Abstract:
Amaranthus is an indigenous vegetable which acts as a source of nutrition and income within
Kilifi County. Soil moisture stress due to unpredictable rains within the area is however, a major
production constraint.. A study was carried out in Pwani University farm and Jaribuni secondary
school farm to evaluate the effect of seaweed, neem leaves, cashew nut leaves and wood shaving
mulches on growth and yield of amaranthus in Kilifi County. The experiment was laid down in
randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments included: seaweed,
neem leaves, cashew nut leaves, wood shavings and control with no mulch. Data collected
included: plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem girth, number of branches, leaf number,
chlorophyll content, leaf dry weight and days to 50% flowering. Neem leaves and seaweeds
mulches increased leaf area by 30% and 46%, stem girth by 32% and 40%, number of branches
by 41% and 61% respectively. Neem leaves and seaweeds mulch increased plant height by 70%
and 76%, fresh weight by 25% and 35% and dry matter by 8.4% and 8.5%. The results
demonstrate that the effects of mulches depend on the mulching material.
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