EFFECTS OF BORON AND SODIUM TOXICITY ON THE GROWTH OF LEAFY AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS CRUENTUS)

Authors: Adeniran K.A, *Akpenpuun T.D, Amodu M.F, Samuel R.T

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

The effect of boron and sodium toxicity on the growth of leafy amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) crop was studied. The study was conducted using a 4 × 2 factorial with completely randomized block design (CRBD) replicated three times. The treatments included: no-boric acid and no-NaCl salts, 5 mM of boric acid and 20mM of NaCl, 15 mM of boric acid and 40 mM of NaCl and 25 mM of Boric acid and 60 mM of NaCl. Interactions between treatments were also considered. Equal amount of water using manual irrigation and the same level of fertilizer were imposed on the treatment using pots. Plant growth parameters such as; plant height, numbers of leaves, leaf area, root length and plant weight were determined and the data was subjected to statistical analysis. The results show that amaranth plant was affected by simultaneous salinity and boron toxicity. Pots treated with 15 mM-boric acid and No NaCl recorded the highest fresh and dry matter accumulation on the seventh week, (52.6 g and 7 g respectively), while treatment 25 mM of Boric acid and 60 mM of NaCl recorded the lowest fresh and dry matter accumulation of 7.8 g and 1.7g respectively for the same period. Plants treated with 25 mM-Boron and 60 mM-NaCl recorded the lowest values of 26.8 cm, 16.1 cm, and 38.5 cm2 for plant height, root growth and leaf area respectively. The highest plant height and leaf area values of 66.7 cm and 120.2 cm² was recorded for plants treated with 15mM of boric acid and No-NaCl during the eight week of growth. The results showed that the low sodium chloride combined with moderate boric acid concentration favoured crop growth and development.

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