Impact of Specific Leaf Extracts on Soil pH and Beta-Carotene in Amaranthus in Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2024-04
Authors
Njeru, N
Wa Githendu, Mukiri
Murungi, J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJAHR
Abstract
Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) leaves are a good source of nutrients including vitamins
antioxidants and dietary minerals including calcium, iron, and potassium. Soil pH is a very important
chemical property of the soil, as it dictates the availability of plant nutrients. Acidic soils reduce
availability of plant nutrients and hinder growth. This is corrected by adding lime which is expensive,
does not add nutrients and requires re-application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
effects of leaf extracts from selected tree leaves on soil acidity and beta-carotene levels of
amaranthus. Plant leaves that were tested were Turril (Vitex keniensis) Mexican sunflower (Tithonia
diversifolia) and Indian nettle (Plectranthus barbatus). The experiment setup was in a 2 x 7 factorial
arrangement in a randomized complete block design(RCBDreplicated three timesThe treatments
were; the three leaves extracts, lime, farm yard manure, inorganic fertilizer and control.. Leaves
were dried,ground and soaked in distilledwater for sixty days as pH was monitored and the resulting
extract was added to soil for amanthus grown with plant extracts. Data on plant height, leaf area,
number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight and levels of beta carotene levels were collected.
AOAC method was used for analysis of beta carotene. All data was subjected to analysis of
variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance using SAS and least significant difference (LSD) for
means separation. The results showed that leaf extracts significantly reduced soil acidity to above
(6) while inorganic fertilizer increased the acidity (pH5.9) to (5.3) on all growing conditions while
humus increased acidity during rainy and irrigation conditions. On beta carotene levels, Farmyard
Manure had the highest levels(51.1µg) followed by the leaf extracts with extract 3-Plectras barbatus
having higher levels. Control had the lowest levels of beta carotene followed by inorganic fertilizer
and lime.These results suggest that farmers should be encouraged to grow vegetables using
farmyard manure and leaf extracts to increase antioxidant levels and reduce soil acidity.They
should also be encouraged to grow more of trees and shrubs studied to increase forest cover.
Description
Article
Keywords
Plant extract, beta-carotene, Soil pH
Citation
Njeru, N., Githendu, M. W., & Murungi, J. (2024). Impact of Specific Leaf Extracts on Soil pH and Beta-Carotene in Amaranthus in Kiambu County, Kenya. Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research, 11(2), 63-69.