EFFECT OF POTTING MIXTURE SOURCES ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (TELFARIA OCCIDENTALIS)

ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted between 25th January and 9th March 2022 at Screen House of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City to evaluate the growth and yield performances offluted pumpkin in different potting mixtures. This study involved ten (10) potting media mixture comprising T1 (Topsoil alone; 6kg), T2 (Top soil + cattle dung; 1:1), T3 (Top soil + cattle dung; 2:1), T4 (Top soil + cattle dung; 1:2), T5 (Top soil + oil palm refuge bunch; 1:1), T6 (Top soil + OPRB; 2:1), T7 (Top soil + OPRB; 1:2), T8 (Top soil + poultry manure; 1:1), T9 (Top soil + poultry manure; 2:1) and T10 (Top soil + PM; 1:2) laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated four (4) times. Data were collected on vine length, stem girth, leaf area and herbage yield. Results obtained shows that growth and herbage yield values varied among potting media. TS+OPRB 1:1 had the tallest plant, thickest stem and highest leaf area. Plant in TS+CD 2:1 was most leafy. Although plant in TS+OPRB 2:1 had the highest herbage yield but similar with plants in TS+OPRB 1:1.