Effects of Vegetative Zones on the Nutritional Composition of Vernonia Amygdalina Leaves in Ekiti State

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effects of vegetative zones (location) on the nutritional compositions of Vernonia amygdalina leaves in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Across locations (in each vegetative zones), A total land area of 9 m x 18 m was acquired and soil samples were randomly collected to determine the physical and chemical composition of the soils. The growth of Vernonia amygdalina (stem) with a spacing of 1 m x 1 m between rows was determined. Harvested fresh leaves of the plant were analyzed for nutritional composition using standard methods. Nutritional and mineral compositions were observed at different proportions in the leaves of the investigated plant. Higher proximate composition in the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina was also recorded in terms of Moisture (Efon; 11.34%) and protein (Ikere; 22.46 %,) in the rainforest. However, higher Fat (Otun; 4.58 %), Crude fiber (Omuo; 16.08 %), Ash (Omuo; 14.69%) and Carbohydrate (Otun; 38.68 %) was found in Vernonia amygdalina grown in the Derived Savannah area. Similarly, the Mineral element compositions in the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina were found to be higher in plant from the rainforest area than the derived savannah area of Ekiti State except sodium and iron, which were higher in Vernonia amygdalina grown in the Derived Savannah area. However, the significant differences recorded between the nutritional components on the studied medicinal plant reveals the potentiality of the influence of soil factor and different climatic conditions of the study areas.