Growth and Foliar Alkaloid Content of Clitoria ternatea under Different Irrigation Frequencies

Resumen

Clitoria ternatea is widely used in tropical livestock farming. This study evaluates the agronomic performance and alkaloid content of C. ternatea under different irrigation frequencies in protected cultivation. A randomized block design with controlled manual irrigation was implemented with five treatments, four replicates, and five experimental units per treatment. Treatments included daily irrigation (T0), irrigation every two days (T1), every three days (T2), every four days (T3), and every five days (T4). We evaluated plant height, leaf and internode number, leaf area, green and dry matter yield, and alkaloid content. Irrigation every three or four days generally resulted in the highest values for the measured variables compared to the control. Reduced irrigation frequency affects the agronomic performance of C. ternatea in protected cultivation. Agronomic indicators were highest under irrigation every three or four days. Alkaloid content did not vary with irrigation frequency.

Highlights:

• Clitoria  ternateais widely used in tropical livestock farming due to its adaptability, productivity, and nutritional value.
• Thestructured design with controlled manual irrigation had five treatments, four replicates and five experimental units, totalizing 100 plants.
• Maximum plant height was achieved when Clitoria ternateareceived irrigation every four or five days, with T4 reaching 48.50 cm at 50 days
• Leaf number increased as plants matured, with the highest value recorded in T3 (48 leaves at 50 days).
• Irrigation every 2 days increases alkaloid content and plant yield.