Growth and Shoot Yield of Worowo [Senecio biafrae (Oliv. & Hiern.) S. Moore] Influenced by Neem-Enriched Cow Dung/Sawdust Compost

Background and Objective: Worowo is a nutritious and medicinal vegetable, which has not been given cultivation attention, probably due to lack of knowledge on its fertilizer requirements. Utilizing inorganic fertilizers for its cultivation can be costly and harmful to the environment, whereas composts are eco-friendly but have low nitrogen levels, thus necessitating enrichment with nitrogen sources. Effects of neem-enriched cattle dung+sawdust compost (CDSNM) on the growth and shoot yield of Worowo were therefore investigated. Materials and Methods: Main/residual effects of CDSNM, applied at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t/ha on growth and edible shoot yield (ESY) of Worowo, were compared with NPK 15-15-15 at 400 kg/ha, using randomized complete block design with four replicates. Vine length, the number of leaves and branches, leaf area index, vine girth, and edible shoot output were measured, and data were analyzed using ANOVA at α_0.05. Means were separated using DMRT. Results: The ESY (180 DAP) from CDSNM at 40 t/ha (10.55±1.95) was highest in the main plots and was only comparable to CDSNM at 30 t/ha (7.30±1.35). The lowest ESY (1.41±0.26) was from NPK. The order of shoot outputs from both main and residual plots was: CDSNM-40>CDSNM-30>CDSNM-20>CDSNM-10>CONTROL>NPK. The best yield values were obtained from the organically treated plots, with the best yield value (18.80±3.10 t/ha) from CDSNM applied at 40 t/ha in the residual plots. Conclusion: The CDSNM applied at 30 t/ha is the most sustainable and efficient treatment for optimal production of Worowo, as it provided comparable growth and yield parameters to the 40 t/ha application.