Growth, yield and physiological responses of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) to calcium ammonium nitrate rates

A field experiment was conducted from April to November 2009 at Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya to assess the effects of different levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg Nha-1) of Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertilizer on spider plant with a view to determine the optimal rate that would maximize the growth and yield of the crop. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Growth, yield and physiological data were taken and later subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the significant means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) at P ? 0.05. The results showed that application of CAN fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) influenced all growth and physiological parameters measured. Plants subjected to highest rate (200 kg Nha-1) of Calcium ammonium nitrate exhibited about 85% increase in plant height and between 80% to 100% increase in number of branches compared to the control. The same treatment enhanced chlorophyll concentration by between 42% to 62% and stomatal conductance by between 67% to 81% when compared to control. Yield from 150 and 200 kg Nha-1 treatments was higher by about 61% compared to control. The findings suggested that application of 150 kg Nha-1 from CAN is therefore preferred in maximising yield and hence recommended for production of spider plant.