ABSTRACT

The growth and 'development of Ephorbia S2lendens, Episa leuciana and Djefferibachia picta were studied. These plant species were planted in potted medium individually and also in combination with other ornamental p]ants. The study was carried out -In Feder1 University of Agricultue, 1Jmud-Ike Abla State The parameters assessed were total height, leaf number and number of flowers produced in the various plant species. It was observed that when the plants were grown in potted m,edium without combination with other ornamental plant species,1the growth was rapid than when they were grown in combination with other plant species. Analysis of variance (A10VA) and mean standard error were used in comparingthe growth and development of the ornamental plant species. Bar chart and line graphs were also used to assess the growth and development of the plant species. The, mean total height of the three ornamental plant species were: 15.82 ± 0.1cm, 7.79 ± 0.97cm and 5.41 ± '0.20cm for Eiphorbia Splendens, Episia leiiciana andJ1effenbachia picta respectively. The ANOVA table showed significant difference between the species mean height. This is because F-cal > F-tab (0.05) (le 75.86 > 4.26) The F-L.S.D (o.05) = 0.77 Euphorbia Splendens had the highest performance in terms of height growth, followed by Episia leuclana and Dieffenbachia 2ta respectively. This means that Euphorbla Slendens varied significantly greater than mean height of Episia le1jcana which also varIed iii significantly greater than mean height of Dleffenbachja picta. The mean total leaf numbe- produced from the three plants were:30±6.75, 14.63±1.66 and 7.48±0.70 for the three plants in their order of arrangement. There was also significant difference in the mean total leaf number of the species, *(8.16 > 4.26) (30.00 > 14.63 > 7.48). The mean total flower number produced from the selected plants were 3.2±0.96, 1.05±0.78 and 0±0 respectively. The ANOVA table showed non significant difference between the flowers of the, species. When the selected plant species were combined with other ornamental plant species, the growth rate in height and number of leaf produced reduced. While the selected plant species performed very well when they were planted without combination with other plants. It is recommended that government should support horticulturist financially and this will encourage them to teach people how to manage ornamental plants in sizeable pottd medium with difficulty. Ornamental plant species should be planted in a soil that is rich in organic matter, and poultry dungs should also be added to fasten growth and development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Page TITLE PAGE i

 ABSTRACT ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

PEDICATION ...........- iv

CERTIFICATION v

 TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF PLATES vii LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES ix

LIST OF APPENDICES x

CHAPTER ONE 1.0

Introduction 1.1

General, 1 1.2

Aesthetic Value Of Ornamental Plants 2 1.3

Use Of Containers For Growing Plants 2-3 1.4

Methods Of Propagating Ornamental Plant Species 3-4 1.5

Management Of Potted Ornamental Plant Species 4-5 1.6

Pest And Diseases Of Potted Ornamental Plants 5 1.7

 Objectives Of The Study 6 1.8

 Justification 6 1.9

Scope Of The'Study 6

CHAPTER TWO 2.0

 Literature Review -. 2.1

 General 7-8 2.2

Economic Position Of Horticulture 8-9 2.3

Choice Of Species 9 2.4

Growth And Development 9 2.5

 Environmental Requirement For Ornamental Plants 10-11

CHAPTER THREE 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3.1

The Study Area 12 3.7.

Environmental Factor On The Study Area 12-13 3.3

Description And Distribution Of Euphorbia Splendens. 14 3.4

Description And Discription Of Episia Leuciana,,,,, 14 3.5

Description And Discription Of Dieffenbhchia Picta 15 3.6

Method Of Establishment Of The Ornamental Plant Species 15-16 3.7

Data CollectIon 16 3.8 Data Analysis 16

CHAPTER FOUR Results 22-54

CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION 56-59

CHAPTER SIX 6.0

 Recommendation And Conclusion 60-61

REFERENCES 62-63

APPENDICES 64-7