Growth, yield and root-shoot assimilate distribution in <i>Amaranthus cruentus</i> L. As influenced by different urine-water dilutions

The agronomic performance of Amaranthus cruentus L. improves with the application of fertilizers. Wastes, including human urine, which often contribute to environmental pollution, can be recycled into cost-effective fertilizers for amaranth cultivation. Therefore, this study evaluated the response of A. cruentus to NPK (15:15:15), urine-water dilutions (UWD) at ratios of 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6 and a control with no nutrient additive. The treatments except control were applied at 100 kg N ha−1; and all were laid using randomized complete block design with four replicates. Data on plant height, stem girth and number of leaves were collected at 3 and 4 weeks after sowing (WAS); and yield components at 4 WAS. Amaranth in NPK-treated soil had highest plant height (62.66 cm) and stem girth (2.71 cm) at 4 WAS, and compared statistically with 1:2 UWD treatment. The maximum number of leaves at 4 WAS (16.63) was obtained from 1:6 UWD treatment, differing significantly from other treatments except NPK and 1:4 UWD. Meanwhile, 1:4 UWD gave the highest dry weight of edible part (0.70 g plant−1), though statistically at par with 1:2 and 1:6 UWDs. Notably, the highest percentage of root in whole plant (13.14%) was recorded from control followed by NPK fertilizer (7.76%). The urine water dilutions influenced growth of A. cruentus positively and resulted into more assimilate partitioning to the edible parts. However, 1:4 UWD is recommended for its highest edible part and could be adopted as fertilizer for A. cruentus cultivation.