APPLICATION RATES OF POULTRY MANURE AND SEED SIZE EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis HOOK F.) IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

The study evaluated the effects of poultry manure (PM) application rates and seed size on the growth and yield of T. occidentalis under humid tropical conditions, at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm during the 2020 early cropping season, using a 3 × 4 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Treatments comprised three seed sizes from small (<14 g), medium (14–20 g), to large (>20 g); and four rates of PM (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha⁻¹), replicated thrice. PM significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased vine length, number of leaves, tendrils, and foliar yield, with PM at 15 t ha⁻¹ producing the highest values. Similarly, pod number, girth, and total foliar yield increased with increasing PM rates, attaining a maximum of 13.15 t ha⁻¹ at 15 t ha⁻¹ PM. Seed size significantly influenced early vegetative growth, as large seeds produced more vigorous seedlings and higher leaf biomass only. The interaction was not significant. The application of 15 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure is recommended to enhance soil fertility, growth, and yield of fluted pumpkin under sandy loam conditions. Adoption of this practice offers a sustainable, low-cost pathway to boost productivity among smallholder farmers.