keywords: Fluted pumpkin, fertilizer, vegetative growth, and yield
Field studies was conducted to evaluate the effect of different rates of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer application on the performance of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) in the teaching and research farm of Delta State University Abraka, Asaba campus. Four different rates of NPK 15:15:15 (0, 100, 200 and 300 kilogram per hectare) fertilizer were used as the treatments for the experiment which was fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on leaf area, leaf number, stem girth and weight of leaves. The result showed no significant difference between the application of 200 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha though the 300 kg/ha had the highest mean value, this was followed by 100 kg/ha and control which were not significantly different from each other. The vegetative growth increased with increase in fertilizer level. However, this study recommends the use of 200 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer since it did not differ significantly from 300 kg/ha that had more input.
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