Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Effect of Fertilizer Application on Production of

Triumfetta Tomentosa Boj.(Fam. Tiliaceae), A
Multipurpose Plant in Kenya
Kariuki, S. T.1*Kinuthia, N. L.1Mathooko, M. J.1Mucheke, W.2
1
Egerton University
2
Kenya Forestry Research Institute

Abstract:- Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. is a n indigenous the latter bearing capsules that are covered with bristles
perennial low shrub found growing naturally in moist (Agnew and Agnew, 1994).
habitats. It is commonly found on forest margins and
along riparian zones. It is a multipurpose plant This plant grows in wild and is utilized by different
exploited by many communities in Kenya as a source of communities in Kenya for various products that include
fodder, fiber for making baskets, ropes and hats, while fodder, bast fiber for ropes, mats, baskets and hats, while
the remaining debarked wood is used for making debarked stems are used to make winnowing trays
winnowing trays and firewood. However, as the (Gachathi, 2007). However, its biomass in the field is
population increases, more land is being converted into declining rapidly due to deforestation. This is rampant so as
agricultural farms and settlement sites. These to create more land for cultivation in such areas as slopes of
development activities coupled with global warming Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon, Aberdare Ranges, Mau Hills,
effects due to increasing green house gasses in the Cherangany Hills and other moist areas where this species
atmosphere are threatening the abundance and grows naturally. Other threats to the species include
distribution of this species. The objective of this study overgrazing and the effect of global warming. Since the
was therefore to investigate the effect of fertilizer plant has high economic potential, it is necessary to
application on biomass of T. tomentosa, if brought domestic it by bringing it under cultivation and test, if
under cultivation like any other crop. Seedlings were application of fertilizer has any positive effect on its
raised in nurseries from seeds and cuttings at Muguga( biomass like other plants under cultivation.
Kenya Forest Research Institute-KEFRI). These
seedlings were transplanted to the experimental sites in In plant productivity, which is the process of energy
Embu and Meru on eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya. input and storage, primary production is crucial involving
Random Block Design was used at spacing of 30 cm × 30 the transformation of light energy into chemical energy.
cm and 45 cm × 45 cm in 3 replicates for each planting This results in plant’s growth that can be measured in terms
material. All plants were harvested after 7 months and of increase in height and girth or in biomass. This biomass
above ground biomass was determined in terms of fresh is the Net Primary Production that accumulates over time.
weight in tones/ha. Analysis of variance was used to Some of this accumulation is turned over seasonally
compare the biomass among different treatments. The through decomposition, while some of it is retained over a
results showed significant increase in biomass (p ≤ 0.05) longer period as living matter which in a given area gives
of fertilizer application on T. triumfetta cultivation. the standing crop biomass expressed as weight per unit of
Plants raised from cuttings grew faster than those area. This can be above ground biomass if dealing with
raised from seeds and had more biomass. This study shoot system alone, below ground biomass if dealing with
showed that T. tomentosa can be brought under root system alone or total biomass if it involves both
cultivation like any other crop and its productivity can systems. It is known that the nutrition of the plant is one of
be improved through fertilizer application. This will the most important factors to control agricultural
help in its conservation as it is threatened in the wild. productivity and quality. Rates of nutrients in the soil
affects the quality of yield and application of fertilizers is a
Keywords:- Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. biomass, priority in agricultural production (Liu, et al; 2014).
productivity, fertilizer, conservation. Fertilizer application is required in order to replace crop
land nutrients that have been consumed by previous plant
I. INTRODUCTION growth with ultimate goal of maximizing productivity and
economic returns (Rai et al;2014).
Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. is a low shrub that varies in
height reaching up to 3m with a basal diameter reaching up Since the beginning of plant cultivation or origin of
to 7cm. The whole plant is covered with pale brown agriculture crops are found to respond positively to the
tomentose stellate hairs. The leaves are stipulate, ovate or application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers
lanceolate ovate sometimes 3-lobed with acute to (Dubey, et al; 2012). Work done by Liu, et al; 2011,
subacuminate apex and a cordate to obtuse leaf base and showed that organic manure promoted root activity in 40
serrate to crenate or dentate margins. The inflorescence is days after transplanting Stevia rabaudiana Bertoni
cymose with terminal panicles that have bracteolate florets, compared with chemical fertilizer, and dry weight of above

