Abstract
A study was conducted during the 2009-2010 summer growing season to determine the effects of varying irrigation frequencies and NPK application rate on biomass yield and partitioning to fractions of Cucumis africanus. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design arrangement and replicated three times. Three irrigation frequencies, namely, 2, 4 and 6 days interval, were the main plots and sub-plot treatments were application rates of three NPK fertilizer levels combined in a ratio 3:2:1and a control treatment of 0 Kg NPK ha-1. Total and plant fraction biomass yield were higher in the four day irrigation frequencies and 120-80-40 kg NPK ha-1 fertilizer rate treatment combination. In conclusion, the results indicate that the plant can produce adequately under conditions of limited water supply provided there are supplemental nutrients available. Key words: Irrigation frequency, biomass yield, root/shoot ratio, ethnobotanicals.
Highlights
Wild-watermelon Cucumis africanus, is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae
Harvesting for leafy vegetable is usually carried out in the morning to maintain the full rigidity of the leaves and other fleshy parts of the plant
The results showed that dry biomass yields were influenced (P < 0.05) by the interaction between irrigation frequency and NPK fertilizer application rate (Table 1)
Summary
Wild-watermelon Cucumis africanus, is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Fresh young leaves of the plant are eaten as a pot herb by many people in the rural communities of South Africa. Other research workers found that the leaves are rich in calcium, iron, nicotinic acid and vitamin C. Harvesting for leafy vegetable is usually carried out in the morning to maintain the full rigidity of the leaves and other fleshy parts of the plant. In. South African traditional medicine the roots, shoots or fruits of C. africanus is used as an emetic, purgative or enema for various ailments. The boiled leaf is used as a poultice and it is reported that the plant is useful in animal medicine (Botha and Perinth, 2008)
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