Abstract
A field experiment was conducted in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farms in Cross River State, Nigeria to evaluate the influence of locally sourced liming materials and organomineral fertilizer on the performance of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis). Eight treatments used were: control (no amendment), sole application of wood ash (WA), cocoa pod ash (CPA), periwinkle shells ash (PSA), organomineral fertilizer (OMF) each applied at 8 t/ha and the combinations of each of the lime materials with OMF. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Chemical composition of the amendments used showed that the pH values of the materials varied in the order CPA > WA > OMF > PSA. Calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) contents were highest in CPA (44.80 cmol/kg, 0.17 cmol/kg) while magnesium (Mg) was highest in WA (20.40 cmol/kg). Results showed that lime and OMF applied separately or in combination increased soil pH values significantly (P < 0.05) relative to the control with the highest value of 5.87 obtained from plots treated with OMF +WA. There were also significant increases in soil available phosphorus (P), basic nutrients (Ca, Mg, K) and base saturation. Significant (P<0.05) increases in growth parameters (vine length, number of leaves) and yield of fluted pumpkin were observed. The highest yield (596.82 kg/ha) obtained at 10 WAP from OMF + CPA treated plot was not significantly higher than the yields of 586.67 and 577.67 kg/ha obtained from OMF + PSA and OMF + WA treated plots, respectively. Therefore, for improved soil nutrients, sustainable and better performance of fluted pumpkin in an acid Ultisol of South Eastern Nigeria, the combination of any of the lime materials with OMF is recommended.
Highlights
All creatures depend directly or indirectly on the soil for their sustenance
The experiment comprised of eight treatments; control, sole application of wood ash (WA), cocoa pod ash (CPA), periwinkle shells ash (PSA), organomineral fertilizer (OMF) each applied at 8 t/ha and the combinations of each of the lime materials with OMF
The soil was generally low in organic carbon (11.8 g/kg), total nitrogen (1.0 g/kg), exchangeable bases, exchange capacity (ECEC) (9.84 cmol/kg) and base saturation (26.02%) but moderate in available phosphorus (15.13 mg/kg), when compared to the critical minimum for Nigerian soils (Aduayi et al, 2002)
Summary
The soil provides a medium for plant growth, provides nutrients which encourages their sustainability and productivity. Southern Cross River State soils that are developed on sand stones or coastal plain sand parent materials are strongly weathered, leached and highly acidic in nature. This is due to the predisposition of the soil to leaching and soil erosion resulting in high preponderance of hydrogen ions [H+], aluminum ions [Al3+] and sulphur in the soil causing acidity and loss of soil nutrients such as nitrogen in large proportions (Njoku et al, 1987). Soil acidity can develop from continuous use of acid forming fertilizer without adequate liming programme and through heavy industrialization that lead to acid rains (Oguntoyinbo, 1990)
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