Fertilizer schedule for yield of fresh fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) grown in lower Benue river basin of Nigeria

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 1991 and 1992 cropping seasons to determine appropriate schedule of N, P and K for growth and development of fluted pumpkin (Telfailia occidentalis Hook. f.) in acid sandy soil. Vine number, length of vines, girth and fresh-matter yield were measured at 2-week intervals after fertilizer application. P alone at 22 kg/ha gave the highest fresh-matter yield (5.04 kg/plant), followed by 22 kg P/ha +42 kg K/ha (4.98 kg/plant) and SO kgNlha+22 kg P/ha (4.89 kg/plant). These yields were  significantly different (P = 0.05) from treatments and combinations without P. NPK applied in 2 splits (4 and 8 weeks after germination) gave fresh-matter yield of 5.45 kg/plant compared with 4.16 kg/plant produced by single application of NPK or 4.76 kg/plant given by 3 splits of NPK. Fresh-matter yields obtained from band or broadcast application (6.4 and 6.3 kg/plant respectively) were significantly different (P= 0.05) from ring application or point placement methods (4.7 and 4.4 kg/plant respectively). Band application of NPK therefore proved a superior method of fertilizing fluted pumpkin.