Effect of Different Organic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Water melon (Citrullus Ianatus) | ..

To compare the effect of different applications of organic manures on the growth and yield of water melon, field experimental trials were conducted at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, which is located between latitude 100 35”N and longitude 07°21”E at an altitude of 644m above sea level (Citrullus Ianatus). Between the early commencement of rain in April and the end of the monsoon in October 2011, two trials were undertaken, with the mean of the two trials being used. Chicken manure, a mixture of poultry dung and goat/ sheep manure, goat/ sheep manure, and a control were the treatments (no manure). The treatments were replicated four times in randomized complete block design. Data were collected on growth parameters such as plant vines length, Number of branches per plant, number of leaves and yield parameters like fruits weight, fruits diameter and number of fruits. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the mean separated using Least Significant Difference. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in plant vine length. The plots treated with poultry droppings had the highest value of plant vine length of 8.20, 137.90 and 216.30 cm at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting. Poultry droppings also gave the highest values for the weight of fruit (10.72 Kg) and diameter of fruit (53.25 mm). The best treatment is poultry manure which has the highest yield of 34.25% at 2.5 tonnes per hectare. All of the growth and yield metrics of water melon (Citrullus lanatus) examined were positively affected by poultry manure. In order to get a good yield of water melon, farmers in the research region should use chicken manure.

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