Abstract
Fluted Pumpkin known as Telfairia occidentalis is an important vegetable crop in the tropics, cultivated for its leaf vegetable and edible seeds. It is a plant with a wide range of virtues but nevertheless; it is threatened by large scale fungal attacks. In order to manage the problem of food security and meet up with the production of this crop, this study was carried out to assess the effect of animal manure on the incidence and severity of leaf spot disease of Fluted Pumpkin and to determine the pathogenicity test of white leaf spot in Dschang. This research was done in the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences experimental farms at the University of Dschang from November 2017 to May 2018. The field layout was Randomized Complete Block Design with three treatments (poultry manure, piggery manure and control) and three replications. Each replicate consisted of six plots, giving a total of eighteen plots per treatment. In each treatment, fluted pumpkin was spaced at 1 m × 1 m apart. Application of organic manure was done at 3 weeks after emergence and data collection were carried out weekly from 42 DAP. Pathogenicity test was conducted after the establishment of lesions on the leaves. Data were analyzed using descriptive and ANOVA. It was observed that piggery manure treatment had the highest disease incidence (DI = 86.89) compared to the control (DI = 85.42) and poultry manure (DI = 65.74). The pathogenicity test revealed that Phoma sorghina was the causal agent for leaf spot disease in fluted pumpkin with a frequency of 18. Disease incidence and severity was reduced in poultry manure, followed by the control with piggery manure having more disease. Therefore, poultry manure had a better management option of leaf spot disease on fluted pumpkins compared to the other treatments.
Highlights
Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) is an important vegetable crop in the tropics, cultivated for its leaf vegetable and edible seeds
There was no difference in disease incidence on the number of leaves per plant on the control treatment at 42 Days After Planting (DAP) and 49 DAP respectively, but a progressive increased was observed at 56 DAP and 63 DAP respectively (Figure 4)
The results obtained from this study revealed that leaf spot disease of fluted pumpkin could be managed when the plants are treated with poultry manure
Summary
Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) is an important vegetable crop in the tropics, cultivated for its leaf vegetable and edible seeds. Fluted Pumpkins develop long twisting tendrils that usually creep and spread on the surface of the ground if left unattended to and coiled through stakes [2] It has an annual yield of 8.29 Mt∙ha−1 (leaves 5.52 Mt∙ha−1 and seeds 2.08 Mt∙ha−1) and harvesting takes place 120 - 150 days after sowing [3]. The leaves contain vitamins and minerals needed by the body for its health [1]. They are locally used for cooking stews, soups, yam and vegetables, sauces and even for medicinal purposes such as in the treatment of malaria and typhoid amongst other illnesses [4] [5]. There has been an overwhelming increase in the consumption of fluted pumpkin leaves, seeds and shoots over the past years due to all the nutritive benefits obtainable from them [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
