Growth and yield of pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis L) as affected by different prevailing wind speeds, heights and directions under different organic media

Abstract

Pumpkin's (Telfairia occidentalis) growth parameters using two organic manure sources were investigated with respect to different prevailing wind directions, speed and heights. Staked fluted pumpkin, two organic amendments and three different heights of prevailing wind were used.
Three different heights of wind level measured were 0 m, 1 m, and 2 m, each at 90 to the direction of the prevailing wind. Organic nutrient sources were six, namely 5 tons/ha of Cocoa Pod Husk (CH5), 10 tons/ha of Cocoa Pod Husk (CH10), 5 tons/ha Poultry Manure (PM5), 10 tons/ha Poultry Manure (PM10), 5 tons/ha Poultry Manure + 5 tons/ha Cocoa Pod Husk (PM5CH5) and
10 tons/ha Poultry Manure + 10 tons/ha Cocoa Pod Husk (PM10CH10).The treatments were assigned into a randomized complete block design with three replicates each. Parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, all these were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated at 5% level of significance. The result revealed highest plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and stem girth recorded at PM10CH10 and at 2 m wind height. There were some barren pumpkins, despite application of organic nutrients with resulting higher number of leaves and branches. Thus, using different organic manures at different wind heights for pumpkin affect performances.