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Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
ground exceeded that of chemical fertilizer in 60 days. This  Propagation of T.tomentosa from cuttings
root activity is believed to enhance photosynthetic activity The cuttings were collected from Mt. Kenya Forest.
in later growth stages resulting in increased biomass They were treated with rooting hormone Rhizopon AA 1%
(ICESD,2012). (IBA). Potting was done using 15 cm × 10 cm punched
polythene papers. Before planting the tubes were also
From various studies it is noted that plant growth is treated with Milraz a fungicide to control fungi and
influenced by temporal and spatial effect, plant densities, sterilized forest soil was used. The cuttings were covered
intercropping and mixed cropping, water supply, mineral with polythene sheets and were watered every 2 weeks until
supply and green house effect(Ortega et al;2016). In Kenya they were ready for transplantation into the field after
temporal effect depends on whether the plant is propagated reaching about 25 - 40 cm.
during long rains or short rains with long rains having a
greater effect on many plants. Spatial usually affects plant  Propagation of T. tomentosa from seeds
densities giving plant population in a given unit of land and Seeds were collected from Mt. Kenya Forest, dried in
has been noted that yield per plant decreases as the number the laboratory and finally broadcast on seed beds. They
of plants increase per unit of land (Islam et al; 2017). were watered until they reached 5 cm after germination.
They were then pricked and were watered for four months
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS until they were about 20 – 40 cm after which they were
transplanted.
 The study area
This study was carried out on the eastern slopes of Mt.  Transplantation of seedlings into the field
Kenya which was purposely selected on the grounds that it The seedlings were classified as those from cuttings
was once abundantly covered with Triumfetta tomentosa (Cs) and those from seeds (Ss). Then those for spacing 30
plant species. This area lies at an average altitude of 2194 cm x 30 cm as ( C1 and S1), while those for spacing 45 cm
m. The area has a mean annual average temperature ranging x 45 cm as (C2 and S2 ). They were then planted in
from 25◦C to 27◦C and the rainfall is bimodal with two triplicates using Random Block Design in plots of 3 m x 3
peaks March to May (Long Rains) and October to m during the Long Rains in holes of 10 cm x 10 cm. The
December (Short Rains) with an annual average ranging treatments were with fertilizer (NPK) or without.
from 600mm to 1000mm. Geologically the region consists
of tertially recent volcanic rocks with Ando-like soils. In  Determination of biomass of T. tomentosa
areas that have been cultivated for a long time there are The plants were harvested by cutting the stem at the
Ferralsols which are reddish or yellowish and very uniform base using a sharp panga ( machete). The harvested plant
tropical clay soils. These have a uniform soil profile some materials per treatment were put in gunny bags including
metres thick, well drained and with good permeability and stem, twigs, leaves and flowers and weighed immediately
stable structure. Such portions are exhausted of bases and in the field under shade using spring balance. The weight
therefore less fertile. The region is cleared of natural was recorded in kilograms and later calculated as tones per
vegetation for cultivation and settlements. hectare.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The biomass per site and treatment were recorded as follows:

Site Spacing Treatment Biomass t/ha

Embu 30 cm x 30 cm C1 34.08
C2 11.01
S1 39.92
S2 9.45
45 cm x 45 cm C1 43.63
C2 8.44
S1 81.05
S2 12.46
Meru 30 cm x 30 cm C1 15.67
C2 3.86
S1 24.43
S2 3.18
45 cm x 45 cm C1 33.55
C2 5.30
S1 51.05
S2 22.38
Table 1

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Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Analysis of variance for fertilizer application

Source of variation d.f. s.s. m.s. v.r. F pr.

Fertilizer level 1 27233 27233 22.09 <.05
Treatment
Residual 5389 6644032 1233
Total 5390 6671266
Table 2

Analysis of variance for the spacing

Source of variation d.f. s.s. m.s. v.r. F pr.

Fertilizer level 1 21647 21647 17.88 <.05
Treatment 3 122307 40769 33.67 <.05
Residual 5385 6520642 1211
Total 5389 6669987
Table 3

The results show that there was a significant REFERENCES

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We are grateful to NACOSTI for funding this study Fertilizers and Organic Fertilizers on Eisenia foetida.
and also Egerton Universityand KEFRI for facilitating the International Journal of Research in Science,
experimental component. Engineering and Technology.

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