Growth and proximate composition of Amaranthus cruentus L. on poor soil amended with compost and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi

Abstract Purpose The study was carried out to examine growth, shoot yield, dry matter and proximate composition of Amaranthus cruentus on poor soil augmented with compost or AMF either singly or in combination. Methods The experiment was arranged in completely randomized designed in six replicates with four treatments. Four treatments: comprised control and three other amendment types derived from the application of compost made from cattle dung and maize stover, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi singly or in combination with compost. The treatments were applied a week before sowing to allow for proper mineralization. Growth characteristics, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid content and proximate composition were assessed. Results The results revealed that the compost supplied sufficient plant nutrients needed for improving biological and economic yields of Amaranthus cruentus . Application of compost significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced growth, dry matter and fresh shoot yield of A. cruentus. Applying of combination AMF and compost to nutrient limiting soil had no significant (P ≥ 0.05) effect on yield and yield components of A. cruentus. Proximate composition of A. cruentus was significantly enhanced in pots augmented with compost better than pots amended with the combination of AMF and compost. Conclusions Application of compost to nutrient deficient soil promoted growth, fresh shoot and dry matter yield of A. cruentus. Similarly, proximate composition of the crop was appreciably influenced by compost application