Effect of Tillage Methods and Spacing on the Productivity of Waterleaf

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at the teaching and research farm of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria to determine the effect of tillage methods and spacing on the productivity of waterleaf. The treatments consist of three tillage methods (flat, Mound and bed) and three spacing (25x25cm, 30x30cm and 40x40cm). The experiment was a 3x3 factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The results of the experiment indicate improved growth of leaves 40x40cm spacing at 4 and 6WAP. Tillage method using beds and flats produced better and higher yield than mound. However, the waterleaf propagated with 25x25cm spacing  produced highest yield (0.6kg/plot) 3000kg ha^-1 while 40x40cm spacing  gave lowest yield (0.323kg/plot) 1610kg^-1. From this experiment, the 25x25cm plant spacing is recommended to farmers for waterleaf planting because it maintained soil water because of the close spacing thus improving soil fertility. Farmers are advised to practice this method of vegetable farming which helps to maintain soil fertility for sustainability of vegetable crop production in their area.