Influence of planting period on phenology, yield and yield components of three Corchorus olitorius cultivars under two growing conditions

Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is one of the most frequently cultivated Corchorus species in both dry and semi-arid regions of Africa and every part of the crop is useful for gastronomic or folklore purposes.
This study was conducted at the University of Limpopo, South Africa to evaluate the effect of planting period on growth and yield of three Jew’s mallow cultivars.
The experiment was a 2×4×3 split-split arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
These were; two growing conditions (field and pot), four planting periods (November, December, January and February) and three C. olitorius cultivars (‘Local’, ‘Oniyaya’ and ‘Amugbadu’). The result revealed highly significant (P<0.01) interactive effect of growing condition, planting period and cultivar in relation to number of days to 50% flowering and number of days to 50% pod maturity.
Jew’s mallow transplanted in November and December had significantly (P<0.001) highest number of days to 50% flowering and number of days to 50% pod maturity.
Furthermore, ‘Oniyaya’ and ‘Amugbadu’ flowered and matured later than the local cultivar.
Significantly (P<0.001) highest fresh and dry shoot mass were recorded during November and December planting periods at 18 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Generally, it is better to plant C. olitorius in November and December in the field for maximum vegetative growth and higher fresh and dry shoot yield.

IV All Africa Horticultural Congress – AAHC2021: Transformative Innovations in Horticulture

P.E. Mothoa, V.I. Ayodele, I.K. Mariga

Jew’s mallow, planting period, growing conditions

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1348.17