GROWTH RESPONSES OF FLUTED PUMPKIN EXPOSED TO PERIODIC WETTING WITH GREY WATER AND DIFFERENT SHADING REGIMES

ABSTRACT

Limited supplies of freshwater are of concern worldwide. The ever growing demand for water for agricultural purposes warrants the need for alternative water sources other than freshwater supplies, one of such alternative is waste water (grey water) reuse. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of grey water on the morphological parameters of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis). The study also investigated the effects of shading in the plants productivity. The plants based on exposure to grey water were grouped into daily (D), 2 days in a week (2DW), weekly (W), 2 weeks in a month (2WM) and monthly (M) treatments. On the basis of shading, plants were exposed to total shade (TS), partial shade (PS) and no shade (NS). Results showed height of 224.13 cm for 2WM in total shade (TS), 213.13 cm for D in partial shade (PS) and 192.14 cm for 2WM in no shade (NS). Leaflets number was recorded to be 87.17 for W in total shade (TS), 114.16 for 2DW in partial shade (PS) and 99.52 for 2DW in no shade (NS). Productivity of plant, based on foliar parameters (leaf number and size) was best in the 2WM treatments and worst in the D treatments. Generally, results obtained showed that grey water had favourable effects on the growth and yield of Telfairia occidentalis. However there was no significant change in nutrient level of fluted pumpkin when proximate analysis was carried out.