A simple, rapid and efficient method for the extraction and purification of chlorophyll-a from plant sources has been developed. And with it, a new method for the ·extraction of chlorophyll in winter, which has been previously problematic, has been developed. The methods are summarized in flow diagrams showing the elimination of carotene and xanthophylls. The chlorophyll-a isolated has been demetallated to obtain pheophytin-a that in tum has been complexed with cobalt(II), copper(II), zinc, nickel(II) and chromium(Ill) ions. The resulting metal pheophytin complexes, chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a have been fully characterized by ultraviolet-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, electrospray ion mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. For the first time, the kinetics of the oxidation of cobalt(II) pheophytin-a by chromium(III) has been followed spectrophotometrically at temperatures ranging from 313 to 333 K. The reaction has been found to be first order in the concentration of the hexaaquachromium(III) cation. The oxidation-reduction mechanism proposed for the reaction is an outer-sphere electron tunnelling mechanism. The ease of demetallation and complexation of chlorophyll-a has highlighted the problem caused by acidity and the presence of these metal ions in soils, on the chlorophyll content of leaves. / Thesis (D.Phil) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

No description available.

Orientador: Gilsela Ferreira / Coorientador: Carmen Silvia Fernandes Boaro / Banca: Magali Ferreira da Silva / Banca: João Domingues Rodrigues / Resumo: O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a capacidade de recuperação de Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer após estresse hídrico em função das variações das trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila a e atividade de enzimas antioxidantes. O experimento foi implantado em blocos casualizados com três tratamentos (Irrigação, Suspensão de Irrigação e Reidratação) e quatro repetições de seis plantas por parcela totalizando 24 plantas. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: conteúdo relativo de água das folhas (CRA), trocas gasosas (assimilação de CO2, A; condutância estomática, GS; transpiração, E; concentração de carbono interno, Ci; eficiência de uso da água, A/E e eficiência de carboxilação, A/Ci), fluorescência da clorofila a (rendimento quântico máximo, FV/FM; fluorescência máxima da folha sob escuro, FM e fluorescência mínima da folha sob escuro, Fo), enzimas antioxidantes (superóxido dismutase, SOD, EC. 1.15.1.1 e peroxidase, POD, EC. 1.11.1.7) e peroxidação de lipídeos. Os dados foram submetidos a analise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade e/ou desvio padrão. Aos 38 Dias Após o Inicio dos Tratamentos (DAIT) (dia da reidratação), o CRA nas plantas irrigadas apresentou 87% reduzindo para 73% nas plantas sob suspensão de irrigação onde foi verificado assimilação de CO2 nula. Embora o CRA das plantas reidratadas tenha se recuperado ao nível das plantas no inicio dos tratamentos, as trocas gasosas apresentaram recuperação parcial. A atividade das enzimas SOD e POD tanto de folhas como de raízes apresentou recuperação após a reidratação e não foram observadas alterações no nível de peroxidação de lipídeos de folhas e raízes nos três tratamentos. Nas analises de fluorescência da clorofila a não foram detectados danos ao fotossistema II e nem alterações na eficiência do aparato fotoquímico tanto das plantas sob suspensão ... / Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the recoverability of Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer after water stress through changes in the gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant enzymes activity. The experiment was implanted in a randomized block design with three treatments (Irrigation, Suspension of Irrigation and Rehydration) and four replicates of six plants per plot totaling 24 plants. The following variables were evaluated: relative water content of leaves (RWC), gas exchange (CO2 assimilation, A; stomatal conductance, GS; transpiration, E; internal carbon concentration, Ci; water use efficiency, A/E and carboxylation efficiency, A/Ci), chlorophyll a fluorescence (maximum quantum yield, FV/FM; maximal leaf fluorescence under dark, FM; minimum leaf fluorescence under dark, Fo), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC. 1.15.1.1 and peroxidase, POD, EC. 1.11.1.7) and lipid peroxidation. