Growth and flowering responses of Wedelia trilobata L. Hitch Plant to Nutritional Regimes in Khartoum State

Abstract

Wedelia (Wedelia trilobata L.) plant was studied in the nursery of Department of Horticulture College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology، Shambat at Khartoum, Sudan, during 2018 and 2019. Five levels of sulphur 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 g/plant, NPK 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g/plant and urea 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 g/plant were tested as soil application to potted media in 30× 60 cm3 plastic pages. In addition, a micro elements foliar treatment was also tested. The foliar application was 50 mg/L of (Fe, Mn, Zn and B). The treatments were arranged in a complete randomize design. Each treatment was replicated four times. Data were collected according to the plants ages after (40, 125, 215 and 300 days from adding the fertilizers). Shoot length, number of branches, leaves and flowers, leaf length, width and area, final number of flowers, fresh and dry mass weight, chlorophyll measurement and analysis of leaf tissues were measured. The results showed significant differences between the five sulphur treatments on vegetative and flowering growth. General increase in vegetative growth occurred by adding the highest dose of sulphur 1.6 g/plant and the best level to increase in the number of flowers was when 0.8 g/plant was added. Data analysis showed significant difference in growth parameters when NPK was added. The highest values of measured parameters were obtained from the 8 g/plant. ANOVA showed significant differences in vegetative growth parameters treated with urea compared to the control, except for the shoot length. The highest values were obtained from the 6.0 g/plant for all parameters. The treatments of Zinc and Manganese as foliar application fertilizers gave the highest values of vegetative growth. No significant difference was found in all treatments regarding leaf width. Boron is the moderated nutrient used to increase number of flowers of w. trilobata plants.