Evaluation of Waterleaf Production Under Different Spacing and Fertiliser in Rivers State

This study evaluates the effects of plant spacing and fertiliser application on the vegetative growth and fresh leaf yield of waterleaf in Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) is a nutritious indigenous leafy vegetable highly valued in South South Nigeria's culinary and traditional health practice contexts. Its cultivation has increased significantly in urban and peri-urban gardens around Port Harcourt as demand for fresh vegetables grows. Optimal agronomic management recommendations for waterleaf production in Rivers State are limited. This study establishes a two-factor randomised complete block design experiment at the University of Port Harcourt teaching farm, testing three plant spacings (15x15, 20x20, and 25x25 centimetres) and three fertiliser treatments (no fertiliser, NPK at 200 kilograms per hectare, and poultry manure at 5 tonnes per hectare). Fresh leaf yield per harvest, harvest frequency, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content are measured over four weekly harvest cycles. Findings reveal that the 20x20 centimetre spacing with poultry manure produces the highest cumulative fresh leaf yield of 42.6 tonnes per hectare over four harvests, attributable to better light penetration combined with improved soil moisture retention from organic matter. NPK fertiliser at 20x20 spacing produces comparable early yields but declines faster in subsequent harvests. The study concludes that 20x20 centimetre spacing combined with poultry manure optimises waterleaf productivity in Rivers State urban gardens. It recommends this management combination for urban vegetable producer extension guidance.

Keywords: waterleaf, plant spacing, vegetable yield, Rivers State, leafy vegetable.