The effect of water stress (drought) on the proximate composition of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum (L) and Gongronema latifolium (Benth)

The present paper highlights the effect of water stress (drought) on the proximate composition of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium. Cultivated O. gratissimum and G. latifolium plants grown in plastic planting buckets were subjected to mild water stress by irrigating each planning bucket with 500 ml of water once in a week. In the control treatment, each bucket was supplied with 750 ml of water three times a week. Treatment started two months after seedling emergence. The leaves of the plants were harvested for analysis one month from the commencement of treatment. The leaf was used for analysis since it is the part most eaten. The results obtained showed that water stress significantly (p< 0.05) decreased carbohydrate, moisture content, dry matter and crude fat content of the leaves of the two plants and the calorific value of the leaves of G. latifolium. On the other hand, there was significant increase (p < 0.05) in the ash, crude protein and crude fibre content of the leaves of the plants studied as a result of water stress. The calorific value of the leaves of O. gratissimum was not affected by water stress. The results obtained were discussed in line with the current literatures.