Effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on the growth, seed yield and nutritional values of egusi melon (Citrullus lanatus (thumb) manf.) in Ogbomoso South west Nigeria

Olaniyi J. O* and B. A. Tella

Abstract

Field trials were carried out at the Teaching and Research farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (8o10’N and 40 10’E) to determine the effects of N and K fertilizers and their combinations on growth, seed yield and quality of Egusi melon (Citrullus lanatus (thumb) manf.). The treatments involved two levels of Nitrogen (O, and 60kg.Nha-1) and five levels of potassium; (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40kg.K2Oha-1) and their combinations. The ten treatments were assigned randomly into a factorial experiment and fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield attributes and quality of melon seeds. Plant height, number of leaves, nutrient uptake, seed yield and quality were significantly increased with increasing rates of nitrogen and potassium. The highest performances were obtained at 60kgNha-1 and 30kg K2Oha-1 rates, respectively. Significant interactions were detected between N and K in most of the measured parameters. The best seed yield and quality were recorded at 60kgNha-1 by 30kg K2Oha-1 fertilizer combinations.