Response of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) to Different Fertlizer Sources under the Humid Rainforest Climate of Akure, Nigeria

A study was conducted to evaluate the soil strength, physicochemical characteristics and yield of fluted pumpkin ( Telfaira occidentalis ) under different fertilizer sources in an Afisoil of Akure, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria. Four treatment, which include: Poultry manure (10 tom/ha), organomineral fertilizer (5 tom/ha), mineral fertilizer (5 tom/ha) and the control (0 fertilizer), replicated four times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were experimented in two blocks to make a total of 32 plots. Soil samples were collected randomly at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mm depths and analyzed to determine bulk density (BD), total porosity (PT), micro porosity (MIP) and macro porosity (MAP) following standard procedures. Plant parameters (plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and leave yield were measured weekly to determine response of fluted pumpkin to the different fertilizer sources. Results showed that the soil of the site is predominantly sandy clay loam. The pH of the soil under the different fertility treatment showed an increasing order of the form: mineral fertilizer (MF) < control (C) < Organic manure (OM) < organomineral fertilizer (OML) with values 4.26 < 4.96 < 5.46 < 5.5. Leaf yield of fluted pumpkin was highest in treatment plot that received mineral fertilizer when compared with other soil treatments. Fertlizer sources produced no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the height of fluted pumpkin. Result of this research is useful for local farmers and policy makers in the choice of appropriate soil amendment and management system for fluted pumpkin in the study area.