QUALITY LEAF AND SEED PRODUCTION OF VINE SPINACH (BASELLA ALBA L. AND RUBRA L.) IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Leafy Vegetables (ALV) that is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B9 and Vitamin C • It is also good source of income • Despite its nutritional and medicinal benefits, this crop is not included in the top ten priority African leafy vegetables for research in Kenya. • The area under crop in Kenya has not been well established because it is semi domesticated and grows along fences. • Vine spinach in Western Kenya is purely established from vines which means that new varieties cannot be created, low productivity is experienced and diseases are easily passed on to the next generation • Use of seeds for propagation is virtually nonexistent in Kenya and this is attributed to non availability of seed forming varieties