Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 5 (1): 443 - 449. Published November 23, 2009.
The effects of mineral N and compost fertilizers on the growth, yield and nutritional values of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) in south western Nigeria
Olaniyi, J.O.*and Odedere M. P.
*Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
* Correspondence author E- mail: Olaniyikunle2005@yahoo.com
SUMMARY
This study investigated the optimum level of mineral nitrogen (N) and compost (C) fertilizers and their combinations for the optimal growth, yield, nutritional values and chemical compositions of Telfairia occidentalis in Ogbomoso, southwestern Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted in the cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008. The treatments involved two levels of mineral N (0 and 60 kg. N ha-l), 5 levels of compost (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 t. C ha-l ) and their combinations (30 kg. N by 1.5 t. C, 30 kg. N by 3.0 t. C, 30 kg. N by 4.5 t. C and 30 kg. N by 6.0 t. C ha-l). The treatments were assigned into a complete randomized block design with three replications. The parameters assessed were number of leaves, vine length, number of vines, leaf area, dry matter yield and shoot yield per hectare. These traits showed a significant increase as N rate increased, with optimum values obtained at 60 kg. N ha-1. Although the highest growth and yield attributes were obtained from 6.0 t. ha-1 compost applications, there was no significant difference between the values obtained at 4.5 and 6.0 t. ha-1 applied compost. The nutritional values and essential nutrient elements significantly increased as N-rate and compost rate increased with the optimum values obtained at 60kg. N ha-1 and 4.5 t. ha-1 of compost, respectively. The combined effects of mineral N and compost fertilizers significantly influenced the growth, yield, quality and chemical compositions of T. occidentalis, with the maximum values recorded from 30kg N by 4.5 t ha-1 of compost. The yield and nutritional qualities of T. occidentalis in the guinea savannah zone of Nigeria could be significantly improved by single application of 60kg. N ha-1 or 4.5 t. ha-1 of compost or and their combination at 30kg. N and 3.0 t. ha-1 of compost.
Key words
Compost, mineral fertilizer, Telfairia occidentalis, growth, nutritional values, yield
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