Agronomic Response of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) to Plant Densities and Fertilizer Application in a Tertiary Institution Experimental Farm in Benin City Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this study was to investigate yield, nutrient concentration and uptake of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) in response to plant densities and fertilizer application. Two fluted pumpkin plant densities (10,000 and 20,000 plants ha^-1) D1 and D2 were evaluated at three levels of NPK fertilizer (F_1, 20 t ha^-1 poultry manure, F_2, 300 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15 and F_3, 10 t ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 NPK 15:15:15) using a factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Leaf length, breadth, number of leaves and stem diameter were significantly increased at both plant densities of 10,000 and 20,000 plants ha ^-1 while herbage yield increased with higher plant density of 20,000 plants ha ^-1using 300 kg ha^-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 or a combination of 10 t ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15. Potassium (K) concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 10,000 plants ha ^-1 and Iron (Fe) uptake was higher with combine application of organic and inorganic fertilizer (F3). To maximize good herbage yield of fluted pumpkin, farmers in this locality should adopt plant density of 20,000 plants ha ^-1using 300 kg ha^-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 (D2F2) or a combination of 10 t ha^-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha^-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 (D2F3).