Tannin contents of some economic plants in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the tannin content of five economic plants indigenous to Nigeria. These plants belongs to the families Poaceae (Maize), Fabaceae (Cowpea, Groundnut), Euphorbiaceae (Cassava) and Malvaceae (Okra). The study showed that the percentage tannin content of these plants decreased from week one to week four after planting from 5.20-4.80, 5.40-3.50, 10.20-4.00, 6.90-4.30, 6.30-3.70 for Maize, Cowpea, Groundnut, Cassava and Okra, respectively. There was significant difference in the weekly estimation of tannin content (F 3,12 = 7.873, p = 0.0036) and between different economic plants examined (F 4,12 = 3.908, p = 0.0295) at 95% confidence level. The tannin content of the plants altered the nutrient dynamics of the soil; this was observed in the increased mean values recorded for organic matter, organic carbon and sulphate content of the soil within the pH range of 5.95-6.65 from week one to week four after planting.