Effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia L.) density on growth, yield, and proximate composition of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Purpose. Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is a mucilaginous vegetable and fiber crop cultivated in the tropics, where catnip (Nepeta cataria Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia are common weeds. Hence, study investigated growth, yield, nutrient level of jute weed-free, catnip, environments. Methods. The involved two screen-house experiments Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. treatments were 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weed plants per pot both experiments. These 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 count square meter equivalent, based on surface area pots used. interacted first second experiments, respectively. Growth parameters recorded weekly from 5 to 8 weeks after sowing (WAS), harvesting was done at WAS. proximate composition evaluated using standard procedures outlined by AOAC. data collected subjected analysis variance (ANOVA), means separated Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) P < 0.05. Results. Catnip negatively impacted morphological features 100 upwards. sunflower, 300 100–500 meter, respectively, reduced dry weight mallow. crude protein content also lessened some point. Conclusions. recommends that density interacting should be maintained below prevent yield loss.