Effect of Different Tillage Methods and Plant Spacing on Growth and HerbageYield of Lagos Spinach ( Celosia argentea L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Idi-Ishin Jericho, Ibadan to determine the growth and herbage yield of Lagos spinach (Celosia argentea L.) as affected by different tillage methods and plant spacing. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) involving twelve treatments, replicated three times. The plot size used was 2 m × 3 m with 1 m path ways between plots and 1 m between replicates. The treatments were different plant spacing (15 cm × 30 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm, 45 cm × 30 cm and 60 cm × 30 cm) and tillage methods (raise bed, ridges and flatbed). The result showed that the plants from raised bed at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm (111,111 plants per ha) gave the highest response in terms of average growth parameters that were considered at 7 WAP and the yield value after harvesting at 8th week. The spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm from raised bed gave the highest fresh herbage yield of the Celosia planted.