Seasonal responses of total antioxidant contents in cultivated bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides L.) leaves to fertilizer rates

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Authors

Daniel, M.I.
Mudau, Fhatuwani Nixwell
Mashela, Phatu W.
Soundy, Puffy

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Publisher

Global Science Books

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer on total antioxidant content of cultivated bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides L.) leaves. Three independent trials of N, P and K were conducted per season i.e. autumn, winter, spring and summer. Treatments consisted of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 kg/ha N, P or K replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. At harvest, leaves were freeze dried and ground for total antioxidant using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results of this study demonstrate that regardless of season, the application of N, P and K fertilizers quadratically increased total antioxidant content, with most of the increase occurring at 0-300 N, 300 P and 100 K kg/ha. Therefore, for improved total antioxidant contents in cultivated bush tea leaves, 300 N, 300 P and 100 K kg/ha N is recommended.

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Keywords

Bush tea, Harvesting, Season, Total antioxidant contents

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Daniel, MI, Mudau, FN, Mashela PW & Soundy, P 2007, 'Seasonal responses of total antioxidant contents in cultivated bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides L.) leaves to fertilizer rates', Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology, vol. 1, no. 1 pp. 74-76. [http://gsbjournals.client.jp/MAPSB.html]