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The field experiment was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm (Town campus) to investigate the effects of stem cutting length and split application of NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of waterleaf in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid he experiment was a 6 x 4 factorial arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The factors under consideration included factor A (length of stem cutting) at different levels: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 cm and factor B (split application of NPK fertilizer) including 200kg ha-1 (once), 100ha-1 (twice) and 50ha-1 (4 times) and the control. The results indicated significant differences (P< 0.05) on the growth and yield parameters assessed. Among the stem length treatments, the result showed significant increase in growth and yield from 5 cm stem cutting to 7 cm stem cutting. There was not significant increase in growth and yield from 7 cm stem cutting to 10 cm. The result showed that stem cutting of 10cm had 29% and 36% more number of leaves per plant compare to 5cm stem cutting, but only 1% and 6% when compared to 7 cm stem cutting. The 10 cm stem cutting had 1 -45% and 1-42% more number of branches in both cropping season than other treatments. The 10cm cutting also had significant foliar yield of 46% and 50% more than 5 cm cutting in both cropping seasons. When 10 cm cutting was compared to 7 cm, the percentage difference was 2% and 1%, respectively. The application of NPK stimulated vegetative growth and yield waterleaf. Split application of 50kg/ha (4 times) produced 19 – 78% and 21 – 76% more foliar yield than the other fertilizer treatments. The study therefore advised farmers to adopt 7cm cutting for vigorous growth and to avoid wastage of planting material. The split application of 50kg/ha (4 times) was recommended to waterleaf farmers. |
