EFFECTS OF NUTRIENT SOURCE AND LEAF HARVESTING INTENSITY ON PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata Duch.)

1. EDIBLE GROWTH AND QUALITY COMPONENTS

Abstract

Multi-purpose pumpkin is an important crop owing to its large fruits, tender leaves and seeds that are edible, nutritious and medicinal. In Kenya, many farmers do not know the right number of leaves to harvest as well as the fertilizer source to apply to this fruit-vegetable, resulting in low yields and poor quality produce. To address this problem, an experiment was conducted at two sites in Kakamega and Nyeri Counties. The goal was to enhance pumpkin yields and quality through integrated mineral nutrient and leaf harvesting management. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design, with four replications, in two sites, Kakamega and Nyeri that have great potential for pumpkin production. The factors tested at four levels each were nutrient source (0, 4 g 10N:10P:10K, 4 kg and 8 kg Farmyard Manure per plant), and leaf harvesting intensity (0, 1, 2 and 3 leaves per vine once per week). Plants were spaced at the standard 2 m x 4 m spacing, with one plant per experimental unit. Data on growth, yield and quality variables were recorded over a 12-month period and subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD test mean separation at P=0.05. The results showed that leaf harvesting intensity and nutrient source had significant (P<0.05) influence on leaf vegetable weight, fruit yield, sugar content and firmness in both sites. Harvesting two leaves had high yields and quality and the best nutrient source was 8 kg FYM. The optimal combined-treatment entailed harvesting two leaves per branch and applying 4 kg FYM. These optimal treatments are recommended for adoption to sustain enhanced pumpkin edible leaf vegetables and fruit yields and quality.