Abstract:
Limited access by farmers to improved spider plant (Cleome gynandra) varieties and low fertilizer use
are major causes of low leaf yields for this crop. Surveys have shown that the crop is among traditional
leafy vegetables whose consumption is on the increase in Kenya. Greenhouse and field experiments
were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in Ruiru and Juja. Objectives were: to determine the plant growth and
yield; to undertake a survey of both farmer and consumer preference; and to establish their
comparative nutritional profile under different agronomic conditions. 8 lines that were developed at the
World Vegetable Centre, Arusha, were evaluated alongside the commercial variety (control). They
included UGSF25, MLSF17, UGSF3, UGSF14, UGSF25, UGSF36, IP3 and UGSF9. All experiments were
undertaken for 2 seasons, where both variety and nitrogen factors were investigated under split–plot
design. Measurements were done to quantify growth in terms of height, leaf number, yield, leaf area,
SPAD and dry weight. Plants were harvested at 7-10 day intervals. Data was analysed in SAS 9.1 and
SPSS software. Varieties were ranked from 1-9 in terms of performance. The top 5 varieties - MLSF17,
UGSF14, UGSF36, UGSF9 and control were selected for further evaluation. Market survey and
participatory evaluation for both sensory tests and on-farm farmer surveys were undertaken for both
crop seasons I and II. Results indicated that line MLSF17 had the highest yields followed by UGSF14,
Control, UGSF9 and UGSF36 respectively at p ≤ 0.05. However, there was no significant difference for
varietal preference by spider plant growers and consumers. Availability of improved and high yielding
spider plant cultivars will leverage farmers to cultivate this crop and explore different agro ecological
zones for increased leaf yield.
