Nitrogen fertilizer effect on the yield and quality of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the yield and seed quality of fluted pumpkin during 2004-2005 cropping seasons. A randomized complete block design was used with six rates of nitrogen fertilizer as urea: 0, 30, 45, 45, 60 and 75kg urea/ha and replicated four times. Each plot size was 4x5m. Split doses at 16 and 83 days after transplanting (DAT) as top dressing. Data on Vine-length, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, days to flowering, pods, aborted pods and the seed weight. Result were analysed using ANOVA and means were separated using LSD at 5% level of significance. Significant effect were only observed between the control (OkgN/ha) and 30kgN/ha for both seed and pulp on the seed dry matter (DM). The husk, showed significant effect between treatments 30 and 45kg/ha.