FERTILIZER TYPES AND VARIETAL EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus ) IN OGBOMOSO, NIGERIA

  • Oluyomi Olarinre Oladejo Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
  • Folasade Mary Owoade Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
  • Oladunni Adeleke Adisa Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
Keywords: Fertilizer types, Watermelon varieties, Yield parameters, Growth parameters and Nutrient

Abstract

Fertilizer use is a critical factor for the growth and yield of watermelon. However, there is a lack of information on the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of watermelon in Nigeria. This study addressed this gap by evaluating the effect of different fertilizer on performance of watermelon varieties. Three varieties Kaolak (KK), Sweet Sangaria (SS) and Micklee Plus (MP) of watermelon and five fertilizer treatment (Control (no fertilizer), NPK 15:15:15 (NPK), Poultry manure (PM), Organomineral (OGM) and Mack pure (MKP) in a factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated  thrice were carried out at Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso between May- August, 2024. Soil samples were taken before planting and analysed for physical and chemical properties. Data on growth (number of leaves and number of vines) and Yield (number of flower and number of fruit) parameters were taken, nutrient analysis for matured fruit was also carried out and analysed using ANOVA and treatment means separated with LSD at 5% level. The highest number of leaves were recorded in MP varieties treated with PM at both 2 and 4 weeks after sowing (WAS). MP treated with PM and control had the highest number of vines at 2 and 4 WAS. Also, MP treated with OGM had the highest (33.8) number of flowers while MP varieties treated with PM had the highest number of fruits (36.2.) Results of nutrient analysis shows variety KK in control had highest (4mg/kg) Nitrogen. All the three varieties were not significantly different in P (0.5mg/kg), K (3.3mg/kg), Z (0.5mg/kg) and VitaminA(0.7%). KK treated with PM and Control had highest Fe (0.6mg/kg) and SS treated with OGM had highest amount of Vitamin C (40.1%) . In Conclusion, MP treated with PM performed best in terms of growth and yield as they were significantly influenced by the fertilizer and variety types and there was similarity in variety and fertilizer treatment in nutrient content analysis.

Published
2024-09-09
Issue
Vol 19 No 2 (2024): Vol 19 Issue 2
Section
Articles