The use of comfrey as soil amendment to improve growth of maize and amaranth vegetable

Being an organic material enriched with essential nutrients, comfrey plant (Symphytum spp) can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil characteristics and crop productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of comfrey plant on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays) and amaranth (Amaranthus spp). Two pot experiments were conducted where in first experiment, maize was grown in soil amended with Comfrey leaves powder (CLP) at 0, 2, 4 and 8% (w/w) for 6 weeks and in second experiment, Amaranthus was grown in soil amended with Comfrey roots powder (CRP) at 0, 2 and 4 % (w/w) for 5 weeks. Application of 8% of CLP to the soil increased maize height significantly (by 29 cm, p = 0.045) compared to maize in control treatment. Maize leaves number increased significantly (from 5 to 8 leaves, p = 0.001) following soil amendment with 2% of CLP. Stem diameter increased significantly with increasing CLP from 0 – 4% (diameter from 0.7 to 1.2 cm, p