Grow African Nightshade

The World Vegetable Center
n Introduction: Several species of African n Sowing time: Nightshade is not as susceptible

nightshade (mnavu in Kiswahili) are grown to cold temperatures as other African indigenous
for their edible leaves, including Solanum vegetables such as spider plant. It can be grown
americanum Solanum scabrum and Solamum throughout the year if water is available.
villosum. The leaves are highly nutritious and
there is a growing market for them in both n Nursery preparation: The nursery should be
rural towns and major cities. Bitter and small in a flat fertile area, near to a water source and
leaf types are preferred by adults in Kenya and free from shade if producing during the rainy
Tanzania. Big leafy types are generally sweeter season. However, shade during the dry season seeds should be covered with a thin layer of soil
and preferred by children. Only the yellow can be beneficial to prevent the bed from drying and watered. After emergence, thin densely
to orange-colored fruits of Solanum villosum out and young plants wilting. The land should be populated seedlings to 2-4 cm between plants.
are edible while those from other species are well prepared and mixed with cattle, chicken or Weeding should be done as soon as the weeds
poisonous. compost manure at a rate of 2-5 kg/m2. appear, especially when the plants are still
young.
n Transplanting and crop management:

About three weeks after sowing, harden
seedlings by slightly reducing the frequency
of watering. The seedlings for transplanting
should be ready in four to six weeks when
they have 4-7 true leaves. Land should be
well prepared and mixed with compost, cattle
or chicken manure at a rate of 2–5 kg/m2
depending on availability.
n Varieties: AVRDC-The World Vegetable

Center has selected and is promoting the big
leaf type of nightshade which is rather sweet as n Sowing and thinning: The small seeds should
compared to the narrow or medium leaf types, be mixed with sand at a ratio of 1:3 to make them
which are more bitter. Cultural tastes determine easier to sow evenly. Space seed about 1 cm apart
which type to grow. in rows that are 15-20 cm apart. After sowing, the
Use a plant spacing of 20 cm by 20 cm for n Seed production: Seed production usually
continuous leaf picking for home garden crops. takes about 4-6 months after transplanting or
A wider spacing of 50 X 50 cm gives a higher leaf thinning. Plant out seedlings for seed production
yield in long term commercial production plots more widely (50 X 50 cm) than those for leaf
and for seed production purposes. production (20-30 X 20-30 cm). Ripe fruits are
harvested and seed extracted from the pulp either
Weeding is particularly important during the hot
dry season when it should be done at least once
mechanically using a seed extractor or manually.
Extracted seed is fermented for 24 hours in water, How to Grow
every three weeks. washed then sun dried, packed and stored in a
n Harvesting and sale: Yields are increased

cool place until use. AFRICAN
by continuous picking of tender lateral stems
and leaves which stimulates the production of NIGHTSHADE
new shoots. Harvesting can continue for up to 5
months during the wet season and for 4 months
during the dry season. The prices for quality leaf Long-term production of
are highest in the dry season and vary from 50 to nutritious and tasty leaves
200 Tsh for a bundle of 50-100 g in Tanzania and
up to 15 Ksh for a bundle of 450-650g in Kenya.
n Cooking: Several recipes involving onion,

tomato, fresh milk, groundnut flour and cooking
oil have been developed by the World Vegetable
Center and are available as leaflets. The cooking
time does not exceed 15 minutes. Nightshade
leaves are rich in protein, fiber, calcium,
phosphorus, iron, and carotenoids.
Contacts:
AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center,
Regional Center for Africa
P.O Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2553093/2553102
Email: info-africa@worldveg.org
Website: www.avrdc.org
Supported by the Kilimo Trust and BMZ/GTZ

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The World Vegetable Center

n Introduction: Several species of African n Sowing time: Nightshade is not as susceptible

n Transplanting and crop management:

n Varieties: AVRDC-The World Vegetable

n Harvesting and sale: Yields are increased

n Cooking: Several recipes involving onion,

Supported by the Kilimo Trust and BMZ/GTZ

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