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability and/or standard deviation. At 38 Day After Treatments Beginning (DATB) (day of rehydration), the RWC in irrigated plants showed 87% reducing to 73% in plants under suspension of irrigation where has been verified null CO2 assimilation. Although the RWC of rehydrated plants has recovered to the level of the plants in the beginning of treatments, gas exchange showed partial recovery. The activity of SOD and POD of both leaves and roots showed recovery after rehydration and no changes were observed in the level of lipid peroxidation in leaves and roots in the three treatments. In the analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence were not detected damage in the photosystem II and neither changes in the efficiency of the photochemical apparatus in both plants under suspension of irrigation and rehydrated in relation to irrigated. Therefore, even with the recovery of the activity of SOD and POD ... / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-11-22Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T18:00:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000754696_20141122.pdf: 234844 bytes, checksum: 8e702d577f331bcdedad80437ac6ecfd (MD5) / O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a capacidade de recuperação de Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer após estresse hídrico em função das variações das trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila a e atividade de enzimas antioxidantes. O experimento foi implantado em blocos casualizados com três tratamentos (Irrigação, Suspensão de Irrigação e Reidratação) e quatro repetições de seis plantas por parcela totalizando 24 plantas. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: conteúdo relativo de água das folhas (CRA), trocas gasosas (assimilação de CO2, A; condutância estomática, GS; transpiração, E; concentração de carbono interno, Ci; eficiência de uso da água, A/E e eficiência de carboxilação, A/Ci), fluorescência da clorofila a (rendimento quântico máximo, FV/FM; fluorescência máxima da folha sob escuro, FM e fluorescência mínima da folha sob escuro, Fo), enzimas antioxidantes (superóxido dismutase, SOD, EC. 1.15.1.1 e peroxidase, POD, EC. 1.11.1.7) e peroxidação de lipídeos. Os dados foram submetidos a analise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade e/ou desvio padrão. Aos 38 Dias Após o Inicio dos Tratamentos (DAIT) (dia da reidratação), o CRA nas plantas irrigadas apresentou 87% reduzindo para 73% nas plantas sob suspensão de irrigação onde foi verificado assimilação de CO2 nula. Embora o CRA das plantas reidratadas tenha se recuperado ao nível das plantas no inicio dos tratamentos, as trocas gasosas apresentaram recuperação parcial. A atividade das enzimas SOD e POD tanto de folhas como de raízes apresentou recuperação após a reidratação e não foram observadas alterações no nível de peroxidação de lipídeos de folhas e raízes nos três tratamentos. Nas analises de fluorescência da clorofila a não foram detectados danos ao fotossistema II e nem alterações na eficiência do aparato fotoquímico tanto das plantas sob suspensão ... / The present study aimed to evaluate the recoverability of Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer after water stress through changes in the gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant enzymes activity. The experiment was implanted in a randomized block design with three treatments (Irrigation, Suspension of Irrigation and Rehydration) and four replicates of six plants per plot totaling 24 plants. The following variables were evaluated: relative water content of leaves (RWC), gas exchange (CO2 assimilation, A; stomatal conductance, GS; transpiration, E; internal carbon concentration, Ci; water use efficiency, A/E and carboxylation efficiency, A/Ci), chlorophyll a fluorescence (maximum quantum yield, FV/FM; maximal leaf fluorescence under dark, FM; minimum leaf fluorescence under dark, Fo), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC. 1.15.1.1 and peroxidase, POD, EC. 1.11.1.7) and lipid peroxidation. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability and/or standard deviation. At 38 Day After Treatments Beginning (DATB) (day of rehydration), the RWC in irrigated plants showed 87% reducing to 73% in plants under suspension of irrigation where has been verified null CO2 assimilation. Although the RWC of rehydrated plants has recovered to the level of the plants in the beginning of treatments, gas exchange showed partial recovery. The activity of SOD and POD of both leaves and roots showed recovery after rehydration and no changes were observed in the level of lipid peroxidation in leaves and roots in the three treatments. In the analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence were not detected damage in the photosystem II and neither changes in the efficiency of the photochemical apparatus in both plants under suspension of irrigation and rehydrated in relation to irrigated. Therefore, even with the recovery of the activity of SOD and POD ...

