Effect of seed weight on some agronomic parameters in fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) grown in a coastal plain sands derived soil

Abstract

A field experiment laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD), having three treatments and seven replications was conducted in the Eastern Farm of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, to investigate the effect of seed size on some agronomic parameters in fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f. ). The three treatments were: Treatment 1 (T1) – Heavy seeds, Treatment 2 (T2) – Medium weight seeds, and Treatment 3 (T3) – Light weight seeds. The seven replications were made up of seven fluted pumpkin pods obtained from Umuahia. The three treatments were evaluated with respect to nine (9) agronomic parameters, namely: Days to seedling emergence, Establishment count, Number of leaves per plant, Number of branches per plant, Fresh vegetative yield, Stem girth, Leaf area, Shoot length, and, Number of pods per plant. Days to seedling emergence did not differ for heavy and medium seeds, but it was earlier for heavy and medium weight seeds than for light seeds (p<0.01). Plants raised from heavy and medium weight seeds recorded higher establishment counts than those raised from light seeds (p<0.05). Plants raised from heavy seeds had thicker stems than those raised from medium and light seeds (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between medium and light weight seed plants in respect of stem girth. There were no significant differences among the three treatments with respect to number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, fresh vegetative yield, leaf area, and number of pods per plant. It was concluded that fluted pumpkin farmers in Southeastern Nigeria need not be overly concerned as to seed size when sourcing seed for planting as the heavy, medium, and light weight seeds gave rise to plants that did not differ significantly from each other in respect of vegetative as well as reproductive yield parameters in the crop.