Plant Spacing and Time of Topping affects Growth and Yield of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Cultivated in the Nyankpala Soil Series of Ghana

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Abstract

Plant spacing/density and topping are two important agronomic practices that could effectively be applied to improve growth and increase the yields of horticultural crops.  In this experiment, we investigated the effect of plant spacing at 30 x 15 cm, 30 x 30 cm, 30 x 45 cm and broadcasting combined with topping at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) on the growth and yield of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). The experiment was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that the 30 x 45 cm spacing combined with topping at 4, 6 and 8 WAP gave the best crop performance (p<0.5) in terms of increased number of leaves and branches, seeds per fruit, 1000 seed weight, shoot biomass at harvest and seed yield. Broadcasting and spacing at 30 x 15 cm or 30 x 30 cm combined with no topping enhanced plant height. Early flowering occurred when the plants were planted at 30 x 15 cm or sown by the broadcast method. Considering the most useful parts of the crop for commercial purposes, the 30 x 45 cm spacing, followed by topping at either 4, 6 or 8 WAP is recommended for increased leaf and seed yields