Growth, yield, fruit mineral and Vitamin C content of Cucurbita pepo. L as affected by Organic and NPK fertilizer

Abstract

The nutrients requirement for Cucurbita pepo L. (summer squash) for optimal yield and quality fruits production can be achieved through adequate nutrient supply. A field experiment was carried out during the cropping season of 2015 and 2016 at Landmark University Teaching and Research Farm, Omu-Aran, Nigeria to investigate the impact of Tithonia diversifolia, poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on the growth, yield, mineral and vitamin C content in the fruit of C. pepo. The experiment consisted of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1, poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + Poultry manure 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + NPK (20:10:10), NPK (20:10:10) and control (no amendment of any kind) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The growth and fruit yield of C. pepo using the mean of the two years was increased by 68% and 2% respectively by T. diversifolia + poultry manure as compared to control due to an increase in nutrient availability in the soil with the amendment used. Also, Vitamin C content and Mg value of the fruit was increased by application of T. diversifolia as soil amendments as compared to the control. While the application of NPK fertilizer alone significantly increased the Ca, Mn and Fe contents of fruits. Fruit content of K was increased by 39 % by the application of T. diversifolia + NPK. Therefore, for the purpose of growing squash for the quality of fruits (vitamin C), the use of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 as organic fertilizer is sufficient for the cultivation, while for growing the crop with interest in quantity, application of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1 is recommended.

Impact of Crop Sequence and Fertilization on Potato Yield in a Long-Term Study

“…The use of fertilizers, both organic and inorganic, can significantly affect potato yield, but organic fertilizers and their extracts also improve soil fertility, its structure, and help plants combat pests and diseases [ 18 ]. Although the proper use of mineral fertilizers, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, is necessary to correct the imbalance of nutrients in infertile soils [ 19 , 20 ], it is well known that their use is not helpful in intensive agriculture, as it is often associated with reduced yield, soil acidity and nutrient imbalance.…”

Performance and quality attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) fruits grown under soil applied Zn-fertilizer, green biomass and poultry manure

“…Despite the nutritional quality of okra, there are few published articles about using organic materials 24 and Zn-based fertilizer 25 in improving the quality of crop. The study was therefore carried out to determine the performance of T. diversifolia and C. odorata (green biomass) when combined with Zn fertilizer and poultry manure on the yield and nutritional quality of okra fruits.…”