Morphology and Growth of Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta L.) Under Varying Levels of Shade and Nitrogen Source

Shayne S. Reaño; Constancio C. De Guzman; Ma. Lourdes S. Edaño; Enrique P. Pacardo

Authors

Shayne S. Reaño Crop Physiology Division, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Constancio C. De Guzman Crop Physiology Division, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Ma. Lourdes S. Edaño Sustainable Agriculture, Crop Production and Management, Farming System Division, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Enrique P. Pacardo School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines

Keywords:

Euphorbia hirta L., morphology, nitrogen, poultry litter, tawa-tawa, vermicompost

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of shade (open condition, 30% and 60%) and N fertilizer application (no N, 0.65 g urea [equivalent to 0.30 g of N per plant] and 1.30 g urea, 62.5g poultry litter compost, 32.08 g green manure compost and 47.24 g vermicompost [all equivalent to 0.60 g of nitrogen per plant] on morphological parameters and growth of tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta L.) Euphorbia hirta plants applied with vermicompost and poultry litter compost under the open condition exhibited the highest number of leaves and lateral branches. The earliest number of days to flowering was from vermicompost-applied plants under open condition and 30% shade. The most number of flowers was also observed under the same treatments. High vegetative and reproductive growth from plants applied with vermicompost under open condition correspondingly increased the resulting fresh and dry weight of the different plant parts.

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