O gênero Physalis pertence à família Solanaceae e apresenta cerca de 120 espécies, amplamente distribuídas nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Entre as espécies existentes, optou-se por trabalhar com Physalis peruviana e P. pubescens, a primeira, devido ao seu uso para fins produtivos, e a segunda, por ter potencial para produção, mas não ser explorado devido à planta ser considerada como daninha. Levando em consideração que não há estudos sobre adubação nitrogenada para as duas espécies e que este nutriente é um dos mais limitantes para o desenvolvimento e produção das plantas, os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar os aspectos agronômicos de plantas de P. peruviana e P. pubescens e verificar a atividade da enzima nitrato redutase e os teores de clorofila nas duas espécies sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio. O experimento de avaliação dos aspectos agronômicos foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação utilizando 2 espécies de fisális, 5 doses de N: 0, 200, 250, 300 e 350 kg ha-1 e em todos os tratamentos foram utilizados 600 e 300 kg ha-1 de P e K respectivamente. O experimento continha 7 repetições por tratamento em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As variáveis analisadas foram altura de plantas, matéria seca de raiz e parte aérea, número de ramos, comprimento de raízes, produção média e peso de frutos. P. pubescens apresentou maior resposta ao nitrogênio para todas as variáveis com exceção do número de ramos e matéria seca de parte aérea, mostrando que esta espécie possui um grande potencial produtivo. No segundo experimento, avaliou-se a atividade da enzima nitrato redutase e os teores de clorofilas a, b e total através do método bioquímico e por medidor portátil, nas duas espécies submetidas a 3 doses de nitrogênio: 0, 150 e 300 kg ha-1. As mudas foram colocadas em copos plásticos com substrato comercial, onde foram adicionadas as respectivas doses de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio (600 e 500 kg ha-1 para todos os tratamentos), além das variáveis acima descritas também foi realizada a análise de proteínas. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com 6 repetições e as análises foram feitas um mês após a adubação. O incremento de N ocasionou um aumento nos teores de clorofilas e proteínas totais e redução da atividade enzimática em ambas as espécies, sendo que na maior dose P. peruviana obteve os maiores valores em todos os casos. / The genus Physalis belongs to the Solanaceae family and has about 120 species , widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions . Among extant species , we chose to work with Physalis peruviana and P. pubescens , the first due to its use for productive purposes , and second , to have potential for production , but not be exploited due to be considered a weed plant . Assuming there are no studies on fertilization for the two species and that this nutrient is one of the most limiting to the development and production of plants , the objectives of this study were to evaluate the agronomic aspects of plants of P. peruviana and P. pubescens and check the activity of nitrate reductase and chlorophyll contents of the two species under different nitrogen levels . The experimental evaluation of the agronomic aspects was developed in a greenhouse using two species of physalis , five N rates : 0, 200, 250, 300 and 350 kg ha- 1 and in all treatments were 600 and 300 kg ha- 1 P and K,respectively. The experiment contained 7 replications per treatment in a randomized design. The variables studied were plant height, dry matter of roots and shoots , number of branches , root length , production and average fruit weight . P. pubescens showed greater response to nitrogen for all variables except number of branches and dry weight of shoots, showing that this species has a large productive potential . In the second experiment, we evaluated the activity of nitrate reductase and the content of chlorophyll a, b and total by biochemical method and portable meter in two species subjected to three nitrogen levels: 0, 150 and 300 kg ha- 1 . The seedlings were placed in plastic cups with commercial substrate, which were added the respective doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ( 600 and 500 kg ha- 1 for all treatments ) , in addition to the variables described above was also performed protein analysis. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications and analyzes were made one month after fertilization The increase of N caused an increase in the levels of chlorophyll and protein and reduced enzyme activity in both species, with the highest dose P. peruviana highest values obtained in all cases .

Orientador: Luís Henrique Bassoi / Resumo: Sensores podem auxiliar no monitoramento do nitrogênio no tecido foliar e da água no solo, mas para esse propósito eles necessitam ser calibrados. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor um procedimento para o uso do clorofilômetro em ma área de produção comercial de uva para vinho, no contexto da vitivinicultura de precisão, avaliando a variabilidade temporal do teor de nitrogênio foliar e as suas relações com as zonas homogêneas de solo e da planta. O estudo foi desenvolvido no município de Espirito Santo do Pinhal, estado de São Paulo, no ciclo de produção de 2019 de um vinhedo com a cv. Chardonnay sobre o porta-enxerto Paulsen 1103. O vinhedo foi irrigado e fertirrigado por um sistema de irrigação por gotejamento. O equipamento HS2 HydroSense, calibrado para diferentes zonas homogêneas quanto a fração granulométrica do solo, foi utilizado em 6 datas durante o ciclo de produção para a determinação do conteúdo de água a 0-20 cm de profundidade, e em 20 pontos por zona. O índice relativo de clorofila foi medido pelo clorofilômetro ClorofiLOG CFL 1030 em 4 datas durante o ciclo de produção, e em 40 plantas por data. Para a calibração do clorofilômetro, amostras de folhas foram coletadas para a determinação em laboratório dos teores de clorofila e de nitrogênio. A produção por planta, número de cachos por planta, massa média de cachos por planta e produtividade da área total foram determinados. A maturação tecnológica das bagas foi observada por amostragens periód... