quality of celosia varieties. Four levels of N fertilizer (0, 30, 45 and 60 kg N ha-1) applied as urea and four celosia varieties (green broad leaf, ornamental, red broad leaf and green narrow leaf) were laid out in a factorial experiment and fitted into a randomized complete design with three replications. The plant height, number of leaves and fresh and dry shoot yields were significantly affected by the applied N fertilizer with the optimum values obtained at 45 kg N ha-1 for all the tested varieties, except ornamental variety which had most leaves at 60 kg N ha-1. The quantity of essential nutrients (Fe, Mg), protein and vitamins significantly increased as N fertilizer rates increased among all varieties. The highest nutritional values were recorded at 45 kg N ha-1 which declined with further increase in N. The varietals effect significantly influenced growth parameters, nutrient uptake, shoot yield and quality of celosia. Except for growth parameters, green broad leaf recorded the highest values for all the parameters examined in this study. In summary, the yield and nutritional quality of celosia in Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria can be significantly improved with application of N fertilizer at 45 kg N ha,-1 and green broad leaf is the best variety for this agro ecological zone.
Key words: Celosia argentea, N rates, shoot yield, nutrient uptake, and nutritional values.