Abstract:
This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of mature coconut water in
conjunction with organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of
Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp. L). The experiment was carried out from March2024
to June 2024 at the Faculty of Technology, Eastem University, Sri Lanka. The study
was designed according to the CRD with five treatments and five replicates. The
treatments are Tr (Control) - the recommended amount of inorganic fertilizer by
Department of Agriculture (RDO A),Tz - potting media (sandy soil: compost: coir dust
2:I:l) * ll2 amount of RDOA, T: - potting media + I/2 amount of RDOA + 500 Lftra
of Mature Coconut water, T+ - potting media -r Il2 annount of RDOA + 600 Lftta of
MCW, and Ts - potting media + ll2 anount of RDOA + 750 L/ha of mature coconut
water. All other agronomic practices were followed based on DOA recommendations.
Plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area index
were measured weekly. Fresh and air-dry weights of the plants were measured at the
time of harvesting. Analysis of variance was performed to determine significant
differences among treatments. Overall, the highest average values for plant height,
number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area index, and both fresh and
air-dry weights were observed in treatment Ts. Conversely, the lowest avercge values
for these parameters were observed in the control treatment. Results suggested that
mature coconut water and organic fertilizers combined with inorganic fertilizer
enhance the growth and yield of Amaranthus in sandy regosl. The usage of mature
coconut water and organic fertilizer combined with inorganic fertilizer in Ieafy
vegetable cultivation would be a way to minimize the fertilizer requirements and cost
of production. According to the results of the study, potting media f 1/2 amount of
RDOA + 750 Llha of mature coconut water would be a suitable application rate for
amaranth cultivation.