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Sensors can assist in monitoring leaf tissue nitrogen and soil water, but for this purpose they need to be calibrated. Thus, the present study aimed to propose a procedure for the use of a chlorophyll meter in a commercial growing area of wine grapes, within the context of precision viticulture, evaluating the temporal variability of leaf nitrogen content and its relationship with homogeneous soil and plant zones. The study was carried out at Espirito Santo do Pinhal, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in the 2019 growing season of vineyard of cv. Chardonnay grifted on Paulsen 1103 rootstock. Plants were irrigated and fertigated by a drip irrigation system. The HS2 HydroSense equipment, calibrated for different homogeneous zone of soil fractions, was used to determine the water content at 0-20 cm depth in 6 days throughout the growing season, at 20 points in each zone. The relative chlorophyll index was measured using the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG CFL 1030 in 4 days throughout the growing season, in 40 plants by day. Leaf samples were collected for laboratory determination of chlorophyll and nitrogen contentes and calibration of the chlorophyll meter. The production per plant, number of bunches per plant, average mass of bunches per plant and yield (total area) were determined. The technological maturation was observed by periodic sampling of berries to determination of pH, malic acid and soluble solids in laboratory. From the mathematical models generated, the chlorophyll meter ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

CNPq / A poluição ambiental causada pelas indústrias tem elevado a concentração de poluentes no ambiente, principalmente nas águas. Entre os mais diversos contaminantes, temos os metais, podendo ou não ser pesados/tóxicos, gerando efluente de difícil tratamento quando em baixas concentrações. A busca por medidas alternativas de tratamentos de efluentes de águas residuais, tem levado a estudos utilizando de técnica de fitorremediação através das mais diversas matrizes (plantas, fungos, bactérias) como formas de tratamento de polimento para remover contaminantes por meio de biossorção/bioacumulação. No intuito de se utilizar a técnica de fitorremediação para remoção de metais do ambiente, realizou-se o bioensaio com a macrófita Pistia stratiotes. Realizaram-se os bioensaios com indivíduos saudáveis de P. stratiotes aclimatadas em casa de vegetação, em condições de temperatura e luminosidade ambiente, durante 28 dias de cultivo. Os cultivos foram realizados em recipientes de vidro contendo 1 L da solução hidropônica com cromo (VI) na forma de dicromato de potássio, com concentração na faixa de 0,10 a 4,90 mg L-1. Os experimentos foram realizados por Delineamento Central Composto Rotacional (DCCR), onde a cinética da bioacumulação e a fluorescência da clorofila a foram monitoradas em indivíduos de P. stratiotes durante o cultivo. As coletas das amostras e da solução de cultivo foram realizadas conforme o DCCR. Os teores de cromo foram dosados em amostras de P. stratiotes e nas soluções remanescentes pela metodologia de espectrometria de absorção atômica por chama. A tolerância de P. stratiotes em relação à exposição ao cromo (VI) foi analisada por parâmetros da atividade fisiológica, por meio da fluorescência da clorofila a, utilizando-se o fluorômetro portátil PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation). O desenvolvimento de P. stratiotes e sua biomassa foram relacionados ao fator tempo, enquanto que as capacidades de bioacumulação foram fortemente influenciadas pelos fatores tempo e concentração de cromo (VI). Os parâmetros da fluorescência da clorofila a foram afetados pelo tempo de exposição nos bioensaios. Obteve-se maior remoção do metal pela raiz em relação a folha, alcançando alta taxa de remoção do metal em solução. Os dados experimentais da cinética de remoção foram representados pelos modelos cinéticos de Langmuir Irreversível, Langmuir Reversível, Pseudo-primeira Ordem e Pseudo-segunda Ordem, sendo que o melhor ajuste para a solução de cultivo foi o modelo de Langmuir Reversível com R² 0,993 e para a planta o melhor modelo sendo o Pseudo-segunda Ordem com R² 0,760. / The environmental pollution caused by industries has increased the concentration of pollutants in the environment, especially in water. Among the most diverse contaminants, there is the metals, who may or may not to be heavy/toxic, causing effluent of difficult treatment when in low concentrations. The search for alternative measures of wastewater effluent treatment has led to studies using phytoremediation technique through the various matrices (plant, fungi, bacteria) as means of polishing treatment to remove contaminants by means of biosorption/bioaccumulation. In order to use the phytoremediation technique for removing metals of the environmental, it have been performed bioassay with the macrophyte Pistia stratiotes. The bioassays were realized with healthy plants of P. stratiotes acclimatized in a greenhouse, at room temperature and lighting conditions during 28 days of cultivate. The cultivations were performed in glass vessels containing 1 L of the hydroponic solution with chromium (VI) in the potassium dichromate form with concentration range 0.10 to 4.90 mg L-1. The experiments were performed by Outlining Central Composite Rotational (OCCR), where the kinetics of bioaccumulation and chlorophyll a fluorescence were monitored in plants of P. stratiotes during cultivation. The collections of the samples and cultive solution were performed according to the OCCR. The chromium levels were measured in samples of P. stratiotes and the remaining solutions by the methodology of atomic absorption spectrometry by flame. The tolerance of P. stratiotes in relation to exposure to chromium (VI) was analyzed by parameters of physiological activity by means of chlorophyll a fluorescence, using the portable fluorometer PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation). The development of P. stratiots and their biomass were related to the time factor, while bioaccumulation capacities were strongly influenced by factors of time and chromium concentration (VI). The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were affected by chromium and the exposure time at the bioassays. It was obtained an higher metal removal from the root in relation to the sheet, reaching a high rate of metal removal in solution. The experimental data removal kinetics were represented by kinetic models Irreversibly Langmuir, Reversible Langmuir, Pseudo-first Order and Pseudo-second Order, and the best fit for the culture solution was the Reversible Langmuir model with R² 0.993 and for the plant the best model was Pseudo-second order with R² 0.760.

