Performance and Nutritional Quality of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) under Organic Soil Amendments (Composts)

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the performance and nutritional quality of roselle and jute mallow under organic soil amendments (composts).

Study Design: The experiments were conducted in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were conducted at the CSIR – SARI upland field, Changnaayili near Nyankpala in the Northern Region of Ghana during the rainy season (from June to October) in 2014 and 2015.

Methodology: The composts used were Decentralized Company (DeCo) compost, Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) compost and Composted Deep Litter Chicken Manure (CDLCM) applied onto prepared raised beds. The composts were incorporated into the beds at a rate of 10 t / ha two weeks before seedlings of roselle, and jute mallow were transplanted onto the prepared beds. Plant height, numbers of leaves per plant and leaf yield were taken for both vegetables. Protein, moisture and ash contents were also determined by proximate analysis.

Results: For both crops, significant differences (p = 0.05) in plant height and number of leaves were recorded at 8 weeks after transplanting. Cumulative leaf yield was significantly (p = 0.05) different between CDLCM, DeCo, ACARP composts and the control plot. Proximate analysis of leaf samples of the roselle and jute mallow showed that percent moisture and ash content were not affected significantly (p = 0.05) by the application of compost. However, percent protein in the roselle varied significantly (p = 0.05) with highest (29.2%) in the control followed by ACARP compost (28.6%), CDLCM (27.6%) and DeCo compost (26.4%).

Conclusion: Application of organic soil amendment resulted in improved agronomic and yield parameters of roselle and jute mallow. However, their application did not have much effect on the nutritional status of both crops except on protein in roselle.