Effect of mounding, staking and frequency of weeding on growth, yield and quality of tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus).
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Date
JULY, 2009
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Abstract
A 2x2x3 factorial experiment in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) was undertaken on the field to investigate the effect of mounding, staking and frequency of weeding on growth, yield and quality of tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus) at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi from 1st December, 2005 to 25th February, 2006. No significant differences existed in the number of leaves, nodes, branches and vine length per plant at two, four and six weeks after germination for mounding, staking and frequency of weeding. Significant interaction effects existed between the treatments (mounding, staking and frequency of weeding) for the number of leaves and nodes at six weeks after germination. With regard to number of branches and vine length significant interactive effects existed between the treatments at four and six weeks after germination respectively. Number of days from germination to flower bud appearance and fruit set were not significantly affected by mounding, staking or frequency of weeding. The treatments however, showed significant interactive effects in the number of days from germination to flower bud appearance but not in days to fruit set. Fruit length/diameter ratio was significantly increased from 0.747cm to 0.883cm for mounding, staking and frequency of weeding interaction but average number of fruits and average weight of fruits were not significantly affected by the treatments. Total number of fruits, marketable fruits and non exportable fruits were significantly increased from (5319–9775), (2281–4319) and (863–2850) fruits per hectare for the treatments and their interaction. All the nutrients analysed for moisture, ash, protein, fats, carbohydrate, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus) were significantly affected by mounding, staking and frequency of weeding and their interactions. Cost-benefit analysis showed that plants that were mounded, staked and weeded three times had the highest income, the highest expenditure but a lower profit margin of Gh¢326.04. Plants that were not mounded, not staked and weeded once had the least expenditure with the highest profit margin. Also plants that were not mounded, staked and weeded three times recorded the lowest profit margin.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Science (Olericulture) degree on July.