Effect of Plant Density and Poultry Manure Application on the Growth and Yield of Egusi (Citrullus colocynthis) in Anyigba Kogi State Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Kogi State University Research and Demonstration Farm, Anyigba, during the 2023 farming season. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the experiment and was replicated three (3) times. The treatment consisted of six (6) varying levels of organic manure (poultry droppings). The broad objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of plant density and poultry manure rates on the growth development and yield of egusi melon Citrullus colocynthis. The parameters measured includes, vine Length (cm), Number of branches, number of leaves per plant, Leaf area per plant, Stem girth, (cm), Number of fruit/plant, Average fruit weight and total yield. From the result obtained, the application of poultry manure to melon had significant (p<0.05) effect on the vine Length treatment of 5tons/ha had the highest mean value of (6.22cm, 15.68cm and 80.90cm), at 3, 6 and 9 WAP. The highest number branches was obtained where 10tons/ha and 5tons/ha of poultry manure was applied (1.70 and 2.42) at 6 and 9WAP, the highest number was leaves was obtained where 2.5tons/ha and 5tons/ha of poultry manure was applied (4.85, 8.23 and 25.00) at 3, 6 and 9 WAP. The wildest leaf area was obtained were 5tons, 10tons/ha and 2.5tons/ha of poultry manure was applied with mean value 39.33cm2, 87.98cm2 and 144.37cm2 at 3, 6 and 9 WAP, the widest stem girth was obtained where 5tons of poultry manure was applied with mean value of (1.28cm, 1.75cm and 1.77cm) at 3, 6 and 9 WAP. 5tons/ha had the highest on Number of fruit/plant, Average fruit weight and total yield. Plant density (spacing) had no significant (p<0.05) effect on the parameter measured. There was no significant (p<0.05) effect on the interaction of Plant Density (Spacing) and Poultry Manure on all the growth and yield parameters This clearly indicates that plant growth and development was generally enhanced by poultry droppings application.

Keywords: Application, Manure, Nutrients, Treatment, Spacing, Interaction