Baby spinach is a relatively new crop in South Africa with both commercial significance and reputed health benefits. It is known to assist in combating degenerative conditions associated with ageing, such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and several forms of cancer. Three parallel NPK trials were conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the growth and development of baby spinach. N and P treatments were arranged as (0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg.ha -1 N and P), and K treatments were arranged as (0, 63, 85, 127, 148 kg.ha -1) in a randomised complete block designed with four replicates. Results showed that yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content and Leaf Area Index (LAI) were significantly increased by increasing the N application, while K had a significant effect on the LAI but not on yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content or stomatal conductance. Nitrogen treatments quadrupled fresh yield, dry matter and chlorophyll content, reaching maximum impact at 75 kg.ha-1 N. Phosphorus application showed significantly increased yields, dry matter and chlorophyll content, reaching maximum impact at 75 kg.ha-1 P. Therefore, to achieve optimum growth with N and P, 75 kg.ha-1 is recommended. The optimum rates of N, P and K were then used to formulate a NPK combined trial which was arranged as 0, 30:30:40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg.ha-1 in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that maximum impact on yield, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry matter was achieved when combined NPK was applied at 45:45:60 / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

The factors influencing senescence in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are of considerable importance to the pastoral sector of New Zealand’s economy. The plant hormones, ethylene and the cytokinins, have been implicated as having opposing influences on senescence. This project focused on the cytokinins. The rate limiting step in cytokinin biosynthesis is catalysed by isopentenyl transferase (IPT) and the primary enzyme in the degradation of cytokinins is cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). Both IPT and CKX genes are present as multi-gene families. A reduction in the level of active cytokinins either via a decrease in IPT expression, or an increase in CKX expression, or both, would implicate the cytokinins in developmental leaf senescence in white clover. White clover grows in a sequential pattern with leaves at all stages of development making it a good model for studying leaf development and senescence. A decrease in leaf chlorophyll is used as a marker for the onset of senescence. A micro-scale chlorophyll analysis was developed using the NanoDrop™ thus allowing tissue from the same leaflet to be used for gene expression and chlorophyll measurements. The pattern of chlorophyll changes was similar to that shown by Hunter et al.(1999) and Yoo et al.(2003) in white clover stolons used for ethylene research. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and BLAST analysis was used to identify five putative IPT genes and seven putative CKX genes from white clover. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of seven of these genes (TrIPT1. TrIPT13, TrIPT15 TrCKX1, TrCKX2, TrCKX6). Analysis with quantitative real-time PCR showed expression of TrCKX2 increased markedly during leaf expansion and was consistently high during senescence, suggesting a potential role for CKX in facilitating the progression of senescence.

Baby spinach is a relatively new crop in South Africa with both commercial significance and reputed health benefits. It is known to assist in combating degenerative conditions associated with ageing, such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and several forms of cancer. Three parallel NPK trials were conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the growth and development of baby spinach. N and P treatments were arranged as (0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg.ha -1 N and P), and K treatments were arranged as (0, 63, 85, 127, 148 kg.ha -1) in a randomised complete block designed with four replicates. Results showed that yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content and Leaf Area Index (LAI) were significantly increased by increasing the N application, while K had a significant effect on the LAI but not on yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content or stomatal conductance. Nitrogen treatments quadrupled fresh yield, dry matter and chlorophyll content, reaching maximum impact at 75 kg.ha-1 N. Phosphorus application showed significantly increased yields, dry matter and chlorophyll content, reaching maximum impact at 75 kg.ha-1 P. Therefore, to achieve optimum growth with N and P, 75 kg.ha-1 is recommended. The optimum rates of N, P and K were then used to formulate a NPK combined trial which was arranged as 0, 30:30:40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg.ha-1 in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that maximum impact on yield, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry matter was achieved when combined NPK was applied at 45:45:60